Where is the best snorkeling Great Barrier Reef?

The best diving and snorkelling sites on the Great Barrier Reef

What time of day is best for snorkeling? Low tide and low or limited sun will offer reduced visibility for snorkelers during excursions. As such, late morning and early afternoon snorkeling is typically the best time of the day for snorkeling beaches, when you pair that with the schedule of the tides.

Then, Is snorkelling better from Cairns or Port Douglas? While Port Douglas doesn’t have as many high paced adrenaline activities, it is still a great place to explore the reef. Port Douglas is actually closer to the outer reef than Cairns offering snorkelling, scuba diving and boating tours.

Is it better to see the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns or Port Douglas? Looking towards the ocean, Port Douglas is closer to the Outer Great Barrier Reef than Cairns, which can make for a shorter trip. However, with the wider variety of tour operators in Cairns available that feature high-speed vessels, the time difference is mostly negligible.

FAQ

Is the Great Barrier Reef worth seeing?

The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly one of the most unique and unbelievably beautiful destinations in the whole world! A visit to the reef is absolutely worth it and somewhere you cannot miss out on when travelling Australia.

What should you not do while snorkeling? Do not touch corals, fish or turtles. The only thing you can touch safely is sand and rock and water (that means with your fins also). Read our snorkeling etiquette page for learning how to develop skills for taking a break in the water without having to stand. Don’t use harmful sunscreen.

What are the important thing to remember while snorkeling? Choosing a good location is especially important for first-time snorkelers. Pick a place that doesn’t have a strong current or big waves. You’ll also want to make sure the water is clear enough to see through. It’s better to start out snorkeling at a beach rather than out at sea on a boat.

Are there sharks at Sharks Cove? Sharks Cove is one of our favorite beaches on the island to snorkel at. This kid friendly beach is a great option if you need little or no waves and shallow water. Also have no fear, there are no sharks.

Is Port Douglas or Airlie Beach better?

Port Douglas wins this battle by a long shot. While Airlie Beach has a few nice beaches, Port Douglas is set on Four Mile Beach, which is one of the most underrated beaches in Australia. Both towns are affected by the usual north Queensland jellyfish, so swimming is only advised in the netted areas.

Should I go to Cairns or Airlie Beach? Climate. Airlie Beach is 1000 kilometres south of Cairns which means it’s cooler. Generally speaking, Airlie Beach will be 5 degrees cooler than Cairns which makes a huge difference in summer. Cairns also experiences much more rain than Airlie Beach as it’s closer to the equator.

Can you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?

Snorkelling is one of the many activities included in your day and is one of the best ways to view the incredible underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.

What is the best month to visit the Great Barrier Reef? When to go

Like most natural wonders, timing is everything. Although the reef never sleeps – you’ll be best placed to visit the Great Barrier Reef between May and October when temperatures are still warm enough for swimming, underwater visibility is high and rainfall is minimal.

Is Great Barrier Reef expensive?

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s finest natural wonders. It’s also extraordinarily cheap to visit – perhaps too cheap. While a visit to the reef can be part of an expensive holiday, the daily fee to enter the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park itself is a measly A$6.50.

Are there sharks at the Great Barrier Reef?

There are many different species of sharks found in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef ranging from small bottom-dwelling sharks such as wobbegongs to larger types such as tiger sharks and the distinctive hammerhead shark that has a nose shaped like the letter ‘t’.

Why does my snorkel fill with water? Why Is My Snorkel Filling with Water? There are a couple of ways water can enter your snorkel. The most common way is that you go too low in the water and submerge the open end of your snorkel. If you get caught under a wave, you can also end up accidentally swallowing water.

What are dangers of snorkeling? Snorkeling does come with risks. Serious things like strong currents, heart problems, drownings, weather changes, marine life, underwater objects, equipment issues, and others are all official risks of snorkeling and have caused deaths.

Is it OK to snorkel alone?

Developing cramps or injuries – Just like swimming, developing a cramp or injury while snorkelling alone can be dangerous. Try to stretch before hitting the sea, and keep your movements slow and gentle. Don’t get too adventurous – solo snorkelling might be boring but it’s better than not snorkelling at all.

What to eat before snorkeling? Before snorkeling the best foods to consume are bland, non greasy, and non acidic. Foods like scrambled eggs on toast, muffins, bagels, fruits, eggs, muesli, and granola. Avoid greasy and acidic foods while keeping hydrated for the coming day.

Do you wear a life vest while snorkeling?

It is absolutely fine to wear a life jacket while snorkeling. Some commercial snorkeling shops require you to use some form of personal flotation device or buoyancy aid. These can be full life jackets or inflatable on demand styles.

Should you wear a wetsuit when snorkeling? Having a wetsuit that fits properly is key to having an epic snorkeling experience. Having a loose wetsuit in cold water not only ruins the snorkeling because your body can’t stay warm, but it’s dangerous for hypothermia. Using someone’s beat-up old wetsuit isn’t going to do you any favors.

Why is it called shark Cove?

This cove got its name from a popular story that says that the outline of a reef outside the cove looks like a shark when seen from above. Shark’s Cove is a lava-rock beach on the North Shore of Oahu and is part of Pupukea Beach Park.

Can you swim in Sharks Cove? The entire cove is worth exploring with it’s large boulders creating some fun topography and great places for swimming with fish. The deepest area is at the center of the mouth of the cove with a sandy bottom. The visibility in the cove varies depending on the conditions.

Is turtle bay good for snorkeling?

When snorkeling Turtle Bay Resort, you are actually exploring Kuilima Cove. The cove has a small beautiful beach to the right or east of the hotel. The snorkeling is decent here with fish, a small amount of coral and possibly a turtle to see. The Turtle Bay Resort is way up on the north shore.