Best Snorkelling Trips for Cruise Passengers — Our Top 12

1.Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · from $243Our pick

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard a 33-passenger catamaran. Snorkel in a sheltered lagoon, join a marine biologist, walk to the 1878 lighthouse, and view coral from the EV Discovery glass-bottom boat. Lunch, equipment, tea, and reef fees are included.

“Amazing snorkelling experience with great crew who we're enthusiastic and helpful. So tranquil sailing there. A must do to see an awesome undersea world. Buffet was sumptuous and plentiful. The sail back was exciting as we had a swell.”

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2.Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 390 reviews · from $175

Join Calypso Reef Charters from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina for a four-hour trip to the Low Isles. Snorkel with turtles and reef fish, join a glass-bottom boat ride, or explore the island. Crew members such as Kate, Roman, Taylor, and Darcy have helped nervous beginners feel at ease.

“Half day low Isle is perfect for us. Staffs are very professional and helpful. Activities are very good.”

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3.Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas at 12:30 pm on an adults-only catamaran to Low Isles. Snorkel with a marine biologist, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or relax ashore before afternoon tea and a sunset return. The small 33-person group and helpful crew make this a relaxed half-day reef trip.

“From start to finish this Sailaway tour was fantastic. They are very environmentally conscious which is great. . The staff were friendly and gave us all the safety information before we ventured out on the cruise. A lovely light lunch and afternoRead more”

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4.Speed Boat & Snorkeling Tour Pinel & Tintamarre Islands for CRUISE SHIP GUESTS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · from $139

Join Captain Flint Boat Charters for a six-hour small-group speedboat trip from Philipsburg. You’ll snorkel with turtles at Tintamarre, see fish at Creole Rock, eat lunch on Pinel Island, cruise past French and Dutch St Maarten, and watch planes land near Maho Beach.

“This was by far the best trip on our entire cruise. The boat rider around the entire island stopping at several locations to snorkel was perfect. We were able to see turtles, tropical fish, and stop at a delicious restaurant for lunch. Our tour guides were excellent and made the day super fun. Junior was an excellent boat driver and navigated the waves perfectly. I would recommend this trip to anyone who goes to visit Saint Martin.”

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5.Poseidon Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $225

From Port Douglas, Poseidon carries you to three Agincourt Reef sites for guided snorkeling, introductory scuba, or certified scuba. Expect reef talks, marine guides such as Hayley, provided suits and gear, buffet lunch, and around eight hours on the water. Currents and seasickness can be factors.

“I had a great trip with my 11 year old daughter. The snorkeling with Hayley the marine biologist was the highlight.”

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6.Snorkeling and Speed Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · from $129

Join Captain Flint Boat Charters for a six-hour speedboat day around Dutch and French St Maarten. You may snorkel at Creole Rock, swim near Tintamarre’s turtles, relax at Pinel, eat in Grand Case, and watch planes at Maho Beach. Captains such as Nick, Anthony, and Miguel have earned praise for friendly, informative service.

“Very recommended tour. The captain of the speed boat was the best we could have!”

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7.Puerto Plata Shore Excursion, Snorkeling tour & Sosua Beach Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $65

Travel from Amber Cove or Taino Bay to Sosua Bay for two guided snorkeling stops, then relax on a 1-kilometer beach. Eric Tours provides gear, an inflatable vest, chairs, port or hotel pickup, and free GoPro photos.

“The process was safe, relaxed, and enjoyable! The whole team did a great job. Had fun snorkeling, jumping off the boat into the water, and great time on the beach!”

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8.Princeville – Snorkeling Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $123

Meet at Anahola Marketplace at 8:00 am for a private, self-guided Kauai snorkeling outing. You’ll learn to use a sea scooter, collect your mask and fins, and receive a map with advice on spots such as Anini and Tunnels Beach. Kelly may also arrange resort gear delivery in Princeville.

“Kelly was great, she lent us her equipment and gave us detailed instructions about parking and what to expect at each of the beaches. We had a lot of fun snorkeling in Anini Beach and Tunnels Beach! The sea scooters were so fun and made gRead more”

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9.Full Day Dhow Cruise to Khor Sham with lunch & Snorkeling (Shore excursions)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · from $50Best value

Set out from Khasab at 9:30 am on a traditionally decorated Omani dhow. Cruise Khor Sham’s mountain-lined fjord, watch for dolphins, stop at Telegraph and Seebi islands, and swim or snorkel with provided gear. Lunch, fruit, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water are included.

“Très sympa Très attentionnés Problème de communication si pas anglophones ...”

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10.Shore Excursion Premium Family Snorkeling Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $69

Travel by land from Santa Cruz port to Playa La Entrega for a relaxed, family-friendly snorkeling session among fish, coral, rocks, and shallow caves. Guides such as Mario have helped guests with safety, local details, and underwater photos. Snorkeling gear is listed as included, but confirm any rental charge before booking.

“The tour company and guide were informative, prompt and helpful. However, sadly, the coral reef at Entrega Bay is nearly dead due to over-tourism, chemicals and warming. We would recommend the same tour company but go to the national park instead if you want to snorkel and actually see beautiful fish. Just don’t wear sunscreen either chemicals in it!!”

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11.El Cielo and Snorkeling for Cruise Ship Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet at El Cid La Ceiba at 10:30 am for a four-hour boat trip around Cozumel’s best-known reef areas. Snorkel with provided gear at Palancar and El Cielo, look for starfish, and relax at El Cielito with fruit, ceviche, beer, soda, and water. Arturo’s team has earned praise for warm service.

“The marine park is very beautiful and the three snorkelling stops are definitely worth the cost of the ticket. Unfortunately, the captain of our boat is above all the guy who was the snorkelling guide in the water has never given explanations in English: always only in Spanish. So not only did we not understand anything about what we had to observe and what we would see in the various snorkelling stops but, above all, not even the safety instructions and what to do in case of emergency. Unfortunately despite having asked several times to repeat the information also in English they never do so perhaps because we were are…”

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12.Spirit of the River and Snorkeling Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $75

Start with an hour of snorkeling at Playa La Entrega, then head to Playa La Bocana for a peaceful river float and optional mud bath. Guides such as Nester and Eman Maxi provide English, French, or Spanish commentary. Bring towels, swimwear, cash, and shoes for uneven ground.

“Our first tour guide, Eman Maxi, took us snorkeling in a beautiful spot. He got us our equipment and showed us some of the best places including a small cave. He was informative about the city. It was great! Rafting was good but the river was too low. We had to walk some of it, but our guide made it fun and we even swam some of the deeper areas. It was a good tour. Be sure to take towels when you go.”

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