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Top things to do in Mackay

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour
Tours • From Cairns

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Day Tour

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(162) • 7K+ booked
€ 81.49
Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns
Klook's choice
Cruises • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Full Day Snorkel or Dive Tour from Cairns

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
4.7 / 5
(250) • 6K+ booked
From
€ 169.49
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Helicopter Full Day Tour
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
(189) • 4K+ booked
€ 282.45
Scenic Flight Heart Reef, Whitehaven beach  from Airlie Beach
Tours • Whitsundays

Scenic Flight Heart Reef, Whitehaven beach from Airlie Beach

English guided
Morning departure
Up to 3 hrs
4.6 / 5
(21) • 1K+ booked
€ 218.99
Outer Reef Pontoon Full Day Tour at Moore Reef
Cruises • From Cairns

Outer Reef Pontoon Full Day Tour at Moore Reef

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(36) • 1K+ booked
€ 189.39
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Experience
Water activities • Cairns

Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Experience

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.8 / 5
(14) • 300+ booked
From
€ 141.29
10% off select options
Great Barrier Reef Classic Scenic Flight from Cairns
Tours • From Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Classic Scenic Flight from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Up to 3 hrs
4.6 / 5
(36) • 1K+ booked
€ 178.29
Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.3 / 5
(31) • 1K+ booked
From
€ 70.35
Half Day Green Island Reef Cruise from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Half Day Green Island Reef Cruise from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.2 / 5
(36) • 3K+ booked
€ 67.85
Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise Tour from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise Tour from Cairns

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(15) • 900+ booked
From
€ 200.49
Half or Full Day Fitzroy Island Transfers & Optional Activities
Water activities • From Cairns

Half or Full Day Fitzroy Island Transfers & Optional Activities

English guided
Morning departure
7+ hrs
4.5 / 5
(128) • 4K+ booked
€ 66.65
Green Island Reef Cruise Full Day Guided Tour from Cairns
Cruises • From Cairns

Green Island Reef Cruise Full Day Guided Tour from Cairns

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
4.5 / 5
(126) • 7K+ booked
€ 99.95

Hotels in Mackay

Coral Cay Resort
Hotels • Mackay

Coral Cay Resort

Instant confirmation
4.3 / 5
(983)
From
€ 86.77
Heron Island Resort
Hotels • Mackay

Heron Island Resort

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(258)
From
€ 139.07
White Lace Motor Inn
Hotels • Mackay

White Lace Motor Inn

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(1.0K)
From
€ 75.53
Windmill Motel and Events Centre
Hotels • Mackay

Windmill Motel and Events Centre

Instant confirmation
4.3 / 5
(765)
From
€ 94.25
Mackay Seabreeze Apartments
Hotels • Mackay

Mackay Seabreeze Apartments

Instant confirmation
4.1 / 5
(519)
From
€ 101.45
Mantra Mackay
Hotels • Mackay

Mantra Mackay

Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(872)
From
€ 103.62
The Resort @ Dolphin Heads
Hotels • Mackay

The Resort @ Dolphin Heads

Instant confirmation
3.7 / 5
(511)
From
€ 92.3
The Metropolitan Hotel
Hotels • Mackay

The Metropolitan Hotel

Instant confirmation
3.9 / 5
(119)
From
€ 84.58
Mackay Resort Motel
Hotels • Mackay

Mackay Resort Motel

Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(1.0K)
From
€ 80.42
The Marco Polo
Hotels • Mackay

The Marco Polo

Instant confirmation
4.3 / 5
(717)
From
€ 86.92
Eungella Cabins
Hotels • Mackay

Eungella Cabins

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(13)
From
€ 150.35
Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
Hotels • Mackay

Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park

Instant confirmation
4.3 / 5
(26)
From
€ 115.23

Reviews of Mackay activities

Lin ******
2026-06-07 04:11:14
Fantastic 5.0
fun snorkelling, we added $89 for the guided snorkeling experience as this voucher only includes a self snorkel, suitable for experienced snorkeling. guided snorkeling fees more safe. it’s really beautiful
Judy **
2026-02-16 04:59:09
Fantastic 5.0
It was an enjoyable experience, and spending a day at the Barrier Reef is truly worthwhile. The staff were very helpful and polite, and all equipment was provided. Lunch was served midday, followed by wine and snacks at tea time.
Klook用戶
2026-05-24 08:49:02
Fantastic 5.0
Wonderful experience! Well ogranized for over 100 passsengers, from safety, seating, equipment to lunch and afternoon tea. Great for our first time snorkelling, and staff were friendly. unfortunately, the helicopter was cancelled due to the weather but everything else was good. Even though we got really seasick (although we took tablets), it was totally worth it!
Klook User
2026-04-26 06:05:20
Fantastic 5.0
I had to take this moment to give the best possible review to Sun Lover and the team. The entire experience has been so amazing. All the crew members were so respectful and ensured we all had calm and funful experience! I must mention Joseph specially! He made my snorkelling experience as a non-swimmer and first timer so memorable. Gave a 15 mins direction, very calm and helped me throughout the experience! Can’t thank all the members enough! The food was amazing too.
Klook用戶
2026-01-14 07:49:15
Fantastic 5.0
It was definitely worth to spend a leisurely day on Green island of the Great Barrier Reef. With nice weather, it’s possible to see abundant reef fish and coral reefs during snokeling. If u are lucky, sea turtle can also be found and swim with them!
Bug ***
2026-01-01 03:21:19
Great 4.0
Overall this was a pleasant experience, for snorkelers the water near shore is less clear than a guided tour in the reef center, lunch is provided and filling!
Klook User
2026-04-21 08:24:59
Fantastic 5.0
The scenic flight was the best choice for this tour. We traveled from Sydney for it, and it was the best hour. It's truly so beautiful. The boat tour was also long, and the route was enjoyable. However, we did the boat tour on a cloudy day, so the views for snorkeling and the walking trail were a bit disappointing. If it's raining or cloudy on your booked date, I recommend quickly changing your reservation date two days in advance. We had requested a date change in advance because we thought the scenic flight tour would be difficult due to strong winds and rain, but we received no response. Ultimately, we were notified on the day of the tour that the scenic flight was canceled. However, we were surprised to be told that neither a schedule change nor a refund was possible. I definitely recommend doing this on a clear day. Somehow, we managed to do both, and the tour was truly excellent. After the tour, if you relax on a mat or swim at Airlie Beach and then have dinner and drinks at a beachside bar, you'll have an absolutely perfect day.
Klook会員
2025-12-29 21:43:35
Fantastic 5.0
Since our children were small, we didn't go snorkeling, but we experienced the glass-bottom boat and the semi-submarine. On the half-day course, we immediately experienced the semi-submarine after the glass-bottom boat, and then we had about an hour of free time. It was satisfying enough for the children's physical strength, but it feels like a full-day course is necessary to have enough time to swim with coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles. All the explanations were in English, and there were no staff who could speak Japanese, but the crew was kind and tried hard to listen and convey my clumsy English, so I felt reassured. There's only water and potato chips on the boat, so I recommend bringing bread or snacks!! The Cairns coast is murky, so it's worth going to Green Island for the experience!!
Klook User
2026-02-26 04:39:59
Fantastic 5.0
Communication with the company was clear and effective. The flight was great if not a little hot in the plane. Hannah our pilot was engaging and very knowledgeable about the area, giving good suggestions on what to do if we had free time.

Mackay at a glance

When is the busiest time to visit Mackay?

Based on what travelers booked on Klook

Busier than usual Quieter than usual
+200%
+100%
Typical
-100%
Busiest +144%
Jan
-24%
Feb
-71% Quietest
Mar
-46%
Apr
-28%
May
-38%
Jun
-71%
Jul
-49%
Aug
-57%
Sep
-3%
Oct
+130%
Nov
+116%
Dec

Demand peaks in January (about 144% above a typical month) while March is much quieter (roughly 71% below a typical month); travellers from Hong Kong should book early for January and can expect easier availability and fewer crowds in March. Based on Klook historical booking data.

When is Mackay cheapest?

Find months that fit your budget.

$1000
$800
$600
$400
$200
$0
Avg $538 Cheapest $106 Priciest $802
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Activities are cheapest in July, around USD 106, roughly 87% below February’s peak prices; that low-price month also sits in the city’s quieter season, so consider July for lower costs and lighter crowds. Based on Klook booking data, July 2025 – June 2026.

How far ahead should you book?

Plan ahead so you don’t miss out

4 daysLast-minute
14 daysTypical
31 daysEarly

Most travellers book about 14 days ahead, with last-minute bookings around 4 days and early planners at 31 days; given January’s strong peak demand, Hong Kong travellers may want to lock in bookings sooner than their typical two-week lead time. Based on Klook booking data, February 2026 – July 2026.

Quick facts about Mackay

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1EUR = 1.62AUD

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Dry season offers sunny days and ideal beach conditions.

  • Recommended trip duration

What to know before visiting Mackay

Quick snapshot of Mackay’s travel rhythm

Mackay’s top Klook bookings are led by cruises, followed by tours and water activities, giving the destination a strong focus on coastal and day-trip experiences. Demand on Klook peaks in January and again late in the year, while the slowest months fall in March and July, so the city’s year swings between busy summer periods and much quieter autumn/winter pockets.

Best months to go and how prices move

Klook booking data shows January as the busiest month and March and July among the quietest months. Prices trend higher toward the end of the year and into early next year, with Klook data typically showing February as the priciest month and July as the cheapest. For travellers seeking lower prices and smaller crowds, months like March and July usually work best; for a lively, peak-season atmosphere, aim for January or the late-year months when demand and prices both rise. Note that prices and demand often move together here — the busiest months tend to coincide with higher typical prices.

Tips for travellers from Hong Kong

Most visitors from Hong Kong typically book about two weeks ahead, with last-minute bookings possible a few days out and earlier bookings common for peak periods. If you want flexibility, many experiences can still be secured close to departure, but planning around peak January and the late-year surge helps avoid higher typical prices; shorter, quieter months suit spontaneous trips. Use Klook to compare available cruises and water activities and lock in options once you’ve picked your preferred dates.

FAQs about Mackay

When is the best time to visit Mackay?

When is the cheapest time to visit Mackay?

How far ahead should I book activities in Mackay if I'm travelling from Hong Kong?

How much do activities in Mackay typically cost on Klook?

What is Mackay best known for on Klook?