WORLDWIDE · GREAT BARRIER REEF SNORKELING

The 15 Best Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tours

29 trips  ·  from $126 a head

Cairns and Port Douglas both run boats to the outer reef, and the difference is the pontoon. These 15 compare crossing time, how many reef sites you stop at, and whether a guide gets in the water with you.

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise - Upolu Cay is the calmer coral garden
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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

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

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

Spend about nine hours aboard the 65-foot Ocean Freedom catamaran, visiting Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. You get six hours on the reef, guided snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, optional scuba, seafood lunch, and close crew support. The day suits first-time snorkelers as well as confident swimmers.

“Really great day. Staff were helpful and friendly and really accommodating. Food was amazing experience was amazing. Can't fault a single thing we had a fantastic time.”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour - Two reef sites and 1.5 hours in the water
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

2.Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

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

Reef Adventures Cairns takes you from the Pier Shopping Centre to the Great Barrier Reef on a fast boat with no more than 27 people. Expect 1.5 hours of guided snorkelling, quality gear, snacks, stinger suits in season, and help from guides such as Bradley, Lily, Caitlin, and Gus.

“We had a great time on Maverick on Feb 9 at 8am. The guides and captain were all helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. Sadly, many animals were shy so we didn’t see much a variety but the corals, blue starfish, and fish were so pretty. Much appreciated that they took pictures and posted them for us all to see too!”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour - What the five hours in the water feel like
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

3.Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

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

From Cairns Marlin Marina, Reef Magic and Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel take you to two outer reef sites for five hours in the water. Expect coral gardens, turtles, rays, reef fish, cultural stories, marine science talks, buffet lunch, and optional introductory or certified scuba.

“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”

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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas - Snorkeling, guided swims, and the Ocean Walker
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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

4.Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

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

Take a fast catamaran from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef for about 3.5 hours of snorkeling, semi-submarine viewing, and an underwater observatory. Equipment, reef talks, tea, and buffet lunch are included. Optional extras include guided snorkeling, scuba, Ocean Walker, and a helicopter flight.

“Great experience! They handle couple hundred people pretty well. Safety was of upmost importance. Need to plan ahead on the time that you have on the platform. We enjoyed it immensely.”

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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise - About three hours in the water
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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

5.Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

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

Spend eight hours aboard Wavelength from Port Douglas, visiting three Outer Reef sites with marine biologists, guided snorkels, reef talks, meals, and free photos. You’ll need to swim 50 metres unaided, but the crew gives beginners patient instruction and plenty of time in the water.

“Amazing time in this snorkelling except the weather was rainy and a bit overcast, but the guides were really sweet especially Kaia, made me feel comfortable, I had some nerves. The reefs are beautiful and adventurous ofcourse, we were served tea, coffee, water, cookies and sandwiches for lunch. Must try ! Would recommend 5/5. Incredible ✨🥰the staff are very friendly and welcoming.”

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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas - Snorkeling with crew in the water
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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

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

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

Set sail from Port Douglas at 7:30 am for Mackay Cay and the northern Great Barrier Reef. You’ll snorkel with a marine biologist, view coral from a glass-bottom boat, visit a coral cay, and enjoy a buffet lunch aboard Sailaway’s comfortable catamaran. Guides such as Barry help identify fish, turtles, and giant clams.

“Had a great time snorkeling for the 1st time!! The crew was awesome! They made sure everyone had a great time & stayed safe. Didn’t have time to ask Isaac if he was single though :D”

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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Choosing snorkeling, introductory scuba, or certified scuba
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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

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 three certified sessions with crew support. Lunch, tea, equipment, showers, and prescription masks are included.

“Comfortable boat. Attentive and helpful scuba diving instructor for introductory dive. Wonderful to have him trust us to follow him on our own. The dive was a decent amount of time, over a half hour at least.”

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Cairns Half Day Tour a Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience - What the Upolu Reef stop is like
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Cairns Half Day Tour a Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience

8.Cairns Half Day Tour a Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · from $128

Board a fast boat at Cairns Marlin Marina for a half-day visit to Upolu Reef. Expect about 1.5 hours in the water with an English-speaking guide, supplied snorkel gear, seasonal stinger suits, snacks, and a maximum of 27 people. Guides such as Sophia, Lilly, Bradley, and Renee may lead the swim.

“Don't go out on a bad weather day. It can get very choppy and make the day unpleasant. Plenty on sick bags handed out. Crew were great”

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

9.Cairns: All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkeling

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

From Cairns Marlin Marina, a fast purpose-built boat takes you to one of 15 Outer Reef sites. You get more than two hours in the water, guided by marine biologists such as Sophie, Seb, Monica, and Cam, with gear, stinger suits, snacks, and prescription masks included.

“it was an amazing experience, 100% recommended, the crew made us feel safe and we could see they love what the do”

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Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel - Boarding in Port Douglas before 8 a.m.
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Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

10.Port Douglas: 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, traveling from Port Douglas to three Agincourt Ribbon Reef sites. Snorkeling, meals, wetsuits, a guided tour, and safety staff are included. Scuba options cost extra, and dwarf Minke whale encounters are possible from July to September.

“I thought with the rough seas that it wouldn't be any good but the trip was fine and the guides great and the snorkeling was excellent. great food and snacks. Couldn't fault it. thanks heaps”

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Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour - Boarding at D Finger and meeting the crew
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Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour

11.Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $142

Leave Cairns at noon with Pure Snorkelling for a fast five-hour trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Marine biologists such as Justin, Cam, Seb, Kiki, and Izzie guide you at reef sites chosen for the day’s conditions. Gear, wetsuits, snacks, and a marine presentation are included.

“We travelled as a group of 7 ppl . Quite a few of us did not knowing swim. Team went above and beyond to do the snorkeling with us. Kudos to the entire team. We did the 5 hour since we had only 1 day trip to cairns”

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Airlie Beach: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip - Morning snacks, safety, and getting ready
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Airlie Beach: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip

12.Airlie Beach: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip

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

From Airlie Beach, Red Cat Adventures takes you by fast, air-conditioned catamaran to reef sites selected for the day’s weather and visibility. Expect safety guidance, quality snorkel gear, snacks, a buffet lunch, and wide Whitsunday views. Jamie is one crew member praised for patient help in the water.

“Was a really well run day trip with perfect reef selected as the destination. Couldn't fault the boat, the food and the staff. To top it off the weather was perfect as well.”

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Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel - Leaving Cairns at 8:30 in the morning
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Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

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

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

Sail from Cairns to Moore Reef and either Milln or Flynn Reef with Indigenous guides, including Glen, Jed, Jacob, Jaman, Lazarus, and Kayla. Hear the Creation Story, learn about Traditional Custodian culture, snorkel for up to five hours, and enjoy equipment, meals, and marine biology talks.

“Once in a lifetime experience... Need to exprience it with Glen and team... Wonderful team.. Also, On board got to know about Aboriginal culture, way of life, history alongwith details of instruments and equipment”

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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Pontoon with Snorkeling & Activities - Snorkeling over coral and fish
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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Pontoon with Snorkeling & Activities

14.Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Pontoon with Snorkeling & Activities

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $214

Travel from Cairns by fast catamaran to a spacious Outer Reef pontoon. Snorkel with supplied gear, join a reef presentation, or stay dry in the semi-submersible and underwater observatory. Optional scuba, helicopter flights, and Scuba-Doo rides cost extra.

“We booked this excursion because it advertised that it was a seven hour excursion with a meeting time of 7:30am. Doing the math, that would have the tour ending at 2:30pm , plenty of time to get back to our ship with a 4:15 pm onboarRead more”

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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

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

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

Spend about eight hours with Iconic Whitsunday Adventures aboard Viper, a fast boat limited to 36 people. Walk to Hill Inlet, relax on Whitehaven Beach, and snorkel the outer Great Barrier Reef, with lunch, snacks, water, and gear included.

“Quite a great excursion where you can go out in one day, to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookoit and the Great Barrier Reef. Great organization and great crew. You feel safe and in good hands at all times. I would recommend the trip to anyone!Auto-translated”

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New in Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

★ 4.52-Day Snorkelling Experience – Great Barrier Reef Twin ShareFrom $50238 reviews
★ 5.0Great Barrier Reef Small Group Snorkelling AdventureFrom $18515 reviews
★ 4.5Cairns: Small Group | Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dunk Is.From $13512 reviews
★ 4.6Mission Beach: Outer Great Barrier Reef & Dunk Island TourFrom $13531 reviews
★ 5.0Cairns: Half-Day Outer Reef Snorkel TourFrom $13815 reviews
★ 4.2Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef & Dunk Island Small GroupFrom $13519 reviews
★ 4.4Airlie Beach: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel from Shute HarbourFrom $19713 reviews
★ 5.0Agnes/1770: Southern Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Day TripFrom $21122 reviews

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