Prices include:

• Guided snorkel tour with a qualified marine biologist
• Reef ecology presentation to enhance your experience
• Tuition and use of high quality snorkeling gear
• Lunch, morning and afternoon tea
• Return transfer within Port Douglas
• Flotation noodles and lycra suits
• EMC (Environmental Management Charge)

Welcome Aboard
Your day with Wave begins with a courtesy coach transfer from your accommodation to Wave private Jetty. On boarding at 8.15am a cup of invigorating tea or coffee awaits. Our crew will then introduce the itinerary for the day and provide a brief introduction to the reef and a few hints on how to get the most out of your day.

The Journey
Wave then departs on the 90-minute trip to the edge of the continental shelf, passing Low Isles en route. On the way we often encounter dolphins, whales and manta rays. The journey is a good opportunity for our crew to get to know you and answer any questions you have about the day.A visit to the Great Barrier Reef can be a once in a lifetime experience so you want to make every moment count.Whether you are a novice or an experienced free-diver we provide the Great Barrier Reef sites, the time and expert advice that allow you to truly experience the world’s most diverse eco-system up close and personal. 90% of the Great Barrier Reef diversity occurs in the top 4 meters of water so snorkeling is the most enjoyable and relaxed way of immersing yourself in this environment.

Let’s Snorkel
On arrival at our first site the crew take time to fit everyone out with high quality gear, share some tips on snorkeling and give special attention to first timers. Once in the water guests are free to explore the wonders of the reef alone or join our guided tour.

Second Site
After morning tea and some time to reflect on the beauty of nature we move along to another one of our many sites, chosen to suit the conditions on the day. Here, with all passengers having mastered their new snorkeling skills, we conduct a guided snorkel tour. This allows our marine biologists to help snorkellers discover aspects of the new site that might otherwise be missed, and to point out the multitude of life forms found under water. On a guided snorkel tour it is possible to pick up and touch many different creatures and plants, meet schools of large fish or even turtles, and drift over colourful giant clam gardens.

Participate in Research
Snorkellers may even participate in our research and monitoring program, which we conduct as our commitment to sustainable management of the reef. With over 1500 fish and 400 coral species to see, only the thought of a delicious deli-style lunch entices our guests out of the water.

A Gourmet Lunch
Lunch aboard Wave can be both a relaxed or interactive affair. The open and expansive rear deck allow passengers to mingle with other guests and crew, while those wanting some quiet time can find a private spot on Wave bow. The delicious deli-style lunch includes a range of salads, chicken, beef, ham and rolls. Also available onboard are water, soft drinks, cordial, coffee and tea. Wave can also cater for different dietary requirements.Our award winning caterers can provide delicious meals for vegetarians, as well as those who are gluten intolerant.

Third Site
Once everyone’s appetites have been satisfied and all questions answered we head to our final site of the day, where, with a better understanding of the reef, guests are free to adventure further alone, exploring endless nooks and crannies.

Cruising
Following afternoon tea we head back with the wonderful view of the sun dropping towards the rainforest clad mountains. Wave arrives back in Port is approximately 4.30pm.
 

Wave is a 56 foot (18 metre) monohull custom designed for snorkeling on the Outer Great Barrier Reef.

The large carpeted aft deck area allows for ease of movement around the boat and when gearing up for snorkeling. The aft deck area has full overhead sun protection, with plastic side curtains for wind and spray protection when needed. A huge rear-duckboard is perfect for ease of access to the water particular for beginners and children who are testing their new discovered snorkeling abilities.

With a survey to carry 30 passengers and 3 crew there is always plenty of space on board. The forward cabin has navigation equipment, galley, library, toilet, shower facilities and dry storage. The top fly-bridge deck, where the skipper pilots the vessel also has passenger seating with some open areas for sun worshippers. On calm days the foredeck is a fantastic spot to soak up the sun.

Wave is powered by a reliable, 1000 horsepower V12 MAN diesel engine giving us a fast cruising speed adding to shorter travel times. The hull was originally designed to work in 5 metre seas in the Indian Ocean , so are proven as seaworthy and sea-kindly even on those rough weather days.

What are the advantages of snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef with this operator?

SMALLEST GROUP OUTER REEF SNORKEL TOUR

*Small personalised snorkeling tour to the Great Barrier Reef with no more than 30 passengers. Other Great Barrier Reef tour operators take on average group sizes of 100 passengers to the reef on one boat, some of the larger boats take as many as 470 passengers. With this operator snorkeling tours you can be assured of excellent customer care and service.

*Snorkel only operation.The operator snorkel tours select all their sites based on the specific needs of snorkellers. They will take you to exclusive reef sites chosen specifically to suit the needs of snorkellers and local weather conditions on the reef. On windy days The operator takes our snorkellers to protected shallow lagoon sites on the Great Barrier Reef to maximize comfort and ease of snorkeling. Other dive/snorkel operators tend to favour divers more on their Great Barrier Reef tours as the divers spend more money than snorkellers. Most of the time on these other dive/snorkel boats, snorkellers have to wait until all the divers are in the water before they can get in. Diver sites are much deeper and as such do not suit the needs of snorkellers. Our sites are pristine.

*Marine Biologists. The operator employs marine biologists as crew in order to offer a high level of interpretation of the Great Barrier Reef; as we believe this will enhance our guests experience and appreciation of this remarkable World Heritage listed wonder. Our snorkeling marine biologists will take our passengers on a guided tour, explaining the many interesting intricacies of the Great Barrier Reef marine life and location.

*More exclusive use moorings on the Great Barrier Reef than any other local tour operator selected exclusively for the needs and requirements of snorkellers. Our sites are not crowded with other snorkellers and boats. As one of the longest established local Great Barrier Reef tour operators, we has the best selection of outer reef sites available for snorkeling. As we have never taken scuba divers to our sites; our corals do not have any diver-associated damage. In addition we have sites that are suitable for snorkeling and that offer shelter and protection from the wind- no matter which direction the wind comes from.

*True Outer Great Barrier Reef sites. The operator takes passengers to the outer reefs. Sheltered in behind the Outer Reef you will snorkel pristine gardens of delicate branching corals, enjoying spectacular visibility of the clear waters of the Coral Sea. Our preferred reef is Opal reef, a remarkably diverse and spectacular outer reef that has been classified as Low Impact reef site by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Larger reef tour operators are not permitted to visit this site with large numbers of passengers.

* Single Motor Vessel. Wave is a monohull and only has one motor, unlike a catamaran. One motor means half the fuel and half the pollution.

Long term established Port Douglas tour operator. With more than 25 years local experience, you can be assured that the operator is a reputable and specialist Great Barrier Reef tour operator. If we are still here after more than 25 years then we must be doing everything RIGHT!

The operator is one of Port Douglas’ original Great Barrier Reef tour operators and is an Australian family owned and operated business.It is one of the Great Barrier Reef tour companies in the area to have been awarded Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation by the ECOTOURISM ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA.

Our focus is on providing information and education in a relaxed informal manner. It is our belief that this is the most effective way to ensure long term survival of this World Heritage gem. It is for this reason that you will always find a qualified marine biologist on every Wave Great Barrier Outer Reef Tour. Our marine guides & qualified marine biologists will guide you through this massive living organism through on-board educational presentations, reef ecology discussions and guided snorkeling tours. You will always find a qualified marine biologist aboard Wave..sometimes even two of them!
 

Terms of booking on this website

Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or a supplier's error. In such a case, if you book with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.

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