Snorkeling and Diving
Camira. The purple catamaran Camira offers sociable day cruises to Whitehaven Beach that include time to swim and sunbathe, a stop to snorkel off Hook Island on the way back, a big barbecue lunch, and all beverages (including beer and wine from 11 am). The boat picks guests up and drops them off at Daydream Island Jetty. Daydream Island, Queensland, 4802. 07/4948–8477; 07/4946–7000; www.cruisewhitsundays.com/camira.aspx. From A$199 per person.
Cruise Whitsundays. This reliable local operator runs day-long snorkel and dive cruises to Knuckle Reef Lagoon, a large, activities-laden pontoon that floats in the balmy, translucent waters of the outer Great Barrier Reef. The popular reef-snorkel cruise includes a big buffet lunch, snorkeling gear and guidance, and plenty of time to take advantage of the excellent pontoon facilities, from massages and reef talks to semisubmersible boat rides, scenic heli-flights, and Queensland's largest underwater viewing chamber. Keen to get your feet wet? Take a guided or self-guided snorkeling tour in the sheltered lagoon, or go scuba diving for an extra fee to see several marine species, including large pelagic fish. Pickups from Daydream Island Resort Jetty, Daydream Island, Queensland, 4802. 07/4948–8477; 07/4946–7000; www.daydreamisland.com; www.cruisewhitsundays.com. From A$235.
Ocean Rafting. Long-established Ocean Rafting has access permits to visit protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, exclusive direct access to iconic Hill Inlet beach, and top reef sites off uninhabited Hook and Border islands, where you can snorkel in spectacular subtropical environs. The "rafts"—11-meter-long former rescue crafts with undercover seating, powered by 500-horsepower engines, and crewed by a skipper and eco-guide—carry a maximum 28 people, so you're never snorkeling in a crowd. Choose from two tours: the Northern Exposure, with more time to snorkel, and the Southern Lights, with more beach time. Pickups from Daydream Island Jetty, Daydream Island, Queensland, 4802. 07/4948–8477; 07/4946–6848; www.oceanrafting.com.au. From A$139 per person.
