Out Of The Blue, Brunswick Heads

Out Of The Blue Julian Rocks Snorkelling Tour

★ 4.4 167 reviews

from A$94 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Out Of The Blue Adventures

Overview

This trip runs from Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour out to Julian Rocks, the rocky outcrop in the Byron Bay reserve traditionally known as Nguthungulli. The whole outing lasts 2.5 hours. You check in half an hour before departure for the safety briefing and to get fitted into your wetsuit, then it is a 15 minute speedboat ride to the snorkel site, with dolphin and whale watching on the way when the season allows.

At the rocks, marine biologist guides take the group to multiple snorkel spots in shallow, protected water. The reserve sits where cooler and tropical currents meet, and the listing says over 1000 marine species have been recorded there: turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs, dolphins and hundreds of fish. Two guides stay in the water with the group, and all gear is provided, including mask, fins, wetsuit and reef-safe sunscreen. After about 1.5 hours at the site, the boat returns you to Brunswick Heads.

It suits confident swimmers. The water is too deep to stand, currents can occur, and everyone must be able to swim 200 metres unassisted. Travellers who are comfortable in open water rate it highly, and reviewers repeatedly praise the crew's knowledge and friendliness.

FromA$94 per person

Duration2 hours 30 minutes

Rating4.4 from 167 reviews

What's Included

Included

Marine biologist guides
Two in-water guides
Snorkeling gear
Mask
Fins
Wetsuit
Reef-safe sunscreen

Not Included

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Run byOut Of The Blue Adventures

Itinerary

Check in, Brunswick HeadsMeet at Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour 30 minutes before departure for the safety briefing and wetsuit fitting.
Speedboat to Julian RocksA 15 minute ride along the Byron Bay coastline, with dolphins and other marine life often spotted on the way.
Guided snorkelling, 1.5 hoursSnorkel at multiple spots around Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve with marine biologist guides. Dolphin watching, whale watching and wildlife viewing are part of the time on the water.
Speedboat backThe return crossing takes 15 minutes to Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you decide whether this tour fits, and most come straight from the listing or from repeated comments in traveller reviews.

Sunlit underwater scene with basalt boulders, schooling fish and distant snorkellers

Swimming ability. You must be able to swim 200 metres unassisted. The site is too deep to stand and currents can occur. If crew judge that a snorkeller cannot manage the distance, that person stays on the vessel with no refund, so be honest with yourself before booking.
Bring swimwear. The listing asks you to bring swimwear. Everything else is supplied: mask, fins, wetsuit and reef-safe sunscreen. Wear your swimwear under your clothes to make the wetsuit fitting quicker.
Open ocean conditions. One reviewer noted that this is ocean snorkelling and currents can be strong, which is worth knowing if you are inexperienced or nervous. The listing confirms the reserve can experience ocean currents. The water itself is shallow and protected at the snorkel spots.
Early session. One reviewer recommends the first departure of the day, saying the area around the rocks was quiet and pleasant at that time. If a calm experience matters to you, booking the earliest time slot available is worth considering.
No food provided. Food and drinks are not included, so eat before you arrive or bring water for afterwards. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off either; you make your own way to Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour.

“Ride out, location, gear. And what we saw was great! Really enjoyed it. Signage and directions where to meet could be improved.”

Guest review of Out Of The Blue, Brunswick Heads

Weather dependency. The tour depends on ocean and weather conditions. Enter a valid phone number when booking so the operator can reach you if anything changes. If conditions stop the tour running, you can reschedule or take a full refund.

FromA$94 per person

Rating4.4 from 167 reviews

Check DatesCheck Price & Availability →

Common issues. The tour is weather dependent and can be rescheduled or refunded if the ocean does not cooperate, so keep some flexibility in your plans. It is not for weak swimmers: the 200 metre unassisted swimming requirement is enforced, and snorkellers who cannot meet it stay on the boat without a refund. One reviewer found the signage and directions to the meeting point at Brunswick Heads could be clearer, so allow time to find the harbour. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on board. Also note the NSW time difference if you are travelling from Queensland.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Marine biologist guides, two in-water guides, and all snorkelling gear: mask, fins, wetsuit and reef-safe sunscreen. The boat transfers from Brunswick Heads to Julian Rocks and back are part of the tour. Food, drinks and hotel transfers are not included.

Is Hotel Pickup Provided?

No. The tour starts and finishes at Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour, and hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included. You need to arrange your own transport to the harbour.

Where And When Do I Meet The Tour?

Meet at Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour in Brunswick Heads, NSW. Arrive 30 minutes before your departure time for the safety briefing and to get into your wetsuit. If you are coming from Queensland, double check the NSW time difference.

Do I Need To Be A Strong Swimmer?

Yes. All participants must be able to swim 200 metres unassisted, because the reserve is too deep to stand and can have ocean currents. If the crew find during the activity that a snorkeller cannot swim that distance, they will ask them to stay on the vessel, and no refund is offered.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If weather or ocean conditions force the operator to cancel, guests are offered a reschedule to another date or time, or a full refund. Make sure your booking includes a valid phone number so they can contact you about changes.

What Should I Bring?

Swimwear is the only item the listing asks for, since the wetsuit, mask, fins and reef-safe sunscreen are all provided. Bring water and anything you want after the swim, as food and drinks are not supplied. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted.