Vacationing in Australia? Check Out These 5 Snorkeling Spots

If you’ve always wanted to go on a snorkeling vacation in Australia but you’ve never had the time and courage to plan it out, it’s about time you did it already! Here are the top five snorkeling spots in the Land Down Under you should take into consideration, so check them out and get down to business!

Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Even though it’s geographically in New South Wales, we can freely say that Jervis Bay is technically a part of the Australian Capital Territory, which is why we can count it as a Canberra beach. In fact, this bay is unquestionably one of the state’s best snorkeling destinations thanks to its platforms of underwater rocks that fall away providing amazing caverns for fish and other marine life – including a vast abundance of seagrass. This region is also home to bottlenose dolphins, whales, and seals, as well as eastern blue devil fish and weedy seadragon. If you want to see them up close, just hit the water and enjoy the ultimate snorkeling experience at this magnificent place!

Heron Island, Queensland

Located off Gladstone on Queensland’s central coast, Heron Island in the southern Great Barrier Reef should be your snorkeling spot of choice if you want to explore an outstanding array of coral and marine diversity first-hand. Did you know that about 60% of all the fish and 72% of the coral species that live in the Great Barrier Reef can be found exactly at this island? We bet you didn’t, so make sure to buy the best snorkel gear and head straight to this wonderful place to start your reef-snorkeling experience. Apart from manta rays, nudibranchs, and sea turtles, you’ll also get a chance to witness migrating humpback whales from June to September, which is a truly unique opportunity you shouldn’t miss!

Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Yes, we can all agree that Australia’s other big reef doesn’t get as much press and attention as the Great Barrier, but that doesn’t have to mean that it’s less beautiful or impressive. Truth be told, Ningaloo Reef on the coast of Western Australia is a place every snorkeling lover needs to explore. It stretches for 260 kilometers and it is home to more than 460 different species of fish and 200 species of coral. What makes this place even more attractive is the fact that snorkelers can walk directly to the reef from the beach on the northwest Cape. You should also know that whale sharks frequent this spot – between 300 and 500 of them visit Ningaloo Reef every year.

Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve, Tasmania

This Tasmanian reef encompasses a great variety of marine life, so get ready to see gorgeous sponge gardens, amazing kelp forests, stunning seadragons, fairy penguins, and migrating whales. What makes these reefs different from those of northern Australia are the cool marine temperatures and low light infiltration. However, the most fascinating thing about this reserve is that the water from the southern ocean is overlaid with tannin-rich freshwater, whereas the depth of the tannin layer varies throughout the year depending on rainfall. The resulting tea-colored water at Ninepin Point reduces light levels on the local reefs, allowing the growth of red seaweeds and algae. If that’s your cup of tea, be sure to add this stunning place to your bucket list!

Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

In case you weren’t aware of it, Lord Howe Island is one of the World Heritage-listed sites, which is exactly what makes it so special. It gets even better when you realize that only 400 tourists are allowed on this island at one time, which will undoubtedly make your trip even more worthwhile and unique. This is a pristine island located 350 kilometers away from Sydney Harbor, and you must know that the west coast’s semi-enclosed coral reef features about 500 species of colorful fish and 90 species of coral. Apart from the breathtaking marine life, Lord Howe Island also features trenches and underwater volcanoes, which will make your adventure even more unforgettable!

As you can tell, there are a lot of fantastic snorkeling spots throughout Australia that are worth your attention, but you know what? These five are definitely the best ones out there, so we’re sure that you won’t make a mistake whichever you choose. Just pick one according to your personal preferences and have the time of your life in the Land Down Under!

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