The Best Eco Snorkelling Tour On The Great Barrier Reef

For my solo trip around North Tropical Queensland, I was keen to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. I had been on a snorkelling tour before, but my experience was disappointing. I didn’t particularly appreciate jumping from the boat, snorkelling around, and returning to the ship, shivering and exhausted. I wanted time for snorkelling and relaxing on a peaceful island with no crowds. Moreover, I wanted to go on an eco-snorkelling tour that cares about protecting and preserving the Great Barrier Reef’s fragile natural environment.

A Four-Hour Snorkelling Tour From Port Douglas

While searching the internet, I bumped into this 4-hour snorkelling tour from Port Douglas. After reading the reviews, I thought, this is the snorkelling sailing adventure I want. Port Douglas was one of my planned places for solo camping, so it was handy. You can also go from Cairns either on a self-drive trip or by using a public bus service; there are daily connections from Cairns to Port Douglas.

Check out this Eco Snorkelling Tour From Port Douglas

What to expect from an eco-snorkelling tour

This tour offers guided eco-snorkelling with instructions on the water. I find snorkelling a pretty strenuous activity; if you are a beginner, you need a guide to get to the suitable coral sites and make the most of the snorkelling experience.

This tour operator is serious about sustainable snorkelling because it implements carbon footprint reduction strategies. It was one of the first local operators to get a waste treatment onboard, which means it recycles all waste onboard and uses recycled BioDiesel to have low-emission outboards.

Besides, they offer an afternoon eco-tour for adults only, leaving from Port Douglas at 1:30 p.m. for Low Isles, which includes a sunset sailing cruise. The combination of snorkelling, the island tour, and sailing at sunset is great, as I love watching the sun go down from the boat.

The Snorkelling Tour Itinerary: from Port Douglas to Low Isles

The sailing cruise to the Low Isles only takes about one hour. They are close to Port Douglas, and we had plenty of time to swim around the coral cay area, visit the small island, and walk to its historic lighthouse.

Snorkelling off Low Isles sandy beach

When we got to Low Isles, the catamaran moored a few hundred meters away, and we didn’t have to jump from the boat to snorkel. Instead, they took us to shore on board a small shuttle boat. This was one of the things I appreciated, as it saved us a lot of energy. We could get ready on the beach, and once we were all kitted out with fins, suits and floating devices, we set off on a guided snorkelling tour.

They split us into two groups, an advanced group and a beginners group. I joined Greg’s beginner’s group and loved it because I felt comfortable snorkelling while following him. I saw some massive coral sites without wandering off and searching for them.

A heritage walk to Low Isles Lighthouse

Low Isles is part of the Commonwealth Heritage list and is located within the Marine National Park Zone of the Great Barrier Reef. It consists of two islands: a large mangrove island and a cay, a small sandy island with sandy beaches and a heritage walk to the lighthouse.

The University of Queensland operates a Great Barrier Reef Research station, essential for scientific research. Greg walked us to the Lighthouse and discussed this tiny island’s history and role in the Reef’s eco-sustainable management.

Book this Snorkelling Tour In Port Douglas

Sailing off Port Douglas: The food on board of the catamaran

When we got on board, tea, coffee, fresh sweets, and savoury snacks welcomed us. After the sailing tour, we returned to the catamaran and got a second treat. A good choice of local fresh fruits, delicious fresh canapè. All drinks were the first choice, too. I had my favourite yellow-glow sparkling wine, and a second one followed while enjoying the sunset.

The Sunset Cruise Into Port Douglas Harbour

The timing was perfect; we had enough time to sit outside and enjoy the afternoon’s warm sun rays and a light breeze. As we cruised back into Port Douglas harbour, the sky filled with sunset colours, and the ranges on the horizon formed a picture-perfect silhouette. I was lucky to have a couple enjoying the sunset and naturally posing for romantic sunset photos.

I was delighted to have picked this eco-sailing tour and highly recommend it to novice snorkelers who want to feel safe and well-taken care of when snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Moreover, I appreciate that the operator is actively raising awareness through educational talks with their guests about eco-snorkelling and the preservation of the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. To book this tour, use the link below.

Book this Eco-Snorkel Tour In Port Douglas

All Guided Snorkel Tours From Port Douglas

If you want more extended sailing trips or guided eco-snorkelling tours from Port Douglas, check out our selection below.

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This is a copyrighted article that was first published on rockytravel.net in 2018 and last updated in April 2024

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