With over 30,000 kilometres of coastline, Australia has some of the most diverse and scenic underwater ecosystems in the world. These crystal clear waters are teeming with life, including colourful coral, schools of tropical fish, gliding manta rays, and majestic sea turtles. Furthermore, the beauty is that many of these flourishing underwater worlds can be explored straight from the beach with just a mask, snorkel and fins.
Here we have shared with you a handful of the best beach snorkelling spots in Australia:
Tangalooma Wrecks, Moreton Island, Queensland
Moreton Island is 40km off the coast of Brisbane and home to the popular Tangalooma Wrecks.
The Tangalooma Wrecks are made up of 15 deliberately sunken ships that were originally placed in 1963 to form a breakwater for local fisherman. The wrecks have since evolved to become a popular snorkelling destination for both tourists and locals.
The site can be reached by snorkelling straight from the beach and is home to over 175 species of tropical fish such as lionfish, kingfish and yellowtail. On your snorkelling adventure through the wrecks you will also have the chance to spot moray eels, turtles, dolphins and stingrays.
This unique environment plus the ease of access make the Tangalooma Wrecks high on the must-do list for all snorkelers.
Image Credit: dolphinsinparadise.com.au
Fitzroy Island, Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and a snorkelling mecca! Cairns has long been known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and when in Cairns there is no better place to experience snorkelling the reef than from Fitzroy Island.
Fitzroy Island is a tropical island paradise just a short 45-minute boat ride from the Cairns Marina. The Island is 97% national park, made up of tropical rainforest, which makes it the perfect backdrop for your snorkelling experience.
The beaches on Fitzroy Island, including Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach, are surrounded by the colourful coral reef just metres from the shore. This makes exploring the magic of the reef easily accessible and safe for even children and beginner snorkelers.
While snorkelling the warm waters around Fitzroy Island, you will find yourself side by side with an abundance of unique sea life including clown fish (Nemo), gropers, cod and sea turtles.
Snorkelling these lush coral reefs within the laid back tropical vibe of Fitzroy Island is the ultimate way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. You have the option to bring along your own snorkelling gear, or you may wish to hire it from the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub located at the resort.
Coral Bay, Western Australia
Coral Bay is a small coastal settlement in Western Australia, 1200 km north of Perth with the closest town being Exmouth, about a 2-hour drive north. This laid back slice of paradise lies right at the point where Australia’s vast western outback meets the sparkling blue Indian Ocean at the Tropic of Capricorn, and is the perfect place to explore the World Heritage-Listed Ningaloo Reef.
Ningaloo Reef is a fringing reef system, which means the main reef is close to the shore with only a calm, shallow lagoon between the beach and the main reef. Snorkelling at Coral Bay is effortless and relaxing with no big waves or the need for a long swim to get to the good snorkelling sites.
The sea life close to the shore is amazing, with an abundance of colourful fish, turtles and rays. If you snorkel just 50 to 100 metres from the beach, the water deepens and the coral gardens begin, which is where the colours of the reef really explode and you can guarantee some close encounters with some of the bigger and most exciting marine life.
Image Credit: australiascoralcoast.com
Lady Elliot Island, Queensland
Lady Elliot Island is 80km northeast of Bundaberg and is only accessible by flights departing from either Bundaberg, Brisbane or the Gold Coast. The Coral Cay surrounding Lady Elliot is the starting point for the Great Barrier Reef and offers amazing snorkelling sites for both beginners and more advanced snorkelers, which are accessible straight from the Island’s beaches.
The calm, clear waters of The Lagoon on the eastern side of the Island are perfect for children and novice snorkelers, with enough colourful coral, tropical fish, clams and turtles to keep you entertained for hours.
On the western side of the Island, Coral Gardens and Lighthouse have deeper waters for the more experienced snorkelers. Here you will not only find the beautiful coral and tropical fish but will likely spot the megafauna such as dolphins, whales, reef sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Both snorkelling sites also have self-guided snorkel trails that you can explore at any time. Depending on your level of experience, you can choose from the Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced snorkel trails.
Image Credit: letsgosomewhere.com.au
Lord Howe Island, NSW
Lord Howe Island is a small island 600km off the coast of Port Macquarie on the NSW North Coast. It measures just 11km end to end, and 3 km across, and only allows 400 visitors at any one time.
Lord Howe Island has long been a haven for snorkelling enthusiasts, with more than 90 types of corals and over 500 different fish species to explore at its numerous snorkelling sites, including: Lagoon Beach, Ned’s Beach and Erscott’s Hole, all of which are easily accessible from the Island’s beaches.
The diversity of the coral and fish species combined with the clear waters and perfect temperature make Lord Howe one of the world’s premier snorkelling experiences.
Image Credit: australiantraveller.com
Snorkelling is a unique experience and often the best way to fully explore these amazing underwater environments. With so many amazing destinations to choose from, snorkelling gives you the freedom to really get up close and personal to this country’s breathtaking reefs and magical sea life.
