YIKES! Alligator spotted in the surf at Sunset Beach

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The next time you head to the beach you may want to keep an eye out for alligators. Yup, one was just spotted swimming in the surf at one Brunswick County beach over the weekend.

Michael McBride lives near Sunset Beach and was at the beach Sunday night when he saw an alligator swimming in the water. He said he was in between 4th and 5th streets in Sunset Beach around 7:30 p.m. when he spotted the gator.

McBride said he called police and stuck around for about 45 minutes, but no one showed up.

Alligator seen near 4th Street beach access in Sunset Beach. (Photo: Michael McBride)

He said at one point it was up just above the tide line but never made any moves toward anyone.

While it’s not a common animal you see at the beach, wildlife experts say it’s not out of the question to see alligators pop up in the surf as they can get lost between the sound side and ocean side.