Tourists swim with 16 FOOT saltwater crocodiles

Thrill-seeking holidaymakers can now risk a face-to-face encounter with a 16-foot saltwater crocodile separated only by a thin plastic barrier. 

The tourist attraction, which is based in Darwin on the Great Barrier Reef, is ominously called the Cage of Death.

Tourists pay £103 to be lowered into an aquatic enclosure for a 30-minute encounter with the beast.

Thrill-seeking holidaymakers can now risk a face-to-face encounter with a 16-foot Saltwater crocodile separated only by a thin plastic barrier

The tourist attraction, which has opened on the Great Barrier Reef in Darwin, is ominously called the Cage of Death 

They pay £103 to be lowered into an aquatic enclosure for a 30-minute encounter with the beast

They pay £103 to be lowered into an aquatic enclosure for a 30-minute encounter with the beast

Tourists are first hoisted over the water to see the crocodile swirling below, before they are lowered into the waters.

While the acrylic cage is underwater, keepers feed the fearsome reptile so the predator moves around in the water.

They are fed on a diet of chicken, beef and fish as wide-eyed visitors watch them move.

Adrenaline junkies are given 360 degree views around the aquatic enclosure as the croc snaps and swims around the small cage.

Tourists are first hoisted over the water to see the crocodile swirling below, before they are lowered into the waters

Tourists are first hoisted over the water to see the crocodile swirling below, before they are lowered into the waters

While the acrylic cage is underwater, keepers feed the fearsome reptile so the predator moves around in the water

While the acrylic cage is underwater, keepers feed the fearsome reptile so the predator moves around in the water

They are fed on a diet of chicken, beef and fish as wide-eyed visitors watch them move

They are fed on a diet of chicken, beef and fish as wide-eyed visitors watch them move

After 15 minutes in the water, the tourists are lifted to safety. The circular cage is held up by a monorail and can be used by two tourists at a time.

German tourist Nellie Winters said: ‘It’s awesome. When I went in at first I didn’t expect it to be that awesome because the crocodile is huge and you’re right next to him.

‘I was scared but I was fascinated as well. I kept thinking he was going to eat me. You are right next to him and you sometimes forget that there are cages around you.

‘You’re that close that you think you could swim next to him and, yeah, he could also eat you, even though he won’t.

Adrenaline junkies are given 360 degree views around the aquatic enclosure as the croc snaps and swims around the small cage

Adrenaline junkies are given 360 degree views around the aquatic enclosure as the croc snaps and swims around the small cage

After 15 minutes in the water, the tourists are lifted to safety. The circular cage is held up by a monorail and can be used by two tourists at a time

After 15 minutes in the water, the tourists are lifted to safety. The circular cage is held up by a monorail and can be used by two tourists at a time

German tourist Nellie Winters said: 'It's awesome. When I went in at first I didn't expect it to be that awesome because the crocodile is huge and you're right next to him'

German tourist Nellie Winters said: ‘It’s awesome. When I went in at first I didn’t expect it to be that awesome because the crocodile is huge and you’re right next to him’

‘I didn’t expect it to be that close and intense so I wasn’t that nervous but when we got into the water right next to him I started to feel very nervous.’

The Saltwater crocodile is the largest of its kind and can grow to up to 20 feet long.

Their teeth can be as long as four inches and the reptiles are considered one of the most dangerous to humans.

The reptiles are found across the north of Australia and are also native to India and other areas of south-east Asia.

He added: ‘I was scared but I was fascinated as well. I kept thinking he was going to eat me. You are right next to him and you sometimes forget that there are cages around you’

He went on: 'You're that close that you think you could swim next to him and, yeah, he could also eat you, even though he won't'

He went on: ‘You’re that close that you think you could swim next to him and, yeah, he could also eat you, even though he won’t’

The Saltwater crocodile is the largest of its kind and can grow to up to 20 feet long

The Saltwater crocodile is the largest of its kind and can grow to up to 20 feet long

The Cage of Death is run by Crocosaurus Cove, which owns seven crocodiles, including a breeding pair named William and Kate.

The other reptiles at the cove boast more fearsome names, such as Chopper and Axel.

The attraction, which will set the most hardened thrill-seeker’s heart racing, has been open since 2011.

Crocosaurus Cove also gives visitors the opportunity to hold baby crocodiles and feed them using fishing lines.

The Cage of Death is run by Crocosaurus Cove, which owns seven crocodiles, including a breeding pair named William and Kate

The Cage of Death is run by Crocosaurus Cove, which owns seven crocodiles, including a breeding pair named William and Kate

The other reptiles at the cove boast more fearsome names, such as Chopper and Axel

The other reptiles at the cove boast more fearsome names, such as Chopper and Axel

The attraction, which will set the most hardened thrill-seeker's heart racing, has been open since 2011

The attraction, which will set the most hardened thrill-seeker’s heart racing, has been open since 2011

Crocosaurus Cove also gives visitors the opportunity to hold baby crocodiles and feed them using fishing lines

Crocosaurus Cove also gives visitors the opportunity to hold baby crocodiles and feed them using fishing lines

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