Cook Island Marine Reserve · Tweed Heads
Snorkel with wild sea turtles — no experience needed
Located at Tweed Heads — an easy 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast or Byron Bay. A protected marine reserve, home to resident green turtles.
Meet the resident turtles of Cook Island
Cook Island is one of Australia’s most pristine marine reserves — home to calm, curious sea turtles completely at home with respectful snorkelers.
You'll be guided by locals who've been swimming here for over 25 years.
See what you’ll spot underwater →See a real day with us
Unedited GoPro footage filmed by one of our guests — a wild green turtle feeding on sponges, just metres away.
Real guest footage · Cook Island, Tweed Heads · watch with sound ↗
Book your adventure →Every trip gives back — a portion of every booking supports Green Heroes turtle conservation, right here on the Tweed Coast.
Why snorkel with us
Why your day with us is different
Small groups, a fast purpose-built boat, and guides who know every turtle by sight.
01
Wild turtles, every time
Resident green and hawksbill turtles live here year-round we spot them on the vast majority of tours.
02
Small groups of nine
More space, more turtles and a calmer, more personal experience for you and the wildlife alike.
03
You're in expert local hands
Guides who know every turtle by sight and exactly where the reef comes alive on the day.
04
Total beginners welcome
Patient coaching and flotation provided — no strong swimming required.
05
15 minutes from Tweed
A fast, purpose-built boat means no long, queasy voyages, just more time in the water.
06
A protected marine reserve
Restricted access keeps Cook Island pristine and teeming with life you won’t see anywhere else.
How it works
Your day on the water
From booking to your first turtle sighting, here’s exactly how it goes.
1
Book directly
Book online in minutes. Direct bookings.
2
Meet at Tweed Heads
Join us at the boat ramp. Full meeting details are in your booking confirmation.
3
15-minute boat ride
Jump aboard our fast boat for a smooth, scenic ride to Cook Island.
4
Snorkel with turtles
After a quick briefing, slip into the water and meet the locals.
Whale watching, then snorkel with the turtles
Two adventures in one unforgettable day. We whale watch as we cruise out to Cook Island, then — conditions permitting — slip into the blue to snorkel alongside the turtles. The ultimate way to experience humpback season on the Gold Coast.
Once you’re under, you may even hear the whales singing — a haunting experience all of its own.
Events · Specials · Local Deals
What's on at the reef
Seasonal swims, locals’ specials and one-off adventures — here’s what’s coming up.
Double Adventure
Whales then turtles — usually charter-only, now a shared date.
2 Aug · whale season · max 8
Reef Clean-Up + Snorkel
A morning of marine-debris clean-up, then a snorkel.
27 Sep · morning
Snorkeling lessons · Total beginners welcome
Never snorkeled before? Start here
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer, but you do need to be comfortable in the water. Our friendly, patient staff teach you everything in calm, shallow water first — so by the time you meet a turtle, you feel like a natural. Basic coaching and instructions is included in the tour.
✓
Step-by-step coaching — breathing through a snorkel, mask clearing and relaxed finning.
✓
Grab gear that fits — mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit, sized and fitted at the boat.
✓
Feel safe in the water — flotation provided for anyone who wants it, no pressure.
✓
Perfect for kids & nervous first-timers — ideal from age 10 and up.
What you'll see
One of Australia's most biodiverse reefs
On a single tour you might encounter any of these incredible species in their natural habitat. Tap a species to see it.
+ Manta rays · moray eels · cuttlefish · octopus · and much more
Our ocean
We're proud to protect what we love
We partner with Green Heroes to actively protect Cook Island Marine Reserve — monitoring turtle populations, assessing reef health, and running community ocean programs.
✓ Sea turtle population monitoring at Cook Island
✓ Reef health assessments & marine debris clean-ups
✓ Ocean education programs for schools & communities
Every tour you book directly supports this work.
Loved by guests
A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Join thousands of happy guests who’ve swum alongside wild turtles at Cook Island.
★★★★★
This team cares about preservation and protection of the aquatic reserve and all the species living in it. Support tours like this one. Super friendly staff with in depth knowledge about the local environment.
— Renee B.
★★★★★
Loved the boat trip out and seeing whales up close was an added bonus. Thank you for a wonderful experience on the Tweed. See you again soon
— Cindy C
★★★★★
We had the most amazing day out with the kids. We saw so many sea turtles, calm and cool looking leopard sharks and even a manta ray. I had no idea we had such an amazing variety of sea creatures this close to the coast!!! Rudi and his team were awesome and we felt safe and well looked after throughout the whole journey. Highly recommend!
— Nicole McDonald
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you jump in. Still have a question? We're a friendly bunch — just reach out.
Do I need snorkelling experience?
What's the minimum age?
What's included?
How far is it from the Gold Coast or Byron Bay?
Where do we depart from?
Will I actually see turtles?
What happens if the weather's bad?
What should I bring?
What size wetsuit or fins will I need?
Wetsuits and fins are available to hire, and we fit everyone at the boat — no need to guess in advance. If you’d like to arrive ready, you can check your size first with our wetsuit & fin sizing guide.
From the reef
Tag us in your turtle moments
Real shots from real days on the water. Follow along and share yours.
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Ready to go
Your turtle adventure starts here
Join thousands of happy guests who’ve swum with wild turtles at Cook Island. We’ll take care of everything else.