Explore Mackay
Things to do
Hotels
43 results found

Sort by

Recommended

Tours • From Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.4 / 5
(168) • 8K+ booked
From
฿ 2,479
Save ฿ 437
Klook's choice
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns

Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(256) • 7K+ booked
฿ 5,884
Cruises • From Cairns

Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.2 / 5
(32) • 1K+ booked
From
฿ 2,617
Klook's choice
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
4.6 / 5
(194) • 4K+ booked
฿ 9,692
Tours • Whitsundays

Scenic Flight Heart Reef, Whitehaven beach from Airlie Beach

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Morning departure
4.6 / 5
(25) • 1K+ booked
From
฿ 8,305
Klook's choice
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Green Island Reef Cruise Full Day Guided Tour from Cairns

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(127) • 7K+ booked
From
฿ 3,719
Tours • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Classic Scenic Flight from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Up to 3 hrs
4.7 / 5
(37) • 1K+ booked
From
฿ 6,635
Cruises • From Cairns

Half Day Green Island Reef Cruise from Cairns

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(38) • 3K+ booked
฿ 2,526
Water activities • Cairns

Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Experience

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.8 / 5
(15) • 400+ booked
From
฿ 5,258
10% off select options
Cruises • From Cairns

Outer Reef Pontoon Full Day Tour at Moore Reef

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.4 / 5
(36) • 2K+ booked
From
฿ 7,084
Cruises • From Cairns

Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full Day Cruise from Port Douglas

Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(39) • 1K+ booked
฿ 8,031
Cruises • From Cairns

Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise Tour from Cairns

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(17) • 1K+ booked
From
฿ 7,462
Water activities • From Cairns

Half or Full Day Fitzroy Island Transfers & Optional Activities

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.5 / 5
(130) • 4K+ booked
From
฿ 2,480
Cruises • Queensland

Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Airlie Beach or Daydream Island

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Morning departure
4.6 / 5
(54) • 1K+ booked
฿ 7,554
Water activities • Queensland

Fly Raft Experience with Scenic Flight and Ocean Rafting

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.8 / 5
(26) • 600+ booked
฿ 12,972
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Pontoon from Cairns including Snorkelling

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.5 / 5
(128) • 2K+ booked
From
฿ 7,163
Tours • Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight from Cairns or Port Douglas

Book now for today
English guided
Morning departure
4.7 / 5
(3) • 100+ booked
From
฿ 11,181
Tours • Tasmania

Bay of Fires & Binalong Bay Full-Day Tour

Hotel pick-up
Free cancellation
4.8 / 5
(73) • 1K+ booked
฿ 4,592
Water activities • Queensland

Whitsundays Tongarra Snorkel and Sailing Day Tour from Airlie Beach

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.5 / 5
(11) • 500+ booked
฿ 5,028
Water activities • Cairns

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.6 / 5
(30) • 600+ booked
From
฿ 3,674
Cruises • From Gold Coast, Brisbane

Lady Elliot Island Great Barrier Reef Tour from Gold Coast/ Brisbane

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
4.9 / 5
(20) • 500+ booked
From
฿ 25,256
Cruises • From Cairns

Outer Reef Pontoon and Fitzroy Island Full Day Premium Tour

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(10) • 200+ booked
From
฿ 7,737
Tours • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Adventure Day Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
English guided
5.0 / 5
(2) • 50+ booked
฿ 4,483.8
Save ฿ 498.2
Tours • From Cairns

City and Rainforest Scenic Helicopter Flight from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Morning departure
5.0 / 5
(2)
฿ 4,339

Reviews of Mackay activities

Klook会員
2026-09-18 22:59:08
Fantastic 5.0
Since I was a bit nervous about swimming, I opted for the glass-bottom boat and snorkeling package! The glass-bottom boat was amazing; just looking down, I could see beautiful fish and sea turtles, which was truly breathtaking. For snorkeling, I paid an additional AUD 12 to rent a life vest! Just a short distance away, there were schools of colorful fish, and swimming among them myself was a completely different experience. (The fish themselves were actually clearer to see from the glass-bottom boat!) Coin lockers, the souvenir shop, and restaurants all accepted credit card payments!
Klook 用戶
2026-10-05 00:27:23
Fantastic 5.0
The onboard staff were very enthusiastic and provided detailed introductions. After boarding, we left our ID at the counter to borrow prescription diving masks. At the second dive site, we decided on the spot to pay the 20 AUD for the glass-bottom boat ride, where we saw many fish and corals. The meals on board were simple and average, so those who care about food can bring their own snacks. Also, it is recommended to take motion sickness medicine to avoid ruining a wonderful trip.
Josel ******************
2026-10-20 20:07:52
Fantastic 5.0
Overall a great experience and definitely a must to add onto your itineraries! The tour was organised and the staffs made sure everyone was having a safe and fun day at the reef. You have most of what you’ll need in the boat—sea sickness pills, drinks and snacks. We not only got to see The Great Barrier Reef upclose but also above from the Heli. 😍
Klook客路用户
2026-10-03 04:05:03
Fantastic 5.0
The scenery starts off amazing 👍. The pilot counts down when approaching the Heart Reef. I'm usually very afraid of turbulence and weightlessness; I took motion sickness medication in advance and was able to manage it well ~ Highly recommended, and the pick-up service was also very thoughtful without a long wait.
Mark **************
2026-07-07 15:02:03
Fantastic 5.0
Our tour was delayed by an hour because of bad weather (quite unseasonal, considering winter is supposed to be the "dry season"), but honestly they made the right call! We had a brief window of okay weather and good visibility over the reefs. The pilot Jesse was very nice and cheerful; he made me sit beside him seeing that I was travelling solo, and honestly it made the experience so much better! Also, that was one of the smoothest landings I've ever experienced for an aircraft; I didn't even notice we were already on wheels on the runway. Highly recommend this tour! But allow some flexibility in your schedule as it is a very weather-dependent activity: keep an eye on the forecast 2-3 days before locking in a date.
Klook会員
2026-09-07 02:33:40
Fantastic 5.0
We participated in an afternoon departure on a pleasantly cool spring day. On the way there, we encountered whales! An announcement was made, and we stopped for a while to watch them. At Green Island, snorkeling was canceled that day due to a crocodile sighting, so we went on a glass-bottom boat tour instead. We could have still gone into the ocean, but we decided to enjoy the island's walking trails, which led to several small beaches. Before heading back, we dipped our feet in the water.
Liyi **
2026-07-01 04:28:26
Fantastic 5.0
Excellent experience! Thr Great Barrier Reef is definitely worth going! Sunlovers boat was really nice compared to other boats. The guides to the SeaWalker and the Scuber Diving were excellent. We also had the best snorkeling experience !
Noorlisawati ***********
2026-06-30 12:35:12
Fantastic 5.0
Nice island getaway with a relaxing vibe We joined a day trip to Fitzroy Island and overall had a nice experience. The boat ride from the marina took about 45 minutes, which was quite manageable. The weather in the days before our trip had been rainy, so the guide let us know in advance that the water might not be very clear. Even so, it was still enjoyable to spend time on the island and go into the water. The beach we were at had corals instead of soft sand, so it was a bit harder and more slippery to walk on, something visitors may want to be prepared for. We still managed to see a few fishes and corals while snorkelling. Overall, it was a relaxing and pleasant day trip, especially if you want to enjoy island scenery and spend some time by the water. I’d recommend bringing suitable footwear for the coral beach and managing expectations depending on recent weather conditions.
You *******
2026-10-28 12:04:46
Fantastic 5.0
Safety: During free snorkeling, there are many instructors keeping an eye on you at the same time. Floating equipment is provided, so even if you don't know how to swim, you don't need to worry. Equipment: You only need to bring your own towel and swimsuit; everything else is provided. Location: It takes 3 hours by boat from Airlie Port, with 4 hours of free time at the destination. The boat provides plenty of food and drinking water, so there is no need to bring your own snacks. However, the coral bleaching is a bit severe.

Mackay at a glance

How much do Mackay activities cost?

Plan your budget for these activities

Typical range Typical price
Cruises
AUD968 AUD1,155 AUD1,071
Tours
AUD30 AUD349 AUD175
Water activities
AUD191 AUD999 AUD998
AUD0 AUD500 AUD1,000

Tours are the easiest way in, typically around AUD 175, while Cruises sit at the upper end, typically around AUD 1,071; Water activities show the widest choice, with past prices spanning roughly AUD 808 between entry-level and upper-end options. Based on Klook booking data, August 2025 – July 2026.

How far ahead should you book?

Plan ahead so you don’t miss out

4 daysLast-minute
14 daysTypical
31 daysEarly

Travellers typically book about 14 days ahead, a flexibility that still means you may want to plan sooner during the Peak demand months in August and December. Based on Klook booking data, February 2026 – July 2026.

What to know before visiting Mackay

What to expect in Mackay

This Things to Do catalogue is led by Cruises, followed by Tours and Water activities, so options range from full-day marine experiences to shorter shore-based sightseeing and activity bookings. That spread means travellers can pick either immersive cruises or cheaper tours to fill gaps in an itinerary. Demand peaks in August and September, and is quietest in January, so availability and lead times matter most during those busier months.

How to choose what to book

The main decision is whether you want a marine-focused experience or a land-based tour — Cruises sit at the premium end while Tours are the most affordable entry point. Water activities offer the widest range of prices, with a typical price of AUD 998 and options from AUD 191 to AUD 999, so shopping around can find very different experiences.

If you need straightforward, budget-friendly options to fill your schedule, Tours typically cost around AUD 175 and are the most affordable way in. For a smaller search effort where prices vary less, Cruises are the premium option with a typical price of AUD 1,071.

When travellers from Australia typically book

Most travellers book about 14 days ahead, while the earliest planners book around 31 days out. Plan on booking one to four weeks ahead rather than waiting until the last minute, especially in the Peak demand months of August and September.

How prices compare across top categories

The table below shows typical prices and the usual booking range for the city’s top categories, to help place a budget before you choose.

Category Typical Price Usual Range
Cruises AUD 1,071 AUD 968 – 1,155
Tours AUD 175 AUD 30 – 349
Water activities AUD 998 AUD 191 – 999

Typical price is the median paid on Klook; the usual range covers the middle half of bookings, so cheaper and pricier options exist outside it; prices are shown with their currency code. Based on Klook booking data, August 2025 – July 2026.

FAQs about Mackay

What are the most popular things to do in Mackay?

How much do activities in Mackay typically cost?

Which activities are the cheapest, and which are the most expensive in Mackay?

How far ahead should I book activities in Mackay?

When are activities busiest, and when is it quieter in Mackay?