The Coles Bay coastline offers a gentle introduction to snorkelling and diving in Tasmanian waters. The shallow, calm conditions make it forgiving for beginners, though visibility can vary depending on weather and swell. Along the reef and seagrass beds, keep an eye out for brightly coloured sponges clinging to the rocky substrate, wrasse picking through the kelp, and schools of sprats catching the light. The Cross-back Stingaree (a small, harmless ray) rests on sandy patches near the seagrass. Mussels and oysters are common throughout. Come prepared for cold water, as a wetsuit is essential year-round.

Freycinet Peninsula offers calm, shallow snorkelling in some of Tasmania's clearest water, with visibility regularly reaching 30 metres. The mild current makes it a comfortable choice if you are new to snorkelling or diving. The real draw here is the wildlife. Weedy seadragons drift through the reef, cuttlefish patrol the shallower areas, and with patience you may spot seals or even dolphins passing through. Little penguins are also occasionally seen in the water. The cold water requires a wetsuit, but the payoff is excellent visibility and genuinely unusual marine encounters for a shore-accessible site.

Sleepy Bay is a sheltered shore snorkelling spot in Tasmania where calm, crystal clear waters make it genuinely approachable for beginners. The shallows host rockpool creatures and small fish, while patient visitors stand a good chance of encountering weedy seadragons, which blend remarkably into the surrounding reef. Australian fur seals and southern elephant seals visit the area, and dolphins and whales are also sighted here. Visibility can reach 30 metres on good days. Come prepared for cold water and check surf conditions before entering, as both can vary.

Richardsons Beach is a gentle shore entry that suits snorkellers and new divers well. The waters stay shallow and calm, and visibility can reach up to 30 metres on a good day, making it easy to see what is around you. Kelp forest, seagrass beds, and reef give you a mix of habitats to explore in a single outing. Keep an eye out for weedy sea dragons moving slowly through the kelp, octopuses tucked into rocky crevices, and sea stars and anemones on the reef. Leatherjackets and wrasses are common, and during seasonal migrations, southern right whales and humpback whales may pass through. Come prepared for cold water.

Wineglass Bay offers shore-based snorkelling in shallow, calm waters, making it a welcoming choice for beginners. The reef environment is home to weedy seadragons, those wonderfully camouflaged relatives of the seahorse, so take your time and look carefully rather than covering distance. Seals and dolphins also move through the area, and during the right season, whales are sometimes spotted from shore. Visibility varies, so conditions can change between visits. The water is cold year-round, so a wetsuit is essential regardless of the air temperature. The best window runs from December through to May.

The Esplanade is a shore dive off Tasmania that punches well above its weight for a beginner site. Depths run from the shallows down to 15 metres, and visibility regularly reaches 35 metres, so you can see clearly in every direction. The current is mild, making it easy to take your time. The reef is a reliable spot to find weedy seadragons and seahorses if you look slowly and carefully among the structure. Stingrays, bullrays, and eagle rays are also regular visitors. Keep an eye in open water for squid, cuttlefish, and trevally, and watch for cowfish and long-snouted boarfish tucked closer to the reef.

Picnic Island is a gentle, accessible snorkel site in Tasmania suited to beginners, with shallow, calm waters that make it easy to explore at your own pace. The site sits within boat range and is best accessed through a local charter. Currents can vary, so check conditions before heading out, and visibility shifts depending on the day. Cold water is a constant here, so a wetsuit is essential. The underwater life is the real draw, with Australian fur seals and bottlenose dolphins appearing regularly, while abalone, crayfish, and sea urchins inhabit the reef below. Migrating whales pass through seasonally.

Friendly Beaches offers shore diving along a Tasmanian reef where sponge gardens form the visual backbone of the site. The waters are shallow and calm, though moderate currents run through, so plan your entry and exit accordingly. Visibility is variable, which is worth checking before you commit to the dive. Australian fur seals and dolphins move through the area, while butterfly perch are a reliable reef presence among the sponges. Cold water is a constant here, so a drysuit or a well-rated wetsuit is the sensible choice. Best conditions run from December through May. Watch for surf and rip currents at the shore entry.