Australia · SNORKELING

The 15 Best Snorkelling Trips in Australia

17 tours  ·  from $73 a head

Reef, whale sharks, sea turtles and a fringing reef you can swim to off the beach. These 15 are priced with gear included or not made clear, and each one says how far offshore the boat actually goes.

Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout - Hill Inlet Lookout and Whitehaven’s famous view
Airlie Beach Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Whitsundays Sailing Trips

Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns - The Ride to Saxon or Norman Reef
Cairns Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours in Cairns, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise - Whitehaven Beach, one hour on the sand
Airlie Beach Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Whitsundays Sailing Trips

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

3.Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,953 reviews · from $164

Spend eight hours from Airlie Beach exploring Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and two Great Barrier Reef snorkeling sites by fast catamaran.

“I had such an incredible time on the snorkeling cruise! The entire experience was well-organized, fun, and relaxing from start to finish. A thank-you to Hannah, Tracy, and Captain Dan — they made the trip truly special. Saw many beautiful fish and incredible coral. The staff were super friendly, helpful, and attentive throughout the day. Everything went smoothly, the atmosphere was upbeat, and the crew’s energy made it even more enjoyable.”

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Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding - Snorkeling the fringing reefs
Canoes & Kayaks, Magnetic Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

4.Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,372 reviews · from $114

Explore Magnetic Island by boat with reef-guided snorkeling, paddle boarding, secluded bays, wildlife, and morning tea in five hours.

“Hands down this was an amazing way to start my birthday. This adventure was excellent. Plenty of local knowledge and entertaining jokes. Will recommend to all my friends. Next year this is a must birthday gift 🎁🎈🎁”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour - A small group with room for real help
Cairns Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours in Cairns, Half-Day, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

5.Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,326 reviews · 4 hours · from $126

Review of Cairns’ fast, small-group Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour, with practical advice on price, timing, conditions, gear, guides, and value.

“Bucket list activity! Seemed good value compared to other trips. Lovely and friendly staff - Sofia, Bradley, Renee - they made everyone welcome, were very organised and safe. Music playing on the boat was a great addition. And they take photos with a gopro of everyone in and out the water as well as getting some pics of the reef which are amazing souvenirs to have.”

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Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat - Choosing between shore snorkeling and the glass bottom boat
Cairns Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

6.Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,284 reviews · 5 - 9 hours · from $73Best value

Spend a flexible day on Green Island from Cairns with beach snorkeling, a glass bottom boat, rainforest walks, and reef wildlife.

“We really enjoyed the trip, it was self guided which made the day more relaxed. We saw turtles, stingrays, starfish, and a shark whilst snorkelling. The island itself was clean and had plenty of toilets, showers, etc.”

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Airlie Beach: Fly Raft Package w Scenic Flight & Snorkeling - The scenic flight over Heart Reef and Whitehaven
Airlie Beach Tours, Scenic Flights, Scenic Flights in Airlie Beach, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Airlie Beach: Fly Raft Package w Scenic Flight & Snorkeling

7.Fly Raft Package w Scenic Flight & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 788 reviews · 1 day · from $378

Combine a 60-minute Whitsundays scenic flight with Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, high-speed rafting, and reef snorkeling from Airlie Beach.

“This package was perfect and so smoothly coordinated! I absolutely loved the flight over the Great Barrier Reef, such a special experience. The snorkelling was super fun and they provided all the necessary equipment! The meal was also great on the raft!”

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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise - Leaving Port Douglas at 8:10am
Cruises & Boat Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours in Port Douglas, Port Douglas Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

8.Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 711 reviews · 8 hours · from $210

Review of Wavelength’s Port Douglas Outer Reef snorkeling cruise, with three reef sites, marine biologists, meals, free photos, and practical advice.

“Brilliant experience from start to finish. Thank you so much to the boat crew (captain John, Tan, James and Ginger). You all made the experience so much fun and run seamlessly. The team were happy to answer questions and give their knowledge about the reef and their conservation work. Could not recommend Wavelength enough. If you’re in Port Douglas and want to snorkel in the reef, choose these guys.”

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Lady Musgrave Day Trip from Bundaberg Including Snorkeling - Arriving at the Lady Musgrave lagoon
1-Day Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Lady Musgrave Day Trip from Bundaberg Including Snorkeling

Airlie Beach: Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling - An Early Morning Start at Coral Sea Marina
Airlie Beach Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Airlie Beach: Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

10.Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 640 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $137

Sail from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach on a small schooner, with Hill Inlet views, reef snorkeling, lunch options, and a relaxed pace.

“It was a spectacular day thanks to Harry and Phone. Was super relaxing and well run. They kept to the timetable and got back when they said. left at 7:30am, back by 4:30pm. They brought the sails out on the way home and was really cool. We brought our own lunch as 1 of our group is celiac and easy and safe to just bring a lunch. Tons of fresh water, coffee and tea on board. If that's. it your thing, make sure to bring what you need as nowhere to buy. Would def sail with them again.”

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Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas - The EV Discovery Glass-Bottom Boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Port Douglas Tours, Sailing, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

11.Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas to Low Isles for reef snorkelling, a glass-bottom boat tour, island history, and a relaxed small-group day.

“Full reef experience in one day. We loved the small group where everyone could really enjoy a full day on the vessel without any mandatory mingling. Great biologists provided ample information before and during the snorkelling.”

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Whitsunday: Whitsunday Islands Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch - Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef fringe
Airlie Beach Tours, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whitsundays Sailing Trips

Whitsunday: Whitsunday Islands Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip with Snorkeling Tour - Tangalooma Island Resort as your island base
1-Day Tours, Brisbane Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip with Snorkeling Tour

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas - The boat ride from Port Douglas to Low Isles
Port Douglas Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

15.Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 390 reviews · from $175

Review of Calypso’s four-hour Low Isles snorkelling tour from Port Douglas, with turtles, coral gardens, glass-bottom boats, and practical tips.

“Unreal afternoon! The staff were fantastic and absolutely went out of their way to look after my partner who was struggling with seasickness. Saw turtles, great reef life, giant clams, big and colourful fish - so good!”

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