Great Barrier Reef · Departs daily from Cairns
Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
2 ways to snorkel a World Heritage-listed reef — from our Outer Reef pontoon at Moore Reef, or straight off the beach at Fitzroy Island. Snorkel gear is included on every Moore Reef tour and with Best of Island at Fitzroy Island, and we look after everyone from first-timers to experienced reef explorers.
Quick Answer
Sunlover offers 2 ways to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, both departing daily from Cairns. At Moore Reef you snorkel a 9,000-square-metre natural coral lagoon from our Outer Reef pontoon, with lifeguards, crew support and all gear included — ideal for first-timers, families and non-swimmers. At Fitzroy Island you explore the fringing reef directly from the beach in a self-guided experience. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour can be added at either location.
2 ways to snorkel side by side
Where you get in, what’s included, what it costs and who it suits.
Moore Reef
$317 adult · $177 child · $816 family
- Where you snorkel
- A 9,000 sqm natural coral lagoon around our pontoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, with about 4 hours at the reef.
- How you get in
- Stairs off the stable pontoon platform. Shallow sections start at 1 to 2 metres.
- Gear included
- Mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit. Buoyancy vests are free.
- Supervision
- Lifeguards on duty from an elevated tower, with crew on the pontoon.
- Also included
- Lunch, glass bottom boat, semi-submersible and underwater observatory.
- Guided snorkel tour
- Optional, +$65 adult or +$45 child. $382 adult in total with the tour.
- Best for
- First-timers, families, non-swimmers and anyone who wants lifeguards and calm water.
Fitzroy Island
$166 adult · $110 child · $442 familyBest of Island, on special until 31 March 2027 (normally $202 adult)
- Where you snorkel
- The fringing reef off the beach at Welcome Bay, with 4.5 to 5.5 hours on the island depending on your ferry.
- How you get in
- Walk in from the beach.
- Gear included
- Full-day snorkel hire with Best of Island. Island Essentials (from $134) lets you choose snorkel hire as your 1 inclusion.
- Supervision
- Self-guided. There are no lifeguards, the reef is more exposed and currents can pick up on tidal changes, so snorkel with a buddy.
- Also included
- Return ferry, glass bottom boat tour and a lunch box (Best of Island).
- Guided snorkel tour
- Optional, +$65 adult or +$45 child. $231 adult in total with Best of Island and the tour.
- Best for
- Confident swimmers and independent explorers who also want beach time and rainforest walks.
Want both? Reef & Island snorkels Moore Reef in the morning and Fitzroy Island in the afternoon, from $347 adult. Prices are per person in AUD.
Why snorkel with Sunlover?
Snorkelling is at the heart of what we do. Here’s what makes a day on the reef with us safe, easy and unforgettable — whether it’s your first time or your hundredth.
Easy for everyone
First-timers welcome
Most of our guests are first-time snorkellers. At Moore Reef you enter from a stable pontoon with stair access, buoyancy vests are free, and crew walk you through everything before you get in.
Safety first
Lifeguards on watch
At Moore Reef, trained lifeguards are on duty from an elevated tower all day, with rest stations in the water. Operations comply with the Queensland Safety in Recreational Water Activities Regulation 2024.
Real expertise
Marine-biologist-guided
Add a guided snorkel tour led by a marine biologist — reef interpretation from the people who study it, in a small group of up to 6.
Gear sorted
Snorkel gear supplied
Mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit are included on every Moore Reef tour and with the Best of Island package at Fitzroy. With Island Value or Island Essentials, snorkel hire is one of the options you choose from. Buoyancy vests are free of charge at Moore Reef for anyone who wants one.
2 reef experiences
Reef or island
Choose the sheltered pontoon lagoon at Moore Reef, or the fringing reef off the beach at Fitzroy Island — each is a completely different way to see the Great Barrier Reef.
Who is snorkelling the reef best for?
Our 2 locations suit different experience levels and travel styles. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.
First-time snorkellers
Moore Reef is ideal
Enter the water from a stable pontoon, lifeguards on watch all day, free buoyancy vests, and shallow lagoon areas starting at just 1 to 2 metres deep.
Families with children
Plenty to do
Moore Reef has lifeguards, rest stations in the water, a kids snorkel training area, and ways to see the reef beyond snorkelling — glass bottom boat, semi-submersible and underwater observatory. All ages welcome. Infants 0–3 travel free.
Non-swimmers
See the reef dry
Moore Reef is the better choice. If you’re not confident in the water, you can still experience the reef from the glass bottom boat, semi-submersible or underwater observatory — all included at no extra cost.
Confident & experienced
Room to explore
Both locations suit you. At Moore Reef, confident swimmers can explore the deeper drop-off at the edge of the snorkelling area. At Fitzroy Island, explore the fringing reef at your own pace.
Want to learn
Guided snorkel tour
Add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour at either location — a small-group interpretive tour that helps you understand what you’re seeing beneath the surface.
Choose your reef tour
Snorkel gear is included on every Moore Reef tour. At Fitzroy Island it’s included with Best of Island and an option on other packages. Pick the day that suits you, then add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour when you book.
Full day · Outer Reef pontoon
Moore Reef
Snorkel a sheltered coral lagoon from our Outer Reef pontoon, with lifeguards, glass bottom boat, semi-submersible, underwater observatory and buffet lunch — all included. Best for first-timers, families and non-swimmers.
From $317 adult
Book Moore Reef → Moore Reef day trip details →
Full day · Reef + island
Reef & Island
The only operator combining the Outer Reef at Moore Reef with Fitzroy Island in a single day — snorkel the pontoon lagoon in the morning, then the island’s fringing reef in the afternoon.
From $347 adult
Book Reef & Island → See full details →
Island day trip · beach snorkelling
Fitzroy Island
A rainforest national park 45 minutes from Cairns — snorkel the fringing reef straight off the beach at your own pace, walk to Nudey Beach, or simply relax. Snorkel gear is included with Best of Island. Island Value includes lunch plus snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; Island Essentials includes 1 of snorkel hire, the glass bottom boat or a lunch box. Ferry-only guests can hire gear on the island.
Packages from $134 adult
Book Fitzroy Island → See full details →Moore Reef or Fitzroy Island — which is right for you?
Both are part of the Great Barrier Reef, but the snorkelling experience at each is quite different. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
Outer Reef pontoon
Moore Reef
Beach snorkelling
Fitzroy Island
Snorkel gear at Moore Reef — mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit are included with every tour. At Fitzroy Island it depends on your package: full-day snorkel hire is included with Best of Island; Island Value includes lunch plus your choice of snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; Island Essentials includes 1 choice of snorkel hire, the glass bottom boat or a lunch box; and ferry-only transfers don’t include gear, though you can hire it on the island. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour ($65 adult) can be added at either location when you book.
Outer Great Barrier Reef
Snorkelling at Moore Reef
Our Moore Reef pontoon is your base for the day, anchored permanently in a 9,000-square-metre natural coral lagoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have approximately 4 hours at the reef, free to hop in and out of the water as many times as you like — there’s no set snorkelling schedule, so the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
The pontoon is a stable platform to enter and exit the water with ease — no jumping off the side of a boat or swimming against a current to get back. Shallow sections start at just 1 to 2 metres, so you’re never far from the platform, and our lifeguards and crew are always on watch both in the water and from the pontoon.
First time snorkelling? There’s nothing to worry about
Many of our guests are first-timers. Snorkelling is one of the easiest water activities to pick up — you float face-down on the surface, breathe through a snorkel tube and look down at the reef below. You stay on the surface the whole time, with no diving under, no training and no experience needed. Our crew walk you through everything before you get in, buoyancy vests are free, and lifeguards are always on watch.
Important health & safety information
If you have any medical conditions — such as heart issues, asthma, epilepsy, or anything that may be affected by physical exertion or could cause a loss of consciousness — please let our crew know. This won’t prevent you from snorkelling, but it lets our team give you a specially coloured vest so our lookouts can keep an extra eye on you and respond quickly if needed.
Watch our snorkel safety briefing
Watch before your trip so you arrive feeling prepared and confident. The video includes subtitle captions that can be translated into several languages.
Use the CC (closed captions) button on the player to select your preferred language for subtitles.
Beach snorkelling · 45 min from Cairns
Snorkelling at Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island offers a completely different experience to Moore Reef. Instead of entering from a pontoon in a protected lagoon, you snorkel directly from the beach over the fringing reef that surrounds the island.
There are no lifeguards or crew stationed in the water, so it’s a self-guided experience — it’s important to be comfortable and prepared before you head out. What snorkel gear you get depends on the package you choose: full-day hire is included with Best of Island; with Island Value and Island Essentials you pick either snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; and if you book ferry transfers only, gear isn’t included but can be hired on the island. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour can be added when you book, in a small group of up to 6.
Beach snorkelling tips
New to snorkelling from a beach? These tips will help you get in and out of the water safely and make the most of your time on the reef. Always snorkel with a buddy.
Before you go in
Getting ready
Before you put your mask on, give the inside of the lens a rub with saliva and rinse it in the water — this stops it fogging up once you’re swimming. It sounds odd, but it’s what the professionals do and it works.
Fins
Putting your fins on
Sit at the water’s edge to put them on, or do it the way our crew do — wade in with your fins under your arm until about waist deep, then put them on where the buoyancy helps your balance. Never try to walk on land or the beach with your fins on.
Fins
Getting out of the water
Remove your fins before you stand up or exit. Take them off while floating in the shallows, or sit at the water’s edge to slide them off. Walking in fins is a quick way to trip and hurt yourself.
Protect the reef
Watch your feet
Be mindful of very shallow areas — coral can be much closer to the surface than it appears. Don’t touch anything with your feet. As well as protecting the reef, some coral and marine life can cause painful stings or cuts.
Stay safe
Be aware of currents
Unlike the sheltered lagoon at Moore Reef, the reef around Fitzroy Island is more exposed and can have stronger currents on tidal changes. Check back with the shoreline regularly. If you’re being pulled along, don’t fight it — swim across the current towards shore, then make your way back.
Available at Moore Reef & Fitzroy Island
Guided Snorkel Tour
$65 Adult · $45 Child · $175 Family
Our marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour is the ultimate way to experience the reef — especially if it’s your first time in the water or you’re feeling a little nervous. In a small group of up to 6, you’re personally guided through the reef by one of our marine biologists.
Over about 35 minutes, your guide takes you to areas of the reef beyond the main snorkelling area, pointing out coral formations, fish, giant clams and — if you’re lucky — sea turtles, while sharing how the reef ecosystem works. Designed for all abilities, including anyone who needs a little extra assistance in the water.
Add a Guided Snorkel Tour →What to expect in the water
Marine life
Colourful hard and soft corals, tropical fish such as clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, giant clams among the coral, and — if you’re lucky — a green sea turtle cruising past.
Snorkel gear
Mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit are included on every Moore Reef tour, and with Best of Island at Fitzroy Island (on Island Value and Island Essentials, snorkel hire is one of the options you choose; with ferry-only transfers you can hire gear on the island). Buoyancy vests are free at Moore Reef. You’re welcome to bring your own gear.
Optional hire from the bar
Prescription masks ($5), nose-breathing masks with no mouthpiece ($5) and wetsuits ($10) can be hired onboard at Moore Reef. Ask the crew behind the bar on the main deck.
Reef monitoring
Our crew take part in the Eye on the Reef monitoring program run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Surveys at Moore Reef are submitted to GBRMPA to help track reef health.
Snorkelling FAQs
Are there sharks on the Great Barrier Reef?
Can non-swimmers snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?
Do you provide flotation jackets?
Is snorkel equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?
- Prescription masks — $5.00
- Nose-breathing snorkel masks (breathe through your nose, no mouthpiece) — $5.00
- Wetsuits — $10.00
I wear glasses — can I get a prescription snorkel mask?
I find it hard to breathe through my mouth — is there an alternative snorkel?
How long do I get to snorkel at the reef?
What will I see when snorkelling?
Is Sunlover an environmentally certified operator?
Can you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?
Where is the best place to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns?
Can you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef without a tour?
How much does it cost to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns?
Should I snorkel or scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef?
Can you still snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?
Can you see the Great Barrier Reef without snorkeling?
What should I wear snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef?
Visiting from the USA? What should I know about snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef?
Is it snorkeling or snorkelling?
Want to go deeper?
Snorkelling not quite enough? Add one of these to your reef day and get beneath the surface.
Try scuba · ages 12+
SCUBA Diving
Go beneath the surface on an introductory dive with full training and gear, or a certified dive if you’re already qualified — guided by a certified dive instructor.
Explore diving →
No swimming needed · ages 12+
Seawalker Helmet Dive
Walk the reef floor beneath the pontoon wearing a helmet, breathing normally the whole time — ideal for non-swimmers who still want to get among the coral.
Explore Seawalker →
Short on time
Half Day Reef
A shorter reef trip with a scenic helicopter flight — snorkelling included, ideal if you don’t have a full day to spare.
Explore Half Day Reef →Prices & packages · Getting here · Health checklist · FAQs · Contact us
Ready to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?
2 ways to snorkel, all equipment included, and support for every level of experience. Book direct for flexible booking options.
Book Your Reef Day →