Is swimming in Lake Argyle safe? Are there crocodiles?

Swimming in Lake Argyle, Western Australia, is not entirely safe. There are thousands of freshwater crocodiles, which are largely harmless. But you can’t guarantee there’s no saltwater crocodile in the lake.

Lake Argyle is the largest lake in Western Australia, and is justifiably regarded as one of the tourist highlights of the Kimberley Region.

Book your Lake Argyle cruise, accommodation and kayak hire in advance.

Swimming in Lake Argyle

It’s a big, beautiful lake surrounded by rugged scenery, and it is highly tempting to swim in. But is swimming in Lake Argyle safe?

Well, not exactly, no. There is always going to be an element of risk when swimming in Lake Argyle. It is wild swimming, water can be deep, and there are no lifeguards on hand.

The main reason why people wonder about the safety of swimming in Lake Argyle, however, is the crocodiles.

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Crocodiles in Lake Argyle

Let’s not sugar-coat it – there are tens of thousands of crocodiles in Lake Argyle. In fact, there is nowhere else on earth that has more freshwater crocodiles.

However, these freshwater crocodiles are generally quite timid and regarded as not dangerous to humans. They eat fish and insects and have no interest in attacking humans, unless they are interfered with or put in a compromised situation. Essentially, leave the freshwater crocodiles alone, and they will leave you alone.

However, there have been incidents in the past where people have been attacked by freshwater crocodiles at Lake Argyle. Not fatal ones, but a nasty bite nonetheless. All swimming in Lake Argyle is done at your own risk.

4 top Kununurra experiences to book

Take a cruise along the Ord River – including the spectacular Kimberley sunset.
Or go for the Ord River lunch cruise instead.
Dine in the outback – cooked in a camp oven at an atmospheric secret location.
Take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles – and land for the Cathedral Gorge Walk.

Saltwater crocodiles in Lake Argyle

The truly dangerous crocodiles in Australia are the much bigger saltwater crocodiles, which kill one to two people a year on average. These generally don’t make it far enough away from the coast to reach Lake Argyle. However, there have been saltwater crocodile sightings in Lake Argyle before. The lake cannot be guaranteed to be safe from salties.

The best way to see Lake Argyle is on a cruise. You can either pick a tour that leaves from the Lake Argyle Resort, or one that includes a transfer from Kununurra. It’s a 69km drive from Kununurra to Lake Argyle.

Another option is kayak hire, which costs from $40.

Other things to do in Kununurra include Ord River cruises and scenic flight tours to the Bungle Bungles.