Best Snorkelling Spots In The Whitsundays
Snorkelling in the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The experience is renowned for offering clear turquoise water, diverse marine life, and breathtaking natural beauty. With 74 islands and 3,000 reefs to explore, the Whitsunday’s is a snorkeller’s paradise. But, with so much to see, it can be overwhelming to decide on the best spots. Here’s our ultimate guide to the best snorkelling in the Whitsundays so that you can enjoy all the wonder our beautiful region has to offer.
1. Luncheon Bay, Hook Island
Luncheon Bay’s beautiful turquoise waters are the perfect place to see vibrant coral reefs, colourful bommies, caves, and extraordinary underwater structures.
If you’re an experienced diver, we recommend swimming through the famous ‘Tunnel of Love’ canyon and taking in the gullies and crevasses which stretch as deep as 20 metres below the surface.
Luncheon Bay is brimming with marine life including large Maori Wrasse, moray eels, clownfish, reef sharks, turtles, and sometimes manta rays if you visit between May and September.
Luncheon Bay is accessible from the beach at the northern end of Hook Island, where you might even see wild goats climbing on the rocks above!
2. Mantaray Bay, Hook Island
Nicknamed ‘The Aquarium’ by locals because of its abundant marine life, Mantaray Bay is one of the best places to snorkel in the Whitsundays.
Located just east of Airlie Beach, Mantaray Bay is perfect for both beginner and experienced snorkellers thanks to calmer currents and unbelievably clear water.
Mantaray Bay is home to thousands of tropical fish species, including yellowtail fusiliers, giant trevallys, batfish, and a friendly humphead Maori Wrasse who has become somewhat of a local celebrity. Some lucky snorkellers may even encounter manta rays if they visit between May to September.
You can also see underwater valleys, colourful coral gardens, and two manta ray sculptures which were created by Australian artists and installed in 2018.
3. Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island
Blue Pearl Bay has some of the best coral beds in the whole of the Whitsundays, as well as spectacular underwater caves, bommies, and swim throughs for more experienced divers.
The beautiful bay is protected by the Marine National Park which preserves the reef’s vibrant coral and invites a variety of marine life. Here, you can expect to see plenty of tropical fish, turtles, and a resident humpheaded Maori Wrasse.
The shallow areas are perfect for beginners and the bay is easy to get to via boat trips from Hayman Island and overnight sailing tours.
4. Chalkies Beach, Haslewood Island
Just across from Whitehaven Beach, this hidden gem shares the same white silica sand as the famous beach but a fraction of the crowds.
The shallow waters and easy beach access make it a great choice for beginners and families to explore the pristine fringing reefs. Turtles are often spotted near the fringe along with tropical fish and sometimes reef sharks.
5. Butterfly Bay, Hook Island
Located on the northern part of Hook Island, this charming bay gained its name because of its slight resemblance to a butterfly.
Visitors love snorkelling here because of the calm winds and incredibly clear visibility when the sun is shining.
Here, snorkellers can explore fringing reefs and bommies while they swim amongst schools of tropical fish.
On land, you can also see birds and butterflies, especially if you visit in the morning.
6. Bait Reef, Outer Great Barrier Reef
For a unique snorkelling experience, Bait Reef has some of the most diverse marine life that you can encounter in the Whitsundays.
There are 1,600 species of fish, jellyfish, more than 30 species of whales and dolphins, as well as giant clams, turtles, and reef sharks.
It takes around two hours by boat to get there from Airlie Beach, but it’s worth it. There is something for everyone: the shallow lagoon is ideal for beginner snorkellers while more experienced divers can explore the incredible coral walls and underwater canyons
Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the coral at Bait Reef has maintained its health and beauty, making for a truly unforgettable snorkelling experience.
Best Way to Snorkel in the Whitsundays
If you can’t decide which snorkel spot is the best for you, why not experience multiple at once on one of our overnight sailing tours.
If you’re looking for a fun-filled two night cruise where you’ll enjoy snorkelling at Blue Pearl Bay and explore Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, our Atlantic Clipper tour is the one for you.
The boat explores the Whitsundays islands during the day and comes alive at night. It hosts up to 54 guests and is equipped with air conditioned sleeping cabins, freshly-prepared meals, heated spas, and water slides.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed cruise full of snorkelling, scuba diving, and exploring beautiful beaches, the New Horizon tour holds up to 32 guests and offers a more intimate and activity-centred experience.
Find out more by visiting our website or contact us to book your next adventure.