Do you provide flotation jackets for snorkelling?

Yes. Sunlover provides buoyancy vests (flotation jackets) free of charge and recommends them for all snorkellers, especially first-timers.

What will I see when snorkelling at Moore Reef?

Expect colourful hard and soft corals, tropical fish such as clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, giant clams, and if you are lucky a green sea turtle. A guided snorkel tour pairs you with a marine biologist who helps identify species and explain the reef ecosystem.

Snorkeller exploring coral and tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover Reef Cruises

Great Barrier Reef · Departs daily from Cairns

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef

Q: Are there sharks on the Great Barrier Reef?

Reef sharks live in the area but are small, shy and pose no threat to snorkellers. Sunlover's snorkelling area at Moore Reef is a calm, sheltered lagoon and shark sightings are extremely rare. In years of operation Sunlover has never had a shark-related incident, and crew and lifeguards are always on watch.

Q: Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?

No. Snorkelling at Moore Reef is accessible for all confidence levels. The pontoon gives a stable platform to enter and exit at your own pace, shallow sections start at one to two metres, and free buoyancy vests keep you floating on the surface. Lifeguards and crew are always on watch.

Q: Is snorkel equipment included?

At Moore Reef, all snorkelling equipment is included with your tour at no extra cost - mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit - and buoyancy vests are free. At Fitzroy Island it depends on the package: full-day snorkel hire is included with Best of Island; with Island Value and Island Essentials you choose either snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; and ferry-only transfers do not include gear, though it can be hired on the island.

Q: How long do I get to snorkel at the reef?

At Moore Reef you have approximately four hours with no set snorkelling schedule. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour runs about 35 minutes at a scheduled time. At Fitzroy Island you have approximately five hours to snorkel at your own pace.

Two ways to snorkel a World Heritage-listed reef — from our Outer Reef pontoon at Moore Reef, or straight off the beach at Fitzroy Island. Snorkel gear is included on every Moore Reef tour and with our Fitzroy Island packages, and we look after everyone from first-timers to experienced reef explorers.

Quick Answer

Sunlover offers two ways to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, both departing daily from Cairns. At Moore Reef you snorkel a 9,000-square-metre natural coral lagoon from our Outer Reef pontoon, with lifeguards, crew support and all gear included — ideal for first-timers, families and non-swimmers. At Fitzroy Island you explore the fringing reef directly from the beach in a self-guided experience. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour can be added at either location.

Book Your Reef Day → Moore Reef or Fitzroy?

Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member Lifeguards at Moore Reef Cairns operator since 1991

Why snorkel with Sunlover?

Snorkelling is at the heart of what we do. Here’s what makes a day on the reef with us safe, easy and unforgettable — whether it’s your first time or your hundredth.

Easy for everyone

First-timers welcome

Most of our guests are first-time snorkellers. At Moore Reef you enter from a stable pontoon with stair access, buoyancy vests are free, and crew walk you through everything before you get in.

Safety first

Lifeguards on watch

At Moore Reef, trained lifeguards are on duty from an elevated tower all day, with rest stations in the water. Operations comply with the Queensland Safety in Recreational Water Activities Regulation 2024.

Real expertise

Marine-biologist-guided

Add a guided snorkel tour led by a marine biologist — reef interpretation from the people who study it, in a small group of up to six.

Gear sorted

Snorkel gear supplied

Mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit are included on every Moore Reef tour, and with our Fitzroy Island packages. Buoyancy vests are free of charge at Moore Reef for anyone who wants one.

Two reef experiences

Reef or island

Choose the sheltered pontoon lagoon at Moore Reef, or the fringing reef off the beach at Fitzroy Island — each is a completely different way to see the Great Barrier Reef.

Who is snorkelling the reef best for?

Our two locations suit different experience levels and travel styles. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.

First-time snorkellers

Moore Reef is ideal

Enter the water from a stable pontoon, lifeguards on watch all day, free buoyancy vests, and shallow lagoon areas starting at just one to two metres deep.

Families with children

Plenty to do

Moore Reef has lifeguards, rest stations in the water, an enclosed ocean pool, and ways to see the reef beyond snorkelling — glass bottom boat, semi-submersible and underwater observatory. Children 4 and over welcome.

Non-swimmers

See the reef dry

Moore Reef is the better choice. If you’re not confident in the water, you can still experience the reef from the glass bottom boat, semi-submersible or underwater observatory — all included at no extra cost.

Confident & experienced

Room to explore

Both locations suit you. At Moore Reef, confident swimmers can explore the deeper drop-off at the edge of the snorkelling area. At Fitzroy Island, explore the fringing reef at your own pace.

Want to learn

Guided snorkel tour

Add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour at either location — a small-group interpretive tour that helps you understand what you’re seeing beneath the surface.

Choose your reef tour

Snorkelling is included on every one of these Great Barrier Reef tours — pick the day that suits you, then add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour when you book.

Full day · Outer Reef pontoon

Moore Reef

Snorkel a sheltered coral lagoon from our Outer Reef pontoon, with lifeguards, glass bottom boat, semi-submersible, underwater observatory and buffet lunch — all included. Best for first-timers, families and non-swimmers.

From $317 adult

Book Moore Reef → See full details →

Fitzroy Island and the Outer Great Barrier Reef, combined in one day with Sunlover

Full day · Reef + island

Reef & Island

The only operator combining the Outer Reef at Moore Reef with Fitzroy Island in a single day — snorkel the pontoon lagoon in the morning, then the island’s fringing reef in the afternoon.

From $347 adult

Book Reef & Island → See full details →

Island day trip · beach snorkelling

Fitzroy Island

A rainforest national park 45 minutes from Cairns — snorkel the fringing reef straight off the beach at your own pace, walk to Nudey Beach, or simply relax. Snorkel gear is included with the island packages; ferry-only guests can hire it on the island.

Packages from $138 adult

Book Fitzroy Island → See full details →

Moore Reef or Fitzroy Island — which is right for you?

Both are part of the Great Barrier Reef, but the snorkelling experience at each is quite different. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.

Outer Reef pontoon

Moore Reef

LocationOuter Great Barrier Reef

Reef typeNatural coral lagoon, 9,000 sqm

Water entryPontoon platform with stair access

LifeguardsYes — elevated tower, always on duty

Snorkel gearIncluded with every tour

See the reef without snorkellingGlass bottom boat, semi-sub & underwater observatory included

Time at locationApprox. 4 hours

ConditionsSheltered lagoon, minimal current

Best forFirst-timers, families & non-swimmers

Explore Moore Reef →

Beach snorkelling

Fitzroy Island

LocationContinental island, 45 min from Cairns

Reef typeFringing reef off the beach

Water entryWalk in from the beach

LifeguardsNo — self-guided experience

Snorkel gearIncluded with island packages; hire with ferry-only

See the reef without snorkellingGlass bottom boat (add-on)

Time at locationApprox. 5 hours

ConditionsExposed reef, possible tidal currents

Best forConfident swimmers & independent explorers

Explore Fitzroy Island →

Snorkel gear at Moore Reef — mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit are included with every tour. At Fitzroy Island it depends on your package: full-day snorkel hire is included with Best of Island; with Island Value and Island Essentials you choose either snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; and ferry-only transfers don’t include gear, though you can hire it on the island. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour ($65 adult) can be added at either location when you book.

Outer Great Barrier Reef

Snorkelling at Moore Reef

Our Moore Reef pontoon is your base for the day, anchored permanently in a 9,000-square-metre natural coral lagoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have approximately four hours at the reef, free to hop in and out of the water as many times as you like — there’s no set snorkelling schedule, so the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.

The pontoon is a stable platform to enter and exit the water with ease — no jumping off the side of a boat or swimming against a current to get back. Shallow sections start at just one to two metres, so you’re never far from the platform, and our lifeguards and crew are always on watch both in the water and from the pontoon.

Add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour →

First time snorkelling? There’s nothing to worry about

Many of our guests are first-timers. Snorkelling is one of the easiest water activities to pick up — you float face-down on the surface, breathe through a snorkel tube and look down at the reef below. You stay on the surface the whole time, with no diving under, no training and no experience needed. Our crew walk you through everything before you get in, buoyancy vests are free, and lifeguards are always on watch.

Important health & safety information

If you have any medical conditions — such as heart issues, asthma, epilepsy, or anything that may be affected by physical exertion or could cause a loss of consciousness — please let our crew know. This won’t prevent you from snorkelling, but it lets our team give you a specially coloured vest so our lookouts can keep an extra eye on you and respond quickly if needed.

Watch our snorkel safety briefing

Watch before your trip so you arrive feeling prepared and confident. The video includes subtitle captions that can be translated into several languages.

Use the CC (closed captions) button on the player to select your preferred language for subtitles.

Beach snorkelling · 45 min from Cairns

Snorkelling at Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island offers a completely different experience to Moore Reef. Instead of entering from a pontoon in a protected lagoon, you snorkel directly from the beach over the fringing reef that surrounds the island.

There are no lifeguards or crew stationed in the water, so it’s a self-guided experience — it’s important to be comfortable and prepared before you head out. What snorkel gear you get depends on the package you choose: full-day hire is included with Best of Island; with Island Value and Island Essentials you pick either snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; and if you book ferry transfers only, gear isn’t included but can be hired on the island. A marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour can be added when you book, in a small group of up to six.

Explore Fitzroy Island day trips →

Coral beach and clear water at Fitzroy Island, a continental island fringed by Great Barrier Reef

Beach snorkelling tips

New to snorkelling from a beach? These tips will help you get in and out of the water safely and make the most of your time on the reef. Always snorkel with a buddy.

Before you go in

Getting ready

Before you put your mask on, give the inside of the lens a rub with saliva and rinse it in the water — this stops it fogging up once you’re swimming. It sounds odd, but it’s what the professionals do and it works.

Fins

Putting your fins on

Sit at the water’s edge to put them on, or do it the way our crew do — wade in with your fins under your arm until about waist deep, then put them on where the buoyancy helps your balance. Never try to walk on land or the beach with your fins on.

Fins

Getting out of the water

Remove your fins before you stand up or exit. Take them off while floating in the shallows, or sit at the water’s edge to slide them off. Walking in fins is a quick way to trip and hurt yourself.

Protect the reef

Watch your feet

Be mindful of very shallow areas — coral can be much closer to the surface than it appears. Don’t touch anything with your feet. As well as protecting the reef, some coral and marine life can cause painful stings or cuts.

Stay safe

Be aware of currents

Unlike the sheltered lagoon at Moore Reef, the reef around Fitzroy Island is more exposed and can have stronger currents on tidal changes. Check back with the shoreline regularly. If you’re being pulled along, don’t fight it — swim across the current towards shore, then make your way back.

Sunlover marine biologist guiding two snorkellers over a coral patch on the Great Barrier Reef

Available at Moore Reef & Fitzroy Island

Guided Snorkel Tour

$65 Adult · $45 Child · $175 Family

Our marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour is the ultimate way to experience the reef — especially if it’s your first time in the water or you’re feeling a little nervous. In a small group of up to six, you’re personally guided through the reef by one of our marine biologists.

Over about 35 minutes, your guide takes you to areas of the reef beyond the main snorkelling area, pointing out coral formations, fish, giant clams and — if you’re lucky — sea turtles, while sharing how the reef ecosystem works. Designed for all abilities, including anyone who needs a little extra assistance in the water.

Add a Guided Snorkel Tour →

What to expect in the water

Marine life

Colourful hard and soft corals, tropical fish such as clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, giant clams among the coral, and — if you’re lucky — a green sea turtle cruising past.

Snorkel gear

Mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit are included on every Moore Reef tour, and with Fitzroy Island packages (your choice of activity on Island Value and Essentials; hire available with ferry-only transfers). Buoyancy vests are free at Moore Reef. You’re welcome to bring your own gear.

Optional hire from the bar

Prescription masks ($5), nose-breathing masks with no mouthpiece ($5) and wetsuits ($10) can be hired onboard at Moore Reef. Ask the crew behind the bar on the main deck.

Reef monitoring

Our crew take part in the Eye on the Reef monitoring program run by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Surveys at Moore Reef are submitted to GBRMPA to help track reef health.

Snorkelling FAQs

Are there sharks on the Great Barrier Reef?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and we completely understand why. The reef is home to a wide variety of marine life, and while reef sharks do live in the area, they are small, shy and pose no threat to snorkellers. Species such as white-tip and black-tip reef sharks are typically timid and move away from people. Our snorkelling area at Moore Reef is a calm, sheltered lagoon and shark sightings are extremely rare. In years of operation we have never had a shark-related incident, and our crew and lifeguards are always on watch.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel?

Not at all. Snorkelling at Moore Reef is designed to be accessible for all confidence levels, even if you’ve never swum in the ocean before. The pontoon gives you a stable platform to enter and exit at your own pace, shallow sections start at one to two metres so you’re never far from the platform, and free buoyancy vests keep you floating on the surface without any effort. Our lifeguards and crew are always on watch. For extra confidence, add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour — a small group of up to six with a guide right by your side.

Do you provide flotation jackets?

Yes. We provide buoyancy vests (flotation jackets) free of charge and highly recommend them for all snorkellers, especially first-timers. The vest keeps you floating comfortably on the surface so you can relax and enjoy the reef without worrying about staying afloat. Even experienced snorkellers often wear one, as it lets you conserve energy and spend more time enjoying the underwater scenery.

Is snorkel equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

At Moore Reef, all snorkelling equipment is included with your tour at no extra cost — mask, snorkel, fins and a lycra suit for sun protection and warmth — and buoyancy vests are free of charge. At Fitzroy Island it depends on your package: full-day snorkel hire is included with Best of Island; with Island Value and Island Essentials you choose either snorkel hire or the glass bottom boat; and with ferry-only transfers you can hire gear on the island. If you need something extra, optional upgrades are available to hire from the bar onboard at Moore Reef:

Prescription masks — $5.00
Nose-breathing snorkel masks (breathe through your nose, no mouthpiece) — $5.00
Wetsuits — $10.00

You’re also welcome to bring your own equipment if you prefer.

I wear glasses — can I get a prescription snorkel mask?

Yes. Prescription snorkel masks are available to hire for $5.00 per person at Moore Reef, in a range of common prescriptions so most guests find a suitable match. Availability is limited, so request one early once you’re onboard by visiting the crew behind the bar on the main deck. If you have a very specific prescription, you’re welcome to bring your own equipment.

I find it hard to breathe through my mouth — is there an alternative snorkel?

Yes. We carry a specially designed mask with the snorkel built into the top, so there’s no mouthpiece — you simply breathe in and out through your nose, just like on land. It’s a great option for first-timers or anyone who finds a mouthpiece uncomfortable. Because of how it seals, it suits some face shapes better than others (it tends to work best on rounder faces), so our crew will help you try it on before you hire. Available to hire for $5.00 for the day from the bar onboard, in two sizes.

How long do I get to snorkel at the reef?

At Moore Reef you’ll have approximately four hours, with no set snorkelling schedule — hop in and out as many times as you like. Most guests break up their snorkelling with lunch, time on the pontoon and the other included activities. If you add a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour, that runs about 35 minutes at a time scheduled when you sign up, with plenty of time to snorkel on your own before or after. At Fitzroy Island you’ll have approximately five hours on the island to snorkel at your own pace.

What will I see when snorkelling?

Moore Reef is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, and because the coral lagoon covers 9,000 square metres, there’s always something new to spot. Expect colourful hard and soft corals, tropical fish such as clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, giant clams nestled in the coral, and if you’re lucky a green sea turtle. The reef changes through the day as different species come and go, so it’s worth hopping in more than once. A guided snorkel tour pairs you with a marine biologist who helps you identify species and understand the reef ecosystem as you go.

Is Sunlover an environmentally certified operator?

Yes. Sunlover Reef Cruises holds Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia — independently audited and held continuously for over 20 years — and is an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member. We’ve been operating on the Great Barrier Reef since 1991 and support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Book Your Reef Day →

Want to go deeper?

Snorkelling not quite enough? Add one of these to your reef day and get beneath the surface.

Guest on an introductory scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover

Try scuba · ages 12+

SCUBA Diving

Go beneath the surface on an introductory dive with full training and gear, or a certified dive if you’re already qualified — guided by a certified dive instructor.

Explore diving →

No swimming needed · ages 12+

Seawalker Helmet Dive

Walk the reef floor beneath the pontoon wearing a helmet, breathing normally the whole time — ideal for non-swimmers who still want to get among the coral.

Explore Seawalker →

Sunlover reef tour with a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef

Short on time

Half Day Reef

A shorter reef trip with a scenic helicopter flight — snorkelling included, ideal if you don’t have a full day to spare.

Explore Half Day Reef →

Prices & packages · Getting here · Health checklist · FAQs · Contact us

Ready to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?

Two ways to snorkel, all equipment included, and support for every level of experience. Book direct for the best price and flexible booking options.

Book Your Reef Day →

Snorkel the Great Barrier ReefMoore Reef & Fitzroy · daily from Cairns

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