Snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef ranks high on the bucket list of many tourists and would-be underwater explorers, but this outstanding Australian natural landmark is also the ideal place to learn how to snorkel for the first time. The water is warm and the surrounding underwater scenery cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.
Good swimming skills and physical health are the only requirements for most of the many snorkelling lessons offered throughout the Great Barrier Reef region of northern Queensland. Not only is the Great Barrier Reef one of the world’s most beautiful and famous coral reefs, it is also among the most accessible on Earth.
Many local boat tours offer snorkelling lessons, and some give visitors the option of starting their adventure by walking straight from the beach as opposed to diving from boats. The large resting buoys placed in some waters give snorkellers plenty of chances to rest. Some operators even supply float coats for people wanting some extra buoyancy.
More experienced and adventurous snorkellers may prefer the motorised catamaran tours which take passengers directly to the most outstanding sections of the Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef snorkelling opportunities are most often found in Cairns, Port Douglas, and the many live aboard boat tours which travel throughout this spectacular region.