Snorkeling and Kayaking Trips in Australia: Our Top 11

1.Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

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

Spend five hours exploring Magnetic Island’s bays and fringing reefs with Aquascene guides such as Adam, Calvin, Anita, and Jan. Snorkel with tuition, paddle from a floating pontoon, watch for fish, birds, turtles, and seasonal whales, then enjoy morning tea on a quiet beach. Ferry tickets are separate.

“Adam and Calvin did an amazing job. Great service to everyone, super knowledgeable and amazingly friendly.”

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2.Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 633 reviews · from $128

Ride a ferry and 4WD across Moreton Island, snorkel around the Tangalooma Wrecks, paddle a transparent kayak, and sandboard down the dunes. Guides including Michelle, Ryan, Darcy, Will, and Jacob help with the activities. Expect a big, active day with limited free time.

“Awesome time! Staff were absolute queens and kings. Made the day so fun and had many comedic moments. So pleased dietary needs were well accommodated for. Definitely recommend!”

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3.Gold Coast: Wave Break Island Kayaking & Snorkeling tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 340 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63

Paddle from Biggera Waters to man-made Wave Break Island with guides such as Jane and Nelson. You’ll learn basic kayaking, walk to a sheltered reef, snorkel with subtropical fish, enjoy local snacks, and receive digital photos. Morning trips are usually calmer, while afternoon paddling can be harder.

“Had so much fun! Guides were great and made the experience very enjoyable :)”

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4.Gold Coast Kayaking & Snorkelling Tour (2.5 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 318 reviews · from $63

Paddle from Biggera Waters to Wave Break Island with guides such as Nelson, Karen, or Caroline. You’ll kayak, take a short island walk, snorkel from shore, enjoy local snacks, and watch for rays, crabs, birds, and dolphins. Early mornings usually offer calmer water.

“Highly recommended, the staffes are rl nice. Good place good experience. Recommended for solo trip or family trip”

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5.Half Day Sea Kayak Tour from Batemans Bay with Morning Tea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews

Start at 7:30 am for a five-hour sea kayak trip through Batemans Bay Marine Park. Paddle a double expedition kayak with a guide such as Michael or David, stop for morning tea on a secluded beach, and possibly swim, snorkel, rock jump, or walk a headland.

“We had beautiful weather for our paddle. David was wonderful as our guide. The swells were a little too high to accommodate a snorkel but we enjoyed being able to extend our paddle in lieu of the snorkel.”

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6.Airlie Beach: 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 sail near Hook Island and Hayman Island. You’ll snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, and relax on deck, with fresh morning tea and lunch included. Crew members such as Maddy, Mike, Mon, and Sarah are known for calm, careful water support.

“This was an excellent trip! The team were fun & professional. Great range of activities to suit everyone. Would recommend this trip”

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

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

Spend six hours aboard Wings III, a 60-foot air-conditioned sailing catamaran from Airlie Beach. You can snorkel near Hayman Island, paddle a SUP, use a clear-bottom kayak, swim, or relax on deck. Crew members including Mon, Mike, Stew, and Maggie May are associated with the charter.

“Our day was spectacular. The staff were all lovely. We were worried we would get sick or get back late to miss our cruise ship but all worked out perfectly. Would do it again and again.”

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8.Gold Coast: Kayaking and Snorkeling Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 36 reviews · 2 hours · from $53Best value

Join an English-speaking guide for a two-hour paddle from Biggera Waters to Wavebreak Island. You will kayak across calm Southern Moreton Bay, watch for dolphins and stingrays, then snorkel among sub-tropical fish. Bring swimwear, water shoes, sunscreen, and a towel.

“We signed up for a two-hour kayak + snorkeling experience at Wavebreak Island. To expedite the filling-up of the consent form, the guides could consider administering that online, rather than asking the participants to fill it up on the spot, which was time consuming. Once we kayaked to Wavebreak Island, we had to walk 15-20 min to the snorkeling spot and another 15-20 min back to the kayak, which ate into activity time. The guides could consider reminding participants to bring footwear for the walk as well, since parts of the beach were covered with sharp sand/ broken shell. Overall, while it was valiant effort to guide a big group,…”

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9.Exmouth: Half Day Turtle Kayak & Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

Paddle the Bundegi Sanctuary Zone in a double sit-on-top kayak, watching for turtles, rays, baby reef sharks and osprey. Then snorkel coral gardens from a kayak-only mooring. Your English-speaking guide, such as Kim, Kolton or Jules, handles safety, equipment, wildlife spotting and photos.

“Myself and my wife had the most amazing experience Kayaking and snorkeling with the assistance of our guide Kim who was fantastic from the moment she picked us up to the moment she dropped us off. with Kim's guidance and knowledge we managed to have the wonderful experience of swimming with turtles which was my wife's dream. Kim helped make sure everyone had the best experience on the tour and I would recommend this tour highly to anyone who hasn't had the chance to experience the reef at ningaloo.”

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10.Gold Coast: Kayaking & Snorkelling Tour with Fish Feeding

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 35 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

Paddle a stable double kayak across the calm Gold Coast Broadwater with an English-speaking guide, then snorkel and feed subtropical fish beside a man-made island. You may spot dolphins and stingrays, and a light beachside breakfast is included. No swimming skills are needed.

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11.3-Hour Kayak and Snorkeling Experience in Batemans Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $114

Meet your Region X guide near Batemans Bay at 8:00 am for a 30-minute kayak and snorkel briefing. Paddle for about an hour, anchor at a condition-dependent site, snorkel for up to 40 minutes, then enjoy morning tea before returning. Mike is one guide named in the feedback.

“Our tour guides are very friendly and helpful, skilful, we enjoyed the tour and had great time, recommended!”

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