Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

Great Barrier Reef snorkeling is a beautiful way to see this World Heritage site.

The Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia’s most magnificent natural gifts, is home to the World’s most extensive coral Reef, a sight to behold. Over 3000 Reef systems, coral cays, and hundreds of tropical islands with some of the World’s most gorgeous sun-kissed, golden beaches make up the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the World’s most popular tourist sites because of its natural splendour.
Visitor Activities at the Great Barrier Reef include scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, semi-submersibles and educational excursions, cruise ship cruises, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

The wonder of the World

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from a distance helps you realise why it’s one of the World’s .seven natural wonders.

There are approximately 600 different species of corals.

There are 2000 different species of sea stars. Sea stars which are also known as starfish, are not fish.

What to Expect on your Cairns Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling tour

Choosing the right tour

We have taken the guesswork out for you and researched the best tours on offer, and presented them so that you can find which one suits you best.

Everyone’s expectation of what they want on a Reef tour differs from yes, I want to get in the water to know I want to see it, where underwater observatories come into the picture.

Excellent customer service is rated very high when researching tours, fun, and personal service.

Snorkeling Aids and flotation devices

Do not worry if you have never swum in the open ocean before because we have many options to make getting in the water more accessible, such as flotation vests. These are fantastic and make floating around on the water’s surface effortless.

Snorkel noodles, if you are a more confident swimmer, we recommend taking a snorkel noodle under your arms. It gives you that extra flotation to relax and enjoy the views. You are on holiday, after all.

We also have experienced crew members who will take you on a guided tour with you holding onto a floatation ring, a fantastic option that we include free of charge for those who are not confident swimmers or are particularly nervous about getting into the water. We are here for you!

Once you see all the magic the reefs offer, it won’t feel so scary anymore. It is a uniquely fantastic experience that will last in your memories forever. We predict you won’t want to get out of the water by the end of the day!

Mask, snorkel, fins and stinger suit (stinger season only) are all provided for you! Reef Experience also provides reef-friendly sunscreen, breakfast, lunch and tea, and coffee is available all day, so you needn’t worry about a thing! Just bring a towel and some sunnies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get Seasick?

Every day is different, and so is every person. If you are worried about seasickness, we recommend taking travel calm medication available onboard. We recommend taking the pill before leaving the marina, as it takes about 30 minutes to take effect. Once you are seasick, the medicine will be of no help.

How long does it take to get to the Outer Barrier Reef?

It will take around 90 minutes or so to get out to the Great Barrier Reef by boat, or you can take a 30-minute scenic helicopter flight.

Are there Turtles?

Yes! We have 6 of the seven species of turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. The most common species are the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle.

Did you know that sea turtles can swim up to 35 kilometres per hour?

Did you know that sea turtles have temperature-dependent sex determination, meaning that females come from warmer nests and males from colder nests?

If you want to get up close and personal with one, we suggest approaching them very slowly and from their side.

If you approach too quickly or from behind, they may get scared and swim off, and at 35km/hr, you won’t be keeping up! Remember not to touch, only look.

Can I find Nemo?

Of course! There are around 30 species of Anemonefish on the Reef, and you are sure to see at least one. Ask our friendly staff where to look. They know all the spots.

Will I see the Sharks?

Yes! But only if you are lucky! We have here on the Great Barrier Reef are small Reef sharks.

They are pretty harmless and don’t like to be around people. You will most likely see one before it disappears, like a moody teenager who wants to be left alone.

Should I worry about Sting Rays?

No! Stingrays are perfectly calm and harmless unless you plan to tackle one. You don’t need to worry about them at all and should consider yourself very lucky to be able to spot one!

We look forward to welcoming you onboard our Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours.

Invaluable Safety Tips for Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

It’s safer to swim in a group, plus you’ll have someone to talk to about your adventures with!
If you’re snorkelling, don’t gaze down at the bottom of the water!

It would be best to keep your face forward and your snorkel slightly inclined rearward to keep it from becoming wet.

You may not participate in some aquatic activities if you have a medical condition, medication, or height restriction. Contact us if you need help. Snorkeling is a physically demanding sport. Any medical issues you may have should be disclosed to our personnel so that they can take appropriate precautions.

Now click on the link to learn about scuba diving trips.