Beachgoers stunned to see enormous ALLIGATOR soaking up the sun on Alabama island

Shocking photos and videos show an alligator chilling on an Alabama beach in the Gulf of Mexico just feet away from beachgoers. 

In a post on Facebook, one man shared the grabs of the reptile in the large body of water, along with a short clip of the animal wading by the shore. 

‘The things you never think you’ll see,’ wrote Matt Harvill on Facebook. ‘First time seeing a gator on Dauphin Island. Heading towards the west end be careful y’all.’

Harvill said the alligator seemed curious more than anything but the video has some beachgoers spooked. Others, however, say it won’t affect their beach trips.

‘I’d probably still get in the water,’ said beachgoer Noah Knight. ‘Not anywhere in the area where the alligator is at but still probably.’ 

In a post on Facebook, one man shared the grabs of the reptile in the large body of water, along with a short clip of the animal wading by the shore

The alligator hit the beach over the weekend, according to Harvill’s post.   

‘It was just a very beautiful day – my girlfriend and I were just spending some time on the beach when someone mentioned it,’ Harvill said. 

‘So, we walked down to get a better look and snap some pictures. It’s not everyday something like that happens,’ he continued. 

‘We see them in Dog River and the Bird sanctuary. Almost never in the Gulf like that. I knew if I didn’t get pictures no one would ever believe it,’ Harvill said. 

Experts say the best things to do if you encounter an alligator are to take extra precautions and do not feed them. 

Commenters on Harvill’s post shared their thoughts on the video and photos, with reactions ranging from fright to genuine disbelief. 

‘Looks like he’s having a blast,’ one person joked.  

‘I guess he is not afraid of sharks,’ another added. 

‘I hope he’s not going to church,’ one commented. 

‘The things you never think you’ll see,’ wrote Matt Harvill on Facebook. ‘First time seeing a gator on Dauphin Island. Heading towards the west end be careful y’all’

Harvill said the alligator seemed curious more than anything but the video has some beachgoers spooked. Others, however, say it won’t affect their beach trips

The sight is uncommon considering that alligators are typically freshwater creatures. 

They are also better known for inhabiting swampy areas, rather than beaches. 

Despite that, officials with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab said there have been sightings in the past with the creatures. 

‘Alligators are not unusual on Dauphin Island though they don’t tolerate salt water very well,’ the sea lab said told AL.com. 

‘So if there’s one hanging out on the beach it may have wandered over from the freshwater ponds or made its way following a rainfall event,’ the email read.