SAILING AND SNORKELING TRIPS IN AUSTRALIA

15 Sailing and Snorkeling Trips in Australia for the Logbook

25 sailings  ·  from $126 a head

The good boats go first and the cheap seats go fastest of all. Below: 15 sailing and snorkeling trips in Australia worth booking ahead, what each includes and where they differ once you are aboard.

2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef - Snorkeling around Hook, Hayman, and Border islands
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2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

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

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

Spend two nights aboard the 82-foot sailing yacht Spank Me, visiting Whitehaven Beach and snorkeling around Hook, Hayman, Border, and Whitsunday islands. Captain Alex and crew handle meals, gear, sailing, and the route. Expect shared bunks, basic marine facilities, limited fresh water, and a social group of up to 27 people.

“We loved going snorkling, swimming, camping one night on an island. Food was good and crew was very nice. A lot of people on the boat but everyone was friendly.”

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Full-Day Whitsunday Sail and Snorkel Adventure with Lunch - A full day on the water, not a quick snorkel trip
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Full-Day Whitsunday Sail and Snorkel Adventure with Lunch

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

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

Join Red Cat Adventures aboard Tongarra for an adults-and-teens day from Airlie Beach to Langford Island. You’ll get snorkeling gear and a stinger suit, enjoy lunch and snacks, try a banana boat ride, walk the beach, and return at sunset. Crew members such as Nat, Cooper, Charlotte, Jarrod, and Patrick may be on board.

“Great team of people who were in charge of the boat Weather was awesome and we had great time snorkelling and swimming Will definitely recommend!”

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Airlie Beach: Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling - Crossing the Whitsunday Passage under sail
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Airlie Beach: Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

3.Providence Whitehaven Day Sail with Snorkeling

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

You spend about nine hours aboard the 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner Providence, sailing toward Whitehaven Beach, walking to Hill Inlet Lookout, and snorkeling a fringing Great Barrier Reef site. Crew members such as Jack, Fin, Harry, and Phone have been praised for friendly help, though wind and sea conditions can change the plan.

“It was a spectacular day thanks to Harry and Phone. Was super relaxing and well run. They kept to the timetable and got back when they said. left at 7:30am, back by 4:30pm. They brought the sails out on the way home and was really cool. We brought our own lunch as 1 of our group is celiac and easy and safe to just bring a lunch. Tons of fresh water, coffee and tea on board. If that's. it your thing, make sure to bring what you need as nowhere to buy. Would def sail with them again.”

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Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas - Snorkeling the sheltered lagoon
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Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

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

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

Sail from Port Douglas with a maximum of 33 people aboard Sailaway’s catamaran. Snorkel the sheltered Low Isles lagoon, join a glass-bottom boat tour with a marine biologist, walk to the 1878 lighthouse, and enjoy buffet lunch. Crew members such as Jake, Zara, Anna, and Cooper have been praised for clear instruction and calm support.

“Great time. Many thanks. Narration from Kelly, Zara, and Jake was excellent. Veiws were amazing Equipment in good order. Lynch was delicious.”

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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas - Snorkeling above coral, fish, and giant clams
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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

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

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

Sail from Port Douglas toward Mackay Cay and the northern Great Barrier Reef, with marine biologist Barry offering reef interpretation, guided snorkeling, and help in the water. You’ll also get a glass-bottom boat tour, coral cay time, buffet lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments, and use of snorkel gear and seasonal protective suits.

“Had a great time snorkeling for the 1st time!! The crew was awesome! They made sure everyone had a great time & stayed safe. Didn’t have time to ask Isaac if he was single though :D”

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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns - Sailing Toward Upolu Reef
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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns

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

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

Join Reef Daytripper at 7:30 am for a nine-hour sailing trip from Cairns to Upolu Reef and a sheltered lagoon. With a maximum of 20 people, you get guided snorkeling, reef equipment, morning tea, buffet lunch, and snacks. The crew may visit two sites, weather permitting, and can support newer swimmers and certified scuba participants.

“The crew was awesome. They were very helpful and created a great day for us on the reef. Would definitely recommend!”

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Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour - Boarding in Cairns and settling into the schooner
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Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

7.Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

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

Spend nine hours aboard a 16-meter sailing boat with a small group, visiting a reef site reserved for this operator and Green Island. You can snorkel with marine naturalists, arrange a small-group scuba session, enjoy a smorgasbord lunch, and sail home with wine, fruit, cheese, crackers, and cake. Crew members including Blair, Anne, Ollie, Dan, and Marie are praised for their care and humor.

“It was perfect. An incredible experience - i recommend to everyone visiting Cairns!”

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Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas - Snorkelling with the marine crew
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Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

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

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

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Low Isles on an adults-only catamaran cruise limited to 33 people. You can join guided snorkelling with the marine crew, take a glass-bottom boat ride, walk the beach, or stay aboard. Expect tea, light food, afternoon refreshments, drinks after snorkelling, and a sunset sail home.

“The crew were great and very helpful. A great option for those who are looking for a half day beach snorkelling activity.”

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Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise - Arriving at Low Isles by catamaran
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Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise

9.Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 251 reviews · from $190

Sail from Port Douglas aboard the 30-meter Wavedancer catamaran to Low Isles, where you can snorkel from the beach, join a marine biologist, ride a glass-bottom boat, and walk the island. The day includes equipment, lycra suits, buffet lunch, tea, and sparkling wine on the return cruise.

“Snorkeling from the beach was an absolute highlight. Being able to swim with fish, turtles etc was beyond amazing. Organisation was fantastic and we felt safe at all times. The staff were super friendly and the food was exceptional. Even though the weather wasn’t perfect the trip was brilliant right down to the trip home where we were serenaded by one of the staff and his guitar.”

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From Port Douglas: Sail to Low Isles Great Barrier Reef - Understanding Low Isles before you enter the water
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From Port Douglas: Sail to Low Isles Great Barrier Reef

10.Sail to Low Isles Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 216 reviews · 7 hours · from $187

Sail from Port Douglas aboard Quicksilver’s 30-meter Wavedancer catamaran to Low Isles. You’ll get reef talks, guided snorkeling, glass-bottom boat viewing, a beach walk, lunch, and time to relax. Turtles and reef sharks are possible sightings, while non-snorkelers can enjoy the island, boat, and coral views.

“Wonderful experience. Shame the reef is still recovering from the cyclone in dec 23, but amazing array of fish and wildlife… turtles, black tip reef sharks, etc Crew were lovely, friendly amd knowledgable. Facilities and equipment are clean and modern. Food is good quality, fresh amd abundant. Musical crew to sing us home was a big bonus!”

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Airlie Beach: 2-Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Snorkel Tour - Whitehaven Beach Before the Crowds
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Airlie Beach: 2-Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Snorkel Tour

11.2-Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Snorkel Tour

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

Join OzSail Whitsunday aboard Avatar, a fast trimaran sailing from Coral Sea Marina. Over about 60 hours, you’ll snorkel reef sites, visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, watch for turtles and rays, sleep under the stars, and share fresh meals with the crew. Guides vary, with Max, Meg, Hannah, and others regularly leading trips.

“Awesome experience and great way to visit Whitsunday! The OZ Sail crew (Max, Meg and Hannah) made it a safe, enjoyable and fun experience. It was a pretty chill atmosphere on the boat, good meals and great activities with snorkeling and island experiences. We also got to see an amazing sunrise and it was possible to sleep outside on the boat falling asleep while looking at the stars on a clear sky. All in all really great value and would recommend this to everyone else looking to experience Whitsunday in the best possible way!”

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Providence Whitehaven Beach Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise - Hill Inlet is a short walk with a major view
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Providence Whitehaven Beach Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise

12.Providence Whitehaven Beach Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 214 reviews · from $142

Spend about nine hours aboard the 62-foot Providence, sailing from Coral Sea Marina to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and a Whitsunday snorkeling site. You can help raise the sails, try the wheel, swim, and use provided snorkeling gear. Crew members have included Jack, Finn, Pete, Oscar, Steve, Daisy, Kirwan, Joe, and Sebastian.

“The crew was amazing and fun, great trip all around. Really recommend taking this trip if you are in town.”

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Lady Enid Sailing and Snorkeling Day Trip including Whitehaven Beach - Starting early at Coral Sea Marina
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Lady Enid Sailing and Snorkeling Day Trip including Whitehaven Beach

13.Lady Enid Sailing and Snorkeling Day Trip including Whitehaven Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $204

Spend 9 to 11 hours aboard the timber yacht Lady Enid, sailing from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and an island reef snorkeling stop. Expect a maximum of 24 people, supplied equipment, lunch, scones, fruit, and sparkling wine. The crew may invite you to help sail, but mobility is needed for the dinghy and uphill walk.

“This was the most amazing day out. Fantastic service, the little touches such as the scones jam & cream and fruit platter on the sail out, the wonderful friendly captain and crew, excellent snorkelling spot and trip out to Whitehaven beach The Read more”

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Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns - Four hours at Michaelmas Cay
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Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns

14.Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · from $197

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard Ocean Spirit sailing from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay. Snorkel from the sand, join a semi-submarine reef tour, hear marine biologists such as Luiza explain the cay, and enjoy seafood, morning tea, and afternoon tea. Optional introductory scuba is available for ages 12 and up.

“Staff were amazing, they couldn’t do enough for you. We had morning and afternoon tea plus a delicious lunch. It was easy to get on and off the boat when we went snorkeling and were looked after while on the sand island. I would suggest to take a jacket with you as it can become cold.”

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Whitsundays Sailing & Snorkelling Day Tour – All Inclusive - Langford Sandbar and the island setting
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Whitsundays Sailing & Snorkelling Day Tour – All Inclusive

15.Whitsundays Sailing & Snorkelling Day Tour – All Inclusive

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

Spend eight hours aboard Tongarra, a spacious catamaran sailing from Coral Sea Marina to Langford Sandbar. You get reef snorkelling, a banana boat ride, buffet lunch, snacks, equipment, and an evening sail back to Airlie Beach. Guides such as Cooper, Nat, Jet, Ellie, Patrick, and Kurt have been praised for fun, capable hosting.

“Amazing! The slippers were so funny and friendly, they made everything better!”

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Newest in Sailing and Snorkeling Trips in Australia

★ 4.5Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from CairnsFrom $22128 reviews
★ 4.0Lady Enid Sailing to Hook Island Cultural Site & SnorkellingFrom $18214 reviews
★ 4.7Hook Island Cultural Tour, Sail & SnorkelFrom $18010 reviews
★ 5.0Great Barrier Reef 2-Day, 2-Night Sailing TourFrom $4604 reviews

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