Home > Cairns > Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkeling Cruise from Cairns
USD $117.00
Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkeling Cruise from Cairns
Cairns, Australia
Make the most of your visit to the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day tour by fast boat, with five hours to enjoy two premium spots on the reef with snorkeling included. Have the option to scuba dive and take a helicopter flight in order to experience the reef from all angles. A delicious barbecue lunch keeps you energized for your adventure. Expert guides welcome both newcomers and experienced marine enthusiasts to enjoy a day on one of the most famous reefs in the world.
Your Great Barrier Reef experience begins in the morning with one of the fastest trips to the reef from the Cairns mainland, covering the distance in a little over an hour. After checking in, step aboard your deluxe boat, which holds a maximum of 100 people, including expert guides who make sure that you are comfortable throughout the day.
When you arrive at the reef, head to two prime locations to take in colorful schools of fish and coral gardens. Your guides help you to get outfitted with snorkel and scuba diving equipment, and provide instruction and encouragement to newcomers and experienced people alike. Your friendly and knowledgeable crew is always available to help nervous snorkelers or divers enjoy their time in the water.
Marvel at the incredible richness and diversity of marine life as you snorkel at two prime sites on the Great Barrier Reef. If you prefer to stay dry, sit back and enjoy the new semi-submersible tour (payable on the day) with full commentary provided.
Spend five hours at the Great Barrier Reef, with an excellent buffet lunch served on the boat. The spread features an Australian barbecue with fresh fish, steak, and sausages, plus a selection of pastas, salads, and prawns.
The guides choose from 12 exclusive moorings at six reef locations based on weather conditions and water clarity, to ensure the best experience for all activities. Generally, the tour goes to one of the true Outer Great Barrier Reef locations in the morning (Norman Reef or Saxon Reef) then heads to North Hastings Reef in the afternoon for the helicopter flights and glass bottom boat tour.
As you return to the mainland after a full day in paradise, snack on a cheese and tropical fruit platter while members of your talented crew provide live music and entertainment — a fun and memorable end to an amazing day!
Beautiful location, not alot of wildlife though - perhaps due to the condition of the coral, or maybe just lucked out that day. Everything else was tip top.
Review by: Kayleen, June 2018
We had a great experience during this trip! The only thing I might prefer next time is a smaller group tour as it gets pretty hectic with a larger group. But the company was great and extremely organized and the staff were great. We were able to rent wet suits as I am always cold and didn't want to worry about not enjoying snorkeling because of that. We didn't see as much as we thought we would and not sure if that is because of the areas they brought us to or because of the bleaching, but we were glad to pay extra for a guide bring us around as we were able to see a little more of the wildlife and the guide was great at taking photos for us! We even got one of a sea turtle!
Review by: stevecav4, April 2018
Everything was great with this Cruise. The snorkeling was wonderful and the staff on the ship was fantastic. The food was very good. I would highly recommend this trip. Well worth the price of admission.
Review by: Marquita J, April 2018
I had an amazing time on this boat! The boat is pretty big with three different decks indoor and outdoor. Upon arrival, they gave us the option to buy motion sickness pills to help prevent seasickness and not miss activities. They also gave great safety and reef care instructions. We went to two sites where you could dive or snorkel at. There is even option to take a helicopter ride at the second site. The reef was amazing! Oh and the buffet lunch was incredible!
Review by: Kierra H, April 2018
This trip was absolutely fantastic, the crew were amazing and they had a little special touch for my birthday which was very much appreciated, would highly recommend, its something you have to do while in cairns
Review by: Jan S, April 2018
Fabulous!
Review by: William K, April 2018
Great day trip out to the reef. Food was excellent and Tommy the Bar/Cook/Musician put on an excellent acoustic guitar and singing performance on the way back in from the Reef. I asked people who went on the same boat the next day and it was a different crew, still great, but no Tommy to perform.
Review by: juanmapalaz, April 2018
Bien planificadas y ejecutadas excursiones con mucho personal para ayudarte. Dos buenas inmersiones en dos sitios de la Barrera de Coral y excelente paseo en helicóptero.
Review by: Lana Z, March 2018
The staff was so kind and attentive, very helpful and personable. We had a wonderful experience and were treated wonderfully!
Review by: Shaul W, March 2018
We had poor visibility in the water.
Review by: lslobo103, March 2018
Aaron and Dom are fantastic dive instructors! Overall, I would highly recommend this experience.
Review by: Keith H, March 2018
This is an amazing trip. The sea was choppy, but it did not dampen the snorkel expierence. The second stop is way beyond our expectations. Put this one on your list.lunch was amazing, buy your own drink separately.
Review by: kyaw than o, March 2018
The very Good trip, all staff, Boat, arrangement all are perfect. even first time for snorkeling, but one staff who marine biologist show us the good place and knowledge about marine life. we enjoy very much of trip.
Review by: NELSON S, March 2018
Disappointed, the water is not that clear and probably beacause of the weather the water is not calm.I felt dizzy and did not enjoy myself.But the crew they were so helpful.
Review by: provencd, March 2018
Absolutely our best tour. The crew from Down Under Reef Tours were so professional and organized from check in, to storing our gear, to outfitting us for snorkelling. I was having trouble with my mask and they tried me with three different kinds in order to me to enjoy my day. Best part was taking the guided tour with Marine Biologist, Alistair who took us out beyond the barriers to show us amazing coral, exotic fish, and even a giant clam shell. We probably could have seen these on our own, but it was so great to have him share names, their habits, and most of all the amazing aquatic environment. Breaks were provided between the two reefs visited and they kept us well hydrated and fed. Fantastic experience and we would recommend it to anyone.
Review by: Eduardo A E, March 2018
El barco y la tripulación fueron excelentes. Siempre muy atentos especialmente cuando los pasajeros estabamos en el agua. Es una muy linda experiencia pese a que no pudimos ver grandes peces o tortugas. La comida es buena pero lo único que cambiaria es que incluiria _br/_ tambien algunas bebidas como agua o gaseosas. Es increible que ofrezcan el almuerzo y haya que comprar hasta una simple botella de agua.
Review by: Alvinnie K, March 2018
Fantastic crew that went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable, well fed, and having a great time at GBR.
Review by: Susan C, February 2018
This was very well organized. I am not a snorkeler, but I enjoyed the idea of at my age snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. I was somewhat disappointed in the lack of color of the reef at this point. I did not choose to do the second snorkeling opportunity but rather did the submersible which was very good except that the children were making so much noise that you could not hear the biologist's explanation of what you were seeing. It was frustrating for her and those who wanted to hear. I don't know if better equipment would have solved the problem. The food was very good. The employees were very friendly and helpful. They might want to consider a tip jar. Had there been an opportunity I would have certainly tipped them.
Review by: Joshua J, February 2018
Great time. Maybe the food could have been a little better selection, but still was good enough to hold you over for the day.
Review by: James D, February 2018
Ran out of vegetarian meals. Staff is a mixed bag. Some are great, others not-so-much.
Review by: janet G, February 2018
We were so lucky. This trip was the best. Other people on the same day chose other tour companies and saw nothing but dead coral and jelly fish.We were transported in a brand new catamaran to part of the ocean where there were loads of fish and beautiful coral, we then moved on to a different type of coral and different fish. The snorkel kit was first rate as were the staff. The food was tasty and plentiful
Review by: Robert L, February 2018
Awesome tour. Friendly helpful staff. Nice new ferry boats. Great snorkelling. Saw sea turtles, giant clam, all sorts of fish, different colorful, flourescent coral. Sad to see some of the coral bleached or dead.
Review by: Ryan C, January 2018
My wife and I had the time of our lives! we got to swim with a sea turtle and see some amazing fish and corals.
Review by: Michael S, January 2018
The experience is great. Top quality boat and people. Large group in the water together. Need to make sure that you are okay to dive if you have any medical history as they will not let you dive if there are any issues which can be disappointing. But great trip all the same.
Review by: Angell89, January 2018
The snorkelling was awesome. Boat staff was amazing, very professional and passionate about reef. This experience was the highlight of our Australia trip. The boat was spotless, the equipment was very good. I am specially grateful for the life jacket, which allowed me to snorkell in the really not calm water. I was a bit scared, but I did it and it was great! We will definately come back!
Review by: Patricia B, December 2017
Best experience. The crew was so nice. And all the fish I saw was amazing. I plan on doing this again in the future.
Review by: Engda W, November 2017
Horrible boat ride, did not prepare customers for that experience, and too crowded to snorkel.
Review by: Danielle E, November 2017
Amazing tour. Really great spots to snorkel and dive.
Review by: roger_rolf, November 2017
Outstanding cruise, I did three scuba dives and the fish and coral reef were awesome. Plenty of time to go snorkeling if you are not a scuba diver and the depth is close enough so sights are very visible. My wife did the helicopter cruise over to the reef and was able to cruise back to port with me.
Review by: Ron H, November 2017
Very professionally run trip. Well organized and very helpful and friendly staff._br/_ Stopped at 2 great reefs and was impressed with not only the multitude of fish varieties, but also the beautiful reef coral._br/_ We snorkeled many spots in the caribbean and this bets them all.
Review by: Mila M, November 2017
Highly recommend this tour - everything is organized really well :
Review by: sdesign1414, November 2017
Great trip! Very organized and had a lot of fun. Weather was gorgeous and snorkeling was very exciting! Team worked well to make sure divers and snorkelers had a lot of fun! Lunch was decent but the only thing is that they don't include drinks and it seemed that they only had one jug for water, so waiting for that was a bit tedious. Trip itself was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Review by: ann.colin.wedding, November 2017
Staff were friendly. Cruise was very fast, so be aware of sea sickness. Lunch was alright but felt a bit rushed eating especially with the helicopter info session happening at the same time. We were first time snorkelers/weak swimmers and they were fairly helpful. A good thing was they were able to take us around to see underwater without actually swimming. Helicopter ride was fun, but wouldn't recommend doing it with this tour because the day was already busy and conflicted with the submersible boat ride if you wanted to do it. The wine at the end was a nice touch. Don't forget to bring a towel and water. The air inside the boat was very stuffy.
Review by: lotabuck, November 2017
Beautiful! The helicopter flight was the highlight. A LOT of people clogged up the snorkeling a bit, but overall it was well worth the trip.
Review by: Veronica v, November 2017
Very friendly and professional staff on the boat! Snorkeling was amazing to see sea life on the GBR. Great lunch on boat too!!
Review by: Ela G, October 2017
Food is average, the boat is one of the biggest, we were around 150 people, we went in 2 spot of diving, the first one hasnt been really satisfying few fishes and most corals dead, the second one was a bit better, more colorful corals and more fishes. Unfortunately we havent found nemo, not even a turtle, a shark or a manta.
Review by: Lydia W, October 2017
Loved being able to scuba dive on the great barrier reef and seeing the reef and all the different animals that were down there, a bonus was on the way whilst we were heading to the first island we got to see a pod of whales.
Review by: Lauren, October 2017
Went out on a wet and rainy afternoon and unfortunately this whole experience was not good. From the beginning where we were greeted by a photographer who seemed to be irritatingly always in our face to take pictures to the fact we had to pay for water to the constant reminders there were for pay additions we could do - this tours is ALL about making money.
Review by: Salma S, October 2017
This is not the best tour for a first time/inexperienced swimmer. I went out into the water at one of the locations and am not a swimmer but rather than having individual help, there were 3 other people holding onto the life ring as well which made it difficult to have a comfortable grip on it. Also, all 4 of us weren't comfortable in water and I think we were all tense so it weighed down the life ring. Since the boat holds so many people, the water was just saturated with people to the point where I was kicked several times and others were bumped in their heads by the life ring I was holding onto. All of the staff was friendly, but there was no personal touch with this tour and you could feel that it was all about the money and running a business versus providing a unique and memorable experience. My husband is a comfortable swimmer and went in the water at all of the reef locations, however he also did not care for the overall experience of this tour. I would recommend going with a smaller group where you can have a more personal experience unless you want to be on a larger boat.
Review by: Kathryn D, October 2017
Fun day on the boat! The staff made snorkeling for a first timer very easy. Nice amount af time in the water and the reef was awesome. Unfortunately, if you want to take the glass bottom boat tour you won't be able to do much snorkeling at the second reef stop so we chose to snorkel.
Review by: Stephen S, October 2017
The GBR is a must. Its absolutely amazing and this company gave us plenty of time at 2 different locations.
Review by: sr, October 2017
Cruise was very well managed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Well worth the cost!
Review by: Brian W, October 2017
Friendly staff and crew. Great buffet lunch on the reef! Reef spots were great with colorful fish and corals. Plenty of time on the reef snorkeling. We went to Norman and Hastings reef.
Review by: Michael H, September 2017
Very professional
Review by: FGESTRADE, September 2017
-Views and places at the great barrier are awesome_br/_ -Ship in perfect shape, all clean and well organized._br/_ -Best crew ever, friendly and willing to help
Review by: Linda R, August 2017
Didn't see as many fish as I expected. Some visitors were hitting reef with their fins. Unhappy about that. Well organized, good food. Be prepared for seasickness.
Review by: Jiajia Y, August 2017
Very nice trip, good food, nice stuff
Review by: Chia-Ying L, August 2017
The crew was very friendly and helpful. Food was plentiful. The only thing was that the area to explore was not big enough so it was a little crowded in the water. But I guess thats because they try to keep everyone close so they can keep an eye on us so its not really a negative. Overall it was a great experience. Would recommend the tour to people new to snorkeling, family with kids because they really look after you.
Review by: Michael B, August 2017
Great time but the diving was very rushed. Still a great day out.
Review by: Carrianne R, August 2017
Thank you, we had a great time. The staff were brilliant and friendly and answered all our questions. Would highly recommend this experience
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