Four men photographed swimming into a baited croc trap not far from the scene of a fatal attack in Queensland appear to be vying for the "idiots of the century award", a local mayor says.

Photos of the men swimming around and even climbing into the trap at the Port Douglas Marina have surfaced online, leaving Douglas Shire Mayor Julie Leu stunned.

The men who were photographed in a crocodile trap near Port Douglas have been widely criticised. Credit:Facebook

"I was absolutely gobsmacked, this is incredibly stupid and dangerous behaviour. I'm wondering if these fellows are vying for the idiots of the year award or the idiots of the century award," she told ABC radio.

The pictures show the men frolicking in the water, climbing on top of the trap and sitting in the mouth of it. The marina is not far from where a 4.3-metre crocodile took 79-year-old dementia sufferer Anne Cameron.