While Queensland and Western Australia are Australia’s best known snorkelling regions, there is plenty of great snorkelling in Australia’s cooler states and tropical territories.
In Victoria, Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary and Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary both offer great snorkelling for beginners with a range of fish, rays, molluscs and sponges to spot. For a real adventure, snorkel with seals at Chinaman’s Hat and on the Great Ocean Road, the Marengo Reef Marine Sanctuary is a great sheltered site.
Snorkellers in Tasmania can explore the sheltered bays in Freycinet National Park. The jetty and nearby Hopground beach on Maria Island are also great snorkel spots.
Australian territories like Lord Howe Island, Cocos Keeling Islands and Christmas Island have incredible snorkelling in warm, crystal clear water. Colourful corals and the huge diversity of marine life are the main attraction in these places.
The best snorkelling we have done was at Flying Fish Cove on Christmas Island and The Rip on Direction Island in the Cocos Island group is a close second. Lord Howe Island lagoon offers amazing snorkelling in sheltered waters metres from shore.
