Half Day Snorkel & Coral Viewing Tour

Duration: 3 Hours
Departs: 1:30 pm

This half-day tour caters to small guest numbers and includes two snorkelling sites, informative reef commentary and a light refreshment. Guests can enjoy two spacious deck areas, offering extra time and comfort on board.

The Sub Sea Explorer is a custom-built semi-submersible vessel that provides a unique perspective of the underwater architecture and marine life from below the waterline. It is the only semi-submersible catamaran operating in Western Australia and cruises within the Tantabiddi Sanctuary Zone on the spectacular Ningaloo Reef.

The vessel comfortably carries 20–30 passengers plus two crew members and can be chartered for larger groups, including weddings, corporate functions, birthday celebrations and special events.

The Ningaloo Reef is iconic and world-class, renowned for its vibrant corals, diverse fish fauna and abundant marine life. A journey aboard the Sub Sea Explorer is both educational and engaging, offering families a fascinating insight into the underwater ecology of the Coral Coast.

Guests are taken on an unforgettable journey across the Ningaloo Reef without getting their feet wet. The experience includes learning about historic shipwrecks, maritime history and the influence of the Leeuwin Current on local flora and fauna. A wide variety of fish species can be observed, with trained staff available to assist with identification.

Sub Sea Explorer offers walk-on, walk-off access from the Tantabiddi Jetty, meaning guests remain dry throughout the experience. After departure and once guests are comfortably seated in the lower deck, crew members begin an engaging and informative reef commentary. The coral gardens of the Tantabiddi Sanctuary Area are reached within approximately 5–10 minutes. A crew member remains with guests throughout the tour and welcomes any questions. Guests are invited to enjoy a truly immersive experience below sea level.

Tour summary

Guests walk on and off directly from the Tantabiddi Jetty. Upon departure, an informative reef commentary begins as you cruise through the coral gardens en route to the snorkelling site. Snorkelling equipment is provided, with approximately 45 minutes to one hour allocated for snorkelling at a preferred site within the Tantabiddi Sanctuary Area.

Once all guests are back on board, the remaining time is spent exploring favourite bommies and, conditions permitting, searching for larger marine animals such as turtles and reef sharks before returning to the jetty. Welcome to a natural underwater aquarium.

Guests can snorkel the stunning coral gardens of Ningaloo Reef and then continue to enjoy uninterrupted reef views from the Sub Sea Explorer’s lower deck. Featuring 16 large vertical glass windows set below sea level, this iconic Western Australian vessel offers an unparalleled coral-viewing experience.

From the lower deck, guests can observe the world-renowned Ningaloo Reef through the underwater viewing windows while listening to an informative commentary delivered by friendly and knowledgeable crew members. Expect to see an abundance of corals and colourful fish, with the chance of encountering larger marine species along the way.

The custom-designed glass panels along the outer hulls of the catamaran are perfectly angled to immerse guests in the reef environment.

What to Bring

• Towel
• Water bottle
• GoPro or a camera
• Hat
• Swimwear
• Wetsuit (if required)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen