Your Turtle Snorkel Experience
This is more than just a snorkel tour — it’s an immersive ocean experience combining adventure, education, and conservation.
Why Us
Small Groups (Max 9 Guests)
Enjoy a more personal experience with plenty of space, no crowds, and more time in the water with turtles.Supervised by Experienced PADI Instructors
With expert training and a passion for the ocean, our guides deliver a relaxed, safety-first experience while helping you connect more deeply with marine life.Suited to Your Comfort Level
We adjust every tour to match your experience, so you can feel confident, safe, and enjoy the moment.Respectful Wildlife Encounters
We don’t chase or rush wildlife. We let turtles and marine life set the pace, creating a more natural, meaningful, and ethical experience.
2-3 hours Ocean Adventure
Max 9 people
Camera Hire
Beginners Welcome
Flotation device’s available
PADI Qualified Supervisors
Water & Snacks Provided
Before your Adventure
Once your booking is secured, you’ll receive a detailed confirmation email with everything you need to know. We will let you know the day before or as early as possible if there is a cancellation due to weather
In the event of unsuitable conditions, we offer flexible rescheduling or a full refund for your peace of mind.
Your Turtle Snorkeling Experience
Your Trip out to Cook Island
You adventure begins with a cruise along the Tweed River, where dolphins and vibrant marine life are often spotted. During whale season (June–November), you may even witness majestic humpback whales along the way — an unforgettable start to your experience.
As you arrive at Cook Island you’ll be welcomed by one of Australia’s most unique marine environments. This protected marine sanctuary is home to resident green sea turtles.
Arrival on the Day
Please arrive on your scheduled meeting time to allow for check-in and preparation. Our team will greet you, confirm your booking, and get you ready for your snorkelling experience.
Please note: If you are running late, please notify us as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate delays where possible, however this cannot be guaranteed.
Your Trip out to Cook Island
Before entering the water, our experienced crew will guide you through a safety briefing and snorkelling instruction, making this experience perfect for beginners and confident swimmers alike. We’ll also share reef etiquette and conservation tips, so you can enjoy the encounter while helping protect this special place.
Once in the water, you’ll have the chance to swim alongside turtles in their natural habitat — a calm, respectful, and truly memorable wildlife experience.
What to Bring
Swimmers & Towels
Camera
Sunscreen
Windbreakers
Sunglasses , Hats
Where is Cook Island
Cook Island, known traditionally as (Jungarra Ngarrian), is located just off Fingal Head on the Tweed Coast of northern New South Wales, approximately 30 minutes south of the Gold Coast.
The island sits about 600 metres offshore and is surrounded by the protected Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, a marine sanctuary famous for its rich marine life and resident sea turtles.
From our departure point at Tweed Head, it’s only a short 15–25 minute boat ride to reach the island, making it one of the most accessible places in Australia to snorkel with wild sea turtles.
Because the area is protected and relatively shallow, the reef around Cook Island has become a thriving habitat for marine life, including Green and Loggerhead sea turtles, leopard sharks, eagle rays and colourful fish.
Easy access Tweed Coast makes Cook Island one of the most popular snorkelling locations in northern New South Wales.
A Special Cultural Place
Cook Island is also an important cultural site for the Bundjalung people, the Traditional Custodians of this area. The island’s traditional name, Jungarra Ngarrian, reflects the deep cultural and spiritual connection between the land, sea, and the Indigenous communities who have cared for these waters for thousands of years.
Visitors are encouraged to respect this special place and the marine life that calls it home.
At Snorkeling with the Turtles, protecting the ocean is at the heart of everything we do. The waters surrounding Cook Island (Jungarra Ngarrian) form part of the protected Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, a unique marine sanctuary where sea turtles, coral reefs and countless marine species thrive.
Our tours are designed to give people the opportunity to experience this incredible underwater world while ensuring that wildlife and reef habitats are respected and protected.
We follow responsible wildlife practices, including the Turtle Code of Conduct, which ensures that turtles can continue to feed, rest and behave naturally in their environment without disturbance.
Supporting Marine Research
During our tours we also contribute to local citizen science projects that help monitor the health of the reef and the marine life that lives here. By collecting observations and sharing information with conservation groups, we can help improve understanding of turtle populations and reef ecosystems.
This means that every snorkelling experience at Cook Island not only creates unforgettable memories, but also helps support ongoing marine conservation efforts.
Protecting the Reef Together
We encourage all guests to help protect the ocean by:
• Using reef-safe sunscreen
• Avoiding contact with coral and marine life
• Following respectful wildlife viewing practices
• Learning about the marine environment around Cook Island
By sharing these experiences and knowledge, we hope to inspire more people to become guardians of the ocean.
Turtle Code of Conduct
Swimming with sea turtles is a truly special experience — and protecting them is our priority. We follow strict guidelines to ensure every encounter is safe, respectful, and sustainable.
Download The Turtle code of conduct
Conservation & Marine Protection
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The minimum age for our snorkelling tours is 8years old. All children must be comfortable in the water and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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We welcome beginners and will guide you through everything step by step so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
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Participants should be comfortable in the water. While strong swimming ability isn’t required, a basic level of confidence is necessary for your safety and enjoyment.
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Cook Island is home to resident green sea turtles, and sightings are very common. However, as these are wild animals, we cannot guarantee sightings on every tour.
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For safety reasons, we recommend that pregnant guests seek medical advice before booking. Conditions can vary, and this tour involves boat travel and time in the ocean. Please contact us prior to booking so we can discuss whether the experience is suitable for you.
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The boat ride to Cook Island is short ( approx 10 mins in river and 10 mins crossing to Cook Island) and seasickness is uncommon for most guests. However, ocean conditions can vary, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking medication before your tour.. Staying hydrated and avoiding heavy meals beforehand can also help you feel more comfortable.
Our crew will always do their best to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Please note, seasickness is considered a personal condition and refunds are not provided on this basis.
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We comply with Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a refund or reschedule if a tour is cancelled due to unsafe weather or conditions.
Tours cancelled by us due to conditions: Full refund or reschedule
Customer cancellations:
24+ hours notice: Full refund or reschedule
Less than 24 hours / no-show: No refund
We aim to be as flexible and understanding as possible — please reach out if you have any concerns.
By joining our tour, your ocean adventure also helps support marine research and conservation at Cook Island Marine Sanctuary.
