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Cairns Helicopter Tours Over the Great Barrier Reef

Cruise Fly Great Barrier Reef

$630.00 Per person 3yrs+
8:00 am
3:30 pm
Scenic flight aerial view of reef and coastline Cairns
Down Under Cruise and Dive reef tour vessel
Evolution Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise
Scenic flight aerial view of reef and coastline Cairns
Down Under Cruise and Dive reef tour vessel
Evolution Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise

$630.00 per person  3yrs+ includes Fuel Levy
Departs daily 8am – 3.30pm
4.5 hours at the Great Barrier Reef

Experience great value on the Great Barrier Reef with two reef sites, snorkelling gear and a fresh BBQ lunch included. At Hastings Reef, step aboard a Nautilus Aviation helicopter for a stunning 25-minute scenic flight over vibrant coral and sand cays as you make your way back to Cairns.

Enjoy a full-day Great Barrier Reef tour with two snorkelling locations, BBQ lunch and the choice of optional activities such as an Introductory Dive, Certified Dive or a semi-submersible coral viewing tour. At Hastings Reef, board a luxury Nautilus Aviation helicopter for a 25-minute scenic flight over stunning coral formations and sand cays as you return to Cairns.

  • 4.5 hours snorkelling at the Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • 25 minute scenic Helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef and sand cays to Cairns
  • Snorkelling equipment (including prescription mask if required) & floatation devices
  • Free lycra/sun-suit hire
  • Delicious BBQ Lunch including fresh fish, prawns, steak, vegetarian options and a variety of fresh salads. (special dietary catered for – contact us prior to travel)
  • Tea & coffee provided
  • Experienced & professional dive instructors
  • Spacious air-conditioned modern lounges and stylish upper deck to relax in comfort.

Itinerary

  • 7:30am Checkin at Reef Fleet Terminal 7.15am- 7.45am
  • 8:00am Evolution departs Marlin Marina, Cairns
  • 11:30am 3 hours snorkelling at 1st reef location and BBQ Lunch
  • 1:00pm Evolution arrives at 2nd reef location for you to enjoy up to 2 hours snorkelling
  • 2:45pm Depart reef on helicopter flight back to Cairns
  • 3:15pm Arrive back in Cairns approx – arrival at Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Road,
  • Semi Submersible coral viewing $20 Adult/$10 Child
  • Introductory dive $80.00 per dive
  • 2 Intro Dives $140.00
  • Certified dive $80.00 per dive
  • 2 Cert dives $140.00

PLEASE READ dive medical before booking any dives. This will be required to be completed on the day of travel. View Dive Medical.pdf

IMPORTANT INFORMATION You should not fly at high altitude within 12 hours of a single dive or 18 hours when doing multiple dives (where possible wait 24 hours)

 

 

  • Swimmers
  • Towel
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Reefsmart sunscreen
  • Underwater camera
  • Water bottle (you are able to refill on board)
  • Change of clothes
  • Extra cash or credit card for onboard purchases

Cancellation notice of 24 hours is required for a full refund
Cancellation within 24 hours is non refundable
No amendments accepted inside 24 hours prior to departure

Flights are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air-traffic control and availability.

The decision of the pilot in command is final with regards to cancelling a flight due to inclement weather and/or the refusal of the passenger/s if the passenger/s are deemed unfit for flight.

Explore related tours

Kuranda Scenic Railway heritage train station

Kuranda Scenic Train departs Cairns at 8.30am or 9.30am
Return Skyrail Rainforest Cableway at 2.30pm or 3.30pm
Not bookable online ☎️07 40283567
Experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns or Freshwater Station, choose from 8:30 am or 9:30 am train (Gold Class upgrade available). Explore the Kuranda markets and the many attractions in Kuranda. Return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cablewayas you guide over the rainforest canopy.  Includes return transfers from Skyrail to Cairns/Freshwater Railway Stations.

Adult $155.50 | Child $85.00 | Family 2A+2C 4-14yrs $399.00 | Gold class option 9.30 train only $60.00 per person

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Helicopter scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns

30 minutes $487 per person includes Fuel Levy
45 minutes $676 per person includes Fuel Levy

Departs daily from Cairns Heli pad -The Pier Cairns City

The most popular scenic flight combines 30-minute Great Barrier Reef scenic with an additional 15 minute bird’s eye view of the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest on earth. Commencing over the reef, we cross back over the coast near Double Island and the resort township of Palm Cove before ascending the coastal rainforest-clad mountains into the heart of the Barron Gorge National Park.

 

30 minutes $487.00 | 45 minutes $676.00 Per Person

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Daintree Tours from Port Douglas

Adult from $259 Child (7-14yrs) $229 not suitable for under 7yrs
Depart daily from Port Douglas only at 7.30am –  4.30pm

Discover the ancient Daintree Rainforest in style. Enjoy guided interpretive walks, a gourmet lunch and a wildlife cruise on Cooper Creek to spot crocodiles and birdlife. Friendly local guides who will share the stories, culture and ecology that make this World Heritage-listed rainforest so extraordinary.

More Info

Adult from $259.00 | Child $229.00 Child 7yrs-14

7:30 am
4:30 pm
River drift Daintree Tours

This unique Daintree Rainforest experience will have you discovering Mossman Gorge in depth. Start the day with a secret location to commence your ‘River drift’ tour,. Enjoy lunch and a traditional smoking ceremony ending the day with a 1.5 hour guided rainforest walk in the Gorge…..

 

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Adult $270.00 | Child $225.00 5 - 15 yrs | Family 2A+2C $910.00 2A+2C

8:30 am
4:30 pm
Cairns Aquarium marine life experience banner

Adult $179| Child $79
Available Tues to Sat 3pm – 6:15pm

Experience available up until 28th June 2026

Aquarium by twilight gives you an insight into the unique changes of the region’s nocturnal sea creatures as they move about in the shadows. Witness the predators in the Oceanarium with appetiser and drink in hand, before completing your evening at Dundee’s Restaurant with a perfectly matched 3 course dining experience while enjoying a stunning marine life backdrop.

Adult $179.00 | Child $79.00

3:00 pm
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Silversonic diver exploring outer reef coral formations

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.

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Adult $328.00 | Child $238.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child Fuel levy payable on the day of travel

8:30 am
4:30 pm

A full-day reef fishing charter offers an incredible adventure on the stunning waters of the Great Barrier Reef, targeting iconic species such as Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Large Mouth Nannygai, and Spanish Mackerel.

More Info

$340.00 Per Person | $60.00 Fuel levy

6:00 am
4:00 pm
Aerial shot of Nautilus Helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef

$1189.00 per person
Departs Daily from Port Douglas
11.10am – 3.30pm

Short on time or want to experience the Great Barrier Reef on a return scenic flight. Takes in the highlights of the inner reef. There is simply no better way to appreciate the sheer size and scale of the Great Barrier Reef than from the air. Expect picture-postcard views of the reef and an abundance of wildlife – sharks, turtles, rays and even whales (July to Nov).

Spend 2 hours – 15 minutes at the Quicksilver pontoon to enjoy snorkelling, semi submersible coral viewing tour, underwater observatory and a delicious buffet lunch.

 

$1189.00 per person

11:10 am
3:30 pm
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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.

Rena Keeney
Rena Keeney
26 days ago
We had such a fun time on a half day tour of Fitzroy island with Cairns Discovery Tours! We managed to do an everything we wanted (Nudey beach, long snorkel and lunch) within the time period we had and we even got to swim with turtles 🐢 an unforgettable experience! This would not have been possible without the fantastic help of Maryanne who booked us in for the tour. She went above and beyond to help us find somewhere to leave our bags during our tour and we wouldn’t have been able to go without her help. We enjoyed the experience so much and we are very grateful to Maryanne for her help and her exceptional customer service! I would definitely recommend booking local for these kind of experiences because that kind of customer care just doesn’t come when you book through third party sites. 10/10 experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seka Mrkonja
Seka Mrkonja
1 month ago
Highly recommended!
karen McArthur
karen McArthur
15 days ago
We went on a tour with Discovery Tours today, doing the Mossman Gorge, Daintree / Daintree River Cruise, finishing of visiting Cape Tribulation… Our driver was James, who was exceptional. Giving running commentary along the trip. Guiding his group of people through all the different areas. Thanks James, top job.
Rachael E
Rachael E
1 month ago
In June I came to Cairns on holiday from the UK. It was the biggest holiday I've ever taken and because my health limits what I can do took a lot of planning. Maryanne at Cairns Discovery Tours was brilliant. She helped me choose suitable trips, gave me additional information so I could be prepared, advised on the easiest way to get to the departure point for those trips that don't pick up from my accommodation, etc. I booked all my trips except one with Maryanne. Her knowledge of Cairns was invaluable to me. She spoke to me on Whatsapp to answer my questions (we had to arrange call in advance because of the time difference) and when it occurred to me quite close to departure date that I'd need a way of protecting my head and neck from the sun when snorkelling Maryanne got me a suitable headscarf and dropped it off at my accommodation ahead of my arrival. When a friend decided to join me on some of the trips Maryanne was really helpful to her as well. If I am able to come back to Cairns I'll book as much as I can with Maryanne and Cairns Discovery Tours. The service couldn't be bettered.
Trevor Andrews
Trevor Andrews
22 days ago
We have just done the 3 day/2 night Cooktown and Cape Tribulation Tour with 2 friends. An unbelievable experience due to our fantastic guide Steve, who had so much local knowledge on everywhere we visited, especially historical info on the Palmer River gold rush in the 1800s, and Daintree Rainforest botany. Steve was such a good raconteur with friendly personality, who went out of his way to make our trip so enjoyable. Accomodation at both Cooktown and Cape Tribulation was excellent, with amazing setting of the cabins at Cape Tribulation in the rainforest right by the beach. Everything advertised for the tour and more was an memorable experience. Thank you so much Steve!
John Power
John Power
18 days ago
I was delighted with the Kuranda tour arranged by this company. The timings worked excellently and it was an eminently well organised tour. The train trip up to Kuranda was great fun and fascinating. Personally, I was particularly interested in the engineering. We had an hour in Kuranda Village, which was enough for me, although I expect some people would have liked to have seen the village and visited the butterfly world, which I think would have been tight. Rainforestation was great, plenty of activity of a variety of natures. I could not throw a boomerang to save my life, but it was fun to try. Then the bus down to Cairns was efficient and friendly, with a superb guide.
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