Snorkelling at the Tangalooma Wrecks at Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) is the highlight of your See Moreton Tour. The decades-old shipwrecks provide a beautiful and unique location to visit and explore in South East Queensland.
We asked our passionate snorkel guides to share their best tips for avoiding common snorkelling mistakes and having the best time possible.

Goggles and snorkels and masks, oh my!

Familiarise yourself with the snorkelling equipment you’ll be kitted out with at the Tangalooma Wrecks. The crew will have a thorough safety brief with every group before we reach Moreton Island. This gives you time to ask questions and learn all you need to know about the Tangalooma Wrecks snorkel site.

Essential snorkelling gear includes:

Snorkel Goggle/Mask

It takes a little bit to get used to a snorkel mask. You will be given a mask as we cruise to Moreton Island, and our friendly crew will help you fit it properly. It is best to get accustomed to your mask before you head out to the Tangalooma Wrecks, so you are ready to jump in without any concern about your mask falling off or feeling too tight.

Snorkel

What is snorkelling without a snorkel! This piece of equipment is fitted into your mouth and enables you to breathe underwater.

Swim Fins

Fins are a fun necessity when you snorkel. They help you swim faster and conserve energy during your underwater adventure.

Protective Glove

The Tangalooma Wrecks are over 40 years old and, over time, have become fragile to the touch. We supply protective gloves to help you safely push off the wrecks to avoid the risk of cuts or gashes.

Lead the way!

Every tour will have two experienced snorkel guides to offer the most exciting and comfortable snorkelling experience.

If you aren’t the most confident swimmer, don’t worry, we have plenty of ways to help you enjoy your time at the Tangalooma Wrecks.

We have different types of floatation devices available to use, including life jackets and pool noodles. The pool noodle is a crew favourite as it helps you glide across the water without using too much energy.

It’s all in the legs

When snorkeling, proper kicking technique can help you conserve energy and move through the water more efficiently. When swimming, keep your legs straight and kick from your hips, not your knees. Use a flutter kick, moving your legs up and down alternatively.

Avoid doggy paddle and frog style swimming as this leads to a risk of kicking something below you.

What the fog?

One of the most common issues that happen when snorkelling is when your mask fogs up.

To defog your mask, come up for air and either tread water or find a guide (who will be swimming with a lifebuoy) to hold onto. Take the mask off and use your saliva on the glasses. Rinse off with the ocean water and avoid breathing on it as you put the mask back on.

Breath in, breath out

Snorkels can appear daunting for those who haven’t used them before. Remember always to keep the top of the snorkel afloat, and if you accidentally breathe in the water, don’t panic! Simply blow it out, a bit like how dolphins and whales exhale water from their blowhole!

Capture Memories

Although you can’t touch the coral or wildlife, you can capture the memories of the experience and vibrant environment with an underwater camera. We have all-day GoPro hire available on board which includes a take-home SD card.

*GoPro hire is an additional cost that can be purchased during your tour

No touching!

A key thing to remember when snorkelling is NOT to touch anything. As mentioned above, the Tangalooma Wrecks and the ecosystem within it are very fragile. Not only can coral be incredibly sharp, but it is also very delicate and essential for the survival of the marine life that calls it home. Coral grows at an incredibly slow average rate of 0.5-1 inch of growth a year.

You can enjoy the reef and the vibrant wildlife without touching it, protecting it for future generations to come.

Imagine this… You’re bathed in sunshine on a tranquil island. You’re sipping an ice-cold drink as the little ones keep themselves entertained in the golden sand. Picture yourself snorkelling in pristine, crystal clear water with vibrant fish swimming past you. The kids swim beside you, pointing out the turtle hiding in the seagrass. No bored kids, no bustling shopping centres, just you and your family enjoying paradise above and below the sea. This isn’t a scene from your dreams; tropical bliss is waiting for you just a short boat ride away from Brisbane.

See Moreton’s Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Cruise to Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) is the perfect family outing. Your children won’t be able to wait to share it with their friends at school. We list below the top four reasons why a visit to Moreton Island is a must for you and your family

1. Discover the Mystery of the Tangalooma Wrecks

Snorkelling is the highlight of your See Moreton Dolphin and Tangalooma Wreck tour. It’s the perfect family activity as you explore the hidden world beneath pristine waters. Help find a variety of colourful fish, vibrant corals and if you’re lucky, spot a turtle or two! Suitable for first-timers, our professional snorkel guides are with you every step of the way. They are more than happy to help your children learn how to use a snorkel and fins. By the end of their adventure, they’ll be water experts.

Snorkelling at the Wrecks is recommended for children aged 6 and up. Younger children are welcome to snorkel under competent adult supervision during free beach time. All snorkelling equipment is supplied.

2. Let Us Handle Lunch

The best part of this mini-vacay? We handle lunch with a mouth-watering tropical buffet. Enjoy every moment with your family as you indulge in a chef prepared feast. We offer locally caught, fresh trawler prawns, tender roast chicken, delicious maple-glazed ham off the bone alongside an assortment of salads and sides. To top it all off, with sliced seasonal melons and tropical fruits.

3. A Slice of Sandy Paradise

Now it’s time to put your feet up. Moreton Island boasts beautiful, golden beaches, all of which are yours to enjoy. Do as much or as little as you please. Bask in the sun and cosy up with a good book or build an impressive sandcastle. See Moreton supplies a variety of sports equipment such as beach cricket and beach soccer. There is plenty to keep the kids busy as you relax and live on island time.

4. Putting the Wild in Wildlife

How many kids can put up their hand and say they saw dolphins, turtles, or even dugongs? Moreton Island is home to an abundance of wildlife. Your kids can become part of the crew as we look out for creatures in the water. The best way to find spot wildlife is to look out for shadows; if the shadow is darker than others in the water, there’s a good chance it’s something exciting. Our favourite creature to keep an eye out for is Dougie, the resident dugong who spends most of his time munching on seagrass. He loves popping up to say hello to passengers, so don’t forget to wave!

So what are you waiting for? Throw your swimwear into a bag and embark on an epic family day out at Moreton Island. Book your tickets today!

The Tangalooma Wrecks are one of Australia’s best snorkelling locations, and lucky for you, See Moreton can take you right there! Take a journey with us to the pristine waters of Moreton Bay Marine Park. Our full-day tours offer time to snorkel around the underwater paradise of the wrecks. The crystal clear water surrounding the wrecks are home to over 200 species of fish and over 130 species of coral, attracting marine life big and small. The snorkel experience we offer is extremely safe and all snorkelling equipment is provided. 

Unlike scuba diving, snorkelling requires no formal training and no heavy equipment. That being said, poor first-time snorkelling experiences are common. Nervousness, foggy masks, water flooding your snorkel and uncomfortable fins can tarnish the beauty and magic of your experience. So, below you will find a few helpful tips that will help you avoid these common beginner mistakes and ensure you have the experience of a lifetime with See Moreton!

1. Choose wisely

Choosing equipment that fits you well is paramount to the success of your snorkelling endeavour. Having gear that is too big or too small creates numerous issues and problems. It is helpful to know your shoe size before you come on tour with us. As for fitting a mask, a simple test is to place it up against your face without using the strap, suck gently through your nose, and then let go of the mask. If it has made a good seal it will stay on your face for a couple of seconds. If this happens, then you have successfully found a properly fitting mask!

As for fins, they should be snug but not so much that they hurt your feet. Fins that are too loose can give you blisters from chafing. Start by choosing a set of fins based on your shoe size, and then try one of the fins on and do the shake test. Sit down and shake your foot in all directions! If there is absolutely no movement and it feels too tight, size up. If it is shaking and wobbling then you need to size down.

2. Learn the basics

Learning basic mask and snorkel skills before you jump on board with us is likely to enhance your snorkelling adventure. We suggest watching a few videos online about how to clear your snorkel and how to easily get water out of your mask. When you get your equipment from us, breathe through the snorkel a couple of times before you get in the water. It can be a weird feeling for those who have never snorkelled before! Another tip is to avoid exhaling through your nose when you have the mask on. This will make your mask foggy beyond belief!

3. Keep calm and carry on

Staying relaxed and reducing your effort is one of the biggest tips we can offer! The key to a fun snorkelling experience to stay cool, calm and collected. Swim slowly, take deep breaths and simply enjoy the moment. Floating on the water’s surface while you gaze at colourful corals and happily swimming fish can be very therapeutic, if you let it! The best way to conserve energy is to keep your arms relaxed and by your sides, and only use your legs to propel yourself forward (by kicking slowly). This is what the fins are for, after all.