TOP 10 Reasons to choose ABC Snorkel Charters

ABC Snorkel Charters are the highest rated Port Douglas snorkel operator on TripAdvisor. By restricting our daily passenger numbers to just 12 guests, we can provide a whole lot more of everything. From personal attention, to privacy, time in the water and outstanding customer service. Our tiny snorkel groups are far superior for observation and ensure a much more personal experience. ABC offers the highest staff to passenger ratio. Giving you the amazing chance to ask questions about what you are observing, pointing out the more unusual creatures that are generally missed by the untrained eye.

1SNORKEL ONLY

ABC is proud to get you to some awesome shallow and remote areas of the reef, perfect for snorkel only days.

2JUST 12 PASSENGERS

A maximum of 12 guests per boat, each day. This is less than any other Port Douglas, or Cairns, day boat operator.

3AMAZING REEF

ABC has the freedom to roam. Enjoy totally exploratory days, getting to parts of the reef that no one else gets to see.

4EPIC SNORKELLING

We take you to the best bits of the Great Barrier Reef, for amazing snorkelling. Colourful corals, beautiful fish.

5VOTED #1 REEF TRIP

Micro company ABC gets 5 star reviews and are voted the #1 reef trip in Port Douglas. Amazing, family friendly days!

6ECO CERTIFIED

At the very core of our operations, is to provide genuine small group reef tours, with low environmental impact.

7VERSATILE BOATS

Our reef boats have a shallow draft, giving us the freedom to access all reef systems off Port Douglas.

8FRIENDLY CREW

ABC offers the highest staff to passenger ratio. Our crew work hard to ensure your day, is a special part of your stay.

9FAMILY BUSINESS

We’ve been exploring the Port Douglas Outer Reefs for over 30 years. We know where to go and will take you there.

10NO CROWDS

An amazing personal experience. Take only photos, leave only bubbles. Maximum of 12 passengers.

Port Douglas Snorkelling & Great Barrier Reef Tours

ABC Snorkel Charters Port Douglas is visiting the reef, the way it should be done. Your group may be the only ones in the water and our boat the only one we see. This is your chance to be an explorer, uncovering an unvisited Great Barrier Reef snorkel site.

At ABC, we’re all about minimal impact operations and extremely low passenger numbers. In fact, we take less passengers than any other day boat from Port Douglas. We snorkel in pristine environments, offering you a rare thrill. This is not the standard experience of visitors to the Great Barrier Reef, but it should be!

The ABC Difference

We are not just a taxi ride to the Great Barrier Reef. Because we limit our passenger numbers to a maximum of 12, we have increased cruising freedom and capabilities. This gives ABC the chance to visit a different site every single day of the year! We have many favourite areas and don’t visit the same snorkel sites every day.

Our family has been active on Port Douglas’ local reefs since 1987. Our agility opens up a myriad of opportunities for fantastic outer reef exploration, guided by experienced, local reef professionals. Our adventures are nothing short of world class.

Snorkel Port Douglas ~ Versatile Private Boats

Visit the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas on one of our purpose fitted reef and snorkel vessels, fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment. Vessels include a galley, inside lounge-style seating, partially shaded deck with tables and comfortable seating, as well as warm freshwater shower and toilet. Easy access to the reef, thanks to large rear ladders, and plenty of space to chill out!

This boutique micro business is passionate about the Great Barrier Reef and making sure you make the most of your day and visit, with bespoke service and attention.

I am honestly so happy we decided to drive from Cairns to Port Douglas for a snorkel tour. All the staff were amazing. Lizzie who was our snorkel instructor was a gem. She had all the equipment ready to go for me and helped me get ready for all the swims. She was constantly making sure I was alright. All three sites were beautiful. The coral was lovely and there was lots of fish to look at. Lizzie was great at pointing things out and explaining what we were looking at, as well as answering everyone’s questions. The amount of swim time was longer than I anticipated which was fantastic. My husband has been to the reef twice before and said that this experience was by far the best he has been on. I just want to say thank you for helping me achieve a lifelong dream (that I hadn’t done in the past due to my motion sickness), it was 100% worth it. I would recommend you guys 1,000 times over.

Rebecca Pandeli

The skipper had amazingly good knowledge about the area and shared his knowledge and insights with us! Where we snorkelled, the biodiversity and marine life is simply abundant! Could not believe we saw so many whitetip reef sharks, some manta rays, some dolphins, a moray eel, such a diverse variety of fishes! Our instructor was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the marine life! We had the most awesome time snorkelling with ABC Snorkel Charters! Thank you so much to the entire crew for making this such a memorable & awesome snorkelling trip for my family! We love Port Douglas & the Outer Reefs!!!

Angi Yeo

Great crew, with huge amount of knowledge and love for the reef. They took wonderful care of us and the whole tour felt super personalised. We were not another cog in the reef machine. The small boat numbers made all the difference. A little more expensive than some of the other places, but the service is outstanding and worth every penny. You also get photos at no extra charge and the underwater camera ones are epic! Stop searching and book with these guys.

Jenni Mildon

Pure Joy! Thoroughly enjoyed our day of snorkelling. I had never snorkelled before (love swimming in the ocean, a little frightened of what's under the surface). Sam's instructions were excellent! Although the conditions weren't ideal (a little windy and choppy), I felt completely safe and comfortable. It was an overcast day, so it was amazing to discover the contrast of colour, corals were purple, pink and yellow, brilliantly coloured fish teeming underwater. We had three relaxed long sessions in different locations. No rushing and lots of space to explore, enjoy and learn. The equipment and the boat were clean and comfortable. Crew was friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming. Really great to be on a small boat and feel close to the water with only 9 other people. Highly recommend it!

Liz

ABC Snorkel Charters are wonderful. They are very professional and made our time on the reef very enjoyable. It was a day to remember on and under the water. The crew provided us with endless information about the reef which was awesome. GREAT photos, crew, equipment, views, thanks guys it was the best trip on the Great Barrier Reef!

Kim Withrow

Beautiful and Unforgettable. An awesome day from beginning to end. The ABC team is so friendly and professional, they really look after you. Our kids love going to the reef and this was our best trip ever. If you love small groups, stunning reef spots and personal service, then look no further. Five Stars!

Allison F

Personal service and low numbers. The crew are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, the boat is comfortable and well put together. I love the low numbers and the flexibility of reef sites. The visibility was outstanding, even for Feb, and the marine life was abundant. Anyone who says the reef is in bad shape, hasn't been to the GBR recently and if you are heading up here, ABC is definitely a fun day.

Stephanie Jane Milne

Had a great day snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef today. The crew were friendly and informative and made sure that everyone was looked after and didn’t miss anything. We saw loads of brilliant fish and coral; my highlight was seeing the white tip reef shark!

Lisa-Marie Melville

Giving a big hug and thank you to Wayne and the whole ABC team for a wonderful few days on the reef. I did a ton of research prior to my trip, knowing many companies offer trips to the outer reef, but I'm so glad I went with ABC. With only 10 people on the boat, the entire day was personalized and very catered to individual needs, such as marine life questions and photo equipment. It was great meeting the variety of travellers as well! Couldn't have asked for a better team of people to visit the GBR with. My heart is so full. Thanks ABC.

Elsa Hsieh

ABC was phenomenal! They were very friendly, accommodating, eager to show us hidden treasures of the reef, and just a great, safety conscious crew! We had a wonderful, life changing trip to the GBR and ABC was part of the reason why! Andy is so knowledgeable about all things reef - he’s amazing!

LeAnn Taylor Selby

To the guys and gal at ABC Snorkel Charters, thanks for the best day ever. Would highly recommend your tour to everyone. The reef is alive and well and small groups, is the best way to see it.

Karen Burgess

This is the best experience you could have if you want to go out on a small boat with caring, professional and friendly crew. Jim, John, Alex and Kech were brilliant. You probably pay a bit more than one of the big boats who take large groups of tourists out but if you are a purist this is the one for you. Thanks to everyone (including Lizzie) who I corresponded with by email while still in the UK. The boss should be very proud of the ABC team.

Deborah Margaret Lee