Snorkel News
Keep up-to-date with the latest news for snorkellers including new facilities, location updates, resources, marine conservation and more
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No Snorkelling in SA Ponds
South Australia’s Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds are currently both closed to snorkellers and divers. The spring fed sinkhole systems are known for their amazing clarity and freshwater ecosystems but both are under environmental strain. The water level in the …
ReefHQ Funding Lifeline
Townsville’s troubled ReefHQ aquarium has been given $100 million injection to complete its stalled refurbishment. Although home to Australia’s largest living coral reef exhibit, not everyone is happy about how the funding came about with funds for a new concert …
Reminder: Look, Don’t Touch!
Collecting sea shells is a popular activity when you are at the beach or exploring rock pools but there is one shell you don’t want in your collection. The cone snail that lives in a pretty white, orange and brown …
Mettams Pool Gets New Wheelchair Access
One of Perth’s most popular snorkel spots has a new wheel chair access ramp. Mettams Pool is a popular swimming and snorkelling spot in the city of Stirling just north of Perth. The new facility replaces the 40 year old …
Fly Direct from Melbourne to Hervey Bay
Jetstar has started direct flights between Melbourne and Hervey Bay. The new route gives Victorian holiday makers a direct route to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, K’gari (Fraser Island) and one of the best whale watching regions in Australia. The …
Upgrade to top SA Dive and Snorkel Spot
Edithburgh Jetty is to receive a $550,000 upgrade thanks to funding from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program. Upgrades will include a new staircase on the north side of the jetty replacing the current steps that have been closed since …
New Marine Park is no Sanctuary
Scientists have raised concerns that the proposed new South Coast Marine Park does not provide enough sanctuary zones. The park rivals Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef in size. Stretching from Bremer Bay to the western boarder of South Australia, …
New Resources To Keep NSW Whales Safe
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) has added extra staff to its Large Whale Disentanglement Team for the 2024 humpback whale season. The 11 newly trained staff will be based on the Hunter Central Coast and takes …
Rare Orca Calf Sighted At Ningaloo Reef
Visitors to Ningaloo Reef this winter have an extra treat to look out for In recent days an Orca calf has been seen by whale shark spotter planes and marine biologists. It is an exciting development as Orca calf numbers …
Snorkel For Citizen Science On Kangaroo Island
As part of the broader Passport to Recovery program, visitors to Kangaroo Island can snorkel on and monitor a new native oyster reef in Kingscote. Located opposite the Ozone Hotel, the 12 3D printed concrete domes are hoped to re-establish …
Facility Upgrades For Whyalla Cuttlefish Visitors
If you have snorkelling with the Giant Australian Cuttlefish near Whyalla on your list, you can look forward to some improved facilities. Stony Point is the main site for seeing the cuttlefish and approvals have been given to improve parking …
Heart health is a bigger danger to swimmers than sharks
Sharks are often front of mind when we take to the water but a study by Surf Life Saving Australia that appeared in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health shows that our own lack of health is …
Indigenous Name Added to Julian Rocks
Julian Rocks, one of New South Wales best snorkelling and diving spots is one of the latest locations to adopt a dual Aboriginal name. The Byron Bay attraction will now have Nguthunguli added to its title following an application by …
Electric Powered Reef Tours
You can now view the Great Barrier Reef from the world’s first battery and solar powered glass bottom boat and tender. Port Douglas based operator Sailaway can now take guests to Low Isles on the new whisper quiet EV Discovery …
Keep wild dolphins wild in SA
Dolphins are one of the most loved marine animals, but can we love them too much? Eric the dolphin is a regular visitor at the Port Broughton Jetty on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, but his seemingly friendly personality is proving …
What did you see on Ningaloo Reef?
For a lot of snorkellers, knowing what you see underwater is part of the fun and that just got much easier if you snorkel on Ningaloo Reef. Western Australia based Aqua Research & Monitoring Services have just released their latest …
Mass Coral Reef Bleaching Event
Sad news for the Great Barrier Reef with reports from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that a fifth mass bleaching event in 8 years is underway. The current coral bleaching event is occurring on a global scale driven by …
Coral & fish death at Coral Bay
In March 2022 a series of environmental conditions coincided with a coral spawning event that resulted in the death of many fish and corals in Bills Bay. If you want to do a deep dive on the event, a Curtain …
10 Best places in the world to go snorkelling
Respected travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has listed Lady Elliot Island on its list of the top 10 places to snorkel in the world. Coming in at No.3 on the list alongside that includes locations in Brazil. Egypt and Honduras, …
Australia sets the gold standard for swimming with whale sharks
Swimming with whale sharks is a popular bucket list experience but does it get an ethical tick of approval? It does for Australian whale shark tour operators. The study by Murdoch University used biotelemetry – or in other words they …
