Woman dies while snorkelling on Great Barrier Reef

The woman was reportedly with a group on a snorkelling tour off Michaelmas Cay near Cairns when she was pulled from the water and found unresponsive at about 2pm on Tuesday.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner in conjunction with Workplace Health and Safety investigators.

"It may be some time before police can confirm the identity of the woman and notify their next-of-kin," police said in a statement.