Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tours

Luxury Private Apartments • Jan 19, 2023

Our Top 5 Reef Tours


The Great Barrier Reef is a world-renowned natural wonder located off the coast of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is the largest coral reef system in the world, spanning over 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) and is home to an incredible diversity of marine life. 


The tours depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns. We recommend taking a taxi or Uber rather than the tour bus transfer. It is most often less costly, less time consuming and opens up for options like sunset drinks at the Salt House after the tour.

Reef Fleet Terminal Location

Reef Magic Cruises - Marine World Pontoon

Best Option For Families And Larger Groups! 

  • Plenty of activities for all interests
  • All snorkelling equipment
  • Exclusive access to 1 stunning coral reef location
  • Fast, stable catamaran providing a smoother ride and reduced travel time
  • On board marine biology presentation
  • Fish feeding and identification session with marine biologist
  • Underwater Observatory
  • Use of sundeck, fresh water showers and changing rooms
  • Hot and Cold buffet lunch
  • Tea and Coffee and drinking water

Included in Price:

  • 5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef
  • All snorkelling equipment and instruction
  • Delicious hot and cold buffet lunch
  • FREE wet-suit or lycra suit hire
  • Glass bottom boat tour
  • Marine Biologist presentation

Optional Activities:

  • Introductory Scuba Diving
  • Certified Scuba Diving
  • Helmet Diving
  • Guided Snorkel Tours
  • Scenic Helicopter Flights

Down Under Cruises - Evolution

For The Best Reef Experience!

  • Visit 2 outer reef locations
  • Cruise onboard 35-meter luxury superyacht with 3 decks
  • 5 hours of snorkelling
  • Semi submersible boat tour (optional extra)
  • Hot BBQ lunch
  • State of the art high speed vessel
  • Spacious sundecks for sunbathing
  • Large modern lounges to relax on
  • Fully licensed bar onboard

Included in Price:

  • Over 5 hours at two outer Great Barrier Reef locations
  • Snorkel equipment and flotation devices
  • Free lycra/sun-suit hire
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Glass of wine and a light snack on the return journey
  • Experienced, professional dive instructors providing full diving and snorkelling tuition and safety briefings
  • Delicious Aussie BBQ lunch including prawns, fish, steak, sausages, vegetarian, and a variety of salads (GF, DF, Vegan options available)

Optional Activities:

  • Introductory and certified scuba diving
  • Semi-Submersible Tour - temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19
  • Guided snorkel tours with a Marine Biologist
  • Scenic helicopter flight
  • All extras are available for purchase on the day of the cruise

Great Adventures - Green Island + Pontoon

For The Best Reef and Island Combo!

  • The Great Barrier Reef : the world's most unique and amazing marine spectacles
  • Green Island tour : unique island beach, reef and rainforest coral cay
  • Sleek Catamaran giving you the smoothest ride
  • Spacious Floating Platform with the ultimate facilities
  • Viewing amazing coral and fish species
  • Hot and cold buffet lunch
  • Coral viewing by semi-submersible sub
  • Underwater observatory fish & coral viewing

Included in Price:

  • Air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
  • Morning tea, coffee and cake
  • 2 hours at Green Island
  • 3 hours at Outer Reef Activity Platform
  • Hot and Cold buffet lunch
  • Snorkel equipment
  • Use of buoyancy vests
  • Reef education presentation
  • Coral viewing semi-submersible
  • Underwater observatory with guided eco reef talk
  • Afternoon tea whilst at the platform
  • Cheese and biscuits for the return journey

Optional Activities:

  • Scuba Diving
  • Scuba Doo- personal underwater scooter
  • Helicopter Scenic Flights

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

For a Cultural Reef Experience! 

Experience one of the great natural wonders of the world on this Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns. Enjoy 5 hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef visiting two premium coral reef locations in one day with Indigenous sea rangers. Unlike other Great Barrier Reef cruises, this is the only Cairns' reef tour that includes a cultural experience with Dreamtime stories and traditional dance and didgeridoo performances while out on the reef.

Included in Price:

  • Visit 2 premium outer reef sites
  • 5 full hours on the outer reef
  • Indigenous welcome to country and acknowledgment
  • Indigenous sea rangers
  • Marine biologist presentation
  • Live entertainment
  • Delicious breakfast of bacon and egg damper or a Bunya Nut pesto, tomato and bocconcini damper are served as guests board the vessel
  • Hot and cold buffet lunch with seafood incorporating a Native Bush Tasting
  • Morning and afternoon tea, coffee and drinking water
  • All snorkelling equipment
  • Wet suits and lycra suits
  • Personal flotation devices

Optional Activities:

  • Guided snorkel experience
  • Snorkel Safari adventure tour
  • Photo packages on request

Passions of Paradise - Sailing Cruise

Sail The Reef On This Personal Tour! 

  • The skipper will choose two from the best sites suited to the weather conditions to ensure you get the best possible experience
  • Soak in the sun whilst staring across the crystal waters
  • Dive into the water to cool off and swim amongst turtles, colourful fish and see an amazing variety of corals
  • Lunch is prepared and served daily on-board; enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch including local prawns, fresh salads and tropical fruits will you. Vegetarians are catered for daily
  • Knowledagable and friendly crew
  • Air-conditioned saloon
  • Set back and enjoy a cold beverage from the bar on the sail back to cairns

Included in Price:

  • Full day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise
  • Snorkelling tuition
  • Tropical hot and cold buffet lunch
  • Guided snorkel tour
  • Morning with freshly brewed coffee and muffins
  • Afternoon Tea with a cheese platter
  • Scuba diving demonstration
  • Wetsuits in Winter and stinger suits in Summer

Optional Activities:

  • Introductory and Certified Scuba diving
  • All optional extras are available for purchase on the day of the tour

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