The 12 Best Sailing and Yacht Snorkel Trips in Australia

1.Full-Day Whitsunday Sail and Snorkel Adventure with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 653 reviews · from $142Our pick

From Coral Sea Marina, Tongarra carries you to Langford Island for snorkeling, a beach walk, banana boat rides, lunch, and sunset views. Snorkeling gear and stinger suits are included, but fins are not. The crew may include familiar names such as Nat, Cooper, Charlotte, Jarrod, or Patrick. This is an adults-and-teens day out for ages 12 and up.

“Friendly staff, our trip had a smaller amount of people on board which made it easy to move around the deck. Relaxed in the sun on comfortable beanbags on the top deck. Food was amazing and plenty of it. The stop at Langford Island was Read more”

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2.Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

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

Spend about nine hours aboard the 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner Providence, sailing from Coral Sea Marina to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. You can help raise the sails, snorkel a fringing Great Barrier Reef, and spot turtles or dolphins. Guides including Jack, Fin, Harry, and Phone lead the day. Lunch is optional, and pickup is included.

“Amazing day sailing to Whitsundays. The sail ship is amazing so the crew. The snorkelling was excellent, saw so many fishes! Maybe a bit more time to visit the beach after looking at the view would be a great idea (just 30 minutes more would be good). In few words: an experience that I would do again!”

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

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

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard a 33-passenger catamaran. You get guided snorkeling with a marine biologist, the EV Discovery glass-bottom boat, a lighthouse walk, buffet lunch, and 4.5 hours around the island. Crew members such as Jake, Zara, Anna, and Cooper have been praised for clear instruction and careful water supervision.

“The crew were fantastic , very capable, gave clear instructions, so friendly and took the time to actually sit down with you and chat. Offered to bring drinks to us as they had better sea legs than us when the sea was was a big rough. The day was great value”

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4.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!”

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5.2-Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 215 reviews · 60 hours · from $488

Spend 60 hours aboard Avatar, OzSail’s fast trimaran, sailing from Airlie Beach through the Whitsundays. You’ll snorkel at sites chosen for the weather, visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, help with the sails, eat crew-prepared meals, and sleep aboard the boat. Expect a social, active trip with basic, warm cabins and English-speaking guides.

“It had been best two days of my life. I be able to learn new skills, making group of friends and partying togethet”

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6.Providence Whitehaven Beach Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 214 reviews · from $142

Spend about nine hours sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet aboard the 62-foot Providence V. Expect a slow, scenic passage, swimming, snorkeling gear, tea and coffee, and a small-group feel with up to 24 people. Crew names vary, with Jack, Finn, Pete, Oscar, Steve, Daisy, Kirwan, Joe, and Sebastian among those associated with sailings.

“Relaxing and enjoyable day out, with a knowledge skipper and deckhand. Whitehaven was spectacular would of loved more time there”

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7.Lady Enid Sailing and Snorkeling Day Trip including Whitehaven Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $204

Spend 9 to 11 hours aboard the classic timber yacht Lady Enid, sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and an island reef snorkeling stop. Expect a maximum of 24 people, meals and snacks, supplied equipment, attentive crew, and sparkling wine with a cheese board on the return sail.

“What a wonderful day from start to finish such a great experience. Crew so lovely and helpful explaining about the day and making sure we were all safe and enjoying the day. Food excellent and plentiful not to mention fizz and cheese on the return. If you want a day away from the party boats go with Lady Enid we are so pleased we did.”

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8.Whitsunday Islands Sailing, SUP & Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 6 hours · from $162

Join Wings Sailing Charters aboard the air-conditioned 60-foot Wings III for a six-hour cruise near Hook Island and Hayman Island. You’ll sail, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, and relax over fresh morning tea and lunch. Crew members such as Mon, Mike, Maddy, and Sarah are known for calm, careful instruction. Bring your own drinks and note that Whitehaven Beach is not included.

“Was amazing! Beautiful boat, and great crew good bang for your buck!”

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9.Whitsunday Islands Sail, SUP & Snorkel Tour- Small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $156

Sail from Airlie Beach aboard Wings III, a 60-foot air-conditioned catamaran with a shaded deck, top sundeck, Jacuzzi, and three bathrooms. You’ll snorkel near Hayman Island, use a SUP or clear-bottom kayak, and enjoy fresh morning tea and lunch. Crew members including Mon, Maggie May, Mike, and Stew may vary by departure.

“Absolutely wonderful experience!. Great crew - knowledgeable, friendly, helpful!. Snorkle site was stunning! Highly recommend!”

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10.British Defender 3D2N Whitsunday Snorkelling Sailing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $530

Join the British Defender from Coral Sea Marina for two nights among the Whitsunday Islands. Your skipper sets the route around wind, tide, and waves, with snorkelling, beaches, lookouts, and a rope swing. The crew may include Zak, Senna, Chloe, Maik, Lisa, or Conrad, with meals and snorkel gear included.

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11.Lady Enid Sailing to Hook Island Cultural Site & Snorkelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · from $182

Spend about eight hours aboard the classic 72-foot Lady Enid, sailing from Coral Sea Marina to Nara Inlet and Hook Island. You’ll visit the Ngaro Cultural Site, snorkel for about 40 minutes, enjoy gourmet lunch, and finish with sparkling wine and antipasto. The boat carries up to 24 adults, with hotel transfers available.

“This was my third trip around the reef over the past two years and by far the best! The staff were so kind and helpful! Everything was so professional and unlimited amount of food! Would highly recommend to anyone that is interested in a Read more”

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12.Hook Island Cultural Tour, Sail & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 8 hours · from $180

Spend eight hours aboard Lady Enid, a classic Australian-built timber yacht, sailing from Airlie Beach to Hook Island. You’ll visit the Ngaro Cultural Site, enjoy morning tea and lunch on board, snorkel for about 40 minutes, and return with sparkling wine and an antipasto platter. The tour is adults-only and includes hotel transfers.

“Wenig Platz unter Deck, kann sein man sitzt auf beiden Strecken in der prallen Sonne. Crew super nett, gut eingespielt. Essen und Snack sehr lecker, ausreichend Getränke an Bord. Käptn erklärt viel, echt gut.”

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