Gold Coast's Most Trusted Turtle Snorkel. 25 years of turtle snorkeling tours from Tweed Heads. Beginners welcome.
25 years of guided turtle snorkeling tours from Tweed Heads. Beginners welcome.
Local knowledge
Purpose built high speed for comfort
Keep it personal
Guaranteed!
Cook Island Snorkeling
From $119Swim with Sea Turtles
2-3 Hour Ocean Adventure
15 min boat ride from Tweed
Beginners Welcome
Flotation device’s available
PADI Qualified Supervisors
Meet the Locals
Adventure awaits
“Snorkeling with the Turtles offers unforgettable swim with turtles snorkeling tours at Cook Island near Fingal Head on the Tweed Coast, just a short distance from the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. Discover one of Australia’s most incredible marine environments where guests regularly encounter sea turtles and vibrant marine life.”
Why Cook Island is the Best Place to Snorkel with Turtles in Australia
Cook Island (Jungarra Ngarrian) sits just off Fingal Head on the Tweed Coast - 30 minutes south of the Gold Coast.Only 600 metres offshore and a 15-25 minute boat ride from Tweed Heads, it's one of the most accessible places in Australia to snorkel with wild sea turtles.The protected Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is home to Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead sea turtles, leopard sharks, eagle rays, and abundant reef fish.Cook Island is also an important cultural site for the Bundjalung people, the Traditional Custodians of these waters. We encourage all guests to respect this special place.
Private Ocean Charter
Customised for you
River Tours
Family Day Out Trips
Team Building Tours
Birthdays Parties Etc
River sight seeing
Courses
Delivered with Green Heroes
Free Diving courses
Advance snorkeling courses
Learn to snorkel Programs
Fun Events
Boat & Jet ski License
Special Events
Private Cinema Screenings
Dinner gatherings
Exciting holiday programs
Networking Workshops
Community fun Events
Friendly Faces
School and conservation programs
School Programs
Fully tailored programs
Classroom Education
Hands-on Learning
Adventure based learning
Environmental Awareness
Builds student confidence
Duke of Edinburgh
Skill-based learning
Hands-on Ocean experience’s
Encourage Independence
Personal growth
Inspire Ocean stewardship
Practical courses
Trips and Holidays
Local Trips and camps
Conservation focused trips
Overseas Trips
Educational weekend away
Explore the World
Connect you to the Ocean
Our Story
For over 25 years, we’ve been sharing the magic of Cook Island and its wild sea turtles with guests from the Gold Coast and beyond.
What started as a passion for the ocean has become a small-group snorkeling experience built around safety, conservation, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Every tour is personal, educational, and designed to help you connect with the ocean in a respectful way.
Conservation & Turtle Protection
Protecting the ocean is at the heart of everything we do. Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is a protected marine sanctuary, and our tours are designed to respect it. We follow the national Turtle Code of Conduct on every tour, contribute to local citizen science projects, and encourage all guests to use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid contact with marine life. Every adventure helps support ongoing conservation at Cook Island.
Every snorkeling adventure is an opportunity to connect with the ocean while helping protect it for future generations.
Sustainably Run
Family Approved
Pro Support
Jump Right In!
FAQ’s
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One of the best places to swim with sea turtles near the Gold Coast is Cook Island (Jungarra Ngarrian), located just off Fingal Head on the Tweed Coast. This protected marine sanctuary is home to a healthy population of green and loggerhead sea turtles, making it one of the most reliable places in Australia to snorkel with turtles in their natural habitat.
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Sea turtles live at Cook Island year-round, and it is very common to see them during our snorkeling tours. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, turtles are regular residents of the Island and are seen on the majority of our trips.
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Cook Island is located just offshore about 800m from Fingal near Tweed Heads, approximately 15 minutes by boat from our departure point. The departure point is about a 30 minute drive from the central Gold Coast and a short distance from Byron Bay.
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No experience is required. Our Cook Island snorkeling tours are suitable for beginners, and our crew will provide a full safety briefing before entering the water. Flotation devices are available for guests who would like extra support while snorkeling.
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Cook Island is one of the most diverse snorkelling locations on the Tweed Coast. Guests commonly see:
Green sea turtles
Loggerhead turtles
Leopard sharks (seasonal)
Eagle rays
Wobbegong sharks
Tropical reef fish
Hard and soft coral gardens
Every snorkel offers a unique experience with the marine life that calls this protected reef home.
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The experience runs for approximately 2–3.5hours, including the boat ride, safety briefing, and snorkeling time at Cook Island.
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Yes. Cook Island Aquatic Reserve (Jungarra Ngarrian) is a protected marine sanctuary that helps preserve the area’s coral reefs and marine life, including the resident sea turtle population.
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Yes. Our tours are suitable for families, beginners, and confident swimmers who want to experience snorkeling with turtles in a safe and guided environment.
Our Resident loggerhead sighted on the 28.2.26
OUR MISSION
At Snorkel with the Turtles, our mission is to connect people with the ocean in a way that inspires respect, understanding, and protection of marine life.
Every snorkeling tour we run follows responsible wildlife practices and the Swim with Turtles Code of Conduct, ensuring that encounters with marine life remain respectful and sustainable.
Through education, ocean awareness, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, we hope to inspire more people to become protectors of our oceans and the incredible creatures that live within them.