Heron Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Australia’s best snorkelling spots
Australia offers a vibrant array of marine treasures. Here's where to snorkel to see them for yourself.
On Heron Island, you can walk straight off the beach into a spectacular snorkelling paradise. Build excitement aboard your scenic boat or helicopter transfer from Gladstone (a one-hour flight from Brisbane) and gear up at Heron Island Marine Centre to spot bright blue starfish and giant sea cucumbers.
As Australia’s second largest coral reef, Ningaloo Marine Park is the perfect place to go snorkelling. Base your stay in Exmouth, where you can cruise out to the reef with Ningaloo Reef Dive to spot some of the 500 species of fish that live in these waters. Keep an eye out for graceful manta rays, turtles and even whale sharks if you’re visiting from late March to late July.
Snorkelling at Lord Howe Island, located a two-hour flight from Sydney, is a truly special experience. Not only will you be one of just 400 visitors allowed on the island at any one time, you will also have your choice of snorkelling location just beyond the shore. There’s Lagoon Beach, Ned's Beach, Old Settlement Beach, Erscott’s Hole or Blinky Beach – take your pick!
In the calm waters of Baird Bay, near Port Lincoln in South Australia, you can snorkel with resident pods of bottlenose dolphins and inquisitive sea lions in their natural environment. Snorkelling with the sea lions takes place in a calm, shallow area, while the dolphins swim in deeper ocean – both will provide a guaranteed pinch-me moment.
The marine environment surrounding Rottnest Island includes a huge number of secluded beaches and incredible snorkelling spots. Popular spots for snorkellers include the Basin, Parakeet Bay, Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay and Little Armstrong Bay. Rottnest is just a short ferry ride from Perth, but you’ll feel a world away.
For a truly memorable experience with some of the sea's most unusual creatures, join the Swim with the Giant Cuttlefish tour in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. This two-day tour, which operates during the cuttlefish migration season in July, will have you snorkelling with these colourful fish, learning from a marine expert, and sightseeing through the wilderness of the Southern Flinders Ranges.
On the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef lies Lady Elliot Island, accessible only by scenic flight from Brisbane, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay or the Gold Coast. The island has a world-class eco-resort committed to protecting the surrounding reef environment. Manta rays are a common sight around here, so prepare to share the waters with some aquatic friends.
Just off the coast of Cairns is Michaelmas Cay, a picture-perfect white sand island lapped by clear blue waves. On a day trip with Ocean Spirit Cruises, you can visit the cay to snorkel the surrounding reef (which is known for having an abundance of giant clams), and learn about the 23 species of seabirds that use the island as a habitat during migration.
Just north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge lies the beachy suburb of Manly, home to the calm, clear waters of Shelly Beach. You can snorkel straight off the beach here, and an EcoTreasures tour will help you discover more than 200 fish species, including the famous blue groper.
The holiday town of Port Douglas in northern Queensland is one of the best places to access the Great Barrier Reef. Just 15 minutes away by boat is the Low Isles, where you can snorkel among corals beside the local population of sea turtles. You can visit the Low Isles on a half-day or full-day trip with Reef Sprinter.
