This tour only has groups of 12 people.

Our very special Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority permit allows us to roam the reefs with freedom. To get away from other tourists and crowded reef locations. 

We frequently change our locations, ensuring the wildlife acts naturally and does not begin shying away from busy Reef spots. We take just a handful of snorkelers each day. As a result, the surprise “big ticket” sightings are frequent and amazing.

Please see below from ABC Charters:

We understand that some of our guests may have concerns regarding their ability to partake in our tours, may this be because of an injury, or mobility, visual, auditory or sensory issues.

We warmly welcome every guest. When you book directly with us, we have the chance to understand any unique needs you may have and tailor the tour accordingly, whenever feasible.

However, due to our vessel’s design, there are some limitations which we would like to be transparent about. For instance

• Our vessel doesn’t offer gradual steps to enter or exit the water. Instead, there are ladders with a few rungs to get on board after snorkeling.
• There is free and accessible parking and ramped access to the wharf, but not to the vessel. Luckily, there is a more or less level entry through our back door.
• Our toilet is not wheelchair accessible.
• We offer floatation devices and will have a guide swimming with you, however, there will be other guests requiring attention too. If you are a non-swimmer you will need to contact us before booking.
• We do not have special aids to convey interpretation content to visual or auditory impaired guests.
• Assistance dogs? They’re our honored guests!
• We always have the option to book a private guide online. Guests receive one-on-one assistance for all their needs through the entire excursion, in particular in the water.

As we navigate the swells and winds, our journey can be exhilarating, potentially challenging for guests with injuries, visual, sensory or auditory impairments or those with mobility concerns, prams, or wheelchairs.

Safety first: if any of the above aspects resonate, please do reach out before booking to discuss your specific needs and concerns. We are here to assist in the best way possible to make sure the trip (including the weather to be expected) is safe and suitable for your needs.

The Great Barrier Reef is beautiful any time of year. However, the weather is very hard to predict, as it can be unseasonable at any time of year. Port Douglas is in the tropical part of Australia and has two main seasons: the ‘Wet Season’ November to April (water temperatures 28-32 degrees Celsius) and the ‘Dry Season’ May to October (water temperatures 22-25 degrees Celsius).

Visibility varies between 10 and 30m+ throughout the year. June, July and August is our whale season, which often adds the extra excitement of seeing whales on the way to the reef, or maybe even at our reef locations! October and November often provide us with the calmest seas. Many people look for sun when planning a reef trip, however, fish are not scared of clouds, or rain, but visibility is reduced with rough seas. We have access to a four-day weather forecast and will not run if we believe conditions to be too rough.

This really is more of an issue for beach dwellers than offshore reef visitors. However, in the summer months, we do provide lycra suits for protection. 

The stinger season in our region is approximately November to April, and there is a potential presence of jellyfish, particularly the Box Jellyfish and Irukandji. However, we have safety measures in place to ensure your well-being. Our snorkel tours provide you with stinger suits for protection, and our experienced guides are well-trained in dealing with such situations.

The advantage of boating with us during this season is that our boats are equipped to take you to the outer reef areas where the likelihood of encountering jellyfish is significantly lower compared to nearshore areas. We prioritize safety, and our team is well-prepared to provide you with a safe and enjoyable experience.

Yes, we usually only take children from 7 years old as 7 years of age tends to be the age that good quality equipment that we have on board fits.

With older ages a lot depends on your body weight and certain medical conditions, particularly heart disease, increase the risks of snorkelling. It is important to consider age and fitness levels when participating in snorkelling or diving activities.

No. This is not the ideal tour for you if you can’t swim or are not confident in open water.

If this is the case, we would suggest maybe one of the larger vessels that visits an Island or a Pontoon might be better. This is just for your peace of mind, comfort on the day and safety.

Please note age and fitness levels are critical. Older age, and some medical conditions, especially heart disease, increase the risks of snorkelling.

It’s possible. Responses to boat travel can vary greatly from person to person, and the conditions of each trip are unique. Some individuals experience seasickness even on perfectly calm days. If you tend to get motion sickness in cars or planes, you might be more susceptible to seasickness. Consider taking a travel sickness medication if you’re unsure, as a precautionary measure.

Abc Snorkel Charters has earned recognition through Ecotourism Australia’s premier ecotourism certification program. By choosing to journey with us, you’re endorsing a business with a solid dedication to sustainable practices and outstanding nature-based tourism offerings. Our certification underscores our dedication to:

• Safeguarding our natural surroundings
• Delivering top-tier education and interpretation to our guests
• Engaging and uplifting our local community
• Minimizing our carbon impact
• Defending our distinctive wildlife and at-risk species
• Making meaningful strides in conservation
• Preserving the rich traditions of Australian Indigenous cultures
• Ensuring a memorable and superior guest experience

Ecotourism Australia Certification programs have received approval from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).