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Full day snorkeling tour of outer reef/s of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia from Port Douglas. A total of three snorkeling sites, which are chosen especially for snorkelers. (click here for more information)
*Price: Adults (age 15+) $234 USD pp, Children (age 6-14) $170 USD pp.
*Duration: 8 hours
*City/Nationality of Activity: Port Douglas, Australia
*Overview:
This snorkeling tour company is dedicated to small group, outer reef snorkeling. This full day tour includes marine biologists, and aims to be low impact with a high level of interpretation. The maximum group size is 48 on a boat that can take 100. Small numbers ensures personal, friendly service, and provides plenty of personal space allowing for the best wildlife viewing.
Check in at the boat at the marina is 8:10am. Tea or coffee is served. Staff will provide the day’s itinerary and a safety briefing. Let the staff know if you need prescription lenses. The tour will visit three outer reefs, and the three will be chosen by the skipper based on the conditions. Due to their long time in business this tour company has access to reefs/locations that other tour companies can’t go to.
After check in the tour company will take participants on a 90 minute trip to the edge of the continental shelf. Along the way the tour may encounter dolphins, and in the winter dwarf minke or humpback whales may be visible. The crew will be there to answer any questions you may have. During this time, you will be fitted out in snorkeling gear and shown how to use it. (All gear and suits are sanitized after each use.)
Arrival at the outer reef/first site: There will be a comprehensive safety briefing, and if it is your first time snorkeling, you will have plenty of time to become comfortable with snorkeling. Once in the water guests are free to explore the reef under the expert watch of the crew, who spend a lot of time in the water with you.
At the second site passengers having mastered their snorkeling skills, will be taken on guided snorkel tours. Then a deli style lunch where marine biologists will conduct a interactive reef talk where you can ask questions or simply sit and relax.
At the third site snorkelers are free to adventure further with their increasing skills. After the third snorkel, the tour will cruise back and enjoy the wonderful view, arriving back at the marina at approximately 4:00 pm.
The tours visit only outer reefs (where the best features are found) of the Great Barrier Reef, and primarily visit Opal Reef which is the “jewel of the Great Barrier Reef.” On Opal Reef snorkelers will snorkel with sea turtles and other marine creatures and fish. The tour may also visit St. Crispin Reef with its extensive coral and clouds of reef fish. Another possible reef is the Tongue Reef which includes sharks, rays and other sea creatures.
As far as coral bleaching is concerned, it should be noted that the reef has not been ruined. Stinger suits – Due to the risk of jellyfish stings, from November to May the tour operators require all snorkelers to wear a lycra suit that provides protection from jellyfish stings. From June to October wet suits are worn.