As the weather heats up you might fancy a dip in the pool, but we are not the only ones feeling the urge to cool off.

A small saltwater crocodile has been found having a dip at Margie Ryder's Tully Heads home, 160 kilometres south of Cairns.

Ms Ryder's neighbour Noel King popped over this morning to clean the filter in the backyard salt water swimming pool and saw what he thought was a large stick poking out of the filter box.

He went to pull it out but realised at the last moment that 'the stick' was an 80-centimetre-long saltie.

"I didn't put my hand in there!" Mr King said.

"I lifted the lid off the pool filter and there's a 'gator in there.

"He was curled up in there with his head hanging out into the water. Nice and cool for him."

Mr King said he removed the reptile from the pool using a fishing net but the croc jumped straight back in.

"He is just swimming around, he is liking it," Mr King said.

Mr King said the croc went straight back into the pool after he removed it using a fishing net. ( Facebook: Margie Ryder )

Dry conditions drive crocs to seek new habitat

Ms Ryder contacted the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES) who sent officers to remove the reptile.

Crocodile advice: Expect crocodiles in all far northern Queensland waterways even if there are no warning signs

Expect crocodiles in all far northern Queensland waterways even if there are no warning signs Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night

Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night Stay well away from croc traps, that includes when fishing and boating

Stay well away from croc traps, that includes when fishing and boating The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks

The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks Stand back from the water's edge when fishing and don't wade in to retrieve a lure

Stand back from the water's edge when fishing and don't wade in to retrieve a lure Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water

Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water's edge, at camp sites, or at boat ramps

Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water's edge, at camp sites, or at boat ramps Never provoke, harass or feed crocs

Never provoke, harass or feed crocs Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead Source: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

A DES spokesman said estuarine crocodiles will often seek out new habitats during extended dry periods or after heavy rain.

"On rare occasions, this may include into swimming pools," he said.

The spokesman said wire mesh at the base of pool fencing can prevent the reptiles accessing your pool.

"Tully Heads is well within known crocodile country," he said.

"DES strongly reminds residents and visitors that no matter how many crocodiles have been removed, no waterway in croc country can ever be considered to be free of crocodiles."

The crocodile was removed in good health and will be relocated to a wildlife park or crocodile farm.

Mr King said in living right on the beachfront it is not unusual to see crocodiles on the sand, but Tuesday's encounter was the first time he had seen one in a pool.

Department of Environment and Science officers captured the juvenile animal which will be relocated to a licensed wildlife park or farm. ( Supplied: Queensland Government )

"There is 30 or 40 miles of beach here and you can't swim because the 'gators are in the water, and the Irukandji jellyfish," Mr King said.

"Everyone has got pools in their yard. But now you can't even swim in the pool!"

The DES asks people to report crocodile sightings as soon as possible by calling 1300 130 372.