Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Trips in Australia: the 11 Worth Booking

1.Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,039 reviews · 1 day · from $152Our pick

Spend a full day aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin, a purpose-built catamaran from Brisbane to Moreton Island. You’ll snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide, watch for dolphins, turtles, and dugongs, eat a tropical buffet with prawns, and enjoy beach time, fish feeding, and paddleboarding.

“Such a great day. Snorkeling is beautiful. Our guide, Brooke, was awesome. Just make sure you know how to swim ;)”

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2.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise & Lunch – Brisbane

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 327 reviews · from $192

Join See Moreton from Brisbane for an all-day cruise to Mulgumpin, formerly Moreton Island. You’ll snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide, enjoy a buffet lunch with local prawns, watch for dolphins and dugongs, and have beach time for swimming or paddleboarding.

“Not enough time snorkeling. Snorkels were not very clean ( black moldy spots in snorkel tubes). Staff was very helpful.”

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3.Kangaroo Island – Swim with Dolphins/Seals/Coastal Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 261 reviews · from $139

From Penneshaw, you’ll board a small-group boat to search for dolphins and long-nosed seals along Kangaroo Island’s coast. Your guide supplies a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, and sunscreen. The animals are wild, so you may swim, watch from the boat, or snorkel the coast depending on conditions.

“The staff was great and it ended up being a lot of fun. We saw both seals and dolphins, we couldn’t swim with the dolphins because they were hunting but it was still a great experience”

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4.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Snorkeling Tour & Dolphin Feeding

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 216 reviews · 1 day · from $172

Travel 75 minutes from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort, snorkel the wrecks with a guide such as Charlotte or James, enjoy lunch and resort facilities, then join the sunset wild dolphin feeding experience. Allow a long day, with return times changing by season.

“Really enjoyed the day on Moreton Island. The snorkelling team were so helpful and encouraging even when I freaked out initially in the water (not the strongest swimmer). Dolphin feeding was amazing, so lovely to see them up close.”

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5.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise & Lunch – Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · from $214

Sail from Brisbane to Moreton Island, with Gold Coast hotel pickup available, then snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide, enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, free island time, fish feeding, and stand-up paddleboarding. Equipment, morning tea, coffee, and cake are included.

“The weather is bad and the water feels cold. What‘s more ,me and my friend both forgot to bring the towel. But we still feel the trip is not that’s bad. Thanks to every staff on the ship, especially our operator. I don’t know how to swim and they helped me a lot. It’s must be wonderful if it is sunny day!”

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6.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Snorkelling with Dolphin Viewing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 1 day · from $157

Cruise 75 minutes from Brisbane to Tangalooma, where a professional guide such as Lauren leads a wetsuit snorkel among the famous wrecks. Your $157 day includes lunch, resort facilities, a sunset cocktail, and wild dolphin viewing from the jetty before the evening ferry home.

“Para sailing with my daughters was fun. The smiley yellow parashutte and friendly staff were a great experience. The trip included a lounge access with coffee or tea and spacious seatings made trip comfortable. Cocktail at the bar coupon was a nice one, too.”

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7.Sorrento: Dolphins & Seals Snorkeling Cruise w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 52 reviews · 3 hours · from $148

Board Moonraker at Sorrento Pier for a three-hour Port Phillip Bay cruise. Your English-speaking snorkel guides provide a full-length wetsuit and gear, lead swims with Australian fur seals, search for wild dolphins, and serve lunch, snacks, hot drinks and water.

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8.2-Hour Dolphin Kayak & Snorkel Tour on the Broadwater

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · from $62Best value

Join Australian Kayaking Adventures for a two-hour paddle from Biggera Waters to Wavebreak Island. Your guide supplies the kayak, life jacket, and snorkel gear, teaches basic technique, and leads you to a beach swim with subtropical fish. Dolphins are seen about 80% of the time, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“staff were very friendly. Got to go in the water with the kayaks.Had a memorable trip.Got to paddle. Had a great time.By Kris”

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9.Dolphin and Seal snorkel adventure from Sorrento

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 20 reviews · from $150

From Sorrento Pier, Moonraker cruises Port Phillip Bay to Australian fur seal colonies and resident bottlenose dolphins. You receive snorkel gear, safety guidance, and morning tea or lunch. Small groups enter the water when conditions and animal behavior allow. Basic swimming ability is required.

“It was an extremely warm day ,sat it the heat for an extra 30 minutes due to a late arrival of ten people,missed the chance to swim with dolphins as way to much waiting and watching in the end so many people were so hot and bothereRead more”

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10.Queenscliff Harbour: 3.5hr Seal & Dolphin Snorkelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 11 reviews · 3h 30m · from $148

Start with calm-water snorkelling at Popes Eye, then swim near young Australian fur seals at Chinaman’s Hat while the crew searches for dolphins. You’ll get a 5mm wetsuit, equipment, snacks, hot showers, and rooftop views. Basic swimming skills are required.

“The staff were so competent, caring and helpful. They added a great deal to the afternoon. I was impressed. As well they had a lot of knowledge about the sea life, the weather and conditions. I would do the trip again with other family members.”

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11.3 Island Wildlife Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $142

Join a small boat tour from Shoalwater for 3.5 hours of snorkeling around the islands. Your crew helps with gear and basic technique while you look for fish, Australian sea lions, dolphins, pelicans, and birds of prey. Lunch, scenic upper-deck views, and complimentary photos are included.

“This was a really fantastic, fun experience, and the marine life in and around the islands is amazing. The guides were knowledgeable, and did everything in their power to ensure that the tour was a success, and that everyone had a chance to see as much as possible.”

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