Any good free snorkeling off the east coast

[alexfishfood]

Is there any decent (free) snorkeling off the east coast of Oz or is it all sandy beaches with no fishies to see?

We've just arrived in Cairns and making our way down the coast for a month. I know you can get boat trips to islands but we're spending our pennies on diving Yongala. We have nothing in the budget for more boat trips - but we'd like to get some more time with our faces in the water... any suggestions please?

Thanks!

 

[Kern]

Bargara has some good coral accessible from a few beaches.

bargara diving - Google Maps