A group of tourists experienced a close encounter with a large alligator whilst visiting Shark Vally Visitor Centre in Florida.

Footage captured on February 12 shows a huge alligator emerging from a swamp and crossing a road nearby just inches from a woman.

''The massive reptile resembles a modern-day dinosaur and it got so close that you can hear tourist Sarah asking her friend Dan if he should be so close to the beautiful beast,'' the filmer said.