Safety authorities are investigating in the wake of four separate snorkelling deaths in north Queensland since November.
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The deaths all happened since November 2 at Cairns, Cooktown and South Molle Island in the Whitsundays.
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety said different dive companies were in charge during each incident, and three of the four victims were overseas tourists.
"Age and the physical health of divers and snorkelers have been identified as significant factors in the cause of fatalities," a spokesman said in a statement.
The authority investigates every time there is a death in a workplace, and in the cases of snorkelling and diving deaths, enlists a specialised dive unit.
"Queensland's dive and snorkel industry is one of the safest in the world and most strictly regulated in the South Pacific and Asia region," the spokesman said.
"Tragically, an average of five people die each year in Queensland while either diving or snorkelling at workplaces."
There had been no similar deaths in 2014 until November 2.
