Crocs's Eye View: Tourists Swim and Snap with 8ft American Crocodiles

Austrian Franz Pramendorfer shot footage on his GoPro camera while vacationing in Cuba with his wife and two sons, Frank, 18 and Peter, 16. 

The 53-year-old spotted the an 8ft American crocodile from a tour boat in Jardines de la Reina, when he decided to dive in for a closer look.

Franz said: “The guide said it was okay to snorkel with the crocodile because it was small, so I got in and after 10 minutes my son Frank joined me. 

“My wife could not hold him on board - and my son Peter and his friend Johannes also got in the water."

The footage shows the reptile calmly swimming in front of the family and flashing his massive teeth for the camera. 

At one point the croc glides up to the the surface, swimming straight toward Franz and his sons.  

The curious animal then swims over to the boat giving the other tourists a chance to snap pictures. 

Franz said: “I didn’t plan to get so close to it, but there was a current and the crocodile came up close while I had my back on the boat.

“At one point my camera was 3cm into its mouth.” 

Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 15 feet and weigh more than 2,000lbs.