Guided Semi-Submarine Tour
Experience the depths from our Semi-Submarine
Dive into the underwater world without getting your hair wet! Our semi-submarine tour is the ultimate way to explore the vibrant marine life, coral reefs, and breathtaking seascapes surrounding Normanby Island, all while staying comfortably dry.
With large viewing windows beneath the water’s surface, our semi-submarine offers an immersive, up-close encounter with the ocean’s wonders. No need for snorkelling gear or diving expertise; simply sit back and enjoy the mesmerizing underwater show as you listen to an informative commentary about life on the Great Barrier Reef.
Our crew will expertly guide the semi-submarine to some of our favourite locations where you will be able to spot a variety of corals, fish, giant clams and other critters just centimetres from the hull of the sub!
Our semi-submarine tour is available to all guests and a perfect alternative for those who prefer a dry adventure or have physical limitations.
The semi-submarine tour takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the tour and provides a unique and accessible way to soak in the beauty of the deep blue sea without getting soaked yourself!
Enjoy the semi-sub experience as part of our All-Inclusive and Express day tours
Adult (17+)
$195
Child (16 – 4 years)
$125
Infant (3 and under)
Free of charge
Family Pass (2AD and 2CH)
Second child travels free!
$525
What will you see?
Every semi-submarine trip is different, but here are some of the creatures and critters you may spot on your trip
Nemo (Anemonefish)
Instantly recognizable due to its bright orange colouring and distinctive white stripes, the clownfish – which is also known as the anemonefish – gained worldwide fame thanks to the 2003 film Finding Nemo. Many clownfish call Frankland Islands home, so you’ll be able to Find Nemo easily!
Hard and Soft Corals
There are all sorts of different corals that can be seen from the semi-sub including slow-growing boulder corals, fast-growing branching and plate corals, deep corals with big tentacles to catch food, brain corals, honeycomb corals, lettuce corals (pictured), and many more.
Giant Clams
Many of the giant clams around Normanby Island are over 80 years old! They filter the water for food and keep algae in their skin (like coral) to get energy from the sun. They even have eyes, and will close up their shell quickly to scare off any approaching predators!
Fish
In between the coral heads, you will often see a range of fish feeding at the bottom including parrotfish (pictured), butterflyfish and cleaner wrasses. Some graze on the algae, like herds of wildebeest, others searching for snails and crustaceans under the rubble and sand to nibble on.
Echinoderms (Starfish)
There are many members of the Echinodermata family that live around Normanby Island that you can see on your Semi-Sub tour, including starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers. Interestingly, most echinoderms are able to regenerate tissue, organs, and limbs.
Sea Turtles
During your semi-sub tour, you’re very likely to see our company mascot – the sea turtle! We are lucky to have two species of endangered sea turtles found around Frankland Islands: the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
The whole day was great. Starting in the river and then going into the ocean gave a different perspective than other cruises. Saw a crocodile on the way back in the river. Highly recommend this company and cruise.
Amazing experience, beautiful island that is truly well maintained, the crew did such a great job in keeping us safe and making us feel comfortable and giving us the best experience ♥️🐢
A perfect day with a totally engaged and friendly staff. I can recommend this to everyone, so much better with the small group and more individual than all the other snorkeling tours mass tourism tours.
Thanks to the whole Frankland Islands team, we had a great day out. Everyone was so friendly. Max especially was great with the snorkel safari and the island walk; he was so knowledgeable and genuinely interested in what he was showing us. We would highly recommend this.