Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

[Paul (SA)]

Hi guys. Planning a trip to FNQ and want to take my two boys out snorkeling for a day on the GBR.

Is anyone able to recommend who would be good to go with?

We would prefer an operator that takes smaller groups rather than a large horde on a large boat if that helps.

Any input appreciated.

Cheers. Paul

[KingBilly]

From what port/town may help narrow recommendations

KB

[rockrat]

Hi guys. Planning a trip to FNQ and want to take my two boys out snorkeling for a day on the GBR.

Is anyone able to recommend who would be good to go with?

We would prefer an operator that takes smaller groups rather than a large horde on a large boat if that helps.

Any input appreciated.

Cheers. Paul

As KB says, it would help to know where you are going.  However, I have been on trips to Green Is (off Cairns), Great Keppel Is (off Yeppoon) and to a reef pontoon from Hamilton Is.  All were with reasonably big operators and were excellent so I wouldn't let that stop you.  None were crowded (although it was always during school holidays), the food where provided was quite good and sometimes the larger operators have the best facilities and locations.

[MarkVS]

We have done several GBR snorkelling rips...one that we found very enjoyable, was from Airlie Beach. We took a seaplane fight out, that took us to a small outer reef, where they had a pontoon. You then snorkelled off the pontoon on some beautiful reef area. And you were the only ones there.

Mark

[GBC]

Ex Port Douglas gets you onto better reef for snorkelling, but it's mainly big day boats.
A seaplane out to reefworld pontoon from Hamilton island sounds pretty cool - Stretching the definition of FNQ though?

[paul.o]

Hi Paul,

We have just been up to Cairns last holidays and went to the outer reef with Sunlover Cruises. They are a big (standard sized) operator but the day didn't seem crowded at all. The pontoon was good and even had a waterslide for the kids (and not so kids  ). My two b. 11 g. 9 had a ball, and even set a new record for the number of times down the slide!

The snorkelling was also good with plenty of fish and a good variety of species.

If you are up that way, there's a Barra farm at Wonga right on the side of the road called Hook-a-Barra. Very friendly and is the highlight of my son's trip.

Regards,

Paul

[Paul (SA)]

From what port/town may help narrow recommendations

KB

Good point KB!

I am open to anywhere. Thinking Cairns, Cooktown or Port Douglas but open to any suggestions north of Cairns.

[Beachman]

Last time I did a snorkelling trip out Cairns I was given a recommendation by some backpackers I meet in a pub about a smaller/older boat which caters to 20-30 people. This also meant it’s cheaper than the bigger faster boats. (Sorry can’t remember the name)

I was a little hesitant but took the punt and booked. Yes the boat was slower and probably not as comfortable, but seeing we had a small group had the best day and was able to stop at reefs which we had to ourselves. All up a fantastic day and probably the best reef trip I’ve done. (I was single at the time so the view was also outstanding)

Since then I’ve done a trip out of Airlie Beach on one of the huge cats where the drop you at a pontoon. Have to say I personally didn’t enjoy that as much purely due to the number of people in the water.

Next time we are up that way and want to do a reef trip, I’m going to go into a backpackers hostel and ask there advice on small cheaper boats doing reef trips.

[KingBilly]

The main tour operators work out of Cairns and Port Douglas.  Two very different types of reef, inner and outer.  Both are brilliant.  Just different types of coral.  Inner are closer to port so you spend less time getter there and more time in the water.  The bigger operators have their own pontoons, most with added facilities like underwater viewing galleries and semi submersible viewing boats or "subs".  The smaller operators are less busy but you are stuck on their boat with limited facilities.  Then you have tours which take in an island like Green Island.  I doubt you would be dissappinted with any of the bigger operators, just a matter of how much time you have and your budget when making a choice.  You will have a great time.  Enjoy.

KB

[Goshen]

Hi Paul,
           As everyone before has said any of the bigger operators around Cairns/Port Douglas are probably going to be fine.
We (and friends visiting here) have had a great experiences with several of them including "Sunlover", "Great Adventures" and  "Passions of Paradise".
The Low Isles off PD are worth a look too and the best advice is to hope for a day when the South Easterlies are a bit gentler  that however is a raffle.

Cheers

G

[gronk]

Green Island.......cheapish, easy to get to, great for kids and lots to see 5m off the beach.

[BrettMG]

Wavelength out of Port Douglas are awesome. Smallish boat (20-30 people). Will take you to the outer reef to 3 different spots depending on prevailing winds. Have marine biologists on board that give a great presentation about life around the reef, when in the water they also point out things of interest. My kids 10 & 12 loved it. Wetsuits, fins, masks snorkels, lunch and sea sick tablets provided. Done other tours on bigger boats out of Cairns, Wavelength heaps better a much more personal experience!

[McGirr]

Either Port Douglas or Cairns offer good tours. The big companies will have their own pontoons. Others will use islands as a base which does not have the best coral.

The tours are not cheap  but are a great experiance. I would suggest great adventures or quicksilver.

The pontoons are moved every 10 years as the coral gets damaged due to thousands of people snorkeling with sunblock that makes its way on to the coral.

The island tours are ok, but alot of the coral is dead. Islands cannot be moved.

Mark

[richo9923]

If you have the time and money then I will highly recommend the Reef Encounter boat, its a live aboard boat that allows you to sleep on the reef, food is excellent and only has a max of about 40 people on it at any one time, although the best part for me was the ability to jump into the reef at 0630... watch the reef wake up and feed, next was jumping into the water at night with a tank strapped to your back and a torch in your hand, having reef sharks  and huge GT follow your torch beam is a bit daunting but its awesome, the night time is scuba only but don't worry if you don't have a PADI or equivalent ticket, they will do resort dives as much as you like.

It might sound a bit expensive but when you consider the price includes accommodation, all meals, water/tea/coffee/juice, equipment hire and lots of adventure, it compares to what you'd spend on day activities and associated costs of being on holiday

https://reefencounter.com.au/

boat goes from Cairns.

[jimc1]

We did Wavelength trip with 3 young kids 4 weeks ago. They supplied everything..including snacks and lunch.


They even found some dwarf minke whales at a reef we were not going stop at, so we stopped there and after setting up a safety rope, we could watch the whales while in the water. AMAZING!!


The boat has scuba lessons available as well, but the main focus of trip was the snorkelling.


Further north near Cape Tribulation was another smaller outfit with high speed zodiac type boats. They are a little cheaper and have smaller numbers heading out to snorkel.


Whatever you decide, you and kids will have amazing memories

[smartyingreen]

Hi Paul,  we used these guys out of Cape Trib in 2015, think it was an 4 hr total but only about 20 mins out. The kids loved it but is only snorkel, no diving is offered.



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[The Caseys]

Paul,  From Cairns there are many choices and they are all good.  They all take about 1 1/2 to get to the destination but so worth it.  If go during the Whale immigration season it is an extra bonus.

We have been on Sunlover, Great Adventures and Passions of Paradise.  They all have pretty much the same thing to offer and would recommended them all.

I personally would not go to Green Island as it is a rip off (just my opinion-others will disagree).

Tina

[fridayman]

It would be worth asking around about the coral bleaching (there has been quite a lot in the last 12 months). If an operator doesn't know what you're talking about, find another one.