What is the best snorkelling from Cairns?

Discover what it’s like to snorkel in one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

Cairns is the closest city to the Great Barrier Reef! Daily some tours depart from Cairns. The tours will go out to popular reefs for snorkelling, diving, or on the glass bottom boat.

Never gone snorkelling before? No need to worry as you will learn on the day the basics of snorkelling before you jump into a reef and snorkel on your own.

Norman Reef

What makes Norman Reef so good to visit for snorkelling is the crystal clear waters! You can see so far because of how clear the waters are, so you’ll be able to see the colourful coral and all the marine species.

Norman Reef has some of the most sought after marine creatures to see. You could be lucky enough to spot the six foot long humphead Maori wrasse, see the beautiful sea turtles, or even some reef sharks!

If you want to go further in the water you can try out scuba diving at Norman Reef!

Hastings Reef

Hastings Reef is shaped like a horseshoe and is commonly known as a better snorkelling spot on most days. As you’re snorkelling, you’ll be able to see all the smaller tropical fish hanging around the coral. But there are other larger marine species here from sea turtles to reef sharks and even reef squid!

Moore Reef

Moore Reef is one of the reefs that has a pontoon, making it a great day for the whole family to enjoy. A pontoon is a large boat that floats on the reef with all kinds of activities to do from waterslides to a buffet.

As you can imagine, on the pontoon you can go snorkelling in Moore Reef to discover the small colourful fish and larger marine life like reef sharks. You can also go scuba diving, helmet diving, and go on a glass bottom boat.

Saxon Reef

Saxon Reef has a lot of shallow areas, making it a great snorkelling reef! Saxon Reef is also one of the most visited reefs for snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef with tours visiting quite often.

If you end up snorkelling here, keep an eye out for reef sharks, octopi, and even all kinds of tropical fish swimming within the coral.

At Saxon Reef, you can also try out scuba diving or go on the glass bottom boat.

If snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef sounds like something you’d want to do, make sure you book a tour today! Tours depart daily where you can explore and see one of the natural wonders of the world.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.