Cairns Sailing Tours
Looking for sailing tours from Cairns? If you’d rather sail to the reef than motor there, Cairns has a small group of dedicated sailing vessels offering reef sailing trips that combine the journey with the destination – with snorkelling and diving both on offer once you arrive.
Adult $275.00| Child 4-14yrs $175
Family 2A+2C $795
Departs Cairns daily 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
This Great Barrier Reef Tour is another of my favourites as a local. Why? You will visit 2 stunning outer reef locations discovering the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive among turtles, tropical fish, and an incredible variety of corals. This is a very popular Cairns reef tour and often books out in advance!
Adult $275.00 | Child 4-14yrs $175.00 | Family 2A+2C $795.00
$275 Adult|Child $170 4-16 yrs|
Family 2A+2C $800
Departs daily 8.00am – 4.30pm
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour aboard the spacious and modern yacht, Evolution. This 35-meter vessel departs from Cairns and takes you to two exclusive, breathtaking locations on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Perfect for families with children aged 4-16, this tour offers an action-packed day of snorkelling or diving in one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders. Optional extras are available to enhance your experience. Join us for a day filled with excitement and wonder!
Adult $275.00 Adult | Child $170.00 4-16 yrs | Family 2A+2C $800.00
Michaelmas Cay
Adult $288|Child $149|Family $734
Departs daily 8.30am – 5pm
Sail to Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef aboard Ocean Spirit Cruises spacious catamaran. Snorkel or dive the pristine reef in the shallow waters of the cay or view the reef from a glass bottom boat. Michaelmas Cay is a National Park and a protected sanctuary for hundreds of migratory seabirds.
Adult $289| Child $225 4-14yrs
Departs Daily 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
Renown as the most exclusive, personal, customer-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns with only 25 guests. Join this amazing personalised team on the 16.5 meter sailing schooner ‘Ocean Free’ for a day to remember on the Great Barrier Reef. Ocean Free sails you to Pinnacle Reef, an exclusive reef site located in the highly protected Marine Park zone just off Green Island offering excellent coral coverage and vibrant marine life.
Sailing to the Outer Reef
Passions of Paradise sails to two outer reef locations with both snorkelling and diving available, and is popular enough that early booking is recommended.
Sailing to Michaelmas Cay
Ocean Spirit Cruises sails to Michaelmas Cay, a bird sanctuary reef site, with a glass bottom boat option for guests who’d rather stay dry.
A Smaller, More Exclusive Sail
The Green Island Sailing Day Tour carries a maximum of 25 guests to an exclusive Pinnacle Reef site, making it a quieter option than the larger motor vessel tours.
Prefer a Bigger Boat?
If you’d like the comfort of a larger motor vessel instead of a sailing catamaran, the Down Under Cruise aboard a 35-metre yacht covers two outer reef locations and is a popular alternative.
What to Expect on a Sailing Tour
You travel as a passenger on a crewed vessel, so no sailing experience is needed. Most sailing day trips include snorkelling, morning and afternoon tea or lunch, and on most trips the option of an introductory or certified dive alongside the sail.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included on a sailing tour to the reef?
Sailing day trips typically include snorkelling, morning and afternoon tea or lunch, and on most trips the option of an introductory or certified dive.
How many guests are on a typical sailing tour?
It varies by vessel – the Green Island Sailing Day Tour carries a maximum of 25 guests, while the larger catamarans carry more.
Do I need sailing experience to join?
No, you’re a passenger on a crewed sailing vessel rather than crewing it yourself, so no sailing experience is needed.
Can I dive as well as snorkel on a sailing tour?
Yes, Passions of Paradise and Ocean Spirit Cruises both offer diving options alongside snorkelling.
How far in advance should I book a sailing tour?
Passions of Paradise in particular books out ahead of time, so booking a few days to a week in advance is recommended where possible.