Snorkeling Rottnest Island from Fremantle: Caverns & Soft Corals

Limestone caverns and swim-throughs carved by Indian Ocean currents sit shallow enough to explore on snorkel.

Snorkel Rottnest Island's limestone caverns, soft corals and diverse fish life on a full-day boat trip departing Fremantle at 8am and returning by 3:30pm. The boat carries both snorkelers and scuba divers. Snorkelers are taken to sites suited to snorkel depth, with a tender available for the short hop to viewing spots. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea, all snorkeling gear, and the marine reserve admission fee are included. Children from age 10 are welcome.

The experience

Rottnest Island sits close enough to Fremantle that you board the 68-foot catamaran at 8am and spend most of your day in the water instead of traveling. The island itself is limestone: soft, porous rock that the Indian Ocean has carved into deep crevices, caverns and passages you can swim through on snorkel. The soft corals and fish diversity are what draw people back. The maze of caves is what makes the day feel like exploration instead of a standard reef visit.

Snorkelers board the same boat as the scuba divers but get taken to adjacent sites suited to snorkel depth, so you're not watching from the shallows while everyone else descends. A tender ferries you a short distance to the best viewing spots. You bring your own snorkel gear or use the equipment provided. The boat supplies everything. Lunch is catered (vegetarian and vegan options available with 24 hours notice), and tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits are endless throughout the day.

The day runs 8 hours total, with departure at 8am and return to Fremantle by approximately 3:30pm. The Rottnest Island marine reserve admission fee is built into the price. If you want to be dropped on the island itself after snorkeling, that's an optional add-on at checkout. Children from age 10 can join. Younger children sit on an adult's lap. The boat is accessible by public transport from central Fremantle.

What’s included

• All snorkeling gear.
• 2 boat snorkeling sessions at Rottnest Island.
• catered lunch with vegetarian and vegan options available on request.
• morning and afternoon tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits.
• Rottnest Island marine reserve admission fee.
• boat transport from Fremantle departing 8am.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (10 to 14 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Destiny Boat Charters

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want to explore caverns and passages on snorkel without the certification or air cylinder management of diving. The boat takes snorkelers to sites suited to snorkel depth, and a tender ferries you to the best viewing spots so you're not confined to one area.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (10 to 14 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the caverns and swim-throughs at Rottnest Island actually like to snorkel through?

The limestone composition creates deep crevices, caverns and passages carved by ocean currents: passages large enough to swim through on snorkel. The soft corals and fish life fill these spaces, so you're navigating a maze rather than following a single reef line.

Do snorkelers go to the same dive sites as the scuba divers, or different spots?

Snorkelers are taken to locations adjacent to the main dive sites, suited to snorkel depth so you can see clearly from the surface. A tender boat ferries you a short distance to these viewing spots, so you're not confined to one area.

What's included in the lunch and how much time do we spend eating?

Lunch is catered and included, with vegetarian and vegan options available if you give 24 hours notice. Morning and afternoon tea, coffee, hot chocolate, water and biscuits are also provided throughout the day, so food is not something you need to arrange.

What time does the boat leave Fremantle and when do we get back?

The boat departs Fremantle at 8am and returns by approximately 3:30pm, making it a full-day outing. The total time on the water and at the island is about 8 hours.

Is snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is provided on the boat, so you don't need to bring your own. If you prefer to use personal gear, you're welcome to bring it.