SNORKELLING · GREAT BARRIER REEF SNORKELING

Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling: The 15 Best Trips

25 trips  ·  from $45 per person

Inner reef from the Whitsundays, outer reef from Cairns and Port Douglas. These 15 compare the crossing, the pontoon time and whether a stinger suit is included at your time of year.

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns - The Evolution boat and the long ride out
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Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

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

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard Evolution, traveling from Cairns to two outer reef sites near Saxon, Norman, or Hastings Reef. Snorkel with supplied gear, add an introductory or certified scuba session, and choose a scenic helicopter flight. Marine guides, barbecue lunch, snacks, and a glass of wine are included.

“The trip was SO well organised, even though there is a lot of people on the boat, you don’t even realise because everything runs so smoothly. The reefs we were taken to were absolutely amazing & the staff were especially friendly and helpful all the time. I would 100% reccomend this trip if you want to go to the barrier reef.”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise - From Cairns to Upolu Reef
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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

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

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

Set out from Cairns on the 65-foot Ocean Freedom catamaran for six hours at Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. Snorkel with a marine naturalist, join a glass-bottom boat tour, or add certified or introductory scuba sessions. Expect a maximum of 75 people, reef equipment, a seafood buffet, and close crew support in the water.

“It is a 5 Star tour. Small group, very friendly crew members, great food, wonderful snorkelling experience.”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour - What happens at the two-hour mark
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

3.Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

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

Set out from Cairns Marlin Marina on a fast boat with up to 27 people. You get 1.5 hours of guided snorkelling at one of two reef sites, with gear, snacks, flotation aids, and seasonal stinger suits included. Guides such as Bradley, Lily, Caitlin, and Sophia help you spot coral and marine life, while complimentary GoPro photos may provide a useful souvenir.

“Really good! Caitlin, Marie and Victor were great, very helpful and funny! The activity was great, can be hard work but really worthwhile”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour - Five hours of snorkeling, with scuba options
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

4.Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 792 reviews · 9 hours · from $127

Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina for a full day with Reef Magic and Dreamtime Dive. You will visit two outer reef sites, spend about five hours snorkeling or taking an introductory or certified scuba session, and hear Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Gunggandji, Mandingalbay, and Yirrganydji stories. Cultural guides such as Jed and Kevin may add music and performance to the day.

“Jen was amazing and did everything she could to make sure I had an amazing day, the whole crew were super friendly and experts in their fields which made it a really special and informative experience”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas - The 90-minute cruise from Port Douglas
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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

5.Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 782 reviews · from $233

Sail 90 minutes from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef on a fast catamaran. Snorkel from a permanent pontoon, join a marine biologist, or stay dry in the semi-submarine and underwater observatory. Lunch, tea, suits, vests, and gear are included. Optional scuba, helmet walks, and helicopter flights cost extra.

“We had an incredible experience! There’s so much to do at the Quicksilver Pontoon. The helmet dive is a unique experience. We had fish swimming all around and thru the group. We felt safe with our guide Kevin, who briefed us thoroughly and was very friendly. The semi-sub provided a nice easy view of the reef, made better by our guide Tanya with her thoughtful and funny commentary. The free swim snorkelling area is expansive. We felt safe and secure with all the instructions provided. All of the crew are very knowledgeable and experienced. This was an amazing bucket list experience that we will treasure forever.”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise - First stop: getting comfortable in the water
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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

6.Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

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

Spend eight hours aboard Wavelength, cruising from Port Douglas to three Outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Marine biologists help you snorkel, explain coral and sea life, and lead guided swims. The day includes gear, wetsuit or lycra suit, meals, drinks, reef-safe sunscreen, and free photos.

“The crew were really energetic and knowledgeable. Taught us a lot about the incredible reef. We went to three reef areas to snorkel and all quite varied. Wish we had more time to repeat this amazing experience!”

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Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos - Two 45-minute sessions, not a rushed swim
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Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

7.Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 500 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Best value

Meet Wet Set Diving Adventures in Puerto Morelos for a short boat ride to the protected reef. You get two 45-minute snorkel sessions, a life jacket, fins, mask, wetsuit, water, and an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Chris, Christian, and Mario are known for spotting turtles, rays, barracuda, and sharks while keeping the group safe.

“We did not get to snorkel due to rough waters. The company communicated this and tried to reschedule us. Unfortunately it didn’t work out.”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Port Douglas: Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options - Starting at Crystalbrook Marina in Port Douglas
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Port Douglas: Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options

8.Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options

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

Cruise from Port Douglas to Opal or Agincourt Reefs for three reef stops, guided snorkeling, optional scuba sessions, meals, and reef talks. You may meet marine biologist Freya or instructors such as Ruth, Reenie, and Delphine. Expect a long day at sea, plenty of deck space, and changing conditions.

“We saw amazing coral and reefs. Best place we ever snorkeled. The guide and boat were wonderful. Dave had a great sense of humor and we really liked him. You won’t regret it!”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas - The glass-bottom boat and coral cay visit
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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

9.Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 436 reviews · from $243

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Mackay Cay off Cape Tribulation for a full day on the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll snorkel with a marine biologist, ride a glass-bottom boat, visit a coral cay, and enjoy buffet lunch plus morning and afternoon refreshments. Marine biologist Barry may help explain the reef and point out turtles, fish, clams, and coral.

“Fantastic trip! Despite a mostly wet day had a great time - equipment and crew were top notch. Loved the smaller group (only 24 passengers) which made it so much more personal and enjoyable. The sea turtles and the stop on the sand cay were highlights!”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise - What happens at the Cairns departure
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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

10.Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

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

Ride the 29-meter Silverswift catamaran from Cairns to three outer reef sites, often Flynn, Milln, and Thetford. Snorkel all day, try one or two introductory scuba sessions, or complete up to three certified descents. Guides such as Paul, Matilda, Vanessa, and Vinnie help beginners feel at ease, while lunch, tea, showers, and gear are included.

“Loved it!! If you do the intro scuba dive, be sure to book two dives. The first dive involves some safety training that limits your time looking at the cool stuff. The second dive skips all that because you’re familiar with the process. Totally worth it: one of the highlights of our trip.”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Cairns: All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkeling - Checking in at Cairns Marlin Marina
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Cairns: All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkeling

11.All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 373 reviews · 5 hours · from $140

Join Pure Snorkelling Adventures from Cairns Marlin Marina for a five-hour Outer Great Barrier Reef trip. A fast, purpose-built boat reaches one of 15 reef sites, where marine biologists such as Sophie, Seb, Monica, and Cam guide more than two hours of snorkelling. Gear, flotation aids, suits, snacks, and prescription masks are included.

“Amazing experience, super friendly and experienced staff! Couldn’t ask for a better way to explore the reef. Special thanks to Seb, Sophie and Monica :)”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel - The morning ride from Port Douglas
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Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

12.Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

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

Spend a full day aboard Quicksilver’s 29-meter Silversonic catamaran, cruising from Port Douglas to three Agincourt Ribbon Reef sites. You get more than five hours in the water, a guided snorkel tour, meals, safety support, and gear. Scuba options cost extra, while licensed Minke whale encounters may occur from July through September.

“Great experience, crew were very professional and fun. Trip out to reef was rough but they prepared all passengers for the heavy seas. Reef experience was really enjoyable”

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Airlie Beach: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip - What happens when the Outer Reef is too rough
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Airlie Beach: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip

13.Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 156 reviews · 8 hours · from $211

Spend eight hours aboard Red Cat Adventures’ fast, stable catamaran, leaving Airlie Beach for reef snorkeling and Whitsunday views. Your crew chooses sites based on weather and visibility, with morning snacks, buffet lunch, afternoon snacks, equipment, and winter wetsuits included. Expect strong safety guidance, around 40 passengers, and an inner-reef alternative if conditions block the outer reef.

“It’s a wonderful day trip! I love it! U can’t miss it”

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Viper: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Including Whitehaven Hill Inlet - Hill Inlet gives you the postcard view
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Viper: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Including Whitehaven Hill Inlet

14.Viper: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Including Whitehaven Hill Inlet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 110 reviews · from $228

Viper packs Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach, and outer Great Barrier Reef snorkeling into one fast-moving day from Airlie Beach. You’ll ride with a maximum of 36 people, walk to the Hill Inlet lookout, enjoy a buffet lunch, and snorkel at one or more reef sites. Crew members including Sean, Will, Nico, and Hannah have been praised for their care and guidance.

“The guides were so knowledgeable and made sure everyone had fun no matter what their experience level was also the food was superior to any tour I’ve been on. Lots of time at the beach and to snorkel the boat ride was amazing. This was Read more”

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Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Adventure in Airlie Beach - The second site and the long middle of the day
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Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Adventure in Airlie Beach

15.Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Adventure in Airlie Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $214

From Shute Harbour, a high-speed catamaran carries you to two outer Great Barrier Reef snorkel sites. You get equipment, safety guidance, snacks, a full buffet lunch, and reef views from the boat. Crew members including Reece, Jodie, and Shannon have earned praise for friendly help, though weather can change the route.

“We did the outer reef snorkel adventure on Dec 28. Crew did a good job and had a good attitude and captain had a good sense of humor. Snorkeling was good/great although we ended the day a bit unfulfilled, which is a pity. The day started great with an amazing snorkeling session in the great barrier reef but then we returned to the islands for the other 2 snorkeling sessions. Conditions in the reef were great though, sunny, blue skies and not windy at all. I believe we returned because the tender boat was broken and they could not guarantee the safety of everyone considering the upcoming tide. I believe…”

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