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Tours for cruise ship passengers
Cairns & Yorkeys Knob Ports
As a locally owned Cairns business for over 30 years, we live and work here and we understand cruise arrival times, tender processes and local conditions inside and out. We are available if you need assistance before or during your visit.
Our Cairns Cruise Ship shore excursions from Cairns and Yorkey’s Knob are designed especially for cruise ship passengers visiting our region. Choose your cruise ship from the below list for all tour options available for your Cruise ship.
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Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal – located in the heart of Cairns city, just a 7 minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal are easily accessible for Great Barrier Reef Tours, Green Island and Fitzroy Island tour departures. For Kuranda & Skyrail Rainforest Tours pick up nearby too, just a short walk to a hotel pick up point.
- Yorkeys Knob – is a tender port 25 minutes north of Cairns, with return shuttle transfers provided by the cruise ship to Cairns city for easy access to Great Barrier Reef and Island tours. There is a Kuranda Tour and Hartleys Crocodile Adventures tour that offer pick up from Yorkeys Knob.
Have questions? call us on 07 40283567 or email us at bookings@cairnsdiscoverytours.com – We are here to help make your visit memorable.
Fly over more than 140 km of the Great Barrier Reef on this scenic flight from Cairns. Every passenger gets a guaranteed window seat in an air-conditioned aircraft, with views of coral reefs, sand cays and tropical islands such as Green Island and Vlasoff Cay.
Flight times vary from 8am on the hour through to 3.00pm
Adult $239.00 | 2 years + $239.00 | $10.00 Fuel levy payable direct | Child $0.00 Under 2yrs sit on parent lap
This half-day tour offers the magic of the reef in a timeframe that works perfectly for cruise ship visitors with 3 departures from Cairns Marina daily at 8am, 10am or 1pm.
The tour takes place in open water, confident swimming is recommended to get the most enjoyment and comfort.
Tour runs for 4 hours duration with 1.5 hours of snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef
Adult $179.00 | 6-14yrs $119.00 | 2AD+2CH $535.00 | Prescription Masks $15.00
From Adult $108| Child $62 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $278
Departs daily at 10.45am – Returns at 2.45pm
Escape to Fitzroy Island for a half day adventure. A quick 45-minute ferry to the beautiful coral Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Things to do on Fitzroy Island. You can hire snorkel equipment, glass-bottom boat tour, go swimming, stand-up paddle boards and sea kayaking. providing the perfect mix of natural beauty and marine experiences.
From Adult $108.00 | Child $62.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $278.00
$644 per person 3yrs + Includes Fuel Levy
Departs Daily Cairns 10.30am – 3.20pm
Discover the Great Barrier Reef as you cruise in fast catamaran comfort with Great Adventures to the activity platform moored at Norman Reef. Includes lunch, snorkelling equipment, semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour with commentary, Underwater Observatory and Eco Reef Talk. Return to Cairns on a 25 minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef.
$644.00 per person 3yrs + | $0.00 Infant Under 3yrs no neat
Adult $289| Child 4-14yrs $236
Family 2A+2C$1050 + Fuel levy $4 Adult $2 Child
Departs Cairns 8.30am or 10.30am
Returns 3.20pm or 5.20pm
Underwater helmet diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef. Immerse yourself in the marine wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef and discover the underwater world from a different perspective. It’s a fun and engaging and easy to do. There is no equipment to operate, and non-swimmers are welcome; Seawalker is accessible to almost everyone and you don’t even have to get your hair wet!
Adult $289.00 | Child 4-14yrs $236.00 | Family 2A+2C $1050.00 | $0.00 Fuel levy $4 Adult $2 Child payable direct
Adult $127| Child $68 4-14yrs
Family2A+2C $329
Half Day 8.30am or 10.30am departure -return Cairns 3.20pm
Full Day 8.30am or 10.30am departure -return Cairns 5.20pm
Green Island is an idyllic coral cay located only 15 nautical miles offshore from Cairns, snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the white sand beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Includes choice of snorkelling equipment OR glass bottom boat.
Adult $127.00 | Child $68.00 4-14yrs | Family2A+2C $329.00 | Price includes Fuel Levy $0.00
30 minute -$464 per person
40 minute -$584 per person
(minimum 2) includes fuel levy
Solo bookings accepted
Departs daily on the hour from 9am through to 4.00pm
General Aviation Airport Cairns
Experience a breathtaking 30 minute Cairns scenic helicopter flight to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Marvel at stunning coral formations and vibrant marine life with insightful commentary from our knowledgeable local pilots enhancing your understanding and appreciation for this natural wonder.
per person (minimum 2) $464.00 solo bookings welcomed
45 minutes $659 per person (minimum 2) i
Solo bookings accepted please call 07 40283567 to book
Departs daily from 9am through to 3.00pm
General Aviation Airport Cairns
Locations we’ll visit in 45 minutesGreen Island | West Arlington Reef | East Arlington Reef | Vlasoff Sand Cay | Upolu Reef | Oyster Reef | Double Island | Kuranda | Barron Gorge and Falls | Stoney Creek Falls
Flight distance: approximately 120km – Altitude: 500ft up to 3,000f
$570 per person includes fuel levy
Depart daily 12.40pm – return 4.30pm
Ideal for those with limited time and Cruise ship visitors who still want to experience the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef to meet the Superyacht Evolution. Spend 1.5 hours at Hastings Reef snorkelling before cruising back to Cairns whilst enjoying a late lunch and a complimentary glass of wine.
We’re passionate locals who know Cairns inside out, and we’re here to make your shore excursion stress-free and unforgettable. Whether you prefer a small-group tour or a private experience, we’ll help plan the perfect day to fit your cruise schedule.
The Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal is conveniently located in the heart of the city, just a 7–10 minute walk from the Cairns Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal, where most Great Barrier Reef and island tours depart. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops within easy reach.
If your ship anchors at Yorkeys Knob, tour options are more limited since many operators don’t collect from this location (about 25 minutes north of Cairns). However, we can arrange a Kuranda Tour on select dates, and most cruise lines provide shuttle transfers into Cairns to connect with reef and island tours.
Popular shore excursions include Great Barrier Reef cruises, scenic helicopter flights, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Paronella Park, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway with Skyrail.
For cruise-aligned tour times and personalised advice, our local team is ready to help.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our Cairns tours.
Here’s why thousands of customers trustCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. (Helicopter tours are 48 hours) We make exploring Cairns stress free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Reserve your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option, or just give us a call or send us an email to secure your booking. We will be in touch to arrange payment 7 days before your departure. Perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 30 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland travellers from around the world. Based in Cairns, we offer authentic tour experiences backed by genuine local knowledge and long standing connections to the region.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
