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Cairns Outer Reef
Looking for a snorkel or scuba diving trip? We are here to help you choose.
A visit to the Outer Great Barrier Reef will provide the best quality dive and snorkel sites. Cruise to 2 Outer Reef sites and snorkel or dive directly from the boat.
Pontoons (platforms) are great for families providing activities for all ages. Glass bottom boats & semi-subs, underwater observatories, kids swim enclosures and great snorkel and dive sites.
Please feel free to contact us for local, friendly and honest advice in helping you to choose the most suitable Cairns Reef Tour.
**Tusa Reef Tours
Rates from: $420
Tusa isn't your ordinary Cairns reef trip. It's a unique chance to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef - an experience enhanced by our local knowledge, innovative technology and responsible operational decisions that respect the environment. From the moment you join us onboard, every aspect of your day is taken care of. Our knowledgeable staff are there to guide you and provide a 5-star experience.
3 Day Dive Pass
Rates from: $640
Experience the Great Barrier Reef over multiple days. If you have accommodation and don't want to sleep on a boat this is a perfect solution. You get the best boat, going to the best locations and save money when booking 3 days of diving. The bonus is that they do not need to be consecutive days.
Coral Spawning Night Dive
Rates from: $259
3rd November 2023 | 2nd & 3rd December 2023
Don't miss your chance - Coral Spawning on the Great Barrier Reef and a Night Dive
This boat is operating an exciting night trip to the Great Barrier Reef to see the unique Coral Spawning phenomenon. Marine biologists predict that this is the most likely time for the coral to spawn
Check in: 4:30pm Returns: 10pm
Divers Den - Outer Barrier Reef
Rates from: $239
A long standing company in Cairns offering a great day on Outer Barrier Reef. Opportunity to do up to 3 dives and unlimited snorkelling. The new modern vessel "Aqua Quest" allows up to 5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef.
Down Under Dive - Evolution - 1 Day Outer Reef Tour
Rates from: $240
Explore the outer Great Barrier Reef onboard award-winning superyacht, Evolution, with local reef tour operator Down Under Cruise and Dive. Experience the adventure of snorkelling, scuba diving, enjoy a scenic helicopter flight or semi-submarine tour and more.
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel
Rates from: $249
Enjoy one of Cairns' most unique and exclusive Great Barrier Reef tours. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel invites you to step back into the Great Barrier Reef's Dreamtime with Indigenous sea rangers on a day tour to two spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef sites, Moore Reef, Milln or Flynn Reef.
Great Adventures - Green Island + Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon
Rates from: $304
For the complete reef and island experience in one day. A fast 45 minute catamaran ride will take you to beautiful Green Island to enjoy two hours on this unique reef and rainforest coral cay. A day of adventure and discovery continues onto a spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.
Great Adventures - Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon
Rates from: $274
The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is yours to experience when you cruise to our mulit-level reef activity platform. Situated on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, our spacious platform features undercover seating and tables to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, full bar facilities, a swimming enclosure for children, change rooms with freshwater showers, sundeck, and scuba diving facilities with a semi-submerged platform.
Helicopter and Reef Pontoon Day Tour
Rates from: $565
Nautilus Aviation flies to two Pontoons from Cairns and one from Port Douglas. Choose to do a Fly/Cruise, Cruise/Fly or Fly/Fly package. Fly out to Sunlover or Great Adventures from Cairns, and Quicksilver Pontoon from Port Douglas.
Helicopter and Snorkelling Day Tour
Rates from: $439
Get High Down Under
See the Reef from above and below with a full day Reef Cruise, Certified or Introductory Dive and a 10-minute scenic flight to see the reef from the air.
Ocean Freedom - Upolu Cay + Great Barrier Reef Trip
Rates from: $255
Upolu Cay is a naturally formed coral cay situated 30 kilometers from Cairns on the Inner Great Barrier Reef and is the perfect location with protected, shallow waters from which to explore the reef snorkeling & scuba diving. Ocean Freedom's luxury 20m cruising cat travels at 23 knots, reducing travelling time to the Great Barrier Reef to just one hour. The order in which the 2 destinations are visited will depend on the conditions on the day. Your skipper will pick the best order of destinations, to make your experience the best possible.
Ocean Spirit - Michaelmas Cay
Rates from: $250
Set sail aboard the beautiful 32 metre sailing catamaran, Ocean Spirit, to experience Michaelmas Cay’s unique reef environment - a pristine sand cay surrounded by fringing reef and a protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Enjoy snorkelling in the cay's protected shallow waters, cruise in the semi-sub for a diver's view of the reef, watch the fish feeding presentation, observe the bird life or just chill out on Ocean Spirit's spacious decks or on the beach.
Passions of Paradise - Outer Barrier Reef
Rates from: $240
Experience the adventure of snorkelling, diving and sailing on the Great Barrier Reef on our lovely and spacious sailing vessel. The high-performance catamaran sails daily from Cairns to two Outer Barrier Reef locations where you can dive and snorkel with turtles, colourful fish and see an amazing variety of corals.
Reef Day Tripper - Sail - Inner Upolu Reef
Rates from: $200
A family owned sailing vessel that carries 20 passengers where you can snorkel or dive Upolu Reef. Sailing is a relaxing day trip socialising with passengers, making new friends and eating great food whilst visiting the reef.
Reef Experience - Outer Barrier Reef
Rates from: $225
A great value day tour to the Great Barrier Reef. Their "all inclusive" price provides guests with breakfast, lunch, fruit platters, tea/coffee, snorkelling equipment, unlimited snorkelling at 2 reef locations directly off the rear of the vessel in the open ocean, guided snorkel tour, up to 5 hours at the reef, scuba dive (intro or certified) including all dive equipment, wetsuits/lycra suits, glass bottom boat tour, marine biology presentation, glass of wine,cheese and crackers on return journey, taxes and levies, and bus transfers to and from Cairns City based hotels.
Reef Experience - TOP DECK CLUB - Outer Barrier Reef
Rates from: $350
For those looking for a touch of luxury try the upgrade to the exclusive Top Deck Club. Reef Experience cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef with snorkeling, scuba diving, glass bottom boat, 2 spectacular reef locations and lunch included. Top Deck Club passengers also receive a personal valet, personal in-water guide, a la carte breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and reserved seating in the Captain's Wheelhouse Top Deck Lounge.
Reef Magic - Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon
Rates from: $299
This trip offers 5 hours to dive and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Suitable for any traveller looking for great value for money. The day includes access to glass bottom boat and semi-submersible tours departing from the platform and underwater observatory. The vessel is an air-conditionedd stable catamaran with fully licensed bar and spacious outer decks. Your Reef Magic cruise lasts around 90 minutes to our exclusive pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef and you spend 5 hours at the pontoon to explore the wonders of the reef, both above and below the water.
Sail Ocean Free - Pinnacle Reef & Green Island
Rates from: $255
A quality sailing vessel carrying a maximum of 25 guests that travels to Pinnacle Reef and Green Island. Our friendly attentive crew will ensure you have a personal and memorable experience. Enjoy snorkelling off the boat, relaxing on the beach at Green Island, watch the fish feed demonstration, listen to an informative reef talk by our marine interpreter and enjoy the delicious lunch and complimentary wine on the sail home.
Seastar Cruises - Michaelmas Cay & Hastings Reef
Rates from: $250
Travelling with 36 passengers maximum, is a twin hulled wave piercer catamaran that visits 2 sites and provides a personalised small group tour to the Great Barrier Reef. This company is licensed to visit Michaelmas Cay and Hastings reef. Included in your day is snorkelling equipment, guided snorkel tours, wet suits/lycra suits, prescription mask, glass bottom boat tour, morning/afternoon tea and tropical lunch. Introductory diving and certified diving are available for an addional cost.
Secluded Sandy Cay Helicopter Tour
Rates from: $949
Your very own piece of paradise. Fly over the Great Barrier Reef before landing on Vlasoff Cay - a pristine sand cay. Relax on pure white sand, beach comb for treasures, laze in crystal waters or snorkel the cay to discover the magic of the underwater world. The romantic experience is complete with gourmet picnic hamper and sparkling wine.
Silverswift - Outer Barrier Reef
Rates from: $270
A modern 29 metre high speed catamaran and is the only Cairns reef trip to visit 3 different Outer Barrier Reef locations in the one day. This day trip to the reef is designed for adventure-minded people who wish to revel in the thrill of diving and snorkelling without compromising their comfort. State-of-the-art computerised ride control stytems and travel speed of 32 knots ensures you a smoother, faster ride to the Great Barrier Reef.
Sunlover Reef Cruises - Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon (Moore Reef)
Rates from: $265
A fantastic day on the Great Barrier Reef suitable for all types of people with different requirements, especially good for groups and families with younger children. This company offers four (4) hours at the pontoon. A large twin hulled catamaran moors against a fixed pontoon (not floating), from the pontoon there is easy access into the water that has a large roped off snorkelling area with rest stations to hang on to. This pontoon offers a glass bottom boat, semi-submersible, waterslide, guided snorkel tours, certified diving, introductory diving, helicopter tours and helmet diving. There is a touch tank presentation to experience the amazing feel of the 'safe' underwater marine life.
Three (3) Day Reef Pass
Rates from: $602
For those wanting multiple visits to the Great Barrier Reef but do not want to stay on the reef overnight. This company owns many boats so over 3 days you can visit the reef from a pontoon, sailing boat, island, or dive/snorkel boat.
Departs in either Cairns or Port Douglas. Thisis great for people wanting to see different areas of the Great Barrier Reef.
