Snorkelling Shelly Beach — Attraction in Sydney

I wasn’t exactly racing to leap into cold water this morning. But wetsuit zipped, sun out, and Shelley Beach sparkling like a secret paradise, I found myself on the most magical guided snorkelling tour in Manly.

Our guide Tamila was pure energy, passion and knowledge, like having David Attenborough in a wetsuit with a big smile. She knew every fish, every swaying strand of kelp, every hidden corner of this protected marine park.

Within minutes I forgot the chill and was swimming alongside locals of the underwater kind: a dazzling cuttlefish flashing colours like neon lights, the magnificent blue groper, and my favourite, a Port Jackson shark gliding calmly past, a rare winter visitor.

The cherry on top was that Tamila took stunning underwater photos throughout the snorkel and downloaded them straight to our phones afterwards, so we didn’t just live the experience, we got to take it home.

It felt like discovering a secret world just beneath the surface, alive, colourful and unforgettable. I left feeling privileged, invigorated and already planning my next swim.

If you’re in Sydney and even thinking about snorkelling, stop scrolling and book this. Snorkelling Shelley Beach is an experience you’ll...

I went snorkelling at Shelly Beach nature reserve with Tamila and it was beyond incredible. Tamila greeted me with a warm hug and was bubbly and vivacious. Prior to going snorkelling Tamila suggested the things I might need. She explained everything in detail prior to entering the water and told me what to expect. She made me feel comfortable and confident in the water. She was patient and reassured me when I became anxious. She answered all my questions and explained things clearly. She showed me techniques that will only improve my snorkelling skills and encouraged me to try them out. Tamila pointed out a variety of species including Port Jackson Sharks, an Eastern Blue Groper, a Hermit Crab (got to experience this up closely), a variety of leatherjackets & wrasse, sea urchins, zebra fish and so much more. I could not recall all the names of what she pointed out. There were also the beautiful sea grasses, and coral. This was a private tour for an hour and was so worth every minute. Tamila is passionate about what she can share with people and you really feel she is there...

O M G! What an experience of a lifetime! I honestly don’t know where to start, but let’s get to it. Tamila has amazing beautiful kind genuine and authentic energy you can feel from the first moment you meet. She was very inspiring with her achievements and perspective. She was extremely knowledgable about the beaches - our first location at Shelly beach had low “viz” (insider) so she was kind enough to get us to another beach to have the highest chance of seeing wildlife. She gives amazing instruction, VERY PATIENT, takes great photos😛 and is just overall a great if not THE BEST host for an experience of this kind. I honestly can say this is the highlight of my trip and it wasn’t due to only the snorkeling but mainly thanks to Tamila. I could seriously go on and on and on about it; but truly you should experience this for yourself. You’ll learn how to tackle your fears and emerge with confidence in the water feeling like you’re a professional snorkeler 😂. Overall...