You do not need to know how to snorkel, but it certainly helps. The more confident you are in the water, the more comfortable you’ll be on the tour. The crew are happy to help show you how to fit a mask and snorkel and are there to answer any questions. In addition, you will have the opportunity to practise during the morning snorkel before your wildlife interaction.

It depends on the individual animal. Whether it’s a whale shark or a humpback whale, each animal will behave differently. Some are curious and calm, whereas others move faster and seem uninterested in being around swimmers. On average, the animals swim on or near the surface at a slow pace for them, which can be a relatively brisk swim for humans! Be prepared to do a fair amount of swimming throughout the day.

Bring your bathers, wallet or credit card, a towel, sunglasses and a hat, sunscreen, and sun-smart clothing to protect you from the sun. If you think you may need it, seasickness tablets from a pharmacy.

The Operator also recommends you bring a warm top as the winds can cool the temperature down even on hot days. And don’t forget your camera – but be sure to take care of it during your day. 

The water ranges from 25-28°C in summer (December to February), 20-24°C in spring (September to November) and autumn (April to June), and 18-22°C in winter (June to August).

Most of the snorkel sites visited are within the reef and are between 8-12m. The crew will guide snorkellers around the more exposed areas of coral that can be as shallow as 1–2 m. During a whale shark interaction, you'll be in the open ocean, outside the reef, so it's deep! However, you'll remain safely on the surface, with the spotter plane keeping an eye out and the trusty vessel nearby. The crew will look after you; you'll love it!

Conditions on the inside of the reef are typically calmer and more sheltered than the outer reef. Outside of the reef and in the open ocean, conditions vary widely. Some days are flat, whereas other days, there can be swell up to a couple of metres. The Operator will cancel tours if the skipper decides it is unsafe to take people on the boat.

If you think you may get seasick, it’s best to take medication! Kwells or Travacalm are the most common brands in Australia and can be purchased at the local supermarket. Please note The Operator does not have any at the shop or on the boats.

There are hundreds of species of fish on the reef, plus sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, invertebrates, whales and more. Of course, there is no guarantee of seeing anything (other than coral!), but the crew do their best to show you as much marine life as possible.