13 Sailing and Snorkeling Trips in Australia to Build a Day Around

1.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,567 reviews · 9 hours · from $190Our pick

Join Passions of Paradise at Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal for a full day aboard a spacious catamaran. You’ll visit two outer reef sites, snorkel with guides such as Lily or Justin, enjoy a chef-prepared buffet, and hear marine talks from the crew. Scuba sessions and prescription masks are available.

“Crew were highly trained, efficient, couldn’t have been more helpful. Catamaran was clean, smooth on the seas, spacious for the number of people. Timings were spot on. Great Barrier Reef was awesome ofc & Food was super delicious and well appreciated! Thank you so much :)”

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2.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,564 reviews · from $192Top rated

Cruise from Cairns on an 80-foot catamaran to two Outer Reef sites. Snorkel with guides such as Simon, Parker, or Corinda, try an introductory scuba session, enjoy a generous buffet, and hear a marine biologist explain reef life on the return trip.

“Lots of rain, which made the journey there very choppy. The crew provided sickness tablets for purchase. Despite the weather, the snorkelling was amazing. The lunch and crew were absolutely great - all committed to making sure everyone is safe and has a great experience”

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3.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 752 reviews · from $466

Sail from Airlie Beach aboard the 82-foot Spank Me for two nights of island scenery, snorkeling, and Whitehaven Beach. You’ll sleep in shared bunks, eat included meals, and visit places such as Hook Island, Hayman Island, Luncheon Bay, and Blue Pearl Bay. Captain Alex and the crew lead the trip.

“We just departed from the “Spank Me” and we had a great time! Accommodations were about what you’d expect from a racing sailboat, and Captain Alex takes you around to some beautiful places and great snorkeling spots. Marie and MollRead more”

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4.Full-Day Whitsunday Sail and Snorkel Adventure with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 653 reviews · from $142

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard the Tongarra from Coral Sea Marina, sailing to Langford Island for beach time, snorkeling, and optional banana boat rides. Lunch, snacks, snorkeling gear, and stinger suits are included. Bring your own alcohol for the return sail and sunset.

“Such a great experience to see a not so busy snorkel site on the Whitsunday’s! Incredible people running the ship, great snacks and met some friendly people along the way.”

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5.Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 640 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $137

Spend nine hours aboard the 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner Providence, sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and a fringing Great Barrier Reef site. You can help raise the sails, snorkel with supplied gear, and enjoy guidance from crew members such as Jack, Fin, Reed, or Hans, depending on the day.

“Hi, thank you so much for so beautiful day, we really love it ✨”

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6.Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · from $243

Join Sailaway for a 7.5-hour cruise from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard a 33-passenger catamaran. Snorkel with marine biologists, ride the EV Discovery glass-bottom boat, walk to the 1878 lighthouse, and enjoy morning tea, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea.

“WOW! WOW! WOW! What a truly special and memorable day. We were made to feel so welcome from the moment we arrived on board! Upon arrival, I was really pleased at the small nature of our group compared to the large numbers on other boats. All confidence and ability levels catered for - having never snorkeled before, I had a few nerves but they were quickly put to rest by the support of the crew and I just enjoyed myself. The crew were knowledgeable - providing information about the reef, marine animals seen and answering any questions. We saw many turtles, which was a personal highlight for myself, reef sharks,…”

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7.Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 436 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas along the Daintree coast to Mackay Cay, where you can snorkel with a marine biologist, inspect coral by glass-bottom boat, and explore a coral cay. Barry has provided reef talks on some departures, while the crew offers close water safety support.

“Amazing day on the reef. This is a MUST tour if you want to experience the Great Barrier Reef. The day with Sailaway was top tier and highly recommended. The crew was very professional and helped us have a most excellent day.”

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8.Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 408 reviews · from $179

Set out from Cairns at 7:30 am aboard Reef Daytripper for a nine-hour sailing trip to Upolu Reef and a sheltered lagoon. Snorkel with guides, spot coral, turtles, clams, fish, rays, and possibly sharks, then enjoy morning tea, a buffet lunch, and snacks on the return sail.

“The crew , the guests, the experience of being on the catamaran .The coral sea , the Great Barrier Reef . The crew were competent, caring and welcoming. A memorable experience to see the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. Thank you reef daytripper crew for making it possible. From your friends from Canada We Well recommend it!!! Weloved the personal , small group ambience. It was awesome . you guys did a great job.😎👍 John and Linda”

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9.Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 398 reviews · 9 hours · from $183

Join a 25-person sailing trip from Cairns with crew such as Blair, Anne, Ollie, and Dan. Snorkel an exclusive reef site, try an introductory or certified scuba session, visit Green Island, and sail home with lunch, fruit, cheese, cake, and wine.

“Really nice to have a small group. The team were brilliant and really made the experience. The food was good, music was good, snorkelling was good, sailing was good. Can’t go wrong!”

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10.Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas to the Low Isles on a small adults-only catamaran. Snorkel with a marine guide, ride a glass-bottom boat, or relax on the beach, then enjoy afternoon tea, drinks, and a sunset return sail. The 33-person limit keeps the outing calm and personal.

“Such a lovely day! The boat was amazing, as was the spot for snorkelling. Was really good to have a half day adventure, as I was travelling with some older parents, It was really nice to have options to snorkel or not - my parents went on a lonRead more”

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11.2-Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 215 reviews · 60 hours · from $488

Join OzSail’s crew aboard Avatar, a fast trimaran, for two nights around the Whitsundays. You’ll snorkel coral reefs, reach Whitehaven Beach early, hike to Hill Inlet, help sail, eat fresh onboard meals, and sleep in a compact cabin or under the stars.

“We had an absolutely amazing trip it truly felt like a little holiday! The activities were fantastic, and honestly, one more wouldn’t have been a bad idea. A huge thank you to the wonderful crew Sammy, Meg, and Bella from Avatar for making this experience such a beautiful and unforgettable memory.”

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12.Whitsundays Sailing & Snorkelling Day Tour – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · 8 hours · from $126Best value

Spend eight hours aboard Tongarra, sailing from Coral Sea Marina to Langford Sandbar. You can snorkel, ride a banana boat, walk to the lookout, and relax on deck. Guides including Cooper, Nat, Jet, Ellie, and Patrick bring the day to life with reef talks, music, snacks, and sunset views.

“We had an amazing time on the Tongarra with Emily & Kory! From the first meeting at the harbour to the last farewell-hug, they both did an amazing job! They spread the best vibes while caring for everybody, bringing us to the most beautiful places and sharing their knowledge. Emily patiently answered all my questions regarding the reef and the animals on it. They also took their responsibility for the environment very serious. Thank you for having us, we hab a blast!”

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13.Whitsunday Islands Sailing, SUP & Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 6 hours · from $162

Spend six hours aboard the air-conditioned 60-foot catamaran Wings III with Captain and crew, including Mon, Maddy, Mike, and Sarah on various departures. Sail near Hook Island and Hayman Island, snorkel fringing reefs, paddle a SUP or clear-bottom kayak, and enjoy fresh food. Bring your own drinks.

“Great snorkeling. Great boat . Great food . Great crew . Fantastic music . limited numbers . just book it .”

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