Heron Island
Heron Island offers an incredible snorkeling experience where you can enter the sea directly from the beach. Once equipped, you can observe bright blue starfish and giant sea cucumbers. It is very convenient to reach here; simply take a one-hour flight from Brisbane to Gladstone, then take a boat or helicopter to the island. In addition to snorkeling, you can also enjoy various marine life and birds, fully immersing yourself in the wonders of nature.
Ningaloo Reef
As the second largest coral reef in Australia, Ningaloo Marine Park is an excellent choice for snorkeling enthusiasts. The coastline of this coral reef stretches for 260 kilometers, and the most convenient entry point is from the town of Exmouth. Exmouth is located north of Perth and can be reached by a two-hour flight. Take a boat to the reef with Ningaloo Reef Dive, and you can admire over 500 species of fish and a variety of marine life in these waters, including the giant whale shark. Tip: Swim about 500 meters from the shore to enter the shallow water area and enjoy the best views of the reef.
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is located east of Sydney and can be reached by a two-hour flight. Here, you can experience unique snorkeling adventures. The island limits the number of visitors to no more than 400 at a time, allowing guests to fully enjoy the beautiful environment. You can choose to snorkel at Lagoon Beach, Ned's Beach, Old Settlement Beach, Erscott’s Hole, or Blinky Beach. Each beach has its own unique features, and visitors can freely choose the place that suits them best for snorkeling.
Baird Bay
Located 284 kilometers west of Port Lincoln in South Australia, Baird Bay is a tranquil sea area where you can snorkel with resident bottlenose dolphins and curious sea lions. Snorkeling with sea lions takes place in shallow waters and is very safe, while swimming with dolphins requires going to deeper waters. Both activities have no requirements for the swimmer's skill level. If you are traveling in this area, don't miss this rare opportunity.
Fossil Bluff
The Eyre Peninsula in South Australia is one of the best snorkeling destinations in Australia, and snorkeling with giant cuttlefish is an unmissable activity. This two-day tour is only available during the cuttlefish migration season in July each year and offers an unforgettable experience. The activity includes boat trips with marine experts to observe cuttlefish, walking in the wilderness of the southern Flinders Ranges, and hiking along the rugged Alligator Gorge. Additionally, you can explore other snorkeling spots on the Eyre Peninsula, such as Swiss Valley Beach and Whalers Way.
Tips: This is a popular tour, so be sure to book in advance.
Lady Elliot Island
Located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is an eco-resort destination that can only be reached by scenic flights from Brisbane, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, or the Gold Coast. This eco-resort is dedicated to preserving the surrounding reef environment and boasts a world-class eco-resort. Here, you can swim with manta rays and enjoy the thrill of close encounters with marine life.
Tips: Snorkeling during high tide is the best time to see manta rays, turtles, and dolphins among the coral reefs.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is surrounded by numerous deserted beaches and wonderful snorkeling spots. Snorkelers here love to visit places like The Basin, Parakeet Bay, Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, and Little Armstrong Bay. You can reach Rottnest Island by taking a short ferry ride from Perth, but you'll find it feels like another paradise.
Tips: Head to the snorkeling trails at Parker Point or Little Salmon Bay, where information boards are fixed to the seabed.
Michaelmas Cay
Located near the coast of Cairns, Michaelmas Cay is a small sand island only 360 meters long and 50 meters wide, known as one of the most mysterious places in the underwater world. You can choose to join a day tour with Wave Dancer Low Isles to reach this small island and admire the surrounding reefs and rich marine life, with giant clams being the representative species here. Additionally, you can observe 23 species of seabirds that inhabit and migrate here.
Tips: If you don't want to dive into the water, you can also join a semi-submersible viewing tour to see the reef from the bottom of the boat. This is a great option to appreciate the spectacular scenery of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet.
Shelly Beach
Located in the northern part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Manly is a seaside suburb known as one of Sydney's most popular beach resorts. It features the calm and clear bay of Shelly Beach. Visitors can snorkel directly from the beach or join the EcoTreasures snorkeling tour, which will guide them to explore over 200 species of fish, including the famous blue groper. Additionally, for those who prefer to stay dry, there is a semi-submersible viewing tour that offers a view of the underwater coral reefs from the bottom of the boat.
How to experience: Grab a bite at the Boathouse Shelly Beach restaurant before diving into the water.
