Snorkeling at Clovelly Beach, Sydney: 90 minutes with a guide

Sydney's kelp forests hold 600 fish species, and a guide shows you the ones worth watching.

A 90-minute snorkeling tour at Clovelly Beach in Sydney led by a certified guide who navigates the kelp forests and reefs based on current marine activity, pointing out blue gropers, mado fish and other species while taking photos of you underwater. Equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and optional flotation aids) is provided. Basic swimming ability and the ability to swim 100 meters and float unaided for 60 minutes are required. The tour may move to Little Bay Beach if visibility is poor.

The experience

You arrive at Clovelly Beach and meet your guide, who fits you with a mask, snorkel and fins before heading into the water. The tour follows a route tailored to recent marine activity in the protected area, so what you see depends on what's moving through the kelp forests and reefs that day. Your guide points out the species as you encounter them (blue gropers, schools of mado fish in bright colors, wrasse and fluorescent snails), and handles the camera work, capturing photos of you and the underwater landscape to take home.

The 90-minute window is tight enough to fit into a free afternoon without eating the rest of your day, but long enough to move past the shallows and see what the deeper reefs hold. Clovelly is a protected area rich in biodiversity. Sydney's waters support around 600 fish species, and this spot concentrates them. If conditions or visibility shift, the guide may move the group to Little Bay Beach instead, so the experience adapts to what the water is doing on the day you go.

Flotation support and weight belts are available if you want them, and your guide manages the pace to keep everyone safe and comfortable. You'll need to be able to swim at least 100 meters and float unaided for 60 minutes. If you can't, the operator runs private tours designed for non-swimmers or weaker swimmers instead.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins and optional flotation aids.
• photos of you and the marine life spotted during the tour.
• a certified guide who points out species and manages the experience.
• weight belts for more adventurous snorkelers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 10:30 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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 effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sydney Snorkeling

Is this one for you?The 90-minute window fits a free afternoon without dominating it, leaving time for lunch or a walk along the coast before or after. Book this if you can swim 100 meters and float unaided for an hour. If you can't, the operator's private tours are built for non-swimmers instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 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 fish and marine life will I actually see at Clovelly Beach?

Blue gropers, schools of mado fish, wrasse and fluorescent snails are common sights. Clovelly is a protected area with around 600 fish species in Sydney's waters, so your guide will point out whatever is moving through the kelp forests and reefs on the day you snorkel.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

This group tour requires basic swimming ability and the ability to swim 100 meters and float unaided for 60 minutes. If you don't meet those requirements, the operator offers private tour experiences designed for non-swimmers or weaker swimmers instead.

What happens if the weather or visibility is poor on the day?

The tour may run at Little Bay Beach instead of Clovelly if conditions or visibility at Clovelly are poor. Your guide decides based on what the water is doing when you arrive.

How long is the snorkeling tour and what's included?

The tour runs 90 minutes and includes all snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and optional flotation aids) plus photos of you and the marine life you spot. Your certified guide leads the experience and points out the species as you encounter them.