Can non swimmers snorkel in Great Barrier Reef?

If you're not a confident swimmer, that's ok! We have a number of ways to assist you experience the reef. These include our Snorkelling Safety Officers who's primary focus is to assist you no matter your level of confidence in the water. We have buoyancy vests and flotation aids available.



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If you are not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef as all operators are able to provide you with buoyancy devices such as vests, noodles and safety rings.

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The good news is ?No? you don't have to be an expert swimmer or an Olympic athlete to enjoy snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. In this blog, we will answer some questions and give some basic tips that will make planning your day on the Great Barrier Reef a lot easier.

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Essentially, snorkeling is a surface sport that involves mostly floating and requires very little (if any) actual swimming. Plenty of non-swimmers snorkel all the time, still, it's important that you know how to do it right and prepare a bit ahead of time.

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It's not hard and you don't need to be a great swimmer. My husband works on a snorkelling boat on the Great Barrier Reef and sees hundreds of snorkellers, many are beginners. Here are a few tips from a pro. Keep calm, go slowly, control your breathing, don't panic.

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The golden rule of diving in the Great Barrier Reef is to look but don't touch. Coral can be incredibly fragile and even the slightest touch can cause damage. Coral lives and breathes and some come with stingers and sharp spines which can also hurt you.

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Take care when diving and snorkelling Be aware of where your fins are and avoid touching anything with them. Don't rest or stand on coral. If you must stand up, make sure it is on sand or use rest stations. Observe animals rather than handling them directly, and avoid blocking the path of free swimming animals.

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In terms of proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is closer to the outer reef and has more tour options available. Port Douglas is about an hour's drive north of Cairns and is closer to the inner reef, which is better for snorkeling and beginner divers.

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If you're not too old and not too young, reasonably fit, with no serious medical or health conditions, and feel confident being in and around the water – go for it! Snorkelling is made for people like you. And if you don't fit into that box, don't feel bad. You can still go snorkelling, buddy!

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Snorkelling is by far the most popular and easiest activity to do when exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Simply needing some goggles, flippers, and a breathing tube, and visitors can plunge into the warm waters and be amazed by the world lying below the surface.

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Reef depth ranges anywhere from five to 30 metres, as the reefs are known to drop away suddenly in certain places. How deep you can go will depend on your diver certification (if you have one).

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