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Travel bucket list idea:

Dive & snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef

Queensland, Australia

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Bucket List Experience
scuba diver with fish and coral on the great barrier reef
Last updated: 29 May, 2023
Expert travel writer: Mark Chipperfield

This vast coral reef system, comprising almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands, stretches for over 1,600 miles off Australia’s eastern coast – it’s so vast it can be seen from outer space.

It supports an astonishingly rich biodiversity, including 30 species of whale and dolphin, 1,500 species of fish, 125 species of shark and ray, and six species of sea turtle.

Shark, Holmes and Osprey reefs regularly rank among the world’s greatest dive spots. All three are accessible from Port Douglas on liveaboards – but they’re too far away for day trips.

The majority of the reef’s treasures, though, are found just a couple of metres below the surface, meaning this magical underwater world is accessible to snorkellers and glass-bottomed boats as well as divers.

Price from: £140
Minimum age: 4
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around
Duration: 1 day

Getting there & doing it

Multiple operators based in or near Port Douglas’s marina offer a wide range of dive and snorkel trips.

As the nearest fringes of the reef are least two hours offshore, excursions leave at first light and last all day. Overnight or multi-day trips offer a package of varied dives, such as reef, wall and night dives.

Children aged 4 and over can join snorkelling tours, and under 14s  will usually get a discount.

Seaplane flights offer an alternative – and exhilarating – way to access and appreciate the vastness of the reef. Planes touch down for snorkelling and picnics on remote coral cays.

When to do it

Trips out to the reef run daily all year round. Start times vary by tour and operator but will depart at first light and return at the end of the day. For the best underwater visibility dive between August and December.

Stinging jellyfish are a problem in these waters from October to May, but most commercial dive boats carry stinger suits to protect divers from this threat.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas
Half day tours to the picturesque Low Isles with a maximum of 23 guests. Choose an early morning departure or afternoon departure, both with a duration of 4 hours each. Snorkel the coral gardens with or without a guide, enjoy a guided walk around the island and join a glass bottom boat tour. COVID-19: We want you to know we are taking the current health crisis very seriously and will always put your health and safety at the forefront of our operations. Calypso adheres to a COVID-19 Safe Plan.

Price: A225

Min age: 0

Rating 4.85 / 5 [279 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas
Low Isles is an idyllic, unspoilt coral cay island just one hour's sailing from Port Douglas aboard the 30 metre sailing catamaran, Wavedancer. With snorkelling direct from the beach, this is the perfect day for families and couples seeking island relaxation. From the moment Wavedancer moors in the picturesque lagoon, a host of reef activities await. It's a leisurely, informative day where island visitor numbers are limited.Throughout the day, a shuttle boat transfers guests between the boat and the island. Snorkelling, glass bottom boat tour, marine biologist guided snorkel tour and island walk, tropical buffet lunch served onboard, morning and afternoon teas all included.

Price: A242

Min age: 0

Rating 4.62 / 5 [193 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas
See the Great Barrier Reef's coral and marine life on this full-day trip from Port Douglas. Whether you are a snorkeler or a scuba diver, experienced or a novice, this snorkel and dive cruise from Port Douglas is the perfect day out on the Great Barrier Reef. Visiting three different dive sites you'll discover the abundant marine life and diversity of coral which the Great Barrier Reef is world-famous for. The friendly crew will be happy to answer any questions you have throughout the day. The boat features full bar facilities, fresh water showers and expansive sundecks overlooking the Coral Sea. A tropical buffet lunch will be served between sites, along with morning and afternoon tea.

Price: A289

Min age: 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [310 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas
Explore the very outer Great Barrier Reef in luxury and style with Calypso. The custom designed vessel will take you to Agincourt or Opal Reef, both regarded as some of the most significant sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling is the easiest way to experience the reef or try an introductory dive, no experience required. For the advanced divers, certified diving is available. Let Calypso take you to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and explore the rich and diverse coral gardens.

Price: A297

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [1089 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas
Great for beginners, non-swimmers and first-time visitors to Tropical North Queensland cruise to Agincourt Reef from Port Douglas. You can watch fish feeding, go on a snorkeling expedition, try scuba diving, view the coral and marine life on a semi-submersible submarine, and enjoy a tasty buffet lunch.

Price: A298

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [468 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Great Barrier Reef Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Great Barrier Reef Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise from Port Douglas
Set sail from Port Douglas for a day of snorkeling and relaxing on the Great Barrier Reef’s Low Isles. The sheltered white sands are surrounded by tropical waters filled with fish, turtles and coral for pristine off-beach snorkeling, just moments away from Low Isles . This smaller cruise is limited to 33 passengers, ensuring good company and helpful assistance from the crew. A buffet lunch is included, along with a reef interpretation sail in a glass-bottom boat with an expert marine biologist as your guide

Price: A300

Min age: 0

Rating 4.85 / 5 [431 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Outer Barrier Reef Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure from Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Outer Barrier Reef Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure from Port Douglas
Set sail from Port Douglas for a day of snorkeling and adventure on the Outer Barrier Reef.Immersed in the northern frontier of Great Barrier Reef, this is the perfect sailing and snorkelling adventure for a conservation minded visitor. Ideally suited to those who can swim and have a spirit of fun and adventure.  The white sands of the coral cays are surrounded by tropical waters filled with fish, turtles and coral. This smaller cruise is limited to just 52 passengers, ensuring good company and helpful assistance from the crew. A buffet lunch is included, along with a reef interpretation talk, a guided snorkel tour and a glass-bottom boat with an expert marine biologist as your guide.Discerning guests can fully enjoy an inspiring full day of adventure using wind power to the absolutely stunning sand cays on the Great Barrier Reef in the most environmentally way!

Price: A300

Min age: 0

Rating 4.84 / 5 [278 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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ABC Snorkel Charters Port Douglas Snorkelling max 12 passengers

Port Douglas

ABC Snorkel Charters Port Douglas Snorkelling max 12 passengers
We actually get in the water with you and take you snorkelling 6 guests to 1 in water marine expert guide creating an informative personal experience Only 12 passengers on our ABC boat We visit all the Outer Reefs from Port Douglas

Price: A490

Min age: 7

Rating 4.99 / 5 [837 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Port Douglas

Queensland, Australia

an aerial view of Port Douglas

Swish, cosmopolitan and delightfully laid-back, Port Douglas is an ideal stepping off point for trips to the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef, and to connect with authentic indigenous culture.

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