Snorkel with Turtles



Join a guided snorkelling tour departing from Fingal Head on the Gold Coast and explore the protected waters around Cook Island. See turtles, manta rays, leopard sharks, and thousands of fish.

This guided snorkeling tour near Gold Coast suits swimmers seeking marine life encounters at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve with a marine biologist guide.

Highlights

  • Snorkel in shallow waters and encounter diverse sea creatures
  • Explore Cook Island on a Gold Coast snorkeling adventure
  • Visit a turtle and marine life hotspot offshore from Fingal Head
  • Learn from an experienced marine biologist guide
  • Swim with turtles, rays, leopard sharks, and native fish species

Description

Meet at the departure point located 5 minutes from Gold Coast Airport for your guided snorkeling tour. Note that all tours operate on New South Wales time; Queensland visitors should account for the one-hour time difference during summer.

Board a boat and travel along the Tweed River, observing local wildlife such as sea birds and dolphins en route to Cook Island Aquatic Reserve. Known as Joongarra Narrian by the Minyungbal people, this marine sanctuary supports turtles and a variety of other species. The shallow waters provide ideal conditions for snorkeling, with your marine biologist guide leading you to the best spots.

All necessary equipment will be provided, including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins. Expect to see turtles, manta and eagle rays, harmless leopard sharks, and numerous fish species. Winter visits may provide opportunities to spot migrating humpback whales.

Participants must be comfortable swimming in open water. Pool noodles are available for support, but flotation jackets are not provided for non-swimmers.

Includes

  • Snorkel tour
  • Marine biologist guide
  • Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins)
  • Wetsuit

Important Information

  • Tours run on NSW time zone; Queensland visitors must consider the one-hour time difference during summer
  • Participants must be comfortable swimming in open water; flotation jackets are not provided
  • Pool noodles are available for additional support
  • Arrive 15 minutes before departure to get geared up; tours depart strictly on time and do not wait for late arrivals
  • After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with meeting point details and required items to bring
  • A liability waiver must be completed and signed before the tour
  • The operator will inform you by email and SMS of any schedule changes; please monitor your messages

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour start time for a full refund.

Available Dates

November 2026 20 dates
Wed 11th Nov Thu 12th Nov Fri 13th Nov Sat 14th Nov Sun 15th Nov Mon 16th Nov
December 2026 31 dates
Tue 1st Dec Wed 2nd Dec Thu 3rd Dec Fri 4th Dec Sat 5th Dec Sun 6th Dec
January 2027 31 dates
Fri 1st Jan Sat 2nd Jan Sun 3rd Jan Mon 4th Jan Tue 5th Jan Wed 6th Jan
February 2027 28 dates
Mon 1st Feb Tue 2nd Feb Wed 3rd Feb Thu 4th Feb Fri 5th Feb Sat 6th Feb
March 2027 31 dates
Mon 1st Mar Tue 2nd Mar Wed 3rd Mar Thu 4th Mar Fri 5th Mar Sat 6th Mar
April 2027 30 dates
Thu 1st Apr Fri 2nd Apr Sat 3rd Apr Sun 4th Apr Mon 5th Apr Tue 6th Apr
May 2027 9 dates
Sat 1st May Sun 2nd May Mon 3rd May Tue 4th May Wed 5th May Thu 6th May

Frequently Asked Questions

You can expect to see turtles, rays, leopard sharks, and various native fish species in the shallow waters around Cook Island Aquatic Reserve.
The tour departs near Gold Coast Airport, close to the Fingal Head area.
The snorkeling tour is guided by a qualified marine biologist who provides expert insight into the local marine life.
The tour is best suited for swimmers comfortable in open water, as it takes place in natural ocean conditions.
Yes, the tour visits key turtle habitats where you can snorkel among sea turtles in their natural environment.
Tour duration can vary; check the website for current length and schedule details.
Snorkeling gear is often provided, but check the tour details on the website to confirm equipment availability.
Snorkeling can be done year-round, but calm weather conditions improve the experience; check the schedule for seasonal variations.
Yes, Cook Island is part of an aquatic reserve that protects marine species including turtles and sharks.
Wear appropriate swimwear, bring sun protection, and ensure you're comfortable swimming in open water before joining the tour.

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