What is it like to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef?

What You Can Expect. The vast expanse of the Great Barrier Reef means there is so much to see and learn about during a snorkelling trip, and there are hundreds of different reefs to explore. Anyone can get stuck into it, as long as they can swim and have fairly good fitness levels as it can be quite strenuous.



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Snorkelling is an easy, safe and fun way to explore the reef, moving at a slow and gentle pace so you have time to admire the intricate coral gardens or see one of thousands of marine species going about their day. It's an experience for all your senses.

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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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Swim with manta rays on the Southern Great Barrier Reef So much so, Lady Elliot Island is referred to as the home of the manta ray. You'll see them throughout the year, but mantas are particularly prevalent in large numbers during the cooler months of May - August.

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  • Threats to the Reef. ...
  • Climate change. ...
  • Sea temperature. ...
  • Coastal development. ...
  • Declining water quality. ...
  • Marine debris. ...
  • Impacts from fishing. ...
  • Crown-of-thorns starfish.


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Avoiding stinger season When you snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef during May to October you will avoid the peak stinger season. This is where box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish are around. These jellyfish are around all year, they are more common during the warmer months.

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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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Snorkelling. The sites in the Great Barrier Reef are shallow enough so that you can easily explore everything below the water's surface. The water in these parts is pleasantly warm and ideal for novices. There are plenty snorkelling expeditions from the main towns along the coasts.

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Don't Get Complacent Around Reef Sharks A bite in the wrong place at the wrong time could be very dangerous. Attacks by sharks tend to be provoked, and if they aren't, are often because of extenuating circumstances. It's very, very rare for a reef shark attack to occur if you've taken the right precautions.

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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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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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