Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour

Easy to find the meeting point. Informative marine talk beforehand. Friendly, funny staff - and highly qualified. Comfortable ride out to swim spot and good equipment (all supplied). Plenty to see, guides come out with you so you can follow them or make your own way around. We saw a white tip reef shark which was very exciting. Suitable for all levels of swimming - guides (also in the water) have a float which you can also hang on to if not confident, easy to get in/out of the water. Perfect amount of time for travel/snorkelling. Highly recommend Pure Snorkelling for this experience.

Impeccable crew and service, easy access for snorkeling, plenty of time, we we’re also extremely fortunate with the weather which helps

It was an amazing experience, every staff was friendly, they also explained about the sea animals and stories about the reef.

Great experience! Small crew and customers - great ratio for learning and experiencing the Great Barrier Reef. Very customer focused and attentive. I highly recommend this snorkeling tour!

Brad, Jamie, Katie and Jarrod Took great care of the group, made sure everyone had a fun time and got something out of the trip. I really liked that the tour was half a day, there was one spot selected to visit and the group was small. An enjoyable and relaxing afternoon out.

Absolutely brilliant! I had a free day in Cairns and wanted to snorkel the reef. After reading the reviews, this small, tight-knit crew didn’t disappoint. Great knowledge, a perfect group size, a great boat, and a crew who read the room beautifully — attentive without being overbearing, giving you the freedom to do your own thing. I’ve rarely felt so peaceful and safe in the water. Admittedly, I lucked out with the conditions, but I couldn’t recommend them more highly!

Perfect weather for a day on the reef. The boat is medium sized and comfortable, and the crew friendly and engaging. Missed the marine talk because it’s held 90 minutes before departure, would’ve been nice to have had it on board. Nice snacks supplied- home made cookies a highlight! Taken to Moore reef, saw some beautiful fish but the coral is sadly in very poor condition. It’s also within earshot of the pontoon and its frequent helicopter flights. That said I would recommend the trip, overall I had a great day out. Of note the booking was made by Viator, communication was appalling and would definitely avoid at all costs.

This is a great tour. It is the perfect amount of time to see part of the reef. It is about an hour on the boat to one of their reefs. We had a nice sunny day with little wind so the boat ride was smooth and beautiful. We also had a day with great visibility. This was a first time snorkeling with my daughter. The crew was well organized and we had 2 hours in the water on the reef. It was the perfect amount of time to see the reef and even with the wet suit, it was the right amount of time before we got too cold. Lots of interesting fish and coral. We enjoyed it so much we booked a second time. They have a variety of reefs so we were able to see a different reef too. I really liked that this was a smaller tour and snorkeling only. Snacks were supplied after snorkeling too!

The best snorkeling experience we’ve had. The crew is very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They use a turtle ranking system to evaluate your skill and comfort level. If you are new to snorkeling they will assist you, and if you are an experienced turtle, you still have the freedom to snorkel as you wish. The guides will keep a close eye on you and assist with any concerns. Cam, Sophie, and Alyssa took very good care of us. Cam even offered to take our underwater camera down to a turtle for a close up. Whether you are a nervous adventurer or a seasoned turtle, you’ll enjoy this. They even had Vaseline available, which was a new trick they showed me to keep my mask free from bubbles through my mustache. I’ve never had another snorkeling crew show me that trick before. Also, they take very good care of the mask and cleaned it with a solution that actually kept it fog-free for the entire trip. Best. Snorkel. Ever.

Amazing trip to the GBR! Staff were thorough in keeping us prepared and safe esp in regards to any medical conditions. Saw so much, don’t miss the lecture pre-trip. I’ve done a number of snorkeling trips but this was by far the best! Thanks Brad and all the crew! It was perfect!

Absolutely awesome loved every minute of it. Staff bent over it backwards to help you. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Well organised tour. Lots of safety measures in place. Can highly recommend this Australian owned business.

Tusind tak for i dag til det fantastiske Crew! Det var en ubeskrivelig god oplevelse at snorkle (for første gang sammen som familie med to børn). En særlig tak til Cam! Han gjorde, at vi følte os trygge i vandet og gav os om muligt en endnu bedre oplevelse på revet. Tusind tusind tak!! Professionelt hele vejen igennem. Detaljeret udfyldelse af “pre-travel-form”, check in, udlevering af svømmefødder, masker & våddragter. Vi kan på det varmeste anbefale denne fantastiske oplevelse på Great Barrier Reef! —— A huge thank you to the fantastic crew for today! Snorkeling was an incredibly wonderful experience (our first time doing it together as a family with two children). A special thanks to Cam! He made us feel safe in the water and—if possible—gave us an even better experience on the reef. Thank you so, so much!! Professional from start to finish. Detailed completion of the pre-travel form, check-in, and the issuing of fins, masks, and wetsuits. We highly recommend this amazing Great Barrier Reef experience!

The team at Pure Snorkeling was so patient and attentive. They helped swap out my daughter’s mask when it didn’t fit right and even went out of their way to guide us in the water. Just a heads up—you might want to pack some snacks since the food onboard is pretty limited.

Wonderful personal experience, so great to be with a smaller group, much more intimate. The ride out and back, 1.5 hours each way, was very enjoyable as well. Don't pass up the introductory session, you may think you dont need to hear, you should, very helpful in uderstanding what your about to see. The freedom to snorkel wherever we wanted to in the area was great as well, no master guided tour, though staff were there to help. Amazing seeing all the colour's, variety of life and movement of life. This is the hand of God at work, thats the only explanation. One dissapointment was not seeing a turtle or some larger fish, not a complaint, just wonder if one of the other mooring sights would have presented a better chance. In the end, those is a must not miss experience if you have a chance.

This was a fantastic way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. The crew were excellent, the boat was very comfortable and the reef was amazing.

This was a great day! The snorkelling and everything else was the best. A new, fast boat, wonderful crew who were informative and helpful. Captain Alex was the best too! This is also a “local” tour company so it’s great to give them the support. Very good value for the price for a 5 hour round trip, about 3 hours total transport time. Be sure to arrive early for the biologist review about the Reed, it’s interesting.

Absolutely fantastic!! Staff were helpful and friendly but not intrusive. Boat was comfortable. We had seasoned snorkelers, youngish kids and one very nervous swimmer with us and the staff took care of us all and made sure we got the best experience. Felt safe the whole time and saw the most wonderful reef and fish. Staff were awesome at pointing out where and what to look at. Highly recommend. Will do it again myself!! Fantastic!

Wonderful crew. So welcoming and full of 'reef' knowledge. I would recommend Pure Snorkelling to anyone. You're not a number on their boat!

Wow! What a special way to experience one of the wonders of the world. I went out on 2 separate occasions it was that amazing! The Pure Snorkelling crew were fantastic from the skippers Alex and Jarryd to the snorkel/marine bio team Alyssa, Sophie, Jamie, Cam, Bailey, Katy ,Seb and Beth. The day ran incredibly smoothly and the crew were so helpful and knowledgeable about the reef. I especially recommend turning up a little earlier in the morning for the free Marine biology chat which is very informative and helpful before turning up to the reef. Would highly recommend Pure Snorkelling for the Great Barrier Reef experience.

Our guides went above and beyond to make my family and me feel very safe. They provided extra protection for my son and me who both suffer anaphylaxis risks. Very good on safety and marine biology graduates to boot. Definitely give them a go. Thanks Kiki, Jamie, Beth and Brad. And to the captain who got us there safely. Great team.

Once in a lifetime experience to snorkel on the great barrier reef. You get 2 hours to snorkel and the coral and fish are spectacular. Crew was great and the company is so organized and takes great care of you. Snacks provided along with drinks to purchase.

The guides were fantastic and the boat was great! We were happy that we had picked this operator. The presentation before shipping off is worth showing up for. A lot of the reef area we visited has bleaching happening which was disappointing but part of reality. The fish and few animals we did see were nice, just do not expect to see a vibrant, full of life reef if you go.

We had an absolutely amazing family experience with Pure Snorkelling in Cairns! The whole crew was incredibly friendly, professional and knowledgeable, and they made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire trip. Brad accompanied us in the water and explained so much about the marine life and everything we were seeing. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the experience even more special for our whole family. The snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef was breathtaking, with beautiful coral and lots of colourful marine life. We especially loved the relaxed atmosphere and the excellent organisation from start to finish. A fantastic experience and definitely one of the highlights of our time in Cairns. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tour was on time, with a high speed ride out to a reef they had picked that day, we saw lots of coral and fish. All the equipment (wetsuit, mask and fins) they provided were in excellent condition. The staff were all very nice especially the marine biologist.

Incredible time with a super friendly crew and lovely ride out to a stunning reef site at Sudbury reeeeeff. The crew were so knowledgeable about all things marine related and I learnt so much, especially sebs marine bio talk in the morning which was so helpful before getting in the water. The crew Kiki, cam, Sophie, alex and seb were all so enthusiastic and passionate about the reef and everyone aboard was so friendly would highly recommend to anyone visiting cairns wanting the best reef trip.

What a great experience. The pre talk by Seb, just one of the 4 Marine biologists on the crew was very informative with insights on what we might see. Gearing up was well organised and quick. Even able to sort out a perscroption mask to suit my eyes. Boarding was quick all the crew helpful right through the day. Everybody's wellbeing was continually checked on board and in the water. Skipper Alex, Karli, Seb, Cam, Sophie and the new prospects were great with their information, guidance and care. The reef Sunbury reef was absolutely stunning and well worth the travel time. Still managed pretty much 2 hours in the water exploring this wonderland. Plenty of care and assistance for those not too confident in the water. Well worth the investment for an amazing experience of our natural wonder.

Crew was great. Trip was very organized. Conditions were very windy and visibility was not as good as I expected. We had a beginner/non swimmer in our group and she did not have a good experience. She needed assistance and did not ask for help. I understand why the buddy system is used pairing like swimming ability but I wish I had been able to stay with her

I had a fantastic time!! Despite not an ideal weather - quite windy - I still got to see the beautiful rief! Felt super safe the whole time and also swam with marine biologist so I they helped me identify all fish and coral. Overall amazing atmosphere amazing time. I could not recommend more!!! And it’s one of the last local companies (which I find valuable as well) and they help protect the barrier as well!

Very, very attentive crew. Incredibly knowledgeable and the pre-cruise reef orientation is a don’t-miss. They baby-step you through the whole process from boarding to disembarking. They triple-check to make sure you are ready for the dive. Our guide on the reef was Alyssa. She was very patient with some of us nervous divers and went on a pace that worked. We each had floaties attached and latched on to a life ring as she guided us though the wonderment of the GBR. The water was rough, but they gave us full-heads-up of what to expect out there. They even offered sea sickness pills. I would recommended these blokes over and over.

Fantastic boat with professional staff, very safety conscious while ensuring everyone had the best experience, saw a turtle, beautiful coral and lots of tropical fish.

We had the most marvellous day on the reef. All four of us were just so impressed with the staff and their knowledge of the marine life as well as their professionalism in terms of safety and individual requirements. I was lucky enough to have Brad lead me through and around the reef pointing out all the different fish and coral. He was so good and ensured we were all safe and comfortable in the water. Thanks Brad for a great day.

Awesome experience! Highly recommend! The staff were on point to! Great day!

The guides are amazing!! Such great care from the moment you arrive. They assure you are fit with the correct equipment, make certain you are comfortable and confident, and meet any need you may have. They are marine biologists along with being friendly, funny and accommodating- so you learn about the amazing things you see. The guides join you in the water and guarantee everyone’s safety and well being while also making sure to point out all of the amazing specimens you see along the reef! Such a fun time, not only snorkeling but on the way out and back. They made sure we had snacks and had a cash bar for soft drinks (and alcohol if wanted on the way back to shore). They also were prepared with motion sickness pills if you need them. A definite 15/10 and one of our favorite experiences ever.

Brilliant experience all round. Guides amazing and knowledgeable. Coral and fish stunning. Only slight thing I wish we did differently would have been to put a warmer wetsuit on my children as they were really cold. Other than that it was fantastic - best tour operator could hope for for this!

3 of us went , I was scared of sharks , the staff and marine biologist were amazing at letting us know what we will see . They were in the water with us doing guides and helping those who don’t swim enjoy their time as well . Very attentive and watching for all guest at all times . I’ve done many snorkeling adventures around the world and this was by far the best one I’ve been on. Cam, Kiki, Brad, Alyssa and the Skipper were all very helpful . Go early to learn about the area, you will be snorkeling. It’s definitely worth the time..

Outstanding! From the marine biology lesson (optional) to everything included, it was really a great trip. All the crew members were very nice, very professional and extremely helpful. The facilities are top notch and the boat is very nice and appears very new and clean. The spot we snorkeled at was very nice with lots of sea life close by. It was also nice having several crew members snorkel with us and tell us about the different sea life. All in all a great trip, highly recommend.

It was a great experience for our first open ocean snorkeling. Thankfully we took Dramamine beforehand since the 90-minute going to the spot we snorkeled was very rough. We saw exquisite coral reefs for about 2 hours. Enjoyed some crackers, apples & cookies after snorkeling. Thank you to Seb, Alyssa & the rest of the crew at Pure Snorkeling for the memorable tour. The ride back to shore was smooth. Thank you to Alex at Pure Snorkeling for ensuring our safety especially my husband’s. He did not have his doctor’s written approval to go on the tour since he has a heart condition. His ticket was refunded via Viator. We totally understood and appreciated their adhering to their policy.

The overall experience was fantastic and the guides were super friendly and personable. I couldn't ask for anyone better! My only issue was with the cost of renting a camera. The picture quality wasn't that great, so I wish they would have charged less for it. That said, if you have your own camera, I'd suggest bringing it and you'll have one of the most memorable experiences of your life!

The company was professional and really had good protocols in place to ensure safety and fun for all on board. The staff was genuinely nice and friendly and ensured all on board could have the best experience.

Fabulous experience! The crew was very knowledgeable and made us feel completely at ease so we could just enjoy the snorkeling experience. Definitely worth doing if you’re in the area.

Great experience and the half day was more than enough time at the reef (2 hrs) plus the boat ride. Staff was knowledgeable and really cared about the reef. Be sure to sit in on the pre departure talk about the reef - informative about the animals you’ll see.

Professional, all staff qualified marine biologists so really new their stuff, very safety conscious, great day out

The experience and tour operators were wonderful. Definitely prepare in advance if prone to sea sickness. The guides were attentive, funny, professional, and offered assistance every time

It was awesome. I have always been afraid of the water even though I could swim. They made me feel very comfortable and was able to enjoy the experience. I would book with them again .

Lovely staff made the choppy trip out enjoyable. All the staff showed care and compassion for the few unwell travellers. Great site to snorkel and would recommend the extra floatation as allows you to drift while enjoying the fish and coral.

Great experience and overall educational trip. The guides all were friendly and knowledgeable. I felt like we had plenty of time once out at the reef to check it out and the guides help spot a sea turtle and helped identify some of the fish we encountered. Pack light but can leave items on the boat, will get wet if left on the floor. Bring food if you want more than a snack but they did provide a lot of fruit and snacks and water throughout with soda/beer for purchase as well. Also bring a jacket or layers for the ride back which was cooler.

Well organised and friendly crew. Comfortable boat, not too many people. A half day is plenty of time to get lots of cool snorkelling in. I also really loved the indie rock soundtrack on the boat!

Fantastic from start to finish ,staff very friendly, knowledgeable and they want to make your trip enjoyable from start to finish .Marine education talk before was very informative. Saw plenty in the sea from tiny colourful fish to reef sharks and amazing coral in all shapes and sizes. Felt very safe in and out of the water. Very comfortable boat ,tasty snacks .

Welcomed from the time you arrived . The education marine talk was very informative. Staff all very friendly and you felt safe the whole time . The snorkelling was amazing plenty to see , reef sharks, amazing colours of the tiniest to larger fish and all shapes and sizes of colourful coral. Staff keeping a good eye on you when you’re in the water and plenty of staff in the sea if you needed anything at anytime. Captain handled the boat very well ,she managed the bumpy seas easily. Such an amazing experience.