Description
Manly Snorkeling Tour: Explore Cabbage Tree Bay ‘s Vibrant Marine Life
Advanced Eco-Certified Guided Exploration
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Over 677 Reviews with a 5-Star Rating Across Multiple Platforms
10/10 Experience – Jan 2025
The tour was amazing!! Sam was an amazing guide as well! Safe, informative and fun!! We got to see so much marine life and I would never trade this experience for anything!
Snorkelling Tips: If you’re new to snorkelling or need a refresher, watch our short Snorkelling Tips video with Damien before the tour.
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Your Manly Snorkel Tour Experience: Dive into Adventure!
Included Experiences:
- Advanced Eco-Certified Guided Exploration Small Group Experience: Maximum of 8 people.
- Safety Assured: Your guide’s expertise in water safety and first aid ensures a secure and enjoyable exploration of the aquatic reserve.
- Guided Snorkelling: 1-hour guided Manly Snorkelling Tour, delving into the wonders of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.
- Equipment Provided: All equipment and wetsuits included
- Expert Briefing: Begin with a concise safety, wildlife code of conduct and valuable snorkel tips briefing
- Scenic Nature Walk: Enjoy a 30 minutes 800m headland loop trail walk features an easy gradient and coastal views
- Memories Captured: Capture the moments that matter with complimentary FREE tour photos to cherish forever.
- Fellowship and Connections: Interact, share, and bond with fellow guests, making your journey even more memorable.
Highlighted Experiences:
- Biodiversity Discovery: Learn about the rich diversity of wildlife thriving within the Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve, adding depth to your snorkelling experience.
- Species Hunt: Seek out species like the renowned Blue Groper, observing them in their natural habitat.
- Marine Life and Habitat Identification: Identify habitats and over 200 fish species, invertebrates, and vibrant algae as you snorkel.
- Cultural Insights: Unearth the coastal culture of Manly through captivating stories shared by your local guide, adding cultural context to your adventure.
- Whale Spotting and Avian Delights: From May to November, embark on a Headland Walk for whale spotting, or enjoy observing coastal birds year-round.
Join us on this extraordinary journey, and let the captivating waters of Manly enrich your senses and memories.
Group Experience Pricing
- Flexi ticket $109pp (24hr cancellation policy)
- Saver ticket $99pp (no cancellation or changes +$30pp for any date changes)
Duration: 2.5 hour Manly Snorkel Tour
Book Now or Buy Gift CertificateAFTER BOOKING COMPLETE PRE TRIP ONLINE WAIVER FOR EACH PARTICIPANT
Go to our Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve Marine Identification page for more information
Experience Description
Please note that all participants are required to demonstrate their ability to swim 150 meters freestyle unassisted and comfortably float as well as tread water. A swim test will be administered at the commencement of the group tour to ensure everyone’s safety. Prioritize your well-being and be aware of your water capabilities. We kindly ask individuals who are unable to swim not to enroll in the group tour. If you are not a confident swimmer, we recommend considering our private tour option. Check the availability of private tours for a personalized experience.
How to book
What to Bring:
- Footwear: Wear comfortable walking shoes for the headland walk, and bring flip flops/sandals to wear from the car park to the beach. Leave them on the beach while snorkeling.
- Sun Protection: Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun’s rays.
- Swimming Attire: Pack your swimwear to fully enjoy the snorkelling experience.
- Stay Hydrated: Carry a refillable drink bottle to stay hydrated throughout the tour.
- Towel: Bring a towel to dry off after your snorkelling adventure.
- Snorkelling Tips: If you’re new to snorkelling or need a refresher, watch our short Snorkelling Tips video with Damien before the tour.
- Valuables: Your valuables will be kept secure and locked in our vehicle while we’re in the water.
Getting to Shelly Beach Manly:
To reach Shelly Beach from Manly Wharf, you can take a pleasant 20-30 minute walk through Manly village along the beachfront. Alternatively, a quick 5-minute taxi ride from Manly Wharf is another convenient option. For those driving, head to the car park located at the end of Bower Street, parking can be busy in summer so allow ample time to find a park. If you require any additional assistance on the day call the snorkel tour guide phone listed on your ticket 0433 088 951, or if you are pre planing your trip don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff via email at info@ecotreasures.com.au . We’re here to help!
Snorkel tour phone number 0433 088 951 – tour guide has this phone on 30 mins prior to you tour to help you if your lost at Shelly beach.
AFTER BOOKING COMPLETE PRE TRIP ONLINE WAIVER FOR EACH PARTICIPANT
Tour Meeting Location: Please read and use the maps provided
Go to Shelly Beach car park exit, which is the only car park at Shelly Beach (not the loading zone next to toilets & cafe). The car park is located end of Bower St at Shelly Beach, Manly. Please note that it’s not near the cafe. Our meeting point is located at the car park exit on the cliff side, where you’ll also find a designated disabled parking spot. Look for the green dot on the map for reference. We meet at the Van so you can store your bags in the van.
Follow these instruction
- Arrive before tour start time and allow ample travel/parking time
- Go to Shelly Beach Manly car park at the end of Bower st
- Walk to exit of car park see the to green dot on photo below. Ocean side of car park at disabled car spot
- Meet your guide and check in
- Don’t be late or you will miss the tour
Discover the Protected Waters of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
Nestled at Shelly Beach in Sydney, just minutes away from the renowned Manly Beach, lies the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. With its Western-facing aspect, Shelly Beach is shielded from much of the East Coast swell, providing a tranquil environment for exploration. This unique marine haven encompasses diverse habitats, from rocky reefs to sea grass meadows and sandy bottoms, providing sanctuary for an array of marine life both resident and migratory.
Designated as a “NO TAKE” marine zone since 2002, the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve ensures the conservation of its underwater treasures. It’s a place where fishing and species collection, including shells, are strictly prohibited to safeguard this delicate ecosystem. Stringent laws and fines deter any violations, resulting in a thriving conservation success story. Now, all of us can revel in the sight of these various species within the Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve, a mere 30-minute journey from Sydney city.
Manly, with its vibrant coastal village ambiance, offers not only this aquatic wonder but also enchanting nature walk trails. For an array of local walks in the area, explore the Sydney Harbour National Park website. Seeking tips or travel advice while in Manly? Feel free to contact our office at info@ecotreasures.com.au With our local expertise, we can help you plan and arrange other captivating tours within Sydney. We’re also here to share minimal impact travel tips and insights about Climate Change.
The wildlife of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
Disclaimer – Wildlife is wildlife, we can not guarantee any sighting of wildlife. The magic of nature is that you never know what you may see.
Sea life list
- Blue Groper – Near threatened species
- Grey Nurse Shark – Threatened species
- Port Jackson Shark (June – Nov)
- Spotted Wobbegong
- Eagle Ray
- Green Moray
- Weedy Sea Dragons – Near threatened species
- Maori Wrasse
- Crimson-bended Wrasse
- Giant cuttle fish (Feb – Aug)
- Dusky Whaler Shark (Feb – June)
- Green Turtle
- + manly more
Go to our Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve Marine Identification page for more information
Do you want to participate in citizen science?
Contribute to the below citizen science projects
- iNaturalist Manly – Record and view wildlife
- Coastsnap – A global citizen science project to capture changing coastlines
Frequently asked questions – Please read
What will happen if you are late and can’t find the meeting spot for the tour?
Please allow ample time to travel to Manly to be safe. Please arrive early and get a coffee/juice and enjoy not being in a rush and/or late. If you arrive late after the tour start time unfortunately you will miss the tour. The tour must start on time so we can stick to the the arrange timetable and tour schedule. If you arrive late and miss the tour group, you will forfeit your ticket as per terms and conditions. Our tour guide will have the snorkel tour phone turned on for 30 min prior to tour start time if you need any help. The number is listed in your emails and tickets. Please call before the tour start time if you need help and refer to meeting instructions and maps above. Our guide will not answer the phone after the tour start time, to not negatively impact or delay tour start time and experience for other guests. We don’t want the tour to be interrupted answering phone calls if people are late as it is not fair to the customer who have arrived on time. We meet at Shelly beach car park exit. The 1 and only Car park is at the end of Bower Street, Shelly Beach Manly. We meet at the exit of car park. See meeting spot map on Ecotreasures webpage for more help and details. Please plan your trip ahead of time and allow a lot of time for parking on weekends and peak periods.
Will the tour operate in rain?
Yes, we operate in all weather conditions as we are an outdoor adventure company.
Can tours be cancelled?
Yes, we reserve the right to cancel tours if we deem conditions unsafe or minimum numbers of 2 persons are not met. We assess conditions every morning and throughout the day. We will email you a cancellation email if tour is cancelled by 7am the day of the tour. Please keep your day open in case we need to move your session time. Check email prior and day of tour for any updates and important information. A good tip is to have some possible backup free dates if your tour is cancelled to to large swell or a storm. Please refer to T & C for rescheduling and cancellation policy on Ecotreasures website in the footer (bottom of home page).
Is there somewhere to store your belongings?
Yes, you can lock 1 x small back pack per person in our vehicle for safe storage. No luggage is permitted as we don’t have space.
How do you change tour date?
If you booked directly through Ecotreasures please email tour details and check webpage for available dates and email us a new date. If you booked through a travel agent, please contact them directly to update your bookings dates. Please refer to T & C for rescheduling and cancellation policy on Ecotreasures website in the footer (bottom of home page).
Can I participate if I’m pregnant?
Sorry we are not permitted by our insurance company to allow pregnant women to participate in high energy activities.
Are there public toilets and showers at Manly/Shelly Beach?
Yes, at Shelly Beach and Manly Beach surf club
Please note we are an automated business and all the tour information listed on the Ecotreasures webpage to help you. If you need to email, please do 24-48hrs prior to tour start time. Within 24hrs we cannot guarantee a response at short notice.