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Great barrier reef snorkeling tour
Venture beyond the coastline for an unforgettable full-day snorkelling adventure on the Great Barrier Reef—one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders.
Departing from Townsville, with Magnetic Island pickups available, this tour takes you offshore to explore spectacular reef locations across the Central Great Barrier Reef. Swim above colourful coral gardens, discover tropical fish and fascinating marine life, and experience the remarkable scale and beauty of the reef from both above and below the water.
Each Reef location offers something different, from shallow coral gardens and striking coral bommies to reef walls, sandy lagoons and areas alive with tropical fish.
Enjoy multiple opportunities to snorkel and explore, with safety briefings and assistance provided by Poseidon’s experienced crew. Between snorkelling sessions, relax aboard the vessel, take in the open-ocean scenery and enjoy an included lunch before continuing your reef adventure.
Whether it is your first visit to the Great Barrier Reef or another opportunity to explore this incredible environment, this full-day experience offers a memorable way to discover the reef from Townsville.
Highlights- Experience a full-day adventure on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef
- Depart from Townsville or Magnetic Island
- Spend approximately three to four hours exploring and snorkelling at different reef locations
- Visit reef sites selected for the safest and best conditions on the day
- Swim above colourful coral gardens, bommies and tropical marine environments
- Look for turtles, rays, reef fish, seabirds and other marine life
- Receive snorkelling and safety briefings from the Poseidon crew
- Enjoy an included lunch and light afternoon tea
- Relax aboard the vessel and experience the beauty of the open ocean
What to expect
Your day begins with check-in in Townsville before boarding the vessel and meeting the Poseidon crew. After an introduction, safety briefing and overview of the day, the vessel will depart Townsville and make its way towards Magnetic Island for any scheduled passenger pickups.
The journey out to the Great Barrier Reef takes approximately two to two and a half hours, depending on the reef location, weather and sea conditions.
Once at the reef, guests will have approximately three to four hours to explore and snorkel across different reef locations selected by the skipper for the conditions on the day. Swim above colourful coral gardens, discover tropical marine life and experience different sections of the Great Barrier Reef.
Lunch will be served during the day, with time to relax aboard the vessel between snorkelling sessions and take in the incredible reef surroundings. A light afternoon tea will also be provided later in the day.
Following the final snorkelling session, the vessel will begin the return journey towards Magnetic Island and Townsville.
The Great Barrier Reef is a natural and constantly changing environment. Visibility, currents, wildlife activity, reef locations and sea conditions vary from day to day.
Included
- Full-day (8 hours Approx) guided boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef
- Magnetic Island pickup
- Approximately three to four hours of snorkelling across different reef locations
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Snorkelling and safety briefings
- In-water assistance from the crew
- Lunch
- Light afternoon tea
- Wildlife-spotting opportunities
Duration and departure time
Townsville – 7:30am check-in for 8:00am departure
Magnetic island – 8:30am departure. Please arrive no later then 8:15am.
Tour time – Approx. 8 hours + 30 minute check-in/briefing
Meeting Point
Townsville – 108 Flinders Street, Townsville City
Magnetic Island – Nelly Bay Marina
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Big shoutout to Helios for being an amazing guide and for getting some epic photos and videos of us looking way cooler than we actually are. 🤣
Would recommend this to anyone who loves a bit of adventure, beautiful scenery, and having a ridiculously good time!
We enjoyed stunning views of Townsville and completed a full lap around the island, getting up close to the beautiful rock formations in each bay. A highlight was stopping for some bait fish snorkeling, an unforgettable addition to an already fantastic tour.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to discover the island from the water in a fun, safe, and adventurous way!
At 61, this was a real bucket list experience for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While calm waters might have been easier, the rough conditions actually made it even more exciting and fun. On the other side, we decided not to swim, and the return trip was even rougher – which turned out to be the highlight of the day.
Overall, it was a fantastic and memorable adventure. I highly recommend Poseidon Adventures.
Blake….our guide & instructor is outstanding!!! Not only is he very knowledgeable, professional & safety conscious for all participants & other vessels in the area….he is such a genuinely top guy who makes the entire experience outstanding because of his cool, calm & fun personality!!!
4 out of our group had never been on a jet ski ever….Blake made it super easy & safe for everyone & within 10 to 15 minutes…our first time riders in our group were confident & having so much fun!!!
Such an awesome experience!!!
After our session….the chatter in our car leaving was….”Omg….that was the coolest fun ever…can we buy a jet ski or can we do that again soon..?!!”
Priceless!!!
Thanks heaps Blake!!🤝🤙
We were a family of 8 and we all enjoyed it. We saw lots of sea turtles and an osprey as well as learning about the sacred places of the local tribe, and about Palm Island.
We chose to do the earliest availability as the weather wasn’t in our favour later on!
It was my first “real” time on a JetSki and Wow it was so much fun!
Felt safe but also was able to go as fast as we could! (I do ride motorcycle so the need for speed was definitely needed)
Being able to ride the JetSki around Townsville to Bay Rock!
On the way back we got through some rain which for me was an epic experience to be able to ride through and still have fun - we were already wet from the snorkel before but not once felt cold
Definitely recommend anyone to jump on and support Lucas!
He patiently accommodated my exuberant throttle applications and it was a great way to start the morning in general. Would highly recommend!
Nice late model Seadoo jetskis are very stable, and experienced guides made it an easy and safe experience.









