Top 13 Snorkeling Trips in Australia

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,714 reviews · from $190Our pick

Sail from Cairns aboard Evolution to two Outer Great Barrier Reef sites, usually Saxon or Norman Reef and Hastings Reef. You get about five hours in the water, gear, a barbecue lunch, and careful instruction. Add an introductory scuba session or 10-minute helicopter flight, and look for marine biologists such as Indy or Phil on board.

“Very good experience. Professional crew, a clean boat, and good quality snorkeling equipment. The snorkeling was great, and we seen a huge variety of fish. Remember to take a sea sick pill before you get on. The boat ride out and back can be a little rough with big waves. We’ve been snorkeling in a lot of different places, but this one was by far the best.”

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2.Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,895 reviews · from $181Top rated

You’ll cruise from Cairns aboard the 65-foot Ocean Freedom catamaran to Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. Snorkel with a marine naturalist, join a glass-bottom boat tour, or add certified or introductory scuba sessions. The day includes gear, suits, breakfast snacks, seafood lunch, and afternoon treats.

“It was an amazing day. All the crew members were very friendly and helpful all day, they had a solution for everybody in every situation.”

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3.Cairns: Premium Snorkelling and Diving Reef Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,528 reviews · 8 hours · from $166

Board AquaQuest at Cairns Marlin Marina for a 90-minute ride to two outer reef sites at Norman, Saxon, or Hastings reefs. You get guided snorkeling, full equipment, meals, hot showers, and up to five hours on the reef. Scuba options are available, with instructors such as Vanessa and Mazie helping first-timers.

“My anxiety went through the roof when I got there decided not to go in … but one of the staff was patient and got me on a one to one and I did go in … I never got your name but thank you so much for your patience”

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4.Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,467 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $183

From Cairns, Ocean Freedom takes you by fast 20-metre catamaran to Upolu Reef and Upolu Cay. You get guided snorkelling, glass-bottom boat trips, optional introductory or certified scuba, and six hours on the reef. Crew members including Ollie, Paul, Tori, and Blair are praised for calm instruction and attentive care.

“Great activity. The guides were simply amazing. So fun. Highly recommended it.”

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5.Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 841 reviews · from $232

Spend about eight hours on the Great Barrier Reef aboard Reef Magic’s outer-reef platform. Snorkel with supplied gear, join marine biologist talks, and use the glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible, and underwater observatory. Optional scuba, helmet walks, and helicopter flights cost extra. Guides including Ella, Ethan, Kaitlin, and Takuya add personal help and insight.

“The culture aspects highlighted by the crew were delivered in a very fun, interactive and insightful way. The snorkeling was done with safety first and the gear provided was 5*. Loved the pontoon and the lunch was great. All around great day and worth it.”

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6.Port Douglas: Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 438 reviews · 7h 30m · from $174

Cruise from Port Douglas to three Outer Great Barrier Reef sites at Opal or Agincourt Reefs. You get snorkel gear, guided tours, meals, reef talks, and time to swim or relax. Guides including Ruth, Reenie, Delphine, Freya, and Dave have helped beginners feel at ease, but prepare for a long day and possible rough seas.

“Amazing trip. The staff are outstanding and made the day special from beginning to end. We were very lucky to dive with Reenie who was the absolute best! She made my partner feel calm on her first dive and checked on us the whole trip. Can’t recommend the team highly enough!”

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7.Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 432 reviews · from $212

Spend about 10 hours aboard Silverswift, a 29-meter catamaran from Cairns, visiting up to three outer reef sites. Snorkel, try one or two introductory scuba sessions, or complete up to three certified scuba outings. The crew, including guides such as Matilda, Paul, and Vinnie, provides gear, instruction, meals, and reef guidance.

“Diving on the Great Barrier Reef was awesome, getting to see all sorts of marine life from sting ray to glimpse of a reef shark. Vanessa was awesome dive instuctor showing cool parts of the reef and going though a little tunnel. Overall it an amazing day on the Reef. 10/10”

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8.Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 353 reviews · 8 hours · from $189

Take Silversonic from Port Douglas to Agincourt Ribbon Reef for three water sessions and more than five hours on the outer reef. You can snorkel, join a guided tour, or add up to two introductory or three certified scuba sessions. Crew members such as Gene, Jeff, Daan, and Steve have helped make the day calm and well organized.

“a really good day out on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Excellent food and plenty of snorkeling, the fish and coral were spectacular.”

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9.Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · from $197

Spend a full day sailing from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay, with four hours for beach snorkeling, an optional introductory scuba session, and a semi-submersible reef tour. Marine biologists explain the cay’s seabirds and coral life. Guides including Jayden, Kevin, and Luiza have led highly praised snorkeling outings.

“The grandkids loved the snorkelling and seeing all the fish, followed a turtle and saw the jumbo clam shells! Great boat ! Staff were very pleasant.”

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10.Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $165Best value

Set out from Cairns at 8:30 a.m. for Moore Reef, then Milln or Flynn Reef, with cultural guides such as Jed and Jacob sharing Creation Stories, tools, music, and reef knowledge. You get about five hours in the water, plus equipment, instruction, marine biology talks, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.

“The two locations on the reef were beautiful, and the cultural presentations were amazing. Should let passengers know that seas can get rough before the tour starts. Common reef species should be included in presentation and a fish identification chart on the wall would be helpful. Lunch was pretty basic. This is not an Indigenous business.”

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11.Cairns: 2-Day Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 86 reviews · 2 days · from $466

Spend two days aboard Coral Sea Dreaming, a 16-meter yacht carrying no more than 12 people from Cairns to nine Great Barrier Reef areas. Snorkel at up to 25 moorings, add certified or introductory scuba onboard, and enjoy guided underwater sessions, homemade meals, a shared cabin, and a night session for certified participants.

“I loved my trip. Justin was a great captain, and he created a fun and relaxed vibe. Chad also guided my friend and I on our first introductory scuba dive and made us feel super comfortable down there. The snorkeling and diving exceeded expectations, and the crew is super safe and fun!”

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12.Cairns: Snorkelling and Diving Reef Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 81 reviews · 8 hours · from $240

From Cairns Marina, Divers Den takes you 90 minutes offshore to two reef sites on Norman, Saxon, or Hastings reefs. You get up to four hours in the water, guided snorkelling, optional introductory or certified scuba, lunch, hot showers, and helpful crew such as Roman and Gavin.

“We picked this particular company as there was a substantial amount of time for snorkelling and diving. The staff were brilliant and our youngest child, who is nine years old, had a great guide throughout the day, who pointed out the various fish to her. She was the last snorkelled out of the water for both sessions as she loved it so much.”

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13.Port Douglas: Poseidon Outer Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 8 hours · from $213

Join Poseidon from Port Douglas for an eight-hour Outer Reef trip limited to 65 people. You visit three Agincourt Ribbon Reef sites, snorkel with marine guide Fern, enjoy a tropical buffet with prawns, and may swim with dwarf Minke whales from July through September if whales are encountered.

“Fantastic crew, amazing sites. On-board Marine biologist, Fern, provided some interesting presentations about the marine life, and a guided tour around the reef, which I thoroughly enjoyed! The vessel out to the reef was very comfortable, and bonus great weather and sea conditions!”

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