Australia · GREAT BARRIER REEF TOURS
The decision is inner reef or outer, and it is worth an hour and a half of boat each way. These 15 compare the pontoon days against the small-boat operators on price, site count, gear and how rough the crossing usually is.
Review of Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef cruise, with two outer reef stops, snorkeling, optional scuba, lunch, safety support, and practical tips.
“Great experience with the operator. Went for scuba diving with family for the first time. Awesome. Highly recommended.”
Review of Cairns’ 9-hour Great Barrier Reef catamaran cruise, with two outer reef stops, snorkeling, lunch, guides, and practical tips.
“Incredible and an amazing experience with Passions of Paradise. If you ever have to do Scuba or Snorkelling, highly recommend Passions of Paradise. Everything starting from crew, to instructors, to diving sites, to food, to snacks, to washrooms, to space and to top it all - the fabulous big catamaran, you will be in good and safe hands with them. Top notch quality team and they will ensure that you will the best time of your time at Great Barrier Reef. Much Thank You to Simon (legend-1) and Roberto (legend-2) who were my guides and instructors and their communication was always a huge help while diving. Always kept the customers…”
Review of Passions of Paradise, a full-day Cairns catamaran cruise to two Great Barrier Reef sites with snorkeling, scuba, lunch and marine talks.
“The Passion Crew were accommodating, courteous and lots of fun to be around. Harry was very patient with me as inexperienced snorkler”
See the Great Barrier Reef from above on a 40-minute Cairns flight, with window seats, pilot commentary, reef views, and possible whale sightings.
“Great experience. Unforgettable view from the plane. Special thanks to Daniel our pilot and Luke our guide, very friendly service from both of them. All in all absolutely recommendable.”
Explore two protected Great Barrier Reef sites from Cairns with guided snorkeling, optional scuba, a glass-bottom tour, and lunch.
“The fabulous crew hosted a fun outing, ensuring we saw sea life (turtles, clown fish, giant clams, and even a sting ray) and were kept safe the entire day. From kids to adults and first time snorklers to experienced divers - everyone enjoyed themselves onboard the Ocean Freedom!”
See Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Heart Reef, and the Great Barrier Reef on a small-group scenic flight from Airlie Beach.
“Everything was perfect : the crew, the views, the organisation of the activity. It was one of the best scenic view I have ever seen in my life. You have to do it absolutely !!”
Spend five hours snorkeling two outer Great Barrier Reef sites from Cairns, with guides, meals, equipment, showers, and strong safety support.
“We had a great time during snorkeling as we could see several amazing corals and fishes, a must-do at the Great Barrier Reef!”
Review of Calypso’s Port Douglas reef cruise, with three snorkel sites, optional scuba, lunch, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.
“Everyone had fun. They enjoyed the snorkeling, the food and the trip as a whole. It is a great opportunity to see the reef and wildlife responsibly.”
Review of Cairns’ $126 half-day Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour, with fast boats, small groups, guides, gear, reef time, and practical tips.
“Our snorkeling guide Caitlyn was very helpful and super kind”
Spend a full day at two outer Great Barrier Reef sites from Cairns with snorkeling, scuba options, lunch, gear, and helpful crew.
“Reef proof sunscreen were provided. There was a Camera person onboard who captured reef and people for an 49AUD one adult. Really helpfel crew and will take care of you at every point ! Really super loving team! Andy, Chris and other crew members were amazing with instructions and did not make me (snorkeller) feel left out even with so many scuba divers. Lunch and coffee was good as well.”
Spend five hours snorkeling Saxon and Hastings reefs from a Cairns superyacht, with buffet lunch, safety support, and wine on the way home.
“This was so worth it! Great experience and loved the commitment to safety. Don’t hesitate, book before it is full. We saw a feed shark and many fish not seen before. We also did the green island tour a few days before. The outer reef is spectacular! The food, especially the steak was delish and cooked perfectly! kudos to the young chef who grilled them! The wine and cheese is a nice touch on the way back to Cairns.”
Seastar’s small-group reef cruise visits Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef with guided snorkeling, lunch, glass-bottom views, and optional scuba.
“The crew members were very friendly and knowledgeable they were very helpful in every situation and also patient. The whole day was very well organised and and the reef was amazing thank you for an amazing day”
Cruise from Cairns to two outer reef sites, snorkel, enjoy a BBQ lunch, and see the Great Barrier Reef from a 10-minute helicopter flight.
“Wow! What an amazing day! Great organisation, service, food. The two snorkeling locations were fantastic, clear water, loads of fish and amazing colours. The heli flight was insane! The whole day was magical.”
Review of Ocean Safari Cape Tribulation, a fast small-group Great Barrier Reef trip with two snorkel sites, turtles, coral, and Daintree views.
“Was excellent, boat ride to reef was short and fun. Staff helpful and energetic. Reef spot was great, have gone with these guys twice both times spot on.”
Review of Sunlover’s Cairns reef cruise to Moore Reef, with snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, lunch, a waterslide, and practical booking tips.
“This was the best fun!! Loved the snorkelling & the water slide. Lost count how many times my 5yo went down it. Awesome & friendly staff elevated the experience. So many things to do at no extra cost (glass bottom boat / semi submersible sub) made it very worthwhile. We also paid extra for a helicopter flight over the reef. It was sublime. Would definitely recommend this tour.”
Pick a coast, a rock or a cellar door.
