If you’ve ever dreamt of snorkelling in turquoise waters under warm sunny skies, then you’ll be pleased to know that one of the most incredible snorkelling spots is only a short distance from Cairns, in Tropical North Queensland.
Fitzroy Island, located in the waters of the Coral Sea is an ideal snorkelling and holiday destination, and today, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about snorkelling at this wonderful tropical island.
Fitzroy Island: The Facts
A tropical island holiday destination is sure to be near the top of your ideal vacation destinations. And that’s just what Fitzroy Island is – a tropical island where your cares can just melt away.
It only takes around 45 minutes to reach the shores of Fitzroy Island travelling by the Fitzroy Flyer, a ferry that does regular daily trips between the Cairns Marina and the island.
The island itself is only around four square kilometres in size, and it is mostly covered in a National Park that is made of a vast range of landscapes from woodlands to rainforests to incredible beaches.
Pleasant weather will be upon you at any time of year, with temperatures ranging from lows of 18 degrees Celsius in winter to highs of around 31 degrees Celsius in summer – making it not too hot and not too cold.
With a resort, restaurant and a range of activities, Fitzroy Island is a great holiday destination for families with children, couples, solo travellers, groups of friends and even honeymooners and wedding parties.
And while there is just so much to do and see on the island, let’s focus on the main event – snorkelling!
Your guide to snorkelling on Fitzroy Island
Whether you’re an avid snorkeller or you’ve just always dreamt of trying it out, snorkelling is one of those water sports that people of all ages can try and ace pretty quickly.
You can take it as fast or as slow as you like. And when you’re on Fitzroy Island, chances are that someone is going to have to drag you from the waters because you’ll have the time of your life.
The calm tropical waters of the Coral Sea around Fitzroy make ideal snorkelling conditions. Not only are the waters gentle, but they are abundant with marine life for you to explore. And it’s so easy to explore with coral gardens only metres from the shores of the Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach.
Here’s everything else you need to know about snorkelling on Fitzroy Island.
You’re immersed in the Great Barrier Reef
If you’ve always wanted to try snorkelling or you are a snorkeller already, then we’re sure you know about the Great Barrier Reef – after all, it is the world’s largest reef system. On Fitzroy Island, you’re literally in the same waters of this amazing marine world, with the reefs and coral gardens that surround the island making up part of the Great Barrier Reef.
You can see all kinds of marine creatures from cods and clownfish to turtles and corals, there is a huge world just waiting to be explored on the doorstep of the island. You can learn more about the Great Barrier Reef here and here.
The island has everything you need to get started
You don’t have to worry about lugging your own snorkelling gear or buying your own, unless you prefer to, because the island’s Sports Hub offers snorkel hire.
You can hire a mask, snorkel and fins for a full day for less than $20. So, the Coral Sea at Fitzroy Island is your oyster.
The Sports Hub also offers a variety of other equipment for watersports to hire, and it is also the place where you can book tours and find out about amazing activities and experiences available to you on the island – essentially, it si your one stop sports and activity spot on the island.
You can join a snorkel tour
If you want to combine the fun of snorkelling with learning about the area and the amazing reef, then we reckon a snorkelling tour is the perfect option.
While you can certainly hire gear and head out alone, if you’re a first timer or you want to really explore the world around you, there are a range of tour options available for you.
There are simple beginner snorkel tours, as well as short safari tours aimed at those who have snorkelled before. There are also full day tour options for both experienced and beginners, so you can learn the skills and then spend the full day exploring and learning, or you can join a tour of likeminded snorkellers and really explore the region.
Learn more about the tour options available here.
You can stay for a while or just come for the day
With Fitzroy Island being in such close proximity to Cairns, it makes it the ideal getaway destination because if you’ve only got a day to spare, it’s easy enough to get to and get back. If you’ve got more time and you’re planning a longer holiday, you can also stay on the island and soak in that tropical lifestyle.
Take the Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns in the morning, get your snorkel gear and hit the open waters before heading back to Cairns via the ferry in the afternoon or evening for the best day trip. Or pack a suitcase, and stay in one of the resorts hotel rooms, suites, bungalows, cabins or even camping sites.
One of the great things about Fitzroy Island is that it is super budget friendly, with a wide variety of accommodation options to cater for all budgets. You can learn more about the accommodation options available here.
There’s so much to do
So, while you might come for the incredible snorkelling, there is just so much to keep you entertained on the island while you’re there.
In addition to snorkelling, you can try a lot of other water sports, like sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, glass bottom boat rides and of course, swimming. You can learn more about these and tour options available here.
If you would prefer to stay dry, then maybe check out the flora and fauna on one of the gorgeous walking trails, or enjoy a beach picnic on Nudey Beach, which was named Australia’s most beautiful beach in 2018. You could visit some of the turtle residents at the island’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, or you could just take it easy and soak in the world around you at Foxy’s bar, where you can enjoy sunset cocktails! There is something for everyone!
Book your snorkelling adventure today
If snorkelling is something you’ve always wanted to do, then don’t put it off any longer, plan your trip to Fitzroy Island where you can experience the best snorkelling in Australia.
