Keep a safe distance if you see a crocodile. Be aware that crocodiles often will bask with an open mouth to regulate their body temperature, and there's no cause for concern if you see this behavior. Swim only in designated swimming areas and only during daylight hours. Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn.

If you encounter a saltwater crocodile, the most critical action is to maintain a safe distance of at least 25 meters and slowly move away from the area. "Salties" are ambush predators and can strike with incredible speed, even launching themselves vertically out of the water. If you spot one while on land, do not approach it, take photos, or throw objects; instead, depart slowly and quietly. If the crocodile begins to move toward you or charges, run in a straight line away from the water as quickly as possible—the common advice to run in a "zig-zag" is a myth that only slows you down. If you are in a small boat, keep your limbs inside the vessel and do not lean over the edge. Most importantly, prevent an encounter by obeying all "Crocwise" warning signs, avoiding the water's edge at night or during dawn/dusk, and never cleaning fish or disposing of food scraps near waterways in known crocodile habitats like Northern Australia or Southeast Asia.