Where is the best snorkelling in Australia? It has to be said that Australia is a country which is famous for its love of water sports. Whether you want to go paddle boarding or diving, Queensland is one of the locations in Australia that stands out.
It does not matter if you are an experienced snorkeller or would like to try the sport; Queensland Australia is a great place to visit.
You can get as adventurous as you like, or just enjoy nature at its best. If you are an enthusiastic snorkeller, there are some Queensland underwater adventures you don’t want to miss out on.
1 Moreton Island Mulgumpin Shipwrecks
When you are looking for a safe introduction to snorkelling, you should visit Moreton Island. Just off the coast at Mulgumpin, ships have been sunk to create an artificial reef.
The local marine wildlife really appreciates its new home. This is one of the few locations close to Brisbane where you can rub shoulders with lionfish, do a meet-and-greet with a moray eel, or swim with dolphins and stingrays.
Mulgumphin offers you a very special insight into what snorkelling in Queensland, Australia is all about. A special experience for young and young at heart.
2 Heron Island – Great For Turtles
Another great place for family snorkelling is Heron Island. In good weather, it only takes about 2 hours to cross from Gladstone to the idyllic family location of Heron Island.
In this natural, shallow lagoon you can learn to swim and snorkel without having to worry about being challenged by currants.
The marine wildlife practically seems to be waiting to interact with you. Just minutes away from the sandy beach, there is an abundance of brightly coloured reef fish, loggerhead turtles and rays.
If you are more experienced, you can charter a boat or take a boat tour to Heron Bommie. This is one of the best locations in the world to see anemones in action. Heron Bommie is also home to many species of wrasse and moray eels. Don’t forget to mind your fingers!
3 Ribbon Reefs
Before you jump into the waters at Ribbon Reefs, it is important to have previous snorkelling experience. However, Ribbon Reefs is worth the experience.
It is located on a section of the Great Barrier Reef which is easy to reach from Port Douglas. These reefs are perhaps some of the most spectacular reefs in the world.
Divers from all parts of the globe make a point of visiting Ribbon Reefs. But, if you are not a diver, fear not. This is also a great place to visit for snorkellers.
The visibility is second to none. On a good day, you should have a visibility of at least 25 metres. In many ways, you can say that Ribbon Reefs has the feel of a “trail of reefs.” There are deeper as well as more shallow areas.
In the more shallow parts, you may even run into a unicorn! No, this is not the mythological creature – it is a fish. If the local unicorn fish don’t make an appearance, you are bound to be greeted by the friendly potato cod. Not the greatest looking creatures in the sea but very friendly.
Time your visit right and dive into the waters in June and July, and you may just bump into dwarf minke whales. They seem to be more interested in us than we are in them.
4 Agincourt Reef, Port Douglas
If you want to turn your snorkelling experience into one of the best snorkelling adventures in Queensland, you should head to Agincourt Island, Port Douglas.
This is not only a great snorkelling experience for experienced snorkellers. The younger members of the family will enjoy snorkelling at Agincourt Reef.
There are many experiences to choose from. If you are travelling with children, make sure you pick one that can offer a floating pontoon with an underwater observatory.
If you are passionate about marine life, you can take a guided tour and learn more about this beautiful reef system. It is worth paying extra for a guided tour with a marine biologist. There is so much to learn about this precious part of our marine heritage.
5 Lady Musgrave Island, Bundaberg
One of the main reasons for going snorkelling in Queensland is to have the chance to see turtles.
While many other locations mention turtle encounters, there is absolutely no guarantee that you are going to see them. That is unless you head over to Lady Musgrave Island.
The waters in and around Lady Musgrave are well-known for their population of cleaner fish. It seems that we are not the only ones who have made a note of this. Turtles love to rock up to the cleaner fish colonies to have their shells cleaned. It is almost like a production line. Take a ticket and get a free algae and parasite clean.
The calm water of the lagoon makes it easy for the cleaner fish to do their job. Perhaps this is what the turtles have picked up on. Lady Musgrave Island is the one location you are almost guaranteed to see turtles.
Not only can you enjoy turtle encounters. As far as fish species go, you are spoiled for choice. Over 1,000 different species of tropical fish call this lagoon their home.
If you really want to treat yourself, you can spend the night on a luxurious floating platoon permanently located in the lagoon. Alternatively, you have an opportunity to wild camp on the island itself for a night or two. No matter what, this is one of the best snorkelling adventures in Queensland.
Final Thoughts on The Best Snorkelling Adventures in Queensland
Remember that the best snorkelling adventure is the one that resonates with you. Perhaps you want to see or interact with dwarf minke whales. No matter what adventure you choose, you will soon be back for more. Snorkelling is an addiction and you may even make a new underwater friend or two.