Before you head to the beach, pick up a swim card from one of the many retail outlets as they have useful information about the coral and fish you can see. When you get to Nelly Bay, wrap the swim card on your wrist and walk straight off the beach and follow the numbered white surface floats that outline the trail. The trail starts approximately 100 metres off the beach near Base Backpackers and turns left from the beach to follow the reef closest to shore. Follow these five yellow surface floats (SF) that outline the trail and offer flotation for snorkelers to rest.