Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour

Venture beyond the coastline for an unforgettable full-day snorkelling adventure on the Great Barrier Reef—one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders.

Departing from Townsville, with Magnetic Island pickups available, this tour takes you offshore to explore spectacular reef locations across the northern Great Barrier Reef. Swim above colourful coral gardens, discover tropical fish and fascinating marine life, and experience the remarkable scale and beauty of the reef from both above and below the water.

Each Reef location offers something different, from shallow coral gardens and striking coral bommies to reef walls, sandy lagoons and areas alive with tropical fish.

Enjoy multiple opportunities to snorkel and explore, with safety briefings and assistance provided by Poseidon’s experienced crew. Between snorkelling sessions, relax aboard the vessel, take in the open-ocean scenery and enjoy an included lunch before continuing your reef adventure.

Whether it is your first visit to the Great Barrier Reef or another opportunity to explore this incredible environment, this full-day experience offers a memorable way to discover the reef from Townsville.

Your day

Your day begins with check-in in Townsville before boarding the vessel and meeting the Poseidon crew. After an introduction, safety briefing and overview of the day, the vessel will depart Townsville and make its way towards Magnetic Island for any scheduled passenger pickups.

The journey out to the Great Barrier Reef takes approximately two to two and a half hours, depending on the reef location, weather and sea conditions.

Once at the reef, guests will have approximately three to four hours to explore and snorkel across different reef locations selected by the skipper for the conditions on the day. Swim above colourful coral gardens, discover tropical marine life and experience different sections of the Great Barrier Reef.

Lunch will be served during the day, with time to relax aboard the vessel between snorkelling sessions and take in the incredible reef surroundings. A light afternoon tea will also be provided later in the day.

Following the final snorkelling session, the vessel will begin the return journey towards Magnetic Island and Townsville.

• Experience a full-day adventure on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef
• Depart from Townsville or Magnetic Island
• Spend approximately three to four hours exploring and snorkelling at different reef locations
• Visit reef sites selected for the safest and best conditions on the day
• Swim above colourful coral gardens, bommies and tropical marine environments
• Look for turtles, rays, reef fish, seabirds and other marine life
• Receive snorkelling and safety briefings from the Poseidon crew
• Enjoy an included lunch and light afternoon tea
• Relax aboard the vessel and experience the beauty of the open ocean

• Full-day (8 hours Approx) guided boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef
• Magnetic Island pickup
• Approximately three to four hours of snorkelling across different reef locations
• Mask, snorkel and fins
• Snorkelling and safety briefings
• In-water assistance from the crew
• Lunch
• Light afternoon tea
• Wildlife-spotting opportunities

• Swimwear and a towel
• Enough bottled water for the full day
• Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
• A warm or wind-resistant layer
• Seasickness medication if you are prone to it (take it before departure)
• Camera or phone
• Your own snorkel gear if you prefer (mask, snorkel and fins are included)

• Lunch and refreshments: Lunch is included in the tour price. Drinks are not included. Every guest must bring sufficient bottled water for the full-day journey. Bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and other refreshments will also be available to purchase onboard.
• Lunch orders: Please provide any dietary requirements when booking. While we will make reasonable efforts to assist, not every dietary requirement can be guaranteed.
• Swimming ability: This is an offshore snorkelling experience. Guests participating in snorkelling should have reasonable swimming ability and feel comfortable in deep, open water. Please advise the crew if you are an inexperienced or nervous snorkeller. Participation may be restricted where the crew considers that a guest cannot safely enter the water under the conditions experienced on the day.
• Snorkelling equipment: A mask, snorkel and fins are included. Guests may bring their own properly maintained equipment if preferred. All guests must attend the snorkelling and in-water safety briefing before entering the water.
• Fitness level: An average level of fitness and reasonable confidence in and around the water are recommended. Guests must be capable of moving safely around the vessel and using its entry and exit points.
• Medical conditions: Guests must notify Poseidon Adventure before departure of any medical condition, injury, mobility concern, pregnancy, medication or other circumstance that could affect their ability to travel offshore or participate in snorkelling. Snorkelling can be physically demanding. If you are uncertain whether the activity is suitable for you, please seek medical advice before booking.
• Seasickness: This tour travels into open offshore waters, where vessel movement can be considerably greater than in sheltered coastal areas. If you are prone to seasickness, we strongly recommend taking suitable motion-sickness medication before departure. Please seek advice from a pharmacist or medical professional regarding the most appropriate option and when it should be taken.
• Weather and sea conditions: Poseidon Adventure operates in a natural marine environment. Weather, wind, swell, currents and visibility can change quickly. The tour will only proceed when conditions are safe and suitable. Conditions may range from calm and comfortable to lively, wet and choppy.
• Reef locations and itinerary: The reef location or locations visited will be selected on the day according to weather, wind, swell, current, visibility, mooring availability and overall safety.
• Itinerary changes: Management reserves the right to change the reef destination, route, number of snorkelling sessions, timing, departure point or itinerary without notice when reasonably required for safety or operational reasons. A change of reef location does not necessarily represent a change to the booked experience, provided a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling experience is delivered.
• Wildlife and visibility: The Great Barrier Reef is a wild and constantly changing natural environment. Turtles, rays, reef fish and other marine life may be encountered, but no particular species or wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. Underwater visibility and coral conditions also vary according to weather, tide, current and other natural factors.
• Children and young passengers: Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times, both onboard and in the water. Because this is a full-day offshore experience, parents should carefully consider whether the journey is suitable for their child. Please contact Poseidon Adventure before booking an infant or very young child.
• Language requirement: Participants must have sufficient English-language understanding to follow safety instructions and crew directions.
• Safety briefings: A vessel safety briefing and tour overview will be provided before departure. A further snorkelling briefing will be conducted before guests enter the water.
• Minimum numbers: Minimum passenger numbers may apply. If the required number is not reached, Poseidon Adventure may offer an alternative date, rescheduling, a 12-month gift voucher or a refund in accordance with the applicable cancellation policy.
• Daily operations: Tours are subject to weather, safety, vessel availability, minimum passenger numbers and other operational requirements.
• Contact details: Guests should ensure the mobile number and email address entered during booking are correct so they can receive any important departure updates.
• Gift vouchers: Gift vouchers are available and can be used towards eligible Great Barrier Reef snorkelling departures.
• Disclaimer: Snorkelling and offshore vessel travel involve inherent risks. Guests participate at their own risk and must comply with all safety instructions provided by Poseidon Adventure.
• Infants: Infants under 12 months cannot travel. Infants under 24 months are not recommended due to the nature of the vessel and varying sea conditions.
• Times: Times are approximate and may change because of weather, sea conditions, reef location, passenger pickups and other operational requirements.

If you cancel

• More than 48 hours before departure: cancellation permitted for a refund, less the 1.9% processing fee
• Between 24 and 48 hours before departure: reschedule or convert the booking to a gift voucher valid for 12 months
• Within 24 hours of departure: non-refundable and non-reschedulable

If we cancel

If Poseidon Adventure must cancel because of weather, safety, minimum numbers or operational circumstances, we will first attempt to reschedule the booking or provide a gift voucher.

If neither option is suitable or reasonably available, a refund will be provided in accordance with our terms and conditions.