Port Douglas: Low Isles Snorkelling Half Day with Glass Bottom Boat

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration4h

GroupUp to 23

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Coral formations and tropical fish visible through the glass bottom boat tour

You snorkel the Low Isles coral gardens with or without a guide, take a guided walk around the island, and ride the glass-bottom boat to see the reef from below — all in four hours from Port Douglas with a max group of 23. Snorkelling gear, coffee, tea and snacks are included; pick morning or afternoon depending on your schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half day Low Isles snorkelling tour

Depart from Port Douglas
Snorkel in Low Isles lagoon
Join guided island walk
Take glass bottom boat tour
Return to Port Douglas

The Experience

The boat fills up faster than expected — you're standing on the dock thinking you've got time, and suddenly the crew is doing a headcount and you're shuffling aboard with maybe two minutes to spare. That's the thing about a 23-person maximum: it moves quick, no hanging around. Port Douglas to Low Isles is about 45 minutes across open water, and the boat's got a rhythm to it — you'll feel the swell, but nothing rough. Most people are already leaning over the rail by the time you're halfway there, spotting rays and the first hints of reef below.

The snorkelling happens in the lagoon itself, which stays shallow and sheltered even when the ocean outside is churning. You can go guided or solo — the crew points out where the coral gardens are thickest, but if you want to drift on your own, that works too. The water's warm enough that you don't need much, and all the gear's provided: mask, fins, snorkel. Spend maybe an hour in the water, come up, grab a coffee or tea from the galley, and catch your breath. Some people stay in longer. The crew doesn't rush you.

After the snorkel, there's a guided walk around the island itself — Low Isles is small, maybe twenty minutes on foot, and the guide talks about what grows there, what nests there, the history of it. Then you're back on the boat for the glass-bottom tour, which sounds gimmicky until you're actually sitting in it and watching fish move through the coral without getting wet. Kids usually love that part. The whole thing — snorkel, walk, glass-bottom boat — fits into four hours, morning or afternoon departure. Afternoon's quieter if you prefer fewer people in the water at once.

One thing to know: as of July 2024, the boat's cash-free, so bring a card or phone for any purchases on board. If you don't have electronic payment and want to buy something, ask the crew — they'll sort it. It's a small detail but worth knowing upfront so you're not caught off guard.

What’s included

Your half-day includes snorkelling equipment, a guided snorkel tour of the coral gardens, a guided walk around Low Isles, a glass-bottom boat tour, snacks, and complimentary coffee and tea.
All fees and taxes are covered.
The boat has a restroom on board.
Morning and afternoon departures both run 4 hours.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Calypso Reef Charters

Is this one for you?Right for snorkellers of any level who want to see the reef without arranging their own transport or gear — the 4-hour window and small group size mean you're back in Port Douglas by early afternoon or evening, depending on which departure you choose.