Chilling footage captured the moment a crocodile retreated into the water after mauling a camper as he slept on a Western Australian beach. 

The predator attacked Jimmy, 28, near Coulomb Point Nature Reserve, adjacent to Hidden Creek, about 50 kilometres north of Broome on Saturday night. 

Jimmy suffered a fractured thumb and broken hand and was rushed to Broome Hospital before being flown to Royal Perth Hospital on Monday. 

His friend filmed the crocodile sitting at the edge of the water following the attack, its eyes glinting ominously as he shone his torch at it.

Moments later, it disappeared back into the ocean.

'Oh, that's scary, boy,' Jimmy's friend said.    

'This motherf***er has come all the way up the beach and grabbed a hold of him and his bag.' 

A hole could be seen torn through one end of the man's sleeping bag, appearing to be the crocodile's entry point. 

'He reckons it got up from under his foot first,' the cameraman said.   

'It grabbed him through the swag.' 

Following the attack, Jimmy released a statement, thanking everyone who helped him. 

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of concern over the past few days and am grateful for the well wishes as I recover from my injuries,' he said.

'I would like to give particular thanks to my friends and family who were there to help and support me when I needed it most. 

'I would also like to offer my sincere gratitude to the staff at Broome Hospital and the Royal Flying Doctor Service for the treatment and care they provided while preparing me for my journey to Royal Perth Hospital. '

Some Aussies warned it was important to be aware of dangers lurking in the wilderness while camping. 

'When you camp like that in croc country, you are nothing but a sausage roll in a bag to the croc,' one said.

'That's what rooftop tents are for buddy. In croc country, don't sleep on the ground,' a second said. 

'Never sleep on the ground, we've known crocs do this for decades,' a third said.   

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) spokeswoman said the agency was notified of the attack involving a 'large crocodile' on the coast on Monday. 

'Parks and Wildlife Service staff have already spoken with a relative of the man who was attacked and intend to discuss the incident further with those involved,' she said.

'DBCA will also undertake a site visit as part of the investigation.'

The spokeswoman said crocodiles are common in the Kimberley region and people should always 'be croc-wise' anywhere along the coast and in all water bodies across northern Australia, including estuaries, tidal rivers, river pools and the waters around offshore islands. 

It is the second crocodile attack in the area in under five months, with rangers noting a rise in crocodile sightings and activity.

In January, a man was injured with lacerations after being attacked by a three-metre saltwater crocodile near the remote La Djardarr Bay Community on the Dampier Peninsula.