10 Scenic Flights in Cairns to Build a Day Around

1.Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,376 reviews · from $151Our pick

Fly from Cairns over Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Arlington Reef, and the Outer Barrier Reef. Your pilot guides you by headset from an air-conditioned fixed-wing plane, with every passenger getting a window seat. July and August can bring views of humpback whales.

“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.”

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2.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,003 reviews · 8h 30m · from $279

Spend a full day aboard Evolution, a 35-meter superyacht, visiting Saxon and Hastings Reefs from Cairns. Snorkel with supplied gear, add an introductory scuba session, then take a 10-minute helicopter flight at Hastings Reef. Expect helpful guides, a BBQ lunch, and wine with cheese on the return.

“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.”

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3.Full Day Reef Cruise and 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 340 reviews · from $283

Cruise from Cairns aboard Evolution to two outer reef sites, with time for snorkeling or an introductory or certified scuba session. You’ll eat a fresh BBQ buffet onboard, then take a 10-minute helicopter flight over Hastings Reef. Crew member Eddie is known for keeping the day light and fun.

“helicopter ride is a MUST!!!!!! Driver has a good and stable driving skills. Diving is a little scary for the first time, but they led me very well and made me feel calm. Staff are all experts about the ocean things, passionate, friendly and willing to help. The activities worth the price. Remember to take medicine first if you have sea sick lol.”

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4.Great Barrier Reef 40 Minute Scenic Flight from Cairns – Reef Hopper

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $185

Fly from Cairns over Green Island, Palm Cove, Double Island, Arlington Reef, and Upolu Reef in a small high-wing aircraft. You get a guaranteed window seat, pilot commentary, and central Cairns pickup. Pilots including Ben, Ethan, and Spencer have been praised for clear, friendly briefings.

“Everything was perfect from the pick up to the flight itself and the staff and the pilot were amazing. The view was incredible, I absolutely recommend the experience!”

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5.Outer Reef Odyssey – 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · from $376Top rated

Fly from Cairns with Zoom Helicopters on a 40-minute Great Barrier Reef flight. Your pilot, including Chris, Haley, Niels, or Johnno, points out marine life, Vlasoff Cay, Green Island, and Arlington Reef. The small aircraft carries no more than four people, with optional in-flight video.

“Beautiful flight over the outer reefs, green island and a landing on Middle cay. Wildlife is visible as the altitude is on some places only 50m of do above sea level.”

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6.Ultimate Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest 45-minute Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $451

Fly from Cairns over Barron Gorge National Park, waterfalls, the Great Barrier Reef, Arlington Reef, and Green Island. Nautilus Aviation provides a 45-minute flight with pilot commentary for a maximum of six people. Check in 45 minutes early, and note the strict weight policy.

“Piloot Tom heeft ons een onvergetelijke TOP ervaring. bezorgd. Met de Robinson 44 helikopter, zonder andere passagiers hadden wij de ervaring van ons leven. Fantastisch om over The Great Barrier Reef en Rainforest te vliegen. We hadden mooi weer en helder zicht. Tom gaf rustig uitleg over alles wat we zagen en had de helikopter volledig onder controle. De incheck met de veiligheidsinstructie bij Heliport verliep ook prima. We moesten wel even kijken waar het was, want je verwacht het niet in de haven. Mooie plek om op te stijgen en te landen. Het kost natuurlijk wel wat, maar het is het geld volledig waard.”

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7.Inner Reef Explorer – 30 minute Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $297

Fly from Cairns Airport over Green Island, False Cape, Mount Yarrabah and Arlington Reef on a 30-minute Zoom Helicopters scenic flight. Your pilot points out reef wildlife and coastal views, with room for no more than four passengers. Optional in-flight video and Zoomy merchandise are available.

“Great flight over the ocean and reef👍 Great flight over the ocean and reef. I really wanted to see some big fish, but it didn't work out. 👏”

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8.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 7 hours · from $332

Travel by air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns to an outer reef platform, then spend three hours snorkeling, riding a semi-submarine, and viewing coral gardens from below. A 10-minute helicopter flight adds a striking aerial view. Pilot John has been praised for his friendly, fun approach.

“All crew members were very nice and polite. For the time you will spend on platform is enough of activities to enjoy your day. Flight is definitely one of the best parts (if not the best). On the boat they have tablets for motion sickness.”

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9.45 Min Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 45 min · from $442

Take a 45-minute shared helicopter flight from Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef, Double Island, Palm Cove, and Wet Tropics Rainforest. Your English-speaking pilot points out Kuranda, Skyrail, the Kuranda Scenic Rail, Stoney Creek Falls, and Barron Falls. Flights carry up to six people.

“The tour was amazing, the views were incredible and the driver was very good at telling us history and what places were! However I would’ve expected the flight to be less crowded for what we paid. Just think it’s pretty expensive and we were jammed in with 2 other couples! Otherwise no complaints”

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10.Private Helicopter Tour: Reef Island Snorkeling and Gourmet Picnic Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · from $833

Take a private 3.5-hour Nautilus Aviation helicopter tour from Cairns to Vlasoff Cay. Pilot-guides such as Nick, Jules, and Jenna provide reef commentary, while your package includes snorkeling gear, beach chairs, an umbrella, and a gourmet picnic with sparkling wine. Turtle Beach is the backup landing site.

“The helicopter flight was wonderful, the staff, pilot and food provided were excellent. Unfortunately it was quite breezy on the day but you wouldn't have known it in the helicopter. Cannot rate the experience highly enough and will definitely do it again.”

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