Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns
Step into the world’s most famous reef where turquoise waters, vibrant coral gardens, and marine life collide in spectacular colour. Our cairns great barrier reef tours include snorkelling, island escapes, and scenic flights, offering travellers unforgettable great barrier reef tours and incredible great barrier reef trips from Cairns.
Adult $195.00 Child 4-14yrs $165.00
Departs Cairns 7.40am – 2.00pm
Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun
Half-day Outer Reef Snorkel & Dive Tour allows you to visit the Outer Great Barrier Reef on a small-group snorkel and dive tour limited to 60 guests. Enjoy up to 2 hours in the water with expert marine guides. Option to try a Scuba Introductory Dive – all gear included.
Adult $195.00 | Child $165.00 4-14yts | Family 2A+2C $660.00 2A+2C | $10.00 Fuel levy payable on the day
Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Adult $209 |Child 6-14yrs $159
Family 2A+2C $670
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.
Adult $209.00 | Child 6-14yrs $159.00 | Family 2A+2C $670.00
Departs daily 8.30am – 5.30pm
Fuel Levy $10.00 Adult $5.00 Child payable at check in day of travel
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.
Adult $312.00 | Child $172.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $805.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child. Fuel Levy payable at check-in on the day of travel.
Adult $455| Child 4-16 yrs $310|
Family 2A+2C 4-16yrs $1380
Excellent Value SAVE $59 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, making it one of the best Cairns tour packages available
Adult $455.00 | Child 4-16 yrs $310.00 | Family 2A+2C 4-16yrs $1380.00
$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
Adult $440|Child $345 4-16 years includes Fuel levy
Great Value !! Save $75
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
Adult $440.00 | Child $345.00 4-16 years
Departs Cairns 8.00am – 4.30pm
Kids 50% off – valid to 30th September 2026
Adult $10 Child $5 Fuel Levy
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.
Adult $337.00 | Child ( 4 - 16yrs ) $169.00 | Kids 50% OFF $92.50 valid to 30 Sept 26 | Family 2A+2C $859.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child Fuel Levy
Departs daily 7am – 5pm
Fuel Levy of $10.00 per person payable direct
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. Semi submersible not available until 11th May due to maintenance
Adult $260.00 | Child $160.00 4-16yrs | Family 2A+2C $680.00 | $10.00 + Fuel Levy per person payable on the day of travel
Adult from $255| Child $160 4-14yrs Family 2A+2C $670
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.
Adult from $255.00 | Child $160.00 4-14yrs | Family 2A+2C $670.00 2A+2C
Adult $308 | Child $228
Departs daily Cairns 8:30 – 4.30 pm
Fuel Levy Adult $10 Child $5 payable on checkin day of travel
Dive & Snorkel from Cairns with Silverswift, the only Cairns-based vessel to visit 3 spectacular outer reef locations in one day – It is also the fastest! Exclusive Outer Barrier Reef sites at Flynn, Pellowe, Milln and/or Thetford Reefs. Enjoy 5 hours of fun snorkelling and diving
Adult $308.00 | Child $228.00 | $10.00 Fuel Levy - Adult Child $5 payable at checkin on day of travel
Adult $275.00| Child 4-14yrs $175
Family 2A+2C $795
Departs Cairns daily 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
Tour not available 27th April – 19th May inclusive due to maintenance schedule
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
Take to the skies on a Great Barrier Reef scenic helicopter flight departing from the floating helipad at Moore Reef. This 10-minute helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef delivers spectacular aerial views of vibrant coral formations, turquoise lagoons and the vast outer reef.
Adult $527.00 | Child 2-15 yrs $387.00 | Family 2A+2C $1656.00 | Infant under 24 months $0.00 | Price includes Fuel Levy $0.00
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
Michaelmas Cay
Adult $288|Child $149|Family $734
Departs daily 8.30am – 5pm
Fuel levy Adult $4 Child $2 payable on checkin day of travel
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 $288.00 | Child $149.00 | Family $734.00 | $0.00 Fuel Levy Adult $4 Child $2 payable on checkin day of travel
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
Adult $289| Child $207| Family $893
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 $289.00 | Child $207.00 | Family $893.00
Adult $312.00 | Child $172 (4-14yrs)
Family 2A+2C $805
Fuel Levy payable direct on the day of travel $10 Adult $5 Child
Departs 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.
Adult $312.00 | Child $172.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $805.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child | Fuel levy payable on the day of travel
From Adult $325| Child $160| Family $810
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.
Adult $325.00 | Child $160.00 | Family $810.00
Adult $307|Child 4-15 yrs $172
Family 2A2C $786
Fuel Levy $10.00 Adult $5.00 Child $30.00 Family
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.
Adult $307.00 | Child 4-15 yrs $172.00 | Family $786.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child Fuel Levy
Agincourt Reef is regarded as one of the most significant sites of this natural wonder. Here you’ll find rich, diverse coral gardens that help form these protective ocean walls, filled with hard and soft corals as well as the reef’s most iconic species such as sharks, stingrays, turtles, groupers and cods, maori wrasse and parrotfish.
Adult $338|Child $179|Family $864
Departs Port Douglas 10am – 4.30pm
Return transfers from Cairns +
Adult $45|Child $25|Family $115
Fuel Levy Adult $10 Child $5.00 payable on checkin on the day of travel
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.
Adult $338.00 | Child $179.00 | Family $864.00 | $0.00 Fuel Levy $10 Adult $5 Child payable on checkin on the day of travel
Adult $315|Child $228
Fuel Levy Adult $10 Child $5 payable on the day of travel
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.
Adult $328.00 | Child $238.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child Fuel levy payable on the day of travel
Due to the volatility and escalation of fuel prices in Australia marine tour operators have introduced Fuel Levy’s with some included and others payable direct on the day of travel.
No trip to Cairns is complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world. With cairns great barrier reef tours departing daily, you can explore this tropical paradise your way by cruise, catamaran, or 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, with options including reef and rainforest packages.
Many visitors also choose great barrier reef snorkeling tours cairns travellers recommend for exploring vibrant coral reefs and marine life up close.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Great Barrier Reef tour for first-time visitors to Cairns?
The best great barrier reef tours for first-time visitors depend on your interests and comfort level. For most first-timers, a full-day outer reef cruise is the most rewarding pontoon-based tours offer snorkelling, glass-bottom boat viewing, semi-submersible rides and underwater observatories, catering to both swimmers and non-swimmers. Those short on time may prefer a half-day reef cruise, while travellers wanting something extra special can add a scenic helicopter flight over the reef.
What’s included in a Great Barrier Reef day tour from Cairns?
Cairns offers a wide variety of reef tours to suit different preferences and budgets. Options include full-day outer reef cruises to pontoon platforms, island day trips (Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Frankland Islands), reef and island combo tours, small-group sailing and dive charters, and helicopter scenic flights either standalone or combined with a reef cruise. Tours depart daily and cater to snorkellers, certified divers, and non-swimmers alike
Can beginners and non-swimmers enjoy a Great Barrier Reef tour?
Yes. Many reef tours are designed with non-swimmers and beginners in mind. Activities like glass-bottom boat tours, semi-submersible rides, and underwater observatories let you see the reef without entering the water. The Seawalker helmet dive is another popular option you walk on the seafloor without needing to swim or use any equipment, and you don’t even get your hair wet. Guided snorkel tours are also available for those new to snorkelling.
How long does it take to reach the outer reef from Cairns?
Travel time to the outer reef varies by vessel and destination, but most cruises take approximately/up to 90 minutes each way. Reef pontoons and activity platforms are moored permanently at the reef, so time at the reef is typically 3-5 hours for a full-day tour.
What marine life can you see on a Great Barrier Reef tour?
The Great Barrier Reef is home to an extraordinary diversity of marine life. On a typical reef tour you can expect to see colourful coral formations, tropical fish including clownfish, parrotfish and angelfish, sea turtles, giant clams, and reef sharks. Manta rays and whale sharks are occasionally spotted, and humpback whales pass through the region between July and November.
How do I choose the best Great Barrier Reef tour for my travel style and budget?
Consider how much time you have, whether you want to swim or prefer to stay dry, and how far offshore you’d like to go. Outer reef tours offer the most pristine coral and marine life, while island tours (Green Island and Fitzroy Island) are closer to shore and ideal for a relaxed day out. Combo tours combining an island stop with time at the outer reef give you both experiences in one day. Your budget will also help narrow it down there are options at a range of price points.