Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling from Hamilton Island
Overview
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8 hours
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Come on board with Explore Group and experience a full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkeling adventure taking you to selected moorings around Bait Reef - the closest of the outer reef locations. We're a boutique tour operator which means we operate by taking smaller groups to ensure a more personalized and quality experience.
This full day tour is perfect for those wanting a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. This experience visits two locations within Bait Reef and a minimum of 3.5 hours is spent on location.
The reef is accessed by our premium custom designed dive / snorkel vessel, which has three levels of air conditioned luxury, lounge style seating, a partially shaded deck and full beam swim platform, which makes entering and exiting the water a comfortable and easy experience.
We provide everything you need to have a comfortable and amazing day at the Great Barrier Reef!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
You must be confident in the water and be able to swim to participate.
Infants (0-4 years) will not be allowed in the water.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vessel access
All fees and taxes
Guided snorkeling support
Commentary from guides
Snorkeling equipment
Buffet lunch onboard + Morning/Afternoon Tea
Alcoholic beverages
Personal items (sunscreen, towel, camera)
Hotel transfers
What To Expect
Experience a full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkeling adventure taking you to selected moorings around Bait Reef - the closest of the outer reef locations. A minimum of 3.5 Discover the reef from the comfort of our premium purpose-built vessel, hosted by our friendly and experienced team. Our dedicated snorkel guides will provide assistance with equipment use and techniques, as well as join you in the water on safety boards.
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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling from Hamilton Island
Reviews
180 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Scuba Diving
486raphaelec,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic Scuba diving tour- Very professional team of instructors and good equipment. Gus was a great instructor. We highly recommend this tour
It was great!
henrypL9401UQ,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Everyone on staff was so kind and helpful. Just be prepared for a possible change based on the wind speed. We did less moving which was nice and spend time on the beach in the afternoon. You will burn so cover up
Must do activity
Odyssey637434,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice experience. You can see very colorful fish and corals. Must do activity if you are in Hamilton Island. There is also lunch in the noat if you get hungry in the meantime.
Highly recommend this company
Carryn2013,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible day other catamaran, snorkeling at chalkies and then lunch on board at Whitehaven beach. This is our 3rd time bringing overseas friends on this tour and it has never disappointed. Even for us on the 3rd trip was wonderful. The crew were great, Alex, Jack, Lachy, Eve so friendly and looked after us well.
8-hour trip to the Barrier Reef
Renato T,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The planned 8-hour trip to the Barrier Reef did not happened as one of the engines on the boat broke down and needed repair. By the time it was repaired we did not have time to travel farther, so they had us snorkel at a couple different spots around closer islands, which was nice but probably not the same experience as the planned Barrier Reef. And no mention of any reimbursement.
Disaster
lihuea2020,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00One of the worst dives I ever did, the reception girl changed my booking for the next day at the last minute, she didn't tell me we were going somewhere else instead of to the reef, the place to dive awful, all dead. They gave us very fine neoprene and the water was freezing. If you’re snorkeling in catsay you’ll have a similar or perhaps better experience. Above all I'm not surprised that coral is all dead if you have 0 Mood Care, shame should tell you that you are PADI headquarters
Highly recommend
ejcarswell,
Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the full day catamaran tour to the reef and Whitehaven. What a fantastic experience. Everyone absolutely loved the entire day. The reef is spectacular and a must see. The staff are fantastic.
Great day a great barrier reef
leewQ9277CC,
Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic day ,very lucky with weather very smooth trip no wind ,you do 2 snorkel sessions of 1 hour each,the crew were very good and helpful, would definitely go again. We did the other day trip the day after this to Whitehaven beach including the snorkelling experience combined and due to the windy conditions the trip that day was cancelled to the barrier reef and the people from there then joined our excursion. So weather permitting this is a fantastic excursion.
Lovely crew and good priced adventure. Well worth doing if you're around!
PhilipJWitow,
Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the half day inner reef snorkelling tour, the full day outer reef tour and the sunset cruise tour. We enjoyed all of these experiences a lot. In particular, the snorkelling tours were really good. Not too many people on board, decent snacks and food presented, the boats themselves were clean and well maintained, the prices were reasonable, and the staff made us feel welcome and answered all our questions. We did feel the sunset cruise was a bit crowded but may have misinterpreted the experience. It was more of a drinking event and watch sunset than the calm and gentle cruise we were hoping for, but it still was enjoyable even with the other boisterous people. Would recommend this group to others looking for a good and enjoyable experience on the reef.
Amazing diving and snorkeling experience put on by Explore on the Great Barrier Reef
James B,
Jul 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most fantastic day with Explore. Everything was first class from the boat, the equipment, the staff and the food. I dived while my wife snorkeled and both activities were so professionally managed and delivered. Lots of staff to help in and out of the water. Great facilities on the boat and lovely food at lunchtime. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Our dive master was Leanne who was brilliant but all the staff were fabulous. We were made to feel very special. It’s 2 hours out to the reef, 3.5 hours there and 2 hours back but the time flew on a big boat with loads of space - 5 out of 5
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Operated by Explore Group