Snorkeling with the Turtles - Cook Island

Snorkeling with the Turtles - Cook Island
From AUD $119.00
  • Duration: 160 Minutes (approx.)
  • Location: Tweed Heads , NSW
  • Product code: PUMXLX

Dive into one of Australia's most extraordinary wildlife encounters  snorkelling with wild sea turtles at Cook Island Marine Reserve, just 15 minutes by fast boat from Tweed Heads. 

Cook Island is a protected 78-hectare Aquatic Reserve sitting 600 metres off Fingal Head, NSW. Its restricted access has kept the reef pristine and the marine life abundant for decades making it one of the best snorkelling destinations on the entire east coast of Australia. Resident Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles call this reef home year-round, and on the vast majority of our tours guests encounter multiple turtles in a single session. 


 WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR TOUR 

Your adventure begins at our departure point in Tweed Heads, where you'll meet your guide and receive a full safety briefing and Turtle Code of Conduct  our respectful approach to interacting with marine wildlife that makes the experience better for you and better for the turtles.From there it's a smooth, scenic 15-minute ride aboard our purpose-built fast boat to Cook Island. Once anchored, you'll slip into the crystal-clear subtropical water and begin your guided snorkel through one of Australia's most biodiverse marine environments. 


WHAT YOU'LL SEE 

Cook Island is home to an incredible range of marine life. On a single tour you may encounter: - 

  • Green, Hawksbill & Loggerhead sea turtles calm, curious and completely at ease with respectful snorkelers 
  • Leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom 
  • Wobbegong sharks tucked into rocky ledges 
  • Tropical reef fish including parrotfish, surgeonfish, grouper and pufferfish 
  • Moray eels, cuttlefish, octopus and nudibranchs 
  • Manta rays gliding across the reef 
  • Humpback whales (seasonal, June to November) Want to see the full list of marine life you might encounter? 

Visit our complete marine guide: https://www.snorkelwiththeturtles.com/what-you-will-see


 SMALL GROUPS — BIG EXPERIENCE 

We keep our groups deliberately small | a maximum of 8–9 guests per tour. This means you get personal attention from your guide, more space in the water, and a genuinely intimate wildlife experience rather than a crowded boat trip. Our guides have over 25 years of experience at Cook Island and know the reef and many of its resident turtles personally. 


 PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS 

You don't need any previous snorkelling experience to join us. Our friendly, patient guides will have you comfortable and confident in the water before you know it. Snorkel gear is available to hire, and flotation devices are available for all guests who need them. Not sure what to expect on your first time? Read our complete guide to snorkelling at Cook Island — everything you need to know about what to bring, what to wear, and how to make the most of your time in the water:

https://www.snorkelwiththeturtles.com/a-guide-to-snorkeling-cook-island 


TOURISM THAT GIVES BACK 

Every tour you book directly supports marine conservation at Cook Island. We partner with Green Heroes to actively monitor sea turtle populations, conduct reef health assessments, and run ocean education programs for schools and communities:https://www.snorkelwiththeturtles.com/conservation 


⏱ TOUR DETAILS 

Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours (160 minutes) 

Departure: Tweed Heads, NSW Group size: 

Maximum 8–9 guests 

Suitable for: All ages and abilities — beginners very welcome 

From: AUD $119 per person 


WANT TO KNOW MORE BEFORE YOU BOOK? 

Visit our main tour page for full details, photos and guest reviews: 

https://www.snorkelwiththeturtles.com/snorkel-with-turtles

Have a question? Get in touch with us directly: 

https://www.snorkelwiththeturtles.com/contact 


BOOKING FOR A GROUP? 

We offer fully private charters for hens nights, bucks days, birthday parties, corporate team building and school groups. Get in touch to tailor an experience for your crew: 

https://www.snorkelwiththeturtles.com/charter 

Swimming with wild sea turtles in their natural habitat is a bucket-list experience that stays with you long after you've dried off. We can't wait to take you out there.