Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas: Crocodiles & swimming safety

Four Mile Beach is the main beach in Queensland resort town Port Douglas. There is a lifeguard-patrolled swimming area at the northern end of the beach, and any crocodiles spotted are targeted for removal.

Where is Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas?

Four Mile Beach is the main beach in Port Douglas, the resort town and Great Barrier Reef cruise hub in far north Queensland.

Four Mile Beach curves along the eastern side of Port Douglas, and many of the town’s top resorts can be found here.

9 Port Douglas experiences to boost your holiday

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour – visiting three amazing snorkelling sites on the Outer Reef. This is the one for seeing the very best of the Reef.
Visit Agincourt Reef – with a cruise, underwater observatory and coral viewing in a semi-submersible. This is the best Port Douglas Reef tour for less confident swimmers.
Half-day Low Isles snorkelling tour – ideal for those with less time.
Daintree River wildlife cruise combo – see lots of crocs, then visit the cascades of Mossman Gorge.
Sunset sailing cruise – with welcome drinks and appetisers aboard a luxury catamaran.
Scenic helicopter flight – see the Great Barrier Reef from above.
Go fishing at a barramundi farm – with lunch included.
Aboriginal cultural walk – including bush tucker tasting and traditional hunting techniques.
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – meet all manner of native Australian animals.

Is it safe to swim at Four Mile Beach?

It is not entirely safe to swim at Four Mile Beach. But by the relative standards of far north Queensland, it is reasonably safe – provided you stick to the lifeguard patrol area at the northern end of the beach.

This is where there is a dedicated netted swimming area, with the nets designed to keep marine stingers out during stinger season. The nets aren’t 100% stinger-proof, however – you can’t guarantee the box jellyfish and marine stingers won’t get in.

Are there crocodiles at Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas?

The bad news is that Port Douglas is firmly in crocodile country. Crocodiles are regularly seen around Port Douglas. You can never guarantee that there will not be a crocodile on Four Mile Beach.

However, the chances of seeing a crocodile on Four Mile Beach are low. Crocodiles don’t like hanging out on beaches. They like murky estuaries, creeks and billabongs where they can’t be seen very easily. If a crocodile is seen at Four Mile Beach, it is more than likely transiting to somewhere else.

Four Mile Beach is also carefully monitored for crocodiles, and if one is seen there, it is immediately targeted for removal.

In short – don’t worry too much about crocs at Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, as other people are doing that job for you.

While in Port Douglas, try Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours, sailing at sunset and half day tours into the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Check out the best Port Douglas accommodation options here.

If you really do want to see crocodiles in Port Douglas, take a cruise on the Daintree River or visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.