Snorkel tours turn locals into ocean researchers

A new conservation initiative is opening the waters off Fingal Head and Cook Island Aquatic Reserve to locals, combining guided snorkelling with citizen science to support marine protection.

 

The collaboration between guided tour operator Snorkel with the Turtles and local environmental group Green Heroes will allow participants to explore one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the east coast while contributing to conservation data collection.

Green Heroes founder Sarah Jantos said the initiative was created to reconnect people with the ocean and turn awareness into action.

“Through our partnership with Snorkel with the Turtles, community members can now book a guided snorkel tour out to Cook Island and take part in conservation at the same time,” Jantos said.

 

“Participants will be guided on how to observe and record what they see in the water such as turtle sightings, species identification, and environmental conditions.”

“This data can then contribute to broader conservation efforts and research.

“Green Heroes was born out of a love for the ocean and a growing concern about how disconnected people have become from it.

“Living near Fingal Head, I see every day just how special this coastline is, but also how vulnerable it is.

“Green Heroes is about making conservation accessible for the whole community.”

Green Heroes has received recognition for its environmental work, earning the Tweed Shire Council Sustainability Award for Wildlife and Habitat Conservation in 2019 and 2021, and being named NSW Community Educator of the Year by the Australian Association of Environmental Education in 2022.

That recognition reflects the ecological importance of Fingal Head, where protected waters sit alongside increasing coastal development pressures.

“Fingal Head and Cook Island Aquatic Reserve are incredibly unique because they sit at the intersection of rich marine biodiversity and increasing coastal development,” Jantos said.

“While much of the surrounding coastline is experiencing rapid growth and housing pressure, Cook Island remains a protected aquatic reserve.

 

“It’s a rare and valuable pocket of biodiversity that needs community stewardship to help protect it.”

Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is one of the most biodiverse marine areas on Australia’s east coast, with volcanic rock formations creating habitat for species including green sea turtles, loggerhead turtles, manta rays, reef fish and leopard sharks.

“The clear water, reef structures, and nutrient flow all combine to create a thriving underwater ecosystem,” Jantos said.

“Sea turtles help keep seagrass beds and reef systems balanced, which in turn supports a wide range of other marine life.”

The initiative forms part of a broader push to build community involvement in marine conservation.

“Long term, we want to build a strong, community-led conservation movement,” Jantos said.

She said this would involve expanding programs, collecting ecological data, supporting local marine protection efforts, and inspiring future generations.

 

The collaboration with Snorkel with the Turtles also includes a donation component, with a percentage of each booking supporting Green Heroes conservation work.

“Conservation works best when the local community feels connected to what they’re protecting,” Jantos said.

“People are far more likely to care and advocate for places that they’ve experienced themselves.”

Jantos said the first boat trips are expected to begin on 25 April, with each session including an introduction to the local ecosystem, snorkelling guidance, and opportunities to contribute to citizen science.

To book a session visit snorkelwiththeturtles.rezdy.com