Swim with Turtles on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland
Discover the vibrant world beneath the surface at Mudjimba Island.
Escape the crowds and dive into an ocean adventure that’s personal, peaceful, and full of life. With just 8 guests per tour, our Sunshine Coast snorkelling trips are designed for connection — to the ocean, to wildlife, and to yourself.
Join our experienced freediving guides for a relaxed snorkelling experience at Mudjimba Island, a local gem known for its clear water, colourful reefs, and friendly turtles. Whether you’re a first-time snorkeller, freediver or a confident ocean swimmer, we’ll help you feel safe and at ease from the moment you step on board.
Snorkeling on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast offers some amazing snorkeling experiences. One of Queenslands’ most loved snorkeling spots, is Mudjimba Island.
Mudjimba Island (also known as Old Woman Island) is home to an incredible variety of marine life — from turtles and wobbegong sharks to rays, crayfish, and vibrant reef fish weaving through the coral gardens. Every trip offers something different, shaped by the conditions and the ocean’s mood that day.
Who It’s For
Whether you’re a confident swimmer, a freediver or new to snorkeling, our team is here to support you. You’ll receive full guidance before entering the water, and we tailor the experience to suit all comfort levels. Our goal is simple: to help you feel safe, present, and ready for the moment when it happens.
Please keep in mind that this tour is only for people that know how to swim in the open ocean. We do not wear swimming vests or use floaties/pool noodles.
What makes our snorkel tours different
- Small Groups (max 8 people) – more space, less rush, more time in the water
- Experienced freedivers as your guides – safety, calm, and deeper connection to the ocean
- Personalised experience – we tailer each tour to comfort and experience levels
- Flexible and respectful – we let the wildlife set the pace
Whether you’re simply snorkeling or curious to explore freediving, our crew is here to guide you.
The Experience
Before Your Trip
Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the key info for your snorkelling tour. Then, the day before your tour, our team will send you a final update via email with confirmation that we are good to go and the tour is going ahead. Please keep an eye on your inbox.*
When You Arrive
The meeting time will be confirmed in the confirmation email the afternoon before your trip. You will meet the Pressure Project crew at The Wharf in Mooloolaba, between Rice Boi and The Booking Box. When your booking details are confirmed, you are checked in, your waiver is signed, and you are fitted with any gear you have hired, a short briefing and safety overview is given by our skipper.
Heading Out
Once the briefing and safety overview is held by our skipper, we will set off on a 15-minute scenic boat ride on Ocean Rose, our Oceanus 24 vst vessel, to Mudjimba Island. During the journey, our experienced team will brief you on safety, what to expect, and how to make the most of your snorkel trip.
The Snorkel Experience
Once we have reached Mudjimba Island, you’ll have time to explore the reef and swim alongside the local turtles and marine life. Our guide stays close, ensuring you’re comfortable, confident, and making the most of your time in the water.
Please keep in mind that animals are not to be chased, touched, or interfered with. It is important you observe and remain open to whatever encounters you will have.
A Note About Nature
Every snorkel tour is different and is shaped by the ocean and marine life themselves. While our guides will do everything they can to give you the best encounters, we can’t guarantee marine life encounters. Refunds are not provided if we don’t see animals.
Book Your Sunshine Coast Snorkelling Tour
If you’re looking to snorkel with turtles and other marine life on the Sunshine Coast in a small, respectful group — this is your chance. Let the ocean surprise you, and remind you what it means to feel truly alive beneath the surface.
Book your snorkel tour with turtles experience today and see what magic unfolds at Mudjimba Island.
Looking For a Private Charter?
For a more personalised experience, we offer private charters tailored to your group and preferences.
- Snorkel & Sip | Start with snorkelling at Mudjimba Island, then finished with snacks and drinks at sunset on the river — the perfect way to relax and unwind after your adventure.
- Custom Tours | Choose your own local reef adventure for a half-day or full-day private tour, designed to suit your group’s skill level, interest, and pace.
Private charters are ideal for families, friends, or anyone wanting an exclusive, flexible, and unforgettable ocean experience on the Sunshine Coast.
*As we work with nature, all trips are subject to sea and weather conditions. We keep a close eye on the forecast and will get in touch if conditions aren’t suitable for heading out. You’ll receive an email the afternoon before your tour — usually by 4 pm — with an update on whether the trip is going ahead and your confirmed departure time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the minimum age to join our whale swims is 10 years old. There’s no upper age limit—as long as you’re in good health and comfortable in the water, you’re welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
No, you don’t. As long as you’re a confident swimmer, comfortable in open water, and in good health, you’re welcome to join us. Our experienced crew will guide you every step of the way to help you feel safe and supported in the water.
Your safety is our top priority. Snorkelling is a physically demanding activity, so whether you can join depends on how far along you are. We recommend reaching out to our team before booking to discuss your options. We’ll work with you to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, tailored to your comfort and stage of pregnancy.
We keep a close eye on weather and ocean conditions leading up to your tour to ensure it’s safe and enjoyable. You’ll receive a confirmation email when you book with all the key details. The day before your tour, we’ll send you a final update via email and/or text message before 4 pm, confirming whether the tour is going ahead and sharing your check-in time and final details.
Please keep in mind that even if the weather looks calm onshore, conditions offshore can be very different. If we need to cancel due to ocean or weather conditions, it’s always with your safety in mind. In that case, you’ll have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
Marine life is wild and unpredictable, so we cannot guarantee sightings of turtles or other creatures. Every snorkelling experience is shaped by the animals themselves, the conditions, and the ocean’s rhythm. While we aim to provide the best possible chance of encounters and the chances are high, we unfortunately can’t decide wether we encounter marine life or not.
While we always do our best to run the full experience, the ocean can be unpredictable. If conditions shift once we’re already out on the water, our skipper may decide to adjust the tour or return to shore early for your safety and comfort.
These decisions are never taken lightly and are always made with your wellbeing in mind. If we do need to cut the tour short due to weather, safety, or technical reasons, we’ll offer you the option to reschedule, receive a credit, or be refunded—depending on how much of the tour was completed.
All Snorkel With Turtles bookings are subject to the following:
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Cancellations made less than 72 hours before departure incur a 100% cancellation fee. No refunds are available.
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Bookings are transferable to another person. The new guest can simply update the name at check-in.
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No-shows at the scheduled departure time also incur a 100% cancellation fee.
Please note: This policy applies to situations including, but not limited to, seasickness. Our crew will do their best to make you comfortable, but active participation in the water is required. Refunds or rebookings will not be provided if you cannot swim due to seasickness. We recommend considering seasickness prevention methods to ensure you can fully enjoy your tour.
This is an active and physically engaging experience, so refunds are not provided if a participant cannot complete the tour for any reason.
Refunds are only provided if we cancel the tour due to weather or other conditions beyond our control.
Ocean conditions can affect people differently, and seasickness is always a possibility—even on calmer days. If you’re prone to motion sickness, we strongly recommend taking sea sickness medication before the tour to help you feel your best.
Our crew will always do what they can to support you, but once guests are in the water, their focus needs to be on safety and guiding the experience. Because seasickness is beyond our control, we’re unable to offer refunds or rebooking options if it prevents you from entering the water or completing the tour.
Please also note that this is an active experience that requires a moderate level of physical ability. We are unable to provide refunds if you’re unable to participate fully due to fitness, confidence in the water, or other personal factors.
We meet at The Wharf Mooloolaba. Details regarding time will be sent out the day before for your trip but generally the morning trip will meet at 7:00 am and the afternoon trip at 11:00 am. Please find all day parking with Penny Lane being a great option. (Meeting place is between The Booking Box and Rice Boi once you arrive at The Wharf).
Only bring the essentials:
-A water bottle
-A light snack
-Towel
-Your swimsuit – best to wear when arriving so changing goes fast
-Dry clothes & Jacket (it can get chilly on the water)
If you have your own mask, snorkel, fins, or wetsuit, feel free to bring them—otherwise, hire gear is available. Please add this when you are making your booking.
Important: Please pack light as there is limited space on board and things can get wet. Don’t bring any large bags or unnecessary items. Our boat is designed for 10 guests, and we need to keep things streamlined for safety and comfort.
Wetsuit use is optional and depends on your comfort and the conditions. We provide 5mm hire wetsuits for those who want extra warmth.
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Winter: We recommend bringing or wearing a 3–5mm wetsuit, as it can get chilly in the water.
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Summer: On sunny days, a thick wetsuit isn’t usually needed, but if it’s overcast or you’ll be in the water for a long time, a wetsuit can help you stay comfortable.
Your safety and enjoyment are our priority, so we’re happy to provide advice based on the day’s conditions.
Yes, hire gear is available for $30. You are welcome to bring your own.
Yes! We do half day (3-4hrs) or full day (6-8hrs) charters for snorkelling and freediving trips. Please contact us for more information at [email protected].