Frequently asked questions

Categories

Pre-booking
Tour day logistics
Marine life
Booking changes
Equipment
Photos
Weather
Location change
Gift cards
Refunds/Cancellations

Pre-booking

  • Private tours offer a fully tailored experience, allowing you to choose the location, time, and preferences based on your skill level and interests. You’ll receive personalised attention, with the pace adjusted to suit you or your group, and the tour is exclusively for you and your guests.

    Group tours comprise up to 8 people per group, providing a fun and social snorkeling experience.

  • You’ll have an expert snorkeling guide who will fit you with all the equipment you will need for a safe and fun snorkel!

    Equipment includes mask, snorkel, and fins. We also have:

    • a weighted dive belt if you’re wanting to try skin diving (i.e. holding your breath and diving down to get closer to the fish)

    • an optional flotation device for a comfortable snorkel

    While you snorkel and look at all the marine life, your guide will take photos of you. We will share these photos with you after your tour!

  • Yes! If there is a spot available in the booking calendar on our booking page, then absolutely! Click here to book.

  • We love taking children on our family private snorkeling tours. We currently have a minimum age policy 6 years old because our insurance won’t cover younger children. However, if you think your child is capable and you have a parent/carer present, then we will take you!

    Note, we cannot provide one-on-one-support for children in our group tours. Please book a private or family tour to avoid disappointment.

  • Absolutely! Our tours are beginner-friendly, as long as you can swim.

    Our guides are trained to help you to get fitted with the right equipment and will instruct you on how to enjoy snorkeling.

    We have carefully chosen beautiful locations with calm and protected water. We also monitor weather conditions to ensure it’s safe for everyone.

  • Our tours are suitable for people with differing levels of experience. There is always a lot to see no matter how many times you have been in the water.

    If you’re up for it, you can borrow a weighted dive belt and try skin diving.

    Skin diving is where you hold your breath and dive below the surface without the use of other oxygen like you do in scuba diving. It’s also a little different from freediving because the goal is to observe the to the fish and marine life more closely, not how deep as you can go!

  • Each locations varies from 1-8 meters. Depending on your comfort level, we typically start in shallower waters before making our way around the area to see the various marine life. As you feel more comfortable we take you to deeper water.

    If you are not feeling comfortable at any time during the tour, you can tell you’re guide and they will help you!

  • Short answer: Yes, you can! But, you will need to book a private tour.

    Everyone in our Group tours must be able to swim and tread water for 1 hour.

    Longer response: If you're not confident in the water or don’t know how to swim, we will need to book a private tour. This ensures our guides can give you their full attention and support throughout the experience.

    You’ll be provided with a wetsuit and a flotation device to help you stay comfortably afloat. Our guides are also trained to help you feel safe and relaxed in the water, so you can enjoy the marine life at your own pace.

    We’ve had many first-timers (and nervous swimmers!) end up loving the experience.

    You will be able to tell us that you are a new swimmer when you answer the Pre-Tour Setup form prior to your tour. This is sent to you via email when you book. Please make sure you complete this in advance so we have everything ready for you.

Tour day logistics

  • Please be ready 10 minutes before your tour starts.

    If you're at the meeting location early and can’t see your guide, don’t worry — please stay there. That’s exactly where we’ll meet you at your scheduled tour start time.  Here's what you need to know:

    • Your guide (Pipa) is usually either in the water running a previous tour or preparing your equipment. It's completely normal not to see her until 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

    • We use a dedicated phone number for tours, which is only switched on 30 minutes before each tour begins. 

    • If there is any unexpected delay or change, we’ll contact you via SMS or email with an update.

    Thanks for your patience and understanding — we can’t wait to take you snorkeling!

  • Your guide will be there - please do not worry. If you are at the meeting location sent to you in your email, please wait there.

    Your guide is usually in the water with another group or preparing equipment for your tour. It’s totally normal to only see your guide 5 minutes before or at the tour start time.

    If it your scheduled tour start time and you cannot find your guide, please contact +61 439 503 430.

    Before contacting us via phone please note:

    • We use a dedicated phone number for tours, which is only switched on 30 minutes before each tour begins. 

    • If there is any unexpected delay or change, we’ll contact you via SMS or email with an update.

  • The area where we snorkel (and Sydney in general) is quite safe. Many locals simply leave their bags on the beach while in the water, and we do the same with some essential items (e.g., First Aid gear). While incidents are rare, we recommend bringing only what you need, as we cannot take responsibility for any lost or unattended belongings.

    If you'd prefer to store your bag securely:

    • We have limited space in our vehicle for one medium-sized bag (maximum 56 cm (H) x 36 cm (W) x 23 cm (D)).

    • Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate large items or suitcases due to space constraints.

    • For large bags or suitcases, luggage storage options are available near Clovelly Beach and in Sydney CBD, many of which offer advance booking for convenience.

    • Most of our guests leave their luggage at their accommodation before joining the tour to avoid carrying heavy bags up and down stairs at the beach.

  • Yes, there are change rooms/bathrooms at each of the snorkeling locations.

    Clovelly Beach - Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3JNGVLrEmbfVv7L47

    Little Bay - Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zdY3P5mffHqfprXs5

  • Yes! The snorkeling locations are also beautiful spots to sit and take in the ocean view. Get cosy with a book, music or sunbake.

    At Clovelly Beach, there is a cafe called “Seasalt Clovelly” which overlooks the ocean pool. There are also other nearby cafes, such as “Meet me at Clovelly”.

  • We strongly encourage you to plan ahead and leave extra time so that you are in the water with the sealife for as much time as possible.

    Unfortunately, we are unable to delay the start of tours, as we run multiple tours per day and need to tay on schedule.

    If you think you might be late via your current means of transportation (e.g. bus or train), please consider a faster mode of transport (e.g. Uber or Didi) to avoid missing the tour.

    1. Didi or Uber (car): Many guests choose to use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Didi to travel to this location, with Didi often being the more affordable option.

    2. Public Transport: You can take a combination of the train and bus. I've taken a screenshot of Google Maps showing different options. The best route (and public transport bus/train combination) are likely to be different on the day, so I would use either Google Maps or CityMapper app to navigate. 

Equipment

  • Late February to April: most people will feel more comfortable with some form of wetsuit, but it’s entirely your choice whether to wear one.

    • The water temperature is currently between 21–23°C (69–73°F). However, snorkeling is mostly stationary, so you may still feel cool over a 60-minute session.

    During months May to early February we strongly recommend a wetsuit:

    • The water temperature is 19–21°C (66–70°F), which feels cold during a 60-minute session. Snorkeling involves stationary observation, causing body temperature to drop over time.

    • To maximize comfort and enjoyment, we strongly recommend wearing a wetsuit, which you can hire from us or bring your own, ensuring a more enjoyable experience underwater. During this time, participants without wetsuits typically exit the water early due to the cold.

  • If you have completed the form, please ignore the reminder. You must have submitted it just before we sent you a notification!

  • If you have your own equipment and want to use it, you certainly can! In this case, please fill out your sizing in the pre-tour form (https://www.sydneysnorkeling.com/pretour-setup) for the gear that you would like us to supply

  • That’s a great question! When you’re wearing a snorkel mask, there’s actually an augmentation effect created by the air space between your eyes and the glass. This makes everything appear about 25–30% larger and roughly one-third closer than it really is. So even without prescription lenses, most people find their vision noticeably sharper underwater than they expected.

    If you usually wear prescription glasses, you can simply snorkel without them, and you’ll likely still be able to see fish and your surroundings quite clearly thanks to this magnifying effect. That said, if you can wear contact lenses, that would ensure you see well underwater especially if your prescription is quite strong.

    We don’t have prescription snorkel masks because each person is different and what suits one person won’t necessarily suit someone else.

  • We use flotation belts, which are a comfortable and discreet alternative to life jackets or pool noodles. These can be worn around the hips or chest and allow guests to float and rest easily while snorkelling.

    We also have a float boat, which is a small, highly buoyant floating raft with handholds. It is available throughout the tour and is perfect for resting at any time, especially for kids or anyone who wants extra reassurance or even a rest.

Photos post tour

  • To receive photos, please enter your email address in the Pre-Tour form prior to your snorkeling tour.

    We share photos with you approximately 2-3 days after your tour. In the odd event that you have not received them 5 days post tour, please contact us via bookings@sydneysnorkeling.com and we will share them with you.

  • We typically send out photos 3 days after a tour. However, there are occasions when it may take us a little longer you to receive them.

    If you have not received photos after 5 days, please fill out the form at the bottom of this FAQ page and we will see what’s happened!

Marine life and environment

  • Jellyfish can be present at certain times of the year, but we actively monitor conditions to minimize any encounters.

    • In summer (warmer months): The main concern is bluebottles (Portuguese man o’ war), which travel via ocean currents and are influenced by wind and swell conditions.

    • In winter (cooler months): Bluebottles are rarely seen, as they prefer warmer waters.

    To keep our tours as safe and enjoyable as possible, we check lifeguard reports, wind direction, and swell conditions before each tour. When bluebottles are present, we adjust our plans accordingly. In the rare instance that conditions are unfavorable, we relocate the tour to a safer beach

  • We take a look-but-don’t-touch approach to ensure the safety of you and the marine life. Please do not touch the sea creatures.

    It’s a privilege to see the fish and other marine creatures in their natural environment and we want to keep them safe:

    • Touching marine life can cause harm to the ecosystem. Many species have delicate protective coatings, and human contact can cause stress or even injury to them.

    Touching might also cause you harm:

    • Some cuddly and beautiful looking creatures can be dangerous - some sealife (e.g. sting rays) have natural defense mechanisms that can sting or inject toxin.

Weather

  • The short answer: If you have not heard from us, please assume that snorkeling will go ahead. We snorkel in most conditions.

    Longer answer and good news! Every snorkeling tour is unique, shaped by the changing tides, weather, and even breeding seasons. Each time you dive in, you’ll get to experience the ocean and its incredible marine life in all their natural beauty!

    Our tours go ahead in most weather conditions—whether it’s sunny, cloudy, or even light rain. You’d be surprised how magical the underwater world can be, even when the skies aren’t perfect!

    If conditions affect safety or visibility at the location in your booking, we may recommend an alternative nearby location to ensure you have the best possible experience. Don’t worry, if a change is necessary, we’ll notify you 24 hour or more before your tour, so you have plenty of time to plan.

Location change

  • Sometimes, if the weather forecast shows that conditions won’t be safe for snorkeling at the original location, we’ll switch to a nearby spot. If this happens, you’ll receive an email notification at least 24 hours before your tour starts.

    We’d really like you to have a great time, so you will have three options:

    1. Option A: Join the tour on the same day and time at the new (nearby) location

    2. Option B: Reschedule your tour at the original location for another day

    3. Option C: Cancel your booking.

    We always choose equally beautiful locations to snorkel, so please don’t worry about missing out. Each location has its own gems and you will likely see the same marine life as the original location.

Booking changes and cancellations

  • Changing or modifying your booking is only possible more than 24 hours out from the tour start time.

    • If your tour starts in more than 24 hours, please modify your booking through the app/website you used to book (e.g. TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide). 

    • If you booked directly with us, view our booking calendar on our booking page here, find a time that suits your availability and fill out the form on our contact page with your preferred date and time. 

  • We offer a 100% refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before your booking.

    If you booked through a third party site, such as GetYourGuide or TripAdvisor, please refer to their refund/cancellation policies.

Gift Cards

  • Important things to know first

    • You can only use one gift card per booking.

    • If you have multiple gift cards (for example, a gift card for 2 tickets), please make separate bookings for the same tour date and time.

    • Gift cards can only be used for the tour type they were purchased for (e.g. Private, Family, or Group).

    How to redeem your gift card

    1. Go to our Bookings page.

    2. Select the tour type that matches your gift card.

    3. Select 1 ticket (per gift card) and choose your preferred date and time.

    4. Click Checkout.

    5. Enter your gift card code in the “Promo code” field.

    6. Continue to complete the booking — the gift card value will be automatically deducted from the total.

    Finding your gift card code

    • Check the email confirmation you received when the gift card was purchased.

    • If someone bought the gift card for you, ask them to forward the PDF named
      ticket-EXP-GXXXX.pdf.

    • Open the PDF and look for the gift card code (e.g. QUV4JUG7).

  • Where to find your gift card code

    • After purchase, you’ll receive an email confirmation containing a PDF gift card.

    • If the gift card was bought for you, ask the purchaser to forward the PDF titled
      ticket-EXP-GXXXX.pdf.

    • Open the PDF and locate the gift card code (a short code like QUV4JUG7)

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