The 15 Best Snorkelling & Diving Trips in Australia

Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout - Starting at Coral Sea Marina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,777 reviews · from $149Our pick

Review of Ocean Rafting from Airlie Beach, with Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, fast boat rides, guided walks, and reef snorkeling.

“We booked the southern lights tour (which allows for more time at Whitehaven Beach) and it was so much fun! The windy conditions made the boat ride thrilling and exciting. Bernie (the boat driver) and Hailey (our guide) had lots of persRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in Cairns, Cairns Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

2.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

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

Review of Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef cruise, with two outer reef stops, snorkeling, optional scuba, lunch, and practical booking tips.

“I am an inexperienced snorkeler, so I was doubtful when I booked this cruise. My partner really wanted to do it though. I was pleasantly surprised. They had a guide in the water with a floater who took me around the great barrier reef so I could see all the best spots. I felt safe and didn’t have any anxiety.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in the Whitsundays, Observation Decks, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in the Whitsundays, Tour Reviews, Whitsundays Tours

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

3.Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

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

Review of Red Cat Adventures’ 8-hour Whitehaven Beach cruise, with snorkeling, Hill Inlet views, buffet lunch, tips, and honest value advice.

“The snorkeling was amazing and the coral was so healthy. All the crew were very friendly, enthusiastic, organized, and helpful. They were very knowledgeable about the reef and emphasized cultural respect and reef protection. They gave us brownies and fruit snacks, as well as a nice lunch that accommodated those with dietary restrictions.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Observation Decks, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in the Whitsundays, Tour Reviews, Whitsundays Tours

Airlie Beach: Snorkel, Hill Inlet Lookout & Whitehaven Beach

4.Snorkel, Hill Inlet Lookout & Whitehaven Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,119 reviews · 390 minutes - 1 day · from $147

Review of Ocean Rafting’s Airlie Beach tour to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and coral reefs, with snorkelling, speedboat thrills and practical tips.

“Brent and James were our guides and led us to a great time hopping the islands. Relaxing sunny day with loud music and lots of good waves.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in Cairns, Cairns Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews, VIP

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

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

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

Review of Ocean Freedom’s Cairns reef cruise, with two snorkel sites, glass-bottom tour, seafood lunch, gear, and practical tips.

“The reef was a disappointment but that was because of the recent storm. The boat and crew were outstanding!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cairns Tours, Day Trips, Day Trips in Cairns, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews

Cairns: Premium Snorkelling and Diving Reef Day Trip

6.Premium Snorkelling and Diving Reef Day Trip

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

Review of Divers Den’s Cairns reef trip, with two outer reef sites, five hours in the water, meals, gear, and practical booking advice.

“The tour was amazing, we spent whole 3,5 hours snorkelling the great barrier. The crew was really supportive and was always taking care of the passengers. Besides, as we were a really small group of people, we had the pleasure of exploring the barrier without crashing each other or even being bothered by somebody else while checking on something. I would highly recommend the tour and the team and planning on coming back next year to do some scuba diving.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in Cairns, Cairns Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews

Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

7.Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

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

Review of Ocean Freedom’s Cairns reef cruise, with two snorkel sites, optional scuba, glass-bottom tours, lunch, costs, and practical tips.

“The staff were all amazing. You can tell they really enjoy their job. The nibbles they provided throughout the day and the lunch was really good. I expected it to be alot busier given it was peak season but was fortunate to book onto a tour that only had just over 30 people compared to the max 75 capacity”

Check availability →Read our full review

Snorkeling and Diving, Tour Reviews, Tours, Townsville Tours

Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

8.Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

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

Review of Magnetic Island’s five-hour snorkel and paddle tour, with reef guides, secluded bays, morning tea, wildlife, costs, and practical tips.

“Everything about this trip is just amazing. This is my 3rd time and it never disappoints! The island is beautiful, Adam is a local full of knowledge.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cairns Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Half-Day, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

9.Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

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

Review of Cairns’ half-day Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour, with fast boats, small groups, guided water time, pricing, tips, and who should book.

“Experience was unreal! The girls were great looking after us and showing us around the reef! Loved it! Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

Snorkeling and Diving, Tour Reviews

Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

10.Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

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

Review of Cairns Green Island snorkelling and glass bottom boat tour, with reef wildlife, rainforest walks, pool access, prices, and practical tips.

“I’d say that this tour was a great and easy to get to Green Island and tick off the GBR off the bucket list. The boat was plenty spacious for the amount of people on the tour. There are basic tea, coffee, and biscuits available on the way over. It didn’t take long to get to Green Island and once you get off, try to get to the snorkeling kiosk ASAP and get your fins and masks. The queues can be long. No feedback on if you’re doing the glass bottom boat. As soon as you get your gear, you’re free to explore the island. We enjoyed snorkeling near the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Trips and Cruises, Dolphin Watching, Gold Coast Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Tour Reviews

Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

11.Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,039 reviews · 1 day · from $152

Review the Moreton Island dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks cruise, with snorkeling, wildlife, buffet lunch, beach time, and practical booking tips.

“An absolutely amazing day seeing all sorts of sizes and colours of fishes whilst snorkelling through the great wreckage, there are amazing corals and starfishes too! Spend time on the beautiful clear waters beaches doing SUP and walking along the shore! We saw dolphins, turtles, too. Thanks for the great day out! Amazing foods and most importantly the Captain and crew really do look after each of us on the trip! Thank you guys!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full-Day, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in the Whitsundays, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whitsundays Tours

Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options – All Day Beach Or Snorkel

12.Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options – All Day Beach Or Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,028 reviews · from $164

Review of ZigZag Whitsundays’ Whitehaven Beach tour from Airlie Beach, with beach-only and snorkeling options, lunch, lookout views, and practical tips.

“Had a super day on Zig zag tour of Whitsunday and Whitehaven beach. From start to finish the staff were so welcoming, professional and informative. We booked the beach trip with snorkel which was amazing. Food constantly being served on board. Best day ever🥰”

Check availability →Read our full review

Coral Coast Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Tour Reviews

Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

13.Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $444

Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef on an all-inclusive Exmouth tour with reef snorkeling, photos, lunch, and hotel pickup.

“Amazing day, water was a bit murky so didn't have a great snorkel but had heaps of time with the whaleshark! Crew were great”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cairns Tours, Historical Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

Review of Reef Magic’s Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour, with snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, lunch, marine science, and practical tips.

“It rained the entire time we were there and the seas were rough on the way to the barge. The staff was very helpful & had ginger pills and plenty of barf bags for those of us that got sea sick. Snorkeling was great, I was surprised at how coRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review