Lady Musgrave Snorkelling Cruise
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Southern Reef Snorkelling Trip
Agnes/1770: Southern Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Day Trip
from $216 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Meeting point
- 1770 Marina, Captain Cook Drive
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Run by
- Dive Spear and Sport
Overview
A speedboat ride of 1.5 hours carries a maximum of ten snorkellers from 535 Captain Cook Drive in Seventeen Seventy out to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Once there, the day settles into a rhythm of briefing, swimming and food: a safety talk, a guided snorkel of 1.5 hours, a break, a second snorkel of 1.5 hours at a different site, then lunch before the run back to shore. The whole trip runs about nine hours.
Dive Spear and Sport 1770 keeps the group small and guided. The guide is there every step of the way to point out animals and answer questions, while Master Reef Guides on board talk about marine conservation. Sites vary, but the swim spots include drop-offs, ledges, caves, coloured walls and old coral bommies. The listing is clear that no marine life sightings are guaranteed.
This suits confident swimmers who want a personal, guided reef day rather than a big boat crowd. One reviewer who had snorkelled in Hawaii, Okinawa and Bali called this their best experience, largely because of the crew's patience and knowledge. It is less suited to anyone who wants door-to-door transport, since getting to the departure point is up to the traveller.
What's Included
Included
- Guided snorkelling tour
- Visit two different snorkelling sites
- Learn about marine conservation
- All snorkelling equipment, including full length wetsuit
- Lunch and snacks
Not Included
- Transportation to departure point
Itinerary
- Meet at the departure pointCheck in at 535 Captain Cook Dr, Seventeen Seventy. Transport to the departure point is not included.
- Speedboat to the reefThe boat ride out to the Southern Great Barrier Reef takes 1.5 hours.
- Safety briefingA briefing covering safety and the plan for the day, 15 minutes.
- First snorkel sessionA fully guided snorkel of 1.5 hours at the first reef site.
- Break on boardA 45-minute rest between swims.
- Second snorkel sessionAnother 1.5-hour guided snorkel at a different site.
- LunchLunch and snacks are served, with an hour allocated.
- Speedboat backThe return leg takes 1.5 hours, arriving back at 535 Captain Cook Dr.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will shape the day, drawn from what travellers report back.
- Southern Reef Snorkelling Trip (this tour)$216
- Lady Musgrave Snorkelling Cruise$222
- Scuba Diving, Southern Reef$298
- Outer Reef Scuba Diving$315.37
- Small group feel. Ten snorkellers is the cap. Several reviewers said the smaller group made the trip relaxed and personal, and one couple described going out with just a small group of people.
- Be water confident. Participants should be comfortable in water. You will spend long stretches in the ocean with a guide present, so basic swimming ability matters.
- Long boat rides. Each leg to the reef and back takes 1.5 hours. One reviewer praised the captain for handling tall swells smoothly, but anyone prone to seasickness should plan ahead.
- Gear and wetsuit. All snorkelling equipment is provided, including a full-length wetsuit. You only need your own swimwear, towel, hat, warm clothing, sunscreen, water, camera and any extra snacks.
- Food is covered. Lunch and snacks are included in the price. Bring your own water and any extra food you want between meals.
Common issues. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers must make their own way to 535 Captain Cook Drive in Seventeen Seventy. Marine life sightings are explicitly not guaranteed, and weather can affect both the trip and the ride home, with one reviewer mentioning a storm on the return. One reviewer also described weather forcing a date change, which the operator handled by rescheduling them to another day, so flexibility helps. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and touching marine life is prohibited. Nothing is stated about suitability for children or people with limited mobility, so check with the operator before booking.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The guided snorkelling tour, all snorkelling equipment including a full-length wetsuit, lunch and snacks, and two different snorkel sites are included. Marine conservation commentary from Master Reef Guides is part of the day.
Is Lunch Extra?
No. Lunch and snacks are listed as included, so there is nothing extra to pay for food on board. You may want to bring your own water and any extra snacks between meals.
Is Hotel Pickup Included?
No. Transportation to the departure point is not included. Everyone meets at 535 Captain Cook Dr, Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677, and the trip ends back at the same address.
How Long Is The Tour?
The full day runs about nine hours from the meeting point. That includes a 1.5-hour boat ride each way, two guided snorkels of 1.5 hours each, a 45-minute break, a 15-minute safety briefing and an hour for lunch.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If weather looks bad, one reviewer reported the operator let them shift their booking to another day, though that is at the operator's discretion.
What Should I Bring?
Warm clothing, a hat, swimwear, a towel, camera, snacks, sunscreen and water. All snorkelling gear and the wetsuit are supplied. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on board.
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