Local operator · Fly Point, Nelson Bay
A guided one-hour snorkel from the shore at Fly Point in Nelson Bay, a marine sanctuary where fishing has been banned since 1983. Pick it if you have never snorkelled: easy entry, one guide for every six people and the wetsuit is included.
Fly Point was declared an aquatic reserve in 1983 and became part of the Fly Point - Corrie Island sanctuary zone of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park in 2007 (NSW DPI). Forty-odd years without fishing shows: NSW DPI says the protection has let fish and other sea life thrive, and calls Fly Point the safest place to snorkel in Port Stephens. Under the surface are sponge gardens and kelp-covered reef.
The tour meets at 4 Victoria Parade in Nelson Bay. You get fitted with a mask, snorkel, fins and a 3 mm or 5 mm wetsuit, sit through a 15-minute safety briefing, then spend about 45 minutes in the water with your guide. The ratio is one guide to six, and the pace follows the slowest swimmer, so nervous first-timers do fine. Blue gropers, rays, octopus, wobbegong sharks and turtles all turn up; a seahorse is a good day.
Know the limits before you book. The listing rules out children under 5, wheelchair users and anyone with recent surgery. Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Fishing and touching marine life are not allowed, which is the sanctuary rule too. The listing is new, with five reviews so far, all five stars.
Meet your guide at the Fly Point dive site in Nelson Bay. Arrive in swimwear with a towel and sunscreen.
Fitting for mask, snorkel, fins and a 3 mm or 5 mm wetsuit, then a short talk on breathing through the snorkel, signals and the sanctuary rules.
No boat: you walk in from the beach. The first minutes are for getting comfortable with your face in the water, at your own pace.
Your guide leads you over the sponge gardens and kelp reef and points out gropers, rays, nudibranchs and whatever else is home that day.
Out of the water, out of the wetsuit, and a towel. Bring a warm layer for afterwards outside midsummer.
★★★★★Amazing snorkeling experience in Port Stephens! We saw even more marine life than at the Great Barrier Reef! Rob was fantastic! Friendly, patient, and knowledgeable, explaining everything we saw. [...] Highly recommend!
★★★★★It was genuinely amazing, it was our first time snorkeling and they were so patient, I really suggest anyone who is terrified of doing this but still wants to, that they do it with this couple. They helped me and my family get over our fears without any judgment towards us.
★★★★★The two instructors provided very careful guidance and took good care of us. I never thought I could see sea turtles while snorkeling from the shore. Amazing.
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Yes. Entry is from the shore, the guide ratio is one to six and the pace is set for the group. NSW DPI calls Fly Point the safest place to snorkel in Port Stephens.
Sponge gardens and kelp reef with blue gropers, rays, octopus, nudibranchs, wobbegong sharks and schools of fish. Turtles and seahorses turn up on some days.
No. Fly Point is part of the Fly Point - Corrie Island sanctuary zone, where fishing, spearfishing and collecting are banned. Diving, snorkelling and guided tours are allowed.
Children under 5 cannot join. The listing also rules out wheelchair users and people who have had recent surgery.
Ready to book
A guided shore snorkel in the Fly Point marine sanctuary, one guide per six, mask, fins and wetsuit included.
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