A camping trip has turned into a nightmare after a young man was savagely attacked by a large crocodile at a remote Kimberley beach north of Broome.

The incident occurred on a popular stretch of beach near the Coulomb Point Nature Reserve, adjacent to Hidden Creek, about 50 kilometres north of Broome on Saturday.

The WA Country Health Service said the man, aged in his 20s, was admitted to Broome Hospital before the Royal Flying Doctor Service transported him to the Royal Perth Hospital on Monday.

The unsealed Manari Road on the Dampier Peninsula, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth, is popular with Broome residents and tourists due to its kilometres of pristine beach.

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) spokeswoman said it was notified of the attack involving a ‘large crocodile’ on the coast on Monday.

‘Parks and Wildlife Service staff have already spoken with a relative of the man who was attacked and intend to discuss the incident further with those involved,’ she said.

‘DBCA will also undertake a site visit, as part of the investigation.’

The spokeswoman said crocodiles are common in the Kimberley and people should always ‘be crocwise’ anywhere along the Kimberley coast and all water bodies across northern Australia, including estuaries, tidal rivers, river pools and the waters around offshore islands.

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions  spokeswoman said it was notified of the attack involving a ‘large crocodile’ on the coast on Monday

The attack happened on a a popular stretch of beach near the Coulomb Point Nature Reserve (pictured) about 50 kilometres north of Broome on Saturday

‘Your safety is your responsibility,’ she said.

She said the DBCA needed the public’s help to manage the crocodiles and interactions should be reported as soon as possible. 

‘Please contact the nearest Parks and Wildlife Service office as soon as possible to report a crocodile that has approached you, a crocodile showing aggressive behaviour or posing a risk to public safety or people interfering or interacting with crocodiles,’ she said.

It is the second crocodile attack in less than five months in the region, with local rangers reporting an increase in crocodile activity.

A man received lacerations to his body from a 3-metre saltwater crocodile near the remote La Djardarr Bay Community, on the Dampier Peninsula, in January.

In 2024, another man was attacked by a 3m saltwater crocodile while spearfishing near islands off the coast of One Arm Point.