Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Day Tour

Highlights & Inclusions

• Enjoy up to 4 hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) - weather permitting
• Cruise in style on a fast, modern, air-conditioned catamaran.
• Marine life presentations and snorkelling tuition from our expert guides.
• Indulge in a delicious buffet style lunch - light snacks for morning and afternoon tea.
• Teas & coffees available through the day.
• Use of high-quality snorkel gear hire (lycra suit, mask, snorkel and fins) and flotation devices (pool noodles, buoyancy vests).
• Experience comfort with guest numbers capped at less than half capacity.
• MOUA Mooring Fee $15 + GBRMPA Environmental Management Charge (EMC) $8.

• Pricing

  Passenger type	2024/2025 Price*	2025/2026 Price*
  Adult	$299	$325
  Child (5-14 years old)	$199	$225
  Family (2A+2CH or more) receive 10% discount
  Infant (0-4 years) are free of charge and must be included at time of booking

  *Please note:

  • 2024/2025 prices are valid until the 31st of March 2025.
  • 2025/2026 prices are valid from the 1st of April 2025 until 31st of March 2026.
  • Only one discount can be applied to any booking.
• Tour dates

  2025

  Saturday 22nd February

  Saturday 22nd March

  Wednesday 16th April

  Saturday 3rd May

  Friday 6th June

  Sunday 8th June

  Wednesday 11th June

  Monday 23rd June

  Wednesday 25th June

  Thursday 26th June

  Saturday 28th June

  Wednesday 2nd July

  Friday 11th July

  Wednesday 16th July

  Thursday 24th of July

  Monday 28th July

  Saturday 13th September

  Saturday 4th October

  Saturday 29th November

  Saturday 13th December

• Site description

  Name	John Brewer Reef - featuring MOUA & the Ocean Sentinels.
  Description & Location	John Brewer Reef is naturally formed coral cove situated approximately 70km North-East of Townsville & east of the Palm Island Group. This site has an important cultural connections with the traditional owners and custodians of the sea country, the Manbarra Peoples of Palm Island.
  Water Temperature	Summer (November-May) 26°-29° Winter (June-October) 22°-26°
  Depth	Reef - 1m to 20m. Ocean Sentinels - 5m. Both ideal for snorkelers
  Visibility	Vary between 10m-25m
  Marine life	Sea-turtles, reef fishes (sweetlips, groupers, trevallies, wrasse, trigger fish, angel fish, parrot fish, clown fish...) giant clams, small reef sharks, humpback whales (July-August)
  MOUA & the Ocean Sentinels	John Brewer Reef is home to the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) & the Ocean Sentinels - a collection of eight underwater sculptures located near the Reef, which form a snorkel trail. These human hybrid figures are modelled from notable marine scientists, conservationists and traditional owners, who have contributed and dedicated their life to the Great Barrier Reef, to reflect them as being protectors and spread the message of reef conservation.

• Itinerary

  6:45am	Check-in opens (closes 10 minutes before departure)
  7:15am	Boarding commences
  7:30am	Vessel departs from Townsville
  7:50am	Pick up guests from Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island. On the way out you will receive safety briefing, along with light morning tea
  9:30am	Arrive at John Brewer Reef and MOUA. Snorkelling tuition and briefings. First snorkel session
  11:45am	Lunch and presentation about marine life and reef eco-system. Second snorkel session
  2:00pm	Depart site to return to Townsville. Light afternoon tea will be served on the way back
  3:40pm	Drop off guests to Nelly Bay Terminal, Magnetic Island
  4.00pm	Arrive back at SeaLink Breakwater Terminal, Townsville

  
  Please note: this is a sample itinerary, with estimate arrival/departure times, subject to change without notice.

  Important information: if you are travelling after the 1st of April 2025, check-in & departure times changes. Please read more information below on the "Departure times & location section".
  

• Departure times & location (Townsville)

  Departure time: 7.30am* *If you are travelling after the 1st of April 2025 departure time is at 8.00am.

  Return time: 4.00pm (approx.).

  Check-in: opens at 6.45am and closes 10 minutes prior departure* *If you are travelling after the 1st of April 2025, check -in time is at 7.00am.

  Location: SeaLink Breakwater Terminal, Townsville.

  Read more
• Departure times & location (Magnetic Island)

  Departure time: 7.50am* *If you are travelling after the 1st of April 2025 departure time is at 8.20am.

  Return time: 3.40pm (approx.)

  Location: SeaLink Nelly Bay Terminal

  Check-in: Please arrive to the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal 20 minutes prior to departure, a SeaLink staff member will be there to assist

  Read more
• Need to know

  Dietary requirements
  Our Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Day tour is prepared by Michels Catering who provide delicious and nutritious food and can cater for the following dietary requirements:

  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan

  If you require any of the above options, please notify SeaLink at least 48 hours before departure in the comments section at check out or by calling our sales team on 07 4726 0800. We will do our best to accommodate your request. For any further dietary preferences or food allergies, you are welcome to bring your own food in addition to what we can supply.
  

  Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
  Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity. You must be able to swim and be comfortable in the water to participate on this tour and see the Reef. Once arrived onsite there are no facilities that caters for non-swimmers such as semi-submersible, pontoon or glass bottom boat.

  Travelling with children and infants
  Infants (0-4 years old) travel free of charge and must be included in the booking. Please note children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

  Travel and motion sickness
  This is an open water cruise and you will experience sea motion. Travel time is approximately 2 hours each way, therefore we recommend you eat lightly before and during the cruise. Travel sickness tablets are generally most effective if taken prior to departure. Please dress according to the weather – it will often feel colder at sea.
  

  Parking
  Onsite car parking is $9.00. During peak season (April - September) and weekends we highly recommend arriving early for your tour to allow sufficient time to find alternative options if our car park is full.

  If you are unsure or you need further assistance please contact our sales team on 07 4726 0800.

• What to bring
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Camera
  • Appropriate clothing (hat, polarized sunglasses, swimmers, towel, light jacket/jumper during winter months)
  • Reef safe sunscreen
  • A small amount of cash for purchases at the bar

  Please note: reading glasses cannot be worn under your mask, therefore we recommend you bring your own contact lenses.

• Sustainability

  Chemicals in sunscreen, like oxybenzone, can be absorbed by corals if you go for a swim after applying it. Nanoparticles in these chemicals have been shown to disrupt coral reproduction and growth cycles, which in turn can lead to bleaching. Here are some pointers on reef-safe sunscreens.

  For more information on what to avoid, what to look for, and how to lessen your impact, check out this useful article from Reef Check:

  1. Check out the contents first:
     1. Stay away from oxybenzone, nanoparticles, parabens, and cinnamates.
     2. Look for "Non-Nano" and water-resistant sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
     3. The recommended waiting time between applying sunscreen and entering the water is 15 minutes.
  2. Don't use a spray - when we use an aerosol, much of the sunscreen misses and ends up in the water.
• Frequently asked questions

  Will I get seasick on this tour?
  This is an open water cruise and you will experience sea motion. Travel time is approximately 2 hours each way, therefore we strongly recommend you eat lightly before and during the cruise and take travel sickness tablets, generally most effective if taken prior to departure as they are preventative, rather than a cure. Please dress according to the weather – it will often feel colder at sea.

  Is snorkelling enough to see the Reef?
  Yes, it certainly is!! The top of the Reef is very shallow and sometimes can be out of the water at low tide. The best vantage point to view the corals is close to the surface as the sunlight brings out the beautiful colors.

  Are there any jelly-fish or marine stingers?
  Stinger season is usually November-May in Townsville and most jellyfish are found along the coast. For more information please visit SLSC. We encourage to wear a lycra-suit which also protects from sunburn and is included in trip cost.

  Is this tour suitable if i can't swim?
  You don't need to be a professional swimmer/athlete to participate and enjoy this tour, just basic water skills are required and be comfortable in the water. Please note there are no facilities such as glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible and you need to enter the water to be able to see the Reef.

  Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
  All SeaLink vessels are wheelchair accessible, however due to its nature this particular tour unfortunately is not suitable.

  Can I BYO alcohol?
  All SeaLink vessels are fully licensed venues, all liquor must be purchased and consumed onboard (BYO liquor is not permitted). Carriage of Liquor from our vessels to the shore is not permitted whilst disembarking. Our on-board bar is open for the duration of the tour for the purchase of light snacks and refreshments. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased only after in-water activities have ended.

  What is MOUA?
  The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) is a series of inspiring art pieces created by Artist Jason DeCaires Taylor highlighting reef conservation and the cultural stories of land and sea. On this day tour, you will visit John Brewer Reef, home of MOUA’s Ocean Sentinels Snorkel Trail. It is a series of 8 underwater sculpture modelled by notable marine scientist, conservationist & traditional owners. Find out more at www.moua.com.au

• Bookings & Cancellation

  1. Cancellation by the Traveller
  If you cancel your booking the following fees apply:

  • Between 14 days and 48 hours before departure: 20% of total cost
  • Between 24 hours and 48 hours before departure: 50% of total cost
  • Within 24 hours of departure: 100% of total cost

  A ‘no show’ will incur 100% penalty. No refunds are given on unused tickets.

  2. Cancellation by SeaLink North Queensland
  All tours cancelled by SeaLink North Queensland due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances are eligible for:

  • Full refund
  • Transfer or reschedule to another SeaLink North Queensland Tour
  • 100% Credit to use for a future SeaLink North Queensland Tour
    

  3. Booking changes
  SeaLink North Queensland will accept travel date changes or changes to another SeaLink North Queensland Tour (subject to availability) up to 48 hours before departure for a $20 p/person administration fee – any difference in tour price is payable by the passenger. Please note cancellation fees apply for any changes within 48 hours – please refer to the above Cancellation Policy.
  

  4. Change of Itinerary
  Tours and itinerary are subject to prevailing weather and sea conditions including tides, wind, swell and rain. The vessel master will determine the most appropriate course on the day of travel.

  5. Travel Insurance
  Holiday plans can be disrupted and cancellation fees can be costly. We highly recommend that you have your own travel insurance. Please note that Travel Insurance may not cover disruptions caused by mechanical breakdowns or adverse weather conditions.
  

  Click here for a full list of SeaLink North Queensland Terms and Conditions.