Hot Deal
From$209$188
1. Select date
2. Select a time
Total : 0
Select Pickup Location ×
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

526
Why Book With Us?
  • No-hassle Best Price Guarantee
  • Experienced & Friendly Staff
  • Hand-picked Tours & Activities
  • Australia Based & Destination Specialists

All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling from Cairns

(45 Reviews)
  • Departs from Cairns
  • 5 hours

 

Highlights

  • Zoom to the Outer Great Barrier Reef on Cairns’ fastest purpose-built speed vessel
  • Snorkel with Marine Biologist guides at exclusive reef sites
  • Enjoy a half-day adventure with over 2 hours in the water and personalized service

Good job icon

 

What to expect

Get ready for high-speed excitement on Cairns’ newest and fastest reef vessel, purpose-built to get you to the Great Barrier Reef in record time. With an afternoon departure, this half-day adventure is designed to maximize your time in the water — more snorkeling, less travel.

Your adventure begins with a unique Marine Biologist presentation, Cairns’ only pre-trip briefing of its kind, so you’ll be well-prepared before even getting in the water. Once onboard, your skipper selects the best reef sites of the day from a choice of 15 exclusive moorings. This ensures the best conditions and most vibrant marine life for your snorkeling experience.

With over two full hours in the water, snorkel alongside colorful corals, tropical fish, turtles, and possibly rays or reef sharks. Expert Marine Biologists and snorkel guides are on hand to offer tips, ensure safety, and enrich your understanding of this World Heritage-listed ecosystem.

All snorkel gear, including wetsuits in winter, lycra suits in summer, flotation devices, and prescription masks, are included. Freshwater showers, locally sourced snacks, and drinks (available for purchase) make this a comfortable and unforgettable way to experience the reef in just half a day.

The cruise departs from Cairns Marina at 12:00 pm and returns to Cairns at 5:00 pm.

 

 

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5.0/5
Based on 45 reviewsRead all reviews
Elle

A fantastic day snorkeling on the reef! The team was excellent and the day was well organised. The marine biologist presentation by Seb was great, it helped us identify fish, coral and clams once we were out there so I'd definitely recommend attending. A special shout out to Cam who pointed out so many fish species and coral and clams while we were in the water, thank you! Would definitely recommend if you're visiting Cairns

Nikola

This was such a wonderful experience! The entire team was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, you can really tell they love what they do and genuinely care about marine life and its preservation. First Seb gave us a great presentation about the Great Barrier Reef, don't skip it! Then they took us out to a beautiful reef with incredibly colourful corals, and Jess was fantastic at explaining everything we were seeing during the guided snorkel. They also went above and beyond to make it an unforgettable experience for my mom, who was snorkelling for the very first time. On the way back we were incredibly lucky to get up close to whales and dolphins from the boat, which was the perfect ending to an already amazing day. I would 1000% recommend Pure Snorkelling

What you need to know

Included in your tour

  • Over 2 hours snorkeling on the Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • An exclusive reef location chosen on the day to suit the weather conditions
  • Highly personalized service with a marine biologist-led snorkel tours
  • Brand new purpose-built boat
  • Snorkel, mask, and fins plus wetsuits (winter) or Lycra suits (summer)
  • Flotation devices
  • Prescription masks
  • Freshwater showers to rinse on deck
  • Locally sourced afternoon tea

Extra

  • Soft drinks or alcohol (available to purchase from the bar)
  • Merchandise or souvenirs
  • Hotel transfers

Time and Departure Location

Please come and check in directly on the boat on D Finger at the Cairns at Marlin Marina (1 Spence Street, Cairns City)

Check availability to see starting times.

Important Information

Know before you go

  • Please check in directly at our pontoon office on D Finger at the Cairns Marlin Marina from 11:15 AM. The boat will depart at 12:00 PM sharp and return at approx 5:00 PM.
  • Bring along your swimmers, towel, suncream, sunglasses, etc.
  • Please do not bring any valuables on board
  • Please call to reconfirm 24 hours in advance

Not allowed

  • Drones
  • Touching marine life

What To Bring

  • Hat
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Camera
  • Snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Biodegradable sunscreen

Cancellation Policy

  • Customer-requested cancellations made at least 6 days prior to travel will receive a refund of 95% of the total booking amount. The remaining 5% will be retained as a non-refundable administration and booking fee. Cancellations made within 5 days of travel will incur a 100% cancellation fee, including no-shows.
  • Should supplier be required to cancel or the operation of the tour for any reason, including on the rare occasions due to inclement weather, an alternative date or itinerary will be offered to the passenger. If the alternative date or itinerary cannot be arranged or agreed upon, a full refund will be authorised. If the passenger accepts the alternative date or itinerary, no refunds will be issued.
  • Tour itinerary may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
  • Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
  • Mobile Vouchers are accepted! – Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction

Frequently asked questions

Is this tour suitable for first-time snorkellers?

Yes, first-time snorkellers can enjoy this experience if they are confident swimmers and comfortable in open water. You should be able to swim about 50 metres and stay afloat without assistance. The crew helps with equipment, snorkelling technique and in-water guidance, while flotation devices provide extra support.

Is this tour suitable for children and families?

Yes, it can be a memorable family reef adventure for children aged six and over who are confident swimmers. The small-group format and in-water guidance give families plenty of support, and children must remain under parent or guardian supervision throughout the experience.

How many reef sites will we visit?

The afternoon focuses on one carefully selected Outer Reef snorkelling site, giving you more than two hours to explore instead of spending the day travelling between locations. The crew chooses from 15 exclusive moorings according to wind, tides and surface conditions, helping you enjoy the best available snorkelling on the day.

What is the fast-boat ride like, and should I prepare for seasickness?

The fast vessel keeps travel time short and leaves more of the afternoon for snorkelling. Open-sea conditions can sometimes make the ride lively, so guests who are prone to motion sickness may find it helpful to take their usual motion-sickness medication before departure, following the product directions. A warm, dry layer is also useful for the return journey.

Can I join the Marine Biologist presentation before departure?

Yes. A complimentary reef presentation takes place on the D Finger pontoon from approximately 10.30am to 11.00am. Arriving early gives you the opportunity to learn about the reef and the marine life you may encounter before the midday departure.

What facilities and storage are available onboard?

The vessel has two toilets, freshwater deck showers and some under-seat storage for small belongings. Space is limited, so it is best to bring only the essentials you need for the afternoon.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Most dietary needs and allergies can be accommodated for the included afternoon tea with at least 24 hours’ notice. Guests with very strict dietary requirements may prefer to bring a suitable snack. After booking, please contact us with any dietary requirements.

45 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Elle

A fantastic day snorkeling on the reef! The team was excellent and the day was well organised. The marine biologist presentation by Seb was great, it helped us identify fish, coral and clams once we were out there so I’d definitely recommend attending. A special shout out to Cam who pointed out so many fish species and coral and clams while we were in the water, thank you! Would definitely recommend if you’re visiting Cairns

September 2, 2026

Nikola

This was such a wonderful experience! The entire team was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, you can really tell they love what they do and genuinely care about marine life and its preservation. First Seb gave us a great presentation about the Great Barrier Reef, don’t skip it! Then they took us out to a beautiful reef with incredibly colourful corals, and Jess was fantastic at explaining everything we were seeing during the guided snorkel. They also went above and beyond to make it an unforgettable experience for my mom, who was snorkelling for the very first time. On the way back we were incredibly lucky to get up close to whales and dolphins from the boat, which was the perfect ending to an already amazing day. I would 1000% recommend Pure Snorkelling

August 25, 2026

Ian

Great activity, knowledgeable crew, communicated really well with us throughout. Great location for snorkelling. Tip, take the travel sickness pills they offer as it was quite choppy

August 18, 2026

Lynn

The crew was awesome. They gave us so much help guiding us out on the reef. The sea was extremely choppy but the reef was so beautiful. Thanks for the great experience

August 15, 2026

Anna

We had an incredible time yesterday with Pure Snorkelling, it’s been the highlight of our whole East Coast trip! The staff were so lovely and even offered full refunds if we weren’t sure about joining because of the windy weather, but we’re so glad we went out with them anyway! Staff member Bailey chatted with us on the way out to the reef and made us feel really at ease, and the snorkelling itself was amazing, we saw a reef shark and so many different kinds of fish. I couldn’t recommend it more. Thank you Pure Snorkelling!

August 12, 2026
123456789