Best Australia Island Hopping Tours — Our Top 14

1.Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $444Our pick

Spend about eight hours on Ningaloo Reef with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive, following a spotter aircraft to find whale sharks. You can also snorkel with manta rays, turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and seasonal whales. The crew provides equipment, meals, drinks, a safety tender, hotel transfers, and professional underwater photos.

“Incrediblely kind and knowledgeable crew made sure every single person had an amazing day. Thought it would be a one time trip to WA for me but I will definitely be back again and again for this! The sharks are absolutely stunning.”

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2.Whitsunday: Whitsunday Islands Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 486 reviews · 7 hours · from $162

Spend seven hours exploring the Whitsundays by speedboat with crew such as Dane, Luke, and Dave. Snorkel for about an hour, eat a fresh picnic buffet at Whitehaven Beach, and walk to Hill Inlet Lookout. The smaller boat, lively commentary, clean gear, and flexible timing make this a strong one-day choice.

“I highly recommend this tour! Dan and Luke were amazing—super attentive, friendly, and made sure everyone was comfortable throughout. They had a great sense of humor and really added to the experience. The entire tour was nothing but enjoyable!”

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3.Rockingham: Shoalwater Islands, Dolphins, and Sea Lions Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 288 reviews · 1 hour · from $42Best value

Take a 60-minute glass-bottom boat cruise through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, watching for dolphins, Australian sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, and other birds. Guides such as Ian, Tanya, Ella, Steve, and Gabby have led trips here. Check in 30 minutes early at Penguin Island Visitors Centre.

“Tour was well organised and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Shame we didn't see any penguins but sea lions, and pelicans were awesome”

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4.From Airlie Beach: Two-Island Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 229 reviews · 3 hours

Spend about two hours riding a jet ski through the Whitsunday waterways around Daydream and South Molle Islands. You can ride alone or share with a friend, and guides such as Jarrod, Izzy, Darragh, and Brooke are praised for clear instruction, humor, and care with first-timers. Expect speed, spray, island views, and a bumpy ride in open water.

“It was a blast, so much fun, the Guide was funny but knowledgeable, the staff at the office were great. It was an awesome experience.”

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5.Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $430

Spend about eight hours at Ningaloo Reef with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive, using an aircraft spotter to find humpback whales and other wildlife. You can snorkel with crew support, enjoy meals, Champagne, and professional photos, and possibly see turtles, manta rays, dolphins, dugongs, whale sharks, and colorful reef fish.

“To be in the water and see the humpback mother and calf swim under us about 8 meters away - truly amazing. The teamwork and professionalism of vessel crew were outstanding and ensured a perfect day. Thank you 3 Islands - you did a great job. Will be back for the whale shark next year.”

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6.Incredible Islands Tour – Horizontal Falls & Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · from $600

See the Kimberley from a fixed-wing aircraft with pilot commentary, then land at Cape Leveque for time at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, a meal, and beach views. Broome Aviation provides hotel transfers, headsets, refreshments, and a small-group flight for up to 15 people. Morning and afternoon departures follow the tides and weather.

“Excellent pilot and friendly crews plus wonderful views and interesting pearl tours just made my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

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7.From Cairns: 2 Islands 1 day – Fitzroy & Green Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 77 reviews · 8 hours · from $138

Travel by catamaran from Cairns to Fitzroy and Green Islands, spending more than six hours between the two. Snorkel at both islands, follow Fitzroy’s rainforest trails, or take its glass-bottom boat tour. English commentary and a marine biology presentation are included, while lunch is optional.

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8.Rockingham: 3 Island Wildlife Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 47 reviews · 3h 30m · from $176

Join Perth Wildlife Encounters from Penguin Island Visitor Center for a 3.5-hour cruise through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Snorkel near Penguin, Seal, and Bird Islands, watch dolphins and Australian sea lions, and enjoy lunch onboard. Guides including Grace, Georgia, John, and Courtney bring a friendly, safety-first approach.

“From start to finish the trip was amazing, the girls were so helpful and informative highly recommended! 5 stars”

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9.Yeppoon: Great Keppel Island Fast Boat Snorkel & Lunch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 6 hours · from $123

Join Funtastic Cruises from Keppel Bay Marina for a six-hour trip aboard The Kraken, a 12-metre fast boat built for all conditions. Snorkel with supervision, paddle board, relax on a white beach, and enjoy prawns, wraps, fruit, and antipasto. The crew, including Chris, Mia, Carl, and Lauryn on recent departures, keeps the day friendly and well organized.

“Chris and Mia were both amazing host loved it all would def go again”

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10.3 Island Wildlife Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $142

Join a small group of up to 18 people for a 3.5-hour boat trip through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Your crew helps with equipment and snorkeling basics before you explore limestone reefs and look for sea lions, dolphins, fish, pelicans, and birds of prey. Lunch, upper-deck views, and complimentary photos are included.

“Incredible tour! The snorkeling was beautiful, the guides we’re friendly and passionate, and the gear was high quality. Highly recommend.”

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11.Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $202

Take a 2-hour-45-minute scenic flight from Whitsunday Coast Airport over the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and nine Whitsunday sights. Every passenger gets a window seat, headphones, and pilot commentary. The flight carries no more than seven people and has a 120-kilogram weight limit per person.

“Großartige Tour mit super Ausblicken von oben auf die Whitsunday Islands unf das Great Barrier Reef. Tour hätte noch länger sein können, da die Socht so einmalig war. Sehr empfehlenswert.”

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12.Hervey Bay: Exclusive Island Hopper Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $105

Join K’gari Salty Safaris at Great Sandy Straits Marina for a fast four-hour ride aboard the 500 HP WIPEOUT. Your English-speaking skipper and crew take you to up to five beaches, with time for snorkeling, SUPs, swimming, beach cricket, footy, or simply enjoying the sand.

“Sehr schöne kleine Inseln besucht, mit schöner Aussicht und genug Zeit zum genießen.”

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13.Two Islands, One Day – Fitzroy and Green Islands From Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $150

From Cairns Marlin Marina, Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises takes you to Fitzroy and Green islands in about 8.5 hours. Snorkel at both, walk Fitzroy’s rainforest trails, join an optional glass-bottom boat tour, and choose a boxed or buffet lunch. Clear instructions matter during the island transfer.

“The islands were beautiful, good tour to get both done if on a time limit. Was a little confusing transferring from Fitzroy to Green island as not everyone was doing both islands and the communication about where to go/what boat to get on was not the best.”

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14.2.5hr Non Stop Incredible Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $537

You’ll spend about 2.5 to 3 hours in the air with Broome Aviation, flying from Broome across Roebuck Bay, the Dampier Peninsula, Buccaneer Archipelago, and Horizontal Falls. Pilots such as Tom, Russell, and Luke provide commentary along the way. The flight carries no more than 15 people and returns to Broome.

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