Add dates

Great Barrier ReefSafaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended Great Barrier Reef Safaris & wildlife activities

From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

1. From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

Hop aboard a catamaran for a day trip to remember to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel, dive, or swim in the water, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, and take in the marine wildlife. Meet your crew at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, pay the reef levy, and hop aboard the luxury catamaran. The crew will select reef locations depending on the day's conditions from Flynn and Milne reef or further north at Norman and Hastings reefs. All offer diverse reef structures teeming with exotic marine life. Feel the wind in your hair as you set sail for the outer Great Barrier Reef. Relax with morning tea on the way, get to know the crew and learn all about the marine eco-system from a marine expert. Review snorkeling techniques with the crew during the journey. Arrive at the first outer reef location, where you can snorkel, dive or swim in the water. You may also choose to sunbathe, or chill on the boat on the upper sun deck or the netted deck trampoline at the bow of the boat. You can avail complimentary guided tours from the staff. A dedicated dive tender is available for experienced certified divers who want to explore deeper waters. All certified divers receive a complimentary dive guide. First-time divers will receive clear and concise scuba instruction in the water from qualified PADI professionals. Savor a fresh tropical buffet lunch prepared onboard. Treat yourself to a selection of hot and cold dishes including buffet meats, salads, and tropical fruit. Travel to the second outer reef location for the day for your choice of activity. Look out for corals, exotic marine life such as parrotfish, reef turtles and 'nemo' fish. End the day as the captain hoists the sails, and cruise back to Cairns. Enjoy a cold drink from the bar (own expense) and relax on the boom netting. Alternatively, watch presentations about the marine life from the passionate eco-certified staff.

From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

2. From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

Climb aboard a modern catamaran to sail into Green Island National Park on a beach and snorkeling cruise from Cairns. Discover a hidden gem in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and explore its coral reefs with snorkeling gear. Choose to enjoy a buffet lunch and go on a semi-submarine tour. Make your way to the harbor to meet your friendly crew for the day and climb onto your catamaran. Relax in the sun as you set sail towards the Great Barrier Reef. Experience picturesque views of the ocean as you arrive at Green Island National Park. Stroll around the island and explore its tranquil beaches. Find a stop to relax and go for a dip in the ocean. Get access to snorkeling gear and take a peek into the region's thriving marine life. You can also opt to go on a semi-submarine or a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the colorful coral reef and fish in comfort.

From 1770: Lady Musgrave Island Snorkelling Day Cruise

3. From 1770: Lady Musgrave Island Snorkelling Day Cruise

Venture to the uninhabited Lady Musgrave Island, departing in comfort from Queensland’s quaint seaside town in 1770. This unique Southern Great Barrier Reef coral cay sits within a reef-formed lagoon. The friendly local crew will share the raw beauty of this natural wonder through glass-bottom boat viewing, guided island walks, and snorkeling activities. As a significant turtle breeding ground and rookery, this location provides the privilege of daily turtle encounters. Sightings may also include humpback whales, dolphins, manta rays, and a plethora of reef life. Sheltered lagoon waters ensure clear and safe snorkeling conditions for all abilities and ages, year-round. The town of Seventeen Seventy is located approximately 15 minutes drive north of Agnes Water.

Whitsundays: Ocean Rafting Fly Raft Tour with Snorkeling

4. Whitsundays: Ocean Rafting Fly Raft Tour with Snorkeling

Experience the best of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef in one day: from the water and the air. Visit the Whitsundays’ most iconic destinations. These include the famous Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and secret, exclusive snorkeling locations. Ride, beach, snorkel, and bush walk, all in one day. Visit both ends of the world-famous beach. Departing from Airlie Beach, take to the skies and experience a once-in-a-lifetime, 60-minute scenic flight. Soar over the islands and Great Barrier Reef, including famous Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach. Guests will have a bird’s eye view of many of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, flying over Whitehaven Beach and picture postcard Hill Inlet before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef and experiencing one of the most photographed reef locations, Heart Reef. The comfortable fixed-wing aircraft offers big window viewing, pilot commentary, and the best views of the Whitsundays. Then, take off on the ride of your life in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Departing from Airlie Beach, climb aboard the fastest day boat in the Whitsundays. This means it is not only an adventurous ride, but distances are covered in a shorter time, leaving more time for activities. The semi-rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing guests to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays. At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, enjoy a guided bushwalk to spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout to view and capture photographs of the stunning swirling silica sands and aqua water. This operator is the only tour to have direct access to all areas of the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach to ensure you enjoy the most memorable experience of this special place. If you have selected the 'North Whitehaven' option: This eco-adventure is a favourite amongst avid snorkellers because it is the only Whitsunday adventure which includes two different snorkel destinations. Not only that, but it includes a visit to the stunning beach at Hill Inlet, north end of Whitehaven Beach, and a guided National Park walk to the lookout above the silica sand of Whitehaven. Guests explore the restricted area of beautiful Hill Inlet at Whitehaven Beach.  If you have selected the South Whitehaven Option: This tour visits both the northern and southern ends of Whitehaven Beach with more beach time. Enjoy at least two hours relaxing on the world famous white silica sand, a guided walk to Hill Inlet Lookout and experience the Southern Whitehaven Lookout, enjoying breathtaking views of Pentecost Island and the tropical waters of the Whitsundays. Snorkel for over an hour at Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of the “secret” snorkel spots, enjoying the amazing hard and soft corals of the fringing reefs.

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

5. Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

Join this fast, comfortable cruise to visit two spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reef destinations. Travel on 'Evolution'- a brand new, purpose-built, state of the art, 35-meter (120ft) superyacht, providing a superior ride in all weather conditions. Visit exclusive, protected locations on the pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef with superior reef quality. Professional, friendly and attentive staff ensure a safe and enjoyable fun-filled experience. This vessel is the most stylish and luxurious reef vessel available in Cairns. Depart the marina and travel to the true outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey. Choose from an abundance of seating inside air-conditioned, modern lounges or outside on full-length sundecks for sunbathing. Spend time snorkeling and spotting diverse marine wildlife, coral gardens, and much more below the surface. For lunch, enjoy a delicious Aussie BBQ including steak, fish, prawns, and tropical salads (vegetarians are catered for.) At the second reef site, take to the skies for your 10-minute Scenic Helicopter Flight to and from the exclusive Heli-Pontoon. Have your camera ready as you lift off from the helipad for an incredible scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. Appreciate from the air, the sheer size of the reef system as you search for marine life in their natural habitat. Be amazed at the colours and beauty of the coral gardens before touching back down to re-join the crew onboard the vessel. A complimentary glass of wine and a light snack is served on the return journey back to Cairns.

Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

6. Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

FULL DAY OUTER REEF SNORKEL TOUR The Journey After boarding at 8:10am, Wavelength departs Port Douglas’ Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina taking you on a 90-minute trip to the edge of the continental shelf. Passing Low Isles en route, we often encounter dolphins and in winter may see humpback whales. The journey is a good opportunity for our crew to get to know you and answer any questions you have about the day. During this time, you’ll be fitted out with quality snorkelling gear and shown how to use it. One of the marine biologists will give tips on what to look out for to get the most out of your day. Let’s Snorkel On arrival at the outer reef the snorkel advisor conducts a comprehensive safety brief and, if it’s your first time snorkelling, we have plenty of time to help you feel comfortable. Once in the water guests are free to explore the reef under the expert advice of our crew. A difference with Wavelength is that the crew spend more time in the water with you to help you get going and to point things out. Second Site After morning tea we move along to another one of our many sites, chosen to suit the conditions on the day. Here, with passengers having mastered their snorkelling skills, we conduct guided snorkel tours. Our marine biologists help snorkellers discover aspects of the new site that might otherwise be missed, and point out some of the multitude of life forms. On a guided snorkel tour it’s possible to be handed a small number of different creatures, though we have strict guidelines on what can be touched so as to protect the integrity of the reef. A Deli-style Lunch The delicious deli-style lunch consists of gourmet rolls or food bowls for special diets. Water, soft drinks, coffee and tea are also available. Wavelength can cater for different dietary requirements including lactose and gluten free (YOU MUST ADVISE US THE DAY PRIOR OF ANY SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS). We don’t serve prawns due to the significant by-catch associated with them and we don’t serve red meat as reducing meat consumption is one of the easiest ways an individual can reduce personal carbon emissions. Reef Talks During lunch, our marine biologists conduct our interactive reef talk. This is where you can ask questions on anything that you’ve seen through the day or simply sit, relax and learn all about the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. If you’d rather just chill out you don’t have to listen to the talks. Third Site Once everyone’s appetites have been satisfied and all questions answered we head to our final site of the day, where, with a better understanding of the reef, guests are free to adventure further. This is a good chance to make sure you have some great in-water photos. These are free of charge and forwarded by a Dropbox link along with a selection of our favourite Wavelength wildlife pictures. Cruising Following afternoon tea we head back with the wonderful view of the sun dropping towards the rainforest clad mountains. Wavelength arrives back in Port Douglas at approximately 4.00pm.

From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour with Lunch

7. From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour with Lunch

Explore the stunning biodiversity of the outer Great Barrier Reef on this snorkelling tour from Cairns. 3 sun decks, 2 air-conditioned indoor saloons, a spacious dive deck, and a sunken platform for easy water access. Have drinks and a packed lunch. Depart Cairns in the morning for the outer reef on this 8-hour tour. Join a once in a lifetime adventure aboard a luxury day trip to the great barrier reef. Enjoy a light morning tea and a delicious pre-packed picnic lunch. Complimentary tea, coffee, and chilled water are served throughout the day (snacks, soft and alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase). Discover the Great Barrier Reef in the easiest way possible: with a snorkel - it is as simple as breathing. If you have never snorkelled before, don't worry, a briefing is held on board, explaining how to put and use the snorkelling gear. The private reef locations are approximately 70 kilometres (about 43 miles) offshore, these unique sites offer superb coral formations and an abundance of coral and marine life including inquisitive Nemo's, Turtles, Stingrays and Wally the friendly Maori Wrasse. Visit 2 different reef locations daily, these are chosen en-route considering weather and sea conditions to ensure the best in-water experience. Visit either Norman, Saxon or Hastings Reef.

Mackay: Full Day Island Boat Tour on the Great Barrier Reef

8. Mackay: Full Day Island Boat Tour on the Great Barrier Reef

Get off the beaten track in Mackay and head towards the Great Barrier Reef. See the natural wonders of above and below the ocean as you ride by speedboat to untouched locations. Swim and snorkel in the waters at secluded beaches and grab a snack and beer onboard. Embark on a full-day journey on the Great Barrier Reef. Board your one-of-a-kind, custom-built vessel that blends technology with practical use. Discover hidden wonders below the ocean's surface, swimming and snorkeling in the waters of various beaches. Enjoy a morning and afternoon snack on board and cold beer from the fully licensed bar on board. Stop at many locations such as Cockermouth, Brampton, Keswick, St. Bees, and Scawfell islands. Plus, a few well-kept secrets.

Bundaberg: Whale Watching Tour with Lunch

9. Bundaberg: Whale Watching Tour with Lunch

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey as you travel along the famous 'humpback highway' in Bundaberg, nicknamed after its large numbers of passing whales. Board a modern boat with plenty of room to enjoy panoramic ocean views and gaze at the impressive mammals. Depart from Bundaberg Port Marina on a large boat, sailing across the majestic Australian ocean. Enjoy a live commentary on board to learn interesting facts about the local whales and their behavior, as well as why the area was nicknamed the 'humpback highway'. Navigate along this unique site and look for the imposing humpback whales as they play around and swim around you. Move between the upper decks and fore decks to find the best viewing spot for you and, since you're bound to get hungry, have a light lunch on board.

Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

10. Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

Climb aboard the Silversonic or Poseidon catamaran for a full-day cruise to Australia’s renowned Agincourt Reef on the edge of the Continental Shelf. Dive into the turquoise waters for a refreshing swim or enjoy snorkeling at 3 different sites to see the coral formations and the diverse marine life.  The ultramodern 95-foot (29-meter) Silversonic catamaran is custom-designed for small groups of adventure-minded people. You will spend over 5 hours at the reef, visiting 3 different Agincourt ribbon reef sites, each chosen for its visual and ecological diversity. First-time divers can enjoy up to 2 dives and take the plunge in complete confidence with an experienced dive instructor. Certified divers will enjoy up to 3 dives, all guided to maximize your experience. Silversonic features everything you’ll need to experience an underwater world of colorful marine life in safety and comfort, including a state-of-the-art ride control system ensuring a super smooth journey. Enjoy hydraulic dive and snorkel platforms for easy water access, spacious deck areas, hot freshwater showers, change rooms, and even a licensed bar to share tales of your adventure. As an added bonus during the whale season, Silversonic has one of the few permits available from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority that allows guests to swim with dwarf Minke whales if encountered – a truly unforgettable experience from July through September.

40 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 3

Frequently asked questions about Great Barrier Reef Safaris & wildlife activities

What are other things to do than Safaris & wildlife activities that are worth visiting in Great Barrier Reef?

The other unmissable things to do in Great Barrier Reef are:

Which Great Barrier Reef Safaris & wildlife activities are taking additional COVID-19 precautions?

Other Sightseeing Options in Great Barrier Reef

Want to discover all there is to do in Great Barrier Reef? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Great Barrier Reef

This tour was incredible. The crew were fantastic, Joanna, Carter and the the skipper, Alex all went above and beyond to give us an unforgettable experience, in very testing conditions. despite the weather we had a very comfortable and safe time in a beautiful part of the world. Alex's knowledge and expertise of the area, Australia, and obviously sailing, which he shares with you is a huge bonus as well. The meals were amazing too. Very happy with the experience even though we came in the wet season, credit to the crew and especially the skipper. 10/10 would absolutely reccomend this tour as a must do, while in the whitsundays.

Incredible day. You definitely get your moneys worth. Once we got on the trip we were asked if we wanted to do the snorkelling safari as well and we are SO glad we did that on top as you get taken out deeper and get an i depth tour of the reef. and the reef is incredible. so recommend doing that too once on the trip! Thanks for the best day

The whole day was incredible! The staff were unbelievable and made sure everyone was safe, looked after and having a great time. Was very well run and I would highly recommend this tour to everyone.

Freddie was amazing- we did the snorkel safari ran by her Freddie and she was so knowledgeable and fun! Thank you for making our day!

Such a lovely day out. Amazing crew and experience :)