• From Hamilton Island we take a half day tour to Hook Island to partake in some of the best snorkelling around the fringing reefs on our fast multi-hull cat.
• Choose to depart Hamilton Island at 8.30am or 1.00pm for a cruise to the northern section of the Whitsunday Islands on our half day snorkel tour 
• Spend 2 hours exploring Luncheon Bay or Mantaray around Hook Island and 1 hours scenic cruising each way from Hamilton Island
• Refreshments of morning or afternoon tea are provided along with all the snorkel gear, lycra sun suits and flotation vests

Our Hamilton Island snorkel tour offers a half day tour to snorkel around the beautiful fringing reefs of Hook Island. Choose from the morning snorkel tour at 8.00am or 12.30pm in the afternoon, both include morning or afternoon tea.

Jump into the warm Whitsunday waters and discover the amazing sea life below the surface on our half day Hamilton Island snorkel tour.

Experience a half-day snorkeling adventure taking you to selected moorings within the Whitsundays with a departure from the marina on Hamilton Island.

The best snorkel tour locations will be selected on the day depending on the weather and tide conditions, including Luncheon Bay and Manta Ray on Hook Island.

• Intimate. We take smaller groups on our Hamilton Island snorkel tour to ensure a more personalised and quality experience
• Custom built vessel. Cruise in comfort on our custom designed snorkel boat with hydraulically lowered platform at the rear for easy access to the water, air conditioning, lounge style seating, showers and bathroom facilities.
• Informative. Educational commentary whilst we take a high speed cruise to our first snorkel tour location.
• Professional Team. Our team is passionate about the Whitsunday Islands and can't wait to show you around the fringing coral reefs that lay below the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Hamilton Island Snorkel Tour - FAQs

What reef location do you visit?

• We operate to Bait Reef on our full day tour and the fringing reefs around Hook Island on the half day tour.

Is it still worth visiting the Great Barrier Reef?

• Yes - The Great Barrier Reef is still very much alive, healthy and definitely worth visiting.
• Although certain parts of the reef did sustain natural damage during the cyclone, our team have completed trips around the Whitsundays region and outer Great Barrier Reef, and have found plenty of healthy areas to snorkel.

What is the underwater visibility like?

• The visibility out at the reef changes every day dependent on the prevalent weather conditions. 

What can I expect to see on this snorkel tour?

• Both locations are packed with coral, colour and marine life.
• The fringing inner reef tends to be slightly more colourful due to the nature of the soft coral that grows around these areas.
• You will find numerous smaller reef-dwelling fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, batfish, damselfish and fusiliers.
• At the outer reef, you can expect to see a hard coral platform reef with impressive drop offs and our friendly resident giant trevallies, along with countless colourful reef fish. If you're lucky you might even get a visit from a turtle, ray or white tip reef shark while on one of our trips!

Is the reef all bleached?

• No - We are lucky in the Whitsundays to have healthy reef systems which have not been dramatically affected by coral bleaching.
• Coral bleaching occurs when higher than average water temperatures cause Zooxanthellae (little creatures that live within the coral) to leave.
• When this happens, you are left with the skeleton of the coral.
• Our water temperatures sit between 22-28 degrees Celsius all year round, making for ideal coral conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

For our half day Hamilton Island dive and snorkel tours we cruise our way to the northern section of Hook Island to explore some fringing reefs. Should the conditions here not be favourable we may relocate to Blue Pearl Bay or Cateran Bay.   

What is visibility like?

The visibility out at the reef changes every day dependent on the prevalent weather conditions.

During the peak summer months you can expect an average of 5-8m around the inner fringing reef.

The winter months typically see visibility well in excess of averages due to lower tidal ranges

What can I expect to see?

The Whitsunday Island fringing inner reef tends to be slightly more colourful due to the nature of the soft coral that grows around these areas.

You will find numerous smaller reef-dwelling fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, batfish, damselfish and fusiliers. If you're lucky you might even get a visit from a turtle, ray or white tip reef shark whilst on one of our trips!

Our water temperatures sit between 22-28 degrees Celsius all year round, making for ideal coral conditions.

View all of our tours from Hamilton Island 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Hamilton Island

Departure Time

• Morning Snorkel Tour 8.00am
• Afternoon Snorkel Tour 12:30pm

Departure Instructions

Make own way to Hamilton Island Marina

Destinations

• Hook Island
• Luncheon Bay
• Manta Ray on Hook Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Closed Christmas Day

Duration

4 hours with 2 hours on location

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Additional Information

Please note: guests must be able to swim to participate in snorkeling. There will be a guide in the water for assistance, and floatation devices available for those that require them.

Towel, hat, sunscreen, sunsuit

• This tour is recommended for children 5 years and over. Children under 5 years are welcome, however there are limitations with regards to their participation please contact our reservations team for details when booking.
• Please note guests must be able to swim to participate in snorkeling.

• All tours are subject to minimum numbers and to weather conditions and so may be cancelled at the discretion of the operator.
• We also reserve the right to alter the destination pending the weather for your safety and comfort. Times may also need to be changed due to tidal changes. The company will offer alternative days or refunds in the event of cancellations.
• Cancel 48 hours prior to the cruise timing - no fee.
• Cancel between 24 & 48 hours prior to the cruise timing - 50% fee.
• Cancel within 24 hours prior to the cruise timing - 100% fee.
• In the event that we cancel due to weather conditions the guest will be offered a full refund or an alternative day.
• Please note: guests must be able to swim to participate in snorkeling. There will be a guide in the water for assistance, and floatation devices available for those that require them.