I’m finally making it to Australia next year, I’ll be travelling from Sydney up the East coast and I’m dying to do some snorkeling on the Great Barrier reef! I’ve heard mixed reviews about heading out from Cairns, and how alot of the reef is damaged there, but I know the reef is huge and surely there are other good spots to go from. I havent decided exactly when I’ll be there, as I want to focus on the best season to snorkel. Has anyone snorkelled from Cairns and what was the reef like? Does anyone have recommendations for where to snorkel from? And what is the best time of year to catch the most wildlife? I would love to see turtles the most!
3 Likes
Hi @joseph, I have been scuba diving off Cairns (about 10 years ago) and snorkelled from the Southern Great Barrier Reef from Lady Musgrave Island (get there from Bundaberg), more recently.
If it’s turtles you are after - I definitely recommend Lady Musgrave (you can get there by ferry from Bundaberg) or I know you can go to Lady Elliot which is in the same sort of region, but I havent been there personally.(you have to take a small plane, and is more expensive, but can leave from different areas such as Brisbane or the Gold coast).
This area is very popular with turtles (Loggerheads, Green and Hawksbill turtle all frequent here), and they are usually there year round. I saw and swam alongside at least 5 of these huge turtles (I think they were Green Turtle), when I was there. They have ‘cleaning stations’ they like to hang out at so you can go and find these spots to find the turtles!
The reef is also super colourful and vibrant, and there are a lot of tropical fish, and giant clams, as well as reef sharks (don’t worry these are small and don’t hurt you!), Its a big protected lagoon out in the ocean, so its very calm, and absolutely stunning. You get to go on the island itself too and can camp on there if you wanted! Depending what season you go, Manta Rays like it there as well (May-Sept). I didn’t go during the right season for that, but have snorkelled with them in Indonesia and I highly recommend trying to see them!
From Cairns, it was a bit different as I was scuba diving (but did do some snorkelling too), and there are so many different areas they can take you too so the experience probably differs. But when i went, I didn’t see any turtles, the reef was not as colourful, but there were some lovely fish and giant clams (and sea cucumbers!), but it was not as exciting under the sea compared with what I saw at Lady Musgrave. I’ve also know lots of people who have been out that way and not seen turtles, and also mentioned the water can be pretty choppy, which if you have done much snorkelling, you’ll know is not ideal. That 1 huge benefit of Lady Musgrave is that is calm.
From what I understand, if you’re going from Cairns you want to head to the outer reef, as it is a lot healthier. Turtles are definitely all around these parts too, but I didn’t see any myself.
If you head up from Cairns to Port Douglas, there are supposed to be some great spots from there. If you go to Cairns I highly recommend going further north to Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation as they are beautiful too.
Extra tip: If you do go to Bundaberg for the ferry to Lady Musgrave, there is a beach called Mon Repos which is one of the largest nesting beaches for loggerhead turtles in the Southern hemisphere. Depending on the season, you can go there to watch turtles lay eggs, or eggs hatching. You have to pay and go with a park ranger for safety of the turtles.
I’m sure wherever you decide it will be an incredible experience!
2 Likes