Best Places To Snorkel Near Darwin

You should definitely buy one of these cheap video cameras to capture this wonderful landscape.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park, a favorite for all, Buley’s is a cascading collection of rock pools that seem to go on forever a great place to Snorkel. It’s only a 90-minute commute from Darwin.

The rockholes themselves are surrounded by a swath of lush foliage, beautiful waterfalls, and a plethora of hiking trails with breathtaking views that allow you to get up close and personal with the local fauna. Visitors may choose between splashing about in the deep plunge pools or relaxing in the smaller rock pools, both available on the site. Other attractions include free massages provided by fast-moving natural rapids.

Besides the rockholes themselves, there are several things to keep you occupied in the surrounding terrain as well. 

Mataranka Thermal Pool, Mataranka

There are two absolutely mind-blowing swimming holes near Mataranka. At the Mataranka Thermal Pools, springs bubble up at 34 degrees to fill a pool of perfectly turquoise water under a shady canopy of stretching palms.

The waters of this natural pool are not only a stunning shade of blue, but they can also soothe aches and pains. And this is excellent after a long day of walking and visiting the surrounding area. Palm trees surround the hot springs, creating a tropical oasis atmosphere, while the gentle stream of neighboring waterfalls may be heard in the background.

It is one of the most popular attractions in the area since it offers visitors the opportunity to rest while taking in the breathtaking scenery. There are also many possibilities for wildlife viewing here, since it is a natural nesting place for the red-bellied flying fox, a charming and endangered local species.

Bitter Springs, Mataranka

The second swimming hole at Mataranka is Bitter Springs. At Bitter Springs, underground warm springs have produced a 100-meter streamlined with native reeds and plants.

Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park

Jim Jim Falls is one of the better-known places to splash & Snorkel about. Nested inside a deep gorge, the only way to reach it is via a rugged 4WD track so, during the wet season, it’s often inaccessible. The plunge pool is breathtakingly huge and difficult to capture on camera.

When the weather is hot, you can see it from above. The road is impassable when water gushes over the drops. You can get a closer look if you make the arduous journey in the dry when the falls are just a trickle. The Arnhem Land escarpment’s red ochre and the area’s white-sand beaches make for a striking contrast. A swim in the crystal blue water of the plunge pool is well worth the 900-meter hike through the rocky terrain.

Approximately 43 kilometers south of the Bowali Centre is a left turn off the Kakadu Highway that heads east. Follow the four-wheel-drive trails for another 60 kilometers to your destination. Allow two hours for each journey. Remember to adhere to the posted speed restrictions and drive cautiously since the final 10 miles of the route have patches of soft sand. 

Tjaynera Falls, Litchfield National Park

Tjaynera Falls is one of Litchfield’s best-kept secrets to Snorkel. Like Jim Jim, it’s accessible only via a 4WD track which means, on a quiet day, you might be lucky enough to have the place to yourself.

With only four-wheel-drive vehicles reaching them, these waterfalls see much less traffic than the more easily accessible waterholes elsewhere in the park. And with campsite amenities, it’s the perfect place to spend a weekend away from it all. 

Edith Falls, Nitmiluk National Park

Edith Falls sits among the red rock landscape near Katherine Gorge, just over three hours from Darwin. Snorkel by taking a paddle in the two separate pools at the top or bottom of the falls.

Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park

A stone’s throw from Buley’s, the plunge pool of Florence Falls is a clear, deep and shady place to Snorkel that’s surrounded by towering rock walls. Use your Snorkel skills to fight the strong current and get right up under the twin falls, snorkel and check out the huge barramundi swimming below.

Bring a picnic and stop here for a break, complete with the sound of the creek bubbling past. It’s then just a short, leisurely walk to the car park. Camping is available nearby at Florence Falls 2WD or Old 4WD campgrounds. Florence Falls provides Link Walk track access to Litchfields’ challenging 39-kilometre overnight Tabletop Track hike.

Berry Springs, Berry Springs Nature Park

A little closer to Darwin, the Berry Springs Nature Park is a popular Snorkel hole. It’s well set up with picnic areas, BBQs and a kiosk. There’s a collection of warm, clear pools and whitewater torrents, made accessible with ladders and pontoons.

Make yourself comfortable in one of Berry Creek’s beautiful and shaded pools. And if you’ve taken your goggles along with you, you may even be able to spy some local fish and other aquatic life. If you want to walk, you may follow a looped walking trail across the region, which will take you through monsoon forests and woods. While the United States military was stationed in the region during World War II, Berry Springs was used as a rest and leisure camp for the 100,000 soldiers stationed there. 

Gunlom Plunge Pool, Kakadu National Park

Gunlom Plunge Pool is hidden at the top of a waterfall, so the hike to reach it is steep but the Snorkeling experience is ever so sweet. The water here is cool and refreshing, and the views over Kakadu are there to see.

Vernon Islands 

At Vernon’s Blue Holes, a vast network of lagoons ringed by coral and waterfalls is only visible at low tide, protected by sandy banks. Colorful coral tables may be seen on the top of the holes, while staghorn forests can be seen sinking and vanishing into the depths below the surface.

More marine life can be found near the top of the reef around the Blue Holes than anyplace else in Darwin Harbour. A few of these species are not found anywhere in Darwin Harbour.

Day trips to Kakadu National Park