Explore Group Australia Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkel from Shute Harbour

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A full day of Great Barrier Reef snorkelling from Shute Harbour, at two moorings around Bait Reef, the closest of the outer reef locations, with at least 3.5 hours on location.

Days

Full day, about 10 hours

Group size

Shared reef boat

Start / finish

Shute Harbour / Shute Harbour

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Dive and snorkel boat from Shute Harbour via Hamilton Island

Meals

Buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Explore Group Australia Full Day Airlie Beach Snorkel - From Shute Harbour

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Included experiences

Bait Reef — snorkelling at two moorings
Hamilton Island — on the cruise out
Snorkelling instruction for beginners

Explore Group Australia Full Day Airlie Beach Snorkel - From Shute Harbour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: SHUTE HARBOUR TO HAMILTON ISLAND

Your day starts early at Shute Harbour, the deep-water port near Airlie Beach that was rebuilt after Cyclone Debbie wrecked its jetties in 2017. The boat is purpose-built for diving and snorkelling, with two air-conditioned decks, lounge seating, hot and cold showers and a full-width swim platform. It calls first at Hamilton Island, the only island in the group with a commercial airport, to pick up more snorkellers. The Whitsunday Islands take their name from the passage Captain Cook sailed through in June 1770, on what he believed was Whit Sunday. Morning tea is served as the crew point out the islands and reefs along the way.

MID-MORNING: BAIT REEF AND THE FIRST SNORKEL

Past the last islands the water turns deep blue, and you reach Bait Reef, the closest of the outer reef sites to the Whitsundays, on the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage area since 1981. The crew fit you with mask, snorkel and fins, a stinger suit or wetsuit and a flotation jacket if you'd like one, and anyone less sure in the water gets one-on-one coaching. Then it's off the platform and over the coral. Bait Reef is known for the Stepping Stones, flat-topped coral pinnacles that rise almost to the surface.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AND A SECOND SITE

You have at least three and a half hours at the reef. Lunch is a buffet on board, then the boat moves to a second mooring on another part of Bait Reef, picked by the crew for the day's wind and tide. Look for parrotfish, anemonefish in their anemones, butterflyfish and schools of yellowtail fusiliers over hard and soft coral. Turtles, rays, reef sharks and the big Maori wrasse turn up on some days. If weather keeps the boat inside the islands, you snorkel two sheltered inner-reef sites and stop at a beach instead.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO SHUTE HARBOUR

In the afternoon the boat heads home with afternoon tea on board, calling at Hamilton Island before the run back to Shute Harbour, where you step ashore in the late afternoon after about ten hours on the water.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Shute Harbour.

What is included

Full day cruise to and from Bait Reef via Hamilton Island
3.5 hours on location at two snorkelling spots
Snorkelling equipment, including wetsuits or stinger suits and flotation jackets if needed
Personal snorkelling instruction for the not so confident
Buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

4.0

Based on 1 review

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Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

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Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(4/5)

A great full day outer reef trip to Bait Reef from Shute Harbour on a comfortable, roomy three-deck boat with all gear supplied, an easy rear deck for getting in and out, and tasty lunch and snacks. The early start with no courtesy bus means arranging your own way from Airlie, and asking everyone's age and medical conditions aloud on board felt a bit public. The coral bommies at the Stepping Stones were amazing, though both snorkels were in the same area when we'd expected two spots.

Gavin Phuah Verified· Travelled 3rd September 2026

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