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Great Barrier Reef Day Tours

Step into the world’s most famous reef — where turquoise waters, vibrant coral gardens, and marine life collide in spectacular colour. From snorkelling and diving to scenic flights and island escapes, experience the Great Barrier Reef your way.

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Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Adult $199 |Child 6-14yrs $159
Family 2A+2C $650
Depart Cairns Daily 12 noon – 5.00pm

Cairns newest & fastest purpose built vessel to the Outer Barrier Reef. Only 40 snorkelers per trip, Join our expert snorkel team, made up of Master Reef Guides and Marine naturalists, on a crowd-free adventure with over 2 hours of snorkelling time. Get ready to discover the Great Barrier Reef.

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Adult $199.00 | Child 6-14yrs $159.00 | Family 2A+2C $650.00

12:00 pm
5:00 pm
Special Deal
Save $69.00BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Adult $395|Child $330 4-16 years
Great Value !! Save $69

Departs daily 8.00am – 4.30pm
Experience the ultimate adventure value package on the Great Barrier Reef with views from above and below the Reef. Includes an awesome 10-minute scenic Helicopter flight to see the Great Barrier Reef from the air! Full day with two locations on the Outer Barrier Reef including snorkelling, lunch and more

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Adult $395.00 | Child $330.00 4-16 years

8:00 am
4:30 pm
Special Deal
Not valid 22nd Dec 2025 - 4th Jan 2026Kids 50% OFF

Departs Cairns 8.00am – 4.30pm

Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef adventure combining 2.5 hours at Moore Reef Pontoon + 2.5 hours Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore Reef Pontoon includes coral viewing with semi-submersible, glass bottom boat, underwater observatory, snorkelling & kids waterslide. Then a leisurely time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.

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Adult $295.00 | Child ( 4 - 16yrs ) $169.00 | Kids 50% OFF $84.50 | Family 2A+2C $759.00

8:00 am
4:30 pm

Adult $269.00| Child 4-14yrs $169
Family 2A+2C $776
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!

 

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Adult $269.00 | Child 4-14yrs $169.00 | Family 2A+2C $776.00

8:00 am
5:00 pm
Special Deal
Save 15% off prices shownValid for travel up to 24th December 2025

Adult $325|Child $172|Family $830
Departs Port Douglas 10am – 4.30pm
Return transfers from Cairns +
Adult $44|Child $24|Family $112

For your experience of a lifetime, Quicksilver’s friendly crew will take you to the renowned Agincourt Reef off Port Douglas, a jewel-like ribbon reef on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef. From the spacious activity platform, discover an underwater world filled with a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Enjoy the reef at your pace with options for all ages, swimmers and non swimmers or passengers with limited mobility.

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Adult $325.00 | Child $172.00 | Family $830.00

10:00 am
4:30 pm

Adult $296 | Child $219
Departs daily Cairns 8:30 – 4.30 pm

Dive & Snorkel from Cairns with Silverswift, the only Cairns-based vessel to visit 3 sites in one day -It is also the fastest! You’ll be whisked away to visit 3 spectacular outer reef locations from a choice of 19 exclusive sites at Flynn, Pellowe, Milln and/or Thetford Reefs. Enjoy 5 hours of  fun with unlimited snorkelling.

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Adult $296.00 | Child $219.00

4:30 pm
Special Deal
Save up to $30 per person

Departs daily 8.30am – 5.30pm

Enjoy the best of both worlds with this complete Reef and Island tour. Fast 45-minute catamaran ride to Green Island to enjoy 2 hours on this iconic coral cay. Continue your day adventure to Great Adventures spacious activity platform. Spend 3 hours discovering the wonders of the reef, with plenty of time to snorkel, relax, and take in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural treasures.

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Adult $299.00 | Child $164.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $770.00

8:30 am
5:30 pm

Departs daily 7am – 5pm
Enjoy an all-inclusive River, Reef, and Island Cruise with the sole commercial operator permitted on the pristine uninhabited Frankland Islands. Snorkel off the Island’s National Park white sand beach, swim with sea turtles, and have a quick and convenient journey with the shortest open water crossing.

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Adult $250.00 | Child $125.00 4-16yrs | Family 2A+2C $625.00

7:00 am
5:00 pm

Adult from $225| Child $145 4-14yrs  Family 2A+2C $595
Seasonal dates and prices apply
Departs daily 9.00am – 5.00pm

Step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous Sea Rangers  as they recount the Dreamtime stories of the local people and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy up to 5 hours of fun with unlimited snorkelling with 2 Reef locations  in air-conditioned lounges and a licensed bar.

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Adult from $225.00 | Child $145.00 4

9:00 am
5:00 pm
Ocean Freedom yacht sailing

Adult $279| Child $200| Family $870
Departs Cairns daily 8.00 am – 4.30 pm


Cruise to 2 unique Great Barrier Reef sites, as you travel  in style and speed on a 20-metre motor catamaran. Ocean Freedom is the only boat in Cairns offering a total of 6 hours on the reef, meaning there’s absolutely no rush in the day. Swim, snorkel and dive – with the highest ratio of  2 divers to one instructor. You get to enjoy all the complimentary water activities whilst still having time to relax and enjoy a lazy sumptuous lunch on the Great Barrier Reef

Adult $279.00 | Child $200.00 | Family $870.00

8:00 am
4:30 pm
Book Now

$265 Adult|Child $165 4-16 yrs|
Family 2A+2C $780
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!

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Adult $265.00 Adult | Child $165.00 4-16 yrs | Family 2A+2C $780.00

8:00 am
4:30 pm
Special Deal
Includes FREE Introductory Dive

Adult $260 |Child 4-11 years $175
Family 2A+2C $695
Departs Daily 8.00am – 4.30 pm

Join us onboard the high-speed Catamaran ‘Reef Experience’ for a great value day on the Outer Barrier Reef. Your day includes Cairns CBD hotel transfers, breakfast, One FREE Scuba Dive, lunch, Snorkelling, and a light snack on the journey home. Great value! Cairns only all inclusive Great Barrier Reef day tour.

Adult $260.00 | Child 4-11 years $175.00 | Family 2A+2C $695.00

8:00 am
4:30 pm
Book Now
Special Deal
Save $49.00

Adult $455| Child 4-16 yrs $310|
Family 2A+2C 4-16yrs $1380
Excellent Value SAVE $53 adult $33.00 child & $130.00 Family

Departs daily
Experience the very best value Cairns Reef and Daintree Rainforest Tours. The 2 day reef and rainforest package offers great value to visit our two amazing World Heritage National Parks during your stay in Cairns.

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Adult $455.00 | Child 4-16 yrs $310.00 | Family 2A+2C 4-16yrs $1380.00  

Michaelmas Cay
Adult $276|Child $144|Family $704
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.

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Adult $276.00 | Child $144.00 | Family $704.00

8:30 am
5:00 pm

Adult $299.00 | Child $164 (4-14yrs)
Family 2A+2C $770
Depart Cairns Daily 10.30am – 5.20pm

Discover the Great Barrier Reef and spend 3 unforgettable hours at the Outer Reef activity platform where both swimmers and non-swimmers can immerse in the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Explore a range of activities from snorkelling to underwater observatories to guided tours for a closer look. Relax as you enjoy the sundeck taking in the views of the reef with a delicious buffet lunch.

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Adult $299.00 | Child $164.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $770.00

10:30 am
5:20 pm

Adult $315| Child $155| Family $785
Seasonal  prices apply
Departs daily 9am – 5pm

Experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef at the all-weather Pontoon which is the newest and most technologically advanced pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef. A 90-minute cruise takes you to Moore Reef for snorkelling, scuba diving, helicopter flights, and more. Stay dry with a sundeck, and view the coral from the underwater observatory, glass-bottom boat, or semi-submersible tour.

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Adult $315.00 | Child $155.00 | Family $785.00

9:00 am
5:00 pm
Sunlover pontoon and helicopter on the GBR

Adult $295|Child 4-15 yrs $169
Family $759
Departs Daily 10.15am – 5.30pm

Join Sunlover Reef Cruises for a day of discovery on the Great Barrier Reef. Travel in comfort aboard their fast, air-conditioned catamaran to a spacious pontoon at pristine Moore Reef on the outer reef. The newly refurbished platform caters for swimmers and non-swimmers alike, with an upper-level sun deck and the popular Sunlover Waterslide — a 30-metre spiral splash into tropical blue water.

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Adult $295.00 | Child 4-15 yrs $169.00 | Family $759.00

10:15 am
5:30 pm

Adult $315|Child $228
Departs Port Douglas 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Silversonic from Port Douglas takes you to explore three stunning and exclusive outer edge locations at the renowned Agincourt ribbon reefs in superb style and comfort. Spend 5 hours at the reef enjoying unlimited snorkelling and some of the best diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Includes Port Douglas hotel transfers, hot and cold Tropical Buffet Lunch & all snorkelling and dive equipment included.

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Adult $315.00 | Child $228.00

8:30 am
4:30 pm

No trip to Cairns is complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world. With tours departing daily, you can dive into this tropical paradise your way — by cruise, catamaran, or even helicopter.

Swim among bright coral formations, encounter colourful fish and turtles, or relax on deck soaking up the reef’s endless blues. Choose from a wide range of experiences — from full-day reef adventures to island day trips on Green Island, Fitzroy Island, or Frankland Islands, each offering its own unique blend of reef and rainforest.

For something extra special, our Reef & Helicopter Combo Tours give you the best of both worlds — soar over coral cays and turquoise lagoons before diving straight in for a snorkel or dive below the surface.

Whether you’re a first-time snorkeller or a certified diver, the Great Barrier Reef promises unforgettable moments and lifelong memories. All tours are run by trusted local operators with decades of reef experience, ensuring safety, comfort, and a true sense of wonder.

Here’s why thousands of customers loveCairns Discovery Tours.

🗓️ Flexible Cancellations

Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Discovery Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. We make exploring Cairns stress-free, so you can book with confidence.

💳 Book Now, Pay Later

Secure your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option. Lock in your adventure today and pay in easy installments — perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.

🌴 Local Since 1995

For over 28 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Cairns with thousands of travellers, offering authentic, community-connected tour experiences.

👩‍🏫 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.

Janice Welsh
Janice Welsh
3 months ago
We arranged 3 day tours from Cairns with Cairns Discovery tours, one to Fitzroy Island, one to Green Island and one to Kuranda . From the initial telephone contact to the conclusion of the tours, Maryanne was so helpful and professional. Booking and payment was easy, follow up information meant we knew exactly where to meet and what we would expect to see and do, when and where to check in on the day . I can thoroughly recommend booking with Cairns Discovery Tours.
Meredith Graham
Meredith Graham
5 months ago
Cairns Discovery Tours were amazing. I had very specific requirements for booking tours, due to the group we were travelling with. They made the process so easy. Their recommendations were spot on and then they took care of all our bookings, including updating me on any "deals" that companies had. If you are travelling to Cairns, I would highly recommend contacting Cairns Discovery Tours to sort your holiday!
I had the pleasure of booking my recent trip through Cairns Discovery Tours in Cairns and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish.From the very beginning, Maryanne and team were extremely easy to work with. Their communication was clear, prompt, and effective, which gave me confidence that everything was being handled smoothly. No matter how many questions we had, they responded with patience and helpful details.Since we were completely new to Cairns, their recommendations were invaluable.Another highlight was the deal they worked out for us. They managed to customize the itinerary in a way that was both budget-friendly and full of experiences.Overall, I highly recommend Cairns Discovery Tours to anyone planning a trip to Cairns. They are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about making your journey memorable. I would definitely choose them again for my future travels.Thanks once again Maryanne and Taam!
Kim Ryan
Kim Ryan
3 months ago
Easy to book online and and contact if need be. Well organised would recommend using this company to book tours through.
Adrian Olsen
Adrian Olsen
5 months ago
Like to thank Mary Ann for organising our two trips had to get a partial refund on one of the trips due to weather which was an easy process. Would definitely book through Cairns Discovery Tours again
G
Greg Scher
10 months ago
Marianne set up great tours and was very responsive with any questions. Highly recommended,

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