Ultimate Summer Snorkelling Adventures

Perth & Shoalwater Islands Marine Park - Shared Tour

Day 1: Perth. On arrival in Perth, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your downtown accommodation. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 2: Shoalwater Islands Marine Park 3 Islands Snorkel. Embark on an unforgettable wildlife snorkelling expedition in the stunning Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, visiting top snorkelling spots around Penguin, Seal, and Bird Islands. Your adventure begins aboard the Sealion Express, a multi-level cruise vessel designed for comfort with room for up to 24 passengers. The eco-friendly boat features low engine noise and minimal vibration for a serene experience.

Equipped with wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and flotation devices, you'll explore the Marine Park's rugged limestone coastlines, reefs, and seagrass meadows, home to Smooth Stingrays, Southern Eagle Rays, Western Rock Octopuses, Pink Snapper, and Banded Sweep. The highlight of your trip is interacting with the world's rarest sea lions, known for their playful and curious nature. In addition to swimming with these marine mammals, you might also encounter wild Bottlenose Dolphins and seabirds like cormorants, Australian Pelicans, Terns, and Ospreys.

The adventure concludes with a VIP gourmet luncheon featuring a seafood grazing platter tailored to your preferences, served upon returning to Mersey Point.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 3: Dolphin Swim. Your journey begins in Rockingham aboard the luxury Apollo 3, where the crew will outfit you with a wetsuit, mask, and snorkel. After an introductory briefing, you'll cruise through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, home to around 200 Bottlenose Dolphins that have developed trust with the Perth Wildlife Encounters team. It usually takes 20-60 minutes to locate the dolphins.

Onboard snorkelling lessons will prepare you for the experience. Once dolphins are spotted, you'll head to the swim deck, don your gear, and enter the water in small groups of up to seven people, each led by a guide using an aqua scooter. The vessel features a large rear swimming platform with easy access.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Eyre Peninsula - Shared Tour

Day 4: Adelaide. On arrival in Adelaide, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your downtown accommodation. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 5: Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay. After a morning flight to Port Lincoln, you will be greeted by your personal Australian Coastal Safaris guide for a short drive through scenic Sugar Gums and agricultural land to Big Swamp. This wetland, comprised of three seasonal freshwater lakes, is the last true freshwater wetland on the Eyre Peninsula, surrounded by an ancient Red Gum forest. You can observe a variety of bird species from a dedicated bird hide.

Next, explore stunning Coffin Bay, known for its world-famous oysters and diverse flora and fauna. You join a local oyster farmer on a cruise to The Brothers islands, home to seabirds, seals, and dolphins. Learn about oyster farming, shuck your own oysters, and enjoy a tasting. After a gourmet seafood lunch, continue to Coffin Bay National Park, where you may spot some of the 150 bird species, 11 terrestrial mammals, and various marine life. The park is a crucial breeding refuge for species like the White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Osprey, and Australian Sea-lion.

Accommodation: Port Lincoln Hotel

Eyre Peninsula - Shared Tour

Day 6: Baird Bay. Depart Port Lincoln for the enchanting destination of Baird Bay, located in the northwest region of the Eyre Peninsula. Along the way, your guide will stop at secret spots offering stunning coastal views, including Elliston and Venus Bay.

The day's highlight is a short boat ride aboard the 14-seater 'Neo-phocus' to Jones Island, where you will swim with Australian Sea-lions. The island hosts over 120 sea lions and various native birds, including White-faced Herons and Australian Pelicans. You'll experience the playful and agile sea lions up close, an encounter often rated among the top 10 things to do in Australia. Afterwards, the boat ventures into deeper waters for a swim with resident Bottlenose dolphins, where you can hear their high-pitched chatter. After lunch on the Baird Bay beach, you visit the Talia caves, with their etched limestone roof and stunning ocean views. Finally, you enjoy breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the rugged cliffs of the Great Australian Bight from Cummings Monument.

Accommodation: Port Lincoln Hotel

Day 7: Port Lincoln National Park. Your day begins with a morning visit to the coastal hamlet of Tulka, where you can observe waders, Black Swans, and seabirds from a Bird Hide. This area is also known for sightings of Southern Emu Wrens near a historic well dug by Captain Matthew Flinders in 1802. Next, explore the diverse Lincoln National Park, where rugged cliffs offer views of Ospreys, White-bellied Sea-Eagles, and other raptors. In beautiful Memory Cove, you'll encounter various bird species, including Honeyeaters and Blue-breasted Wrens. You can choose to walk along Surfleet Cove or hike to the Stamford Hill Lookout for breathtaking views of Boston Bay and Port Lincoln.

Wildlife sightings include Australian Sea-lions, Long-nosed Fur Seals, dolphins, kangaroos and Emus. In the afternoon, you visit Mikkira Station, home to wild Koalas and kangaroos. As the day ends, relax with a platter of local produce and wine, soaking in the sounds of nature.

Accommodation: Port Lincoln Hotel

Daintree National Park

Day 8: Cairns. Fly from Port Lincoln to Cairns with the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 9: Daintree National Park. Depart Cairns around midday, heading north to the ancient Daintree Rainforest, a 180-million-year-old ecosystem spanning 120,000 hectares and home to Australia's highest diversity of rainforest mammals. The journey offers breathtaking views along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, one of Australia's most scenic coastal highways. Upon arriving at Daintree National Park, you'll enjoy afternoon tea before embarking on a serene Daintree River Wildlife Cruise aboard a solar-powered vessel. This eco-friendly cruise provides opportunities to spot Saltwater Crocodiles and many of the region's 420 bird species, including kingfishers, cormorants, and Brahminy Kites.

Continuing to Cape Tribulation, you'll explore a rare location where the rainforest meets the sea, guided by an expert wildlife guide. The evening includes a memorable dining experience in the rainforest, followed by a night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife. Your guide will share insights on the 3,000 plant species and various crepuscular and nocturnal animals, such as the Daintree River Ringtail Possum and Northern Long-nosed Bandicoot, enhancing your unique experience of the Wet Tropics. Arrive back in Cairns at 10:30 pm.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Frankland Islands National Park - Shared Tour

Day 10: Frankland Islands National Park & Great Barrier Reef. Your tropical island adventure begins with an air-conditioned coach pickup from Cairns, heading south through the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest and vast sugar cane fields. You'll pass Walsh's Pyramid, the tallest natural freestanding pyramid in the world, before arriving at Deeral, just 45 minutes from Cairns.

From Deeral, board the Turtle Islander vessel for a peaceful 30-minute cruise along the Mulgrave River, surrounded by lush rainforest and mangroves teeming with birdlife, including kingfishers, ibis, and spoonbills, as well as Saltwater Crocodiles. The boat then ventures into the traditional sea country of the Mandingalby Yidinji and Gungandji peoples, reaching Normanby Island, just 10 kilometres offshore.

Here, you'll explore sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant fringing reefs, perfect for snorkelling to see colourful corals, tropical fish and turtles, with an expert crew and marine biologist on hand. With limited tour numbers, you can enjoy a range of activities, including guided snorkel experiences, kayaking, a semi-submersible ride, paddle boarding, and a guided island walk with a marine biologist.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*