Adrenalin Dive Great Barrier Reef Day Trip inc. MOUA (Snorkeling)

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A day trip from Townsville or Magnetic Island to John Brewer Reef in the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelling the reef and the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA), with snorkel equipment included.

Days

Full day, 9 hours

Group size

Max 35

Start / finish

Townsville or Magnetic Island / same
Back around 5pm

Return

Back around 5pm

Transport

Custom-built reef day vessel from Townsville or Magnetic Island; no hotel pick-up

Meals

Morning tea, buffet lunch and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Adrenalin Dive Great Barrier Reef Day Trip inc. MOUA (Snorkeling)

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Included experiences

John Brewer Reef — snorkelling with reef fish, turtles and reef sharks
Museum of Underwater Art — the Coral Greenhouse
Reef ecology talk — how the marine park is protected
Discover scuba dive — optional

Adrenalin Dive Great Barrier Reef Day Trip inc. MOUA (Snorkeling)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: TOWNSVILLE OR MAGNETIC ISLAND TO JOHN BREWER REEF

Board at 7am at the marina in Townsville, or at 7:50am on Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), which Captain Cook named in 1770 because he believed it was upsetting his ship's compass. The boat is one of the crew's custom-built reef day vessels, and the run out to John Brewer Reef covers about 70 km of open water. Morning tea is served on the way, and the crew talk you through snorkelling and fit your mask, fins and full-length suit. If you've never snorkelled, ask for a noodle or a life jacket. Everyone gets in-water help from the crew and goes at their own pace.

JOHN BREWER REEF: CORAL AND REEF FISH

John Brewer Reef is a big reef, about 6 km long, in the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, the 2,300 km system World Heritage-listed in 1981. The central reefs sit further offshore than most, which keeps the water clear. Over your two sessions in the water you'll float over coral full of colourful reef fish: parrotfish, clownfish, angelfish and the big Maori wrasse with blue scrawls on its face. Schools of bait fish flash past, and turtles, stingrays and white tip and black tip reef sharks are often seen.

Prefer to go deeper? For an extra cost you can add a discover scuba dive. It needs no experience, as the team teach you the basics before you go under.

THE MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ART

On the northern end of the reef lies the Museum of Underwater Art, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Its centrepiece is the Coral Greenhouse by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, a submerged building standing on the sand at 16 metres and rising to within 6 metres of the surface. Look down through the water at the life-size figures and sculpted trees inside, now slowly being taken over by coral and fish. In the shallows, 3 to 6 metres down, the Ocean Sentinels are within easy reach of snorkellers. The site has a strong connection to the reef's Traditional Owners.

AFTERNOON: LUNCH, A REEF TALK AND HOME BY 5PM

A buffet lunch is served on board, with tea, coffee, cordial and iced water all day and afternoon tea on the trip home. The crew explain how the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is run, what is being done to protect it and what you can do to help. You're back in Townsville or on Magnetic Island at about 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Board at 7am in Townsville or 7:50am on Magnetic Island.
Finishes: Back at 5pm.
Please note: All trips are subject to weather conditions and passenger numbers. Trip status updates are sent the afternoon before departure.

What to bring

Swimwear, worn under your clothes
Towel, hat and sunscreen
Jumper (optional)
Camera, or hire one on board (credit card details needed for the bond)
Cash or card for souvenirs

What is included

Morning tea, buffet-style lunch and afternoon tea
Iced water, cordial, tea and coffee throughout the day
All snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and full-length suit)
Snorkelling demonstrations, instruction and in-water assistance
Flotation devices such as noodles, jackets and life rings
MOUA and mooring fees
Environmental Management Charges

Not included

Snorkel guide
Accommodation pick-up
Discover scuba dive (optional upgrade)
Tips

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

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

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

How we collect and publish reviews

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.

(5/5)

My wife and I, complete beginners, did the snorkelling day with an introductory scuba dive. Perrine patiently explained everything on the way out to the underwater art at John Brewer Reef, and after a fantastic snorkel she took us down to the sculptures. We felt safe the whole time, and Daniel ran the day with real enthusiasm and good humour.

Pottwal Hannibal Verified· Travelled 9th October 2026

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(5/5)

A fantastic snorkel trip to the Museum of Underwater Art, with healthy, colourful coral, fish everywhere and great visibility. We even had whales come right up to the boat when the engine was cut.

Tory Loudon Verified· Travelled 13th August 2026

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(5/5)

A really nice snorkelling day to the reef and the Museum of Underwater Art. We saw lots of cool animals and the crew were friendly and helpful.

Clarissa Dörflinger Verified· Travelled 12th February 2026

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