Great Barrier Reef Day Tours

Great Barrier Reef Day Tour with Reef Experience from Cairns

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

Join us onboard the high-speed Catamaran “Reef Experience” for an unforgettable day visiting 2 pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef locations and discovering the breathtaking wonder of this World Heritage environment. Maximum 75 passengers. Reef Experience is Cairn’s only ALL-inclusive Great Barrier Reef Day Tour which also offers a FREE Scuba Dive. Catering for all levels in swimming, snorkelling and Scuba Diving, everyone will find the perfect way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Experienced swimmer or snorkeler? the crew will show you the best patches of coral and can tell you where to find the marine marvels that call the reef their home. Never snorkelled before or can’t swim? Friendly and professional crew are always ready to jump in and assist everybody who needs assistance to have fun and enjoy the magic the reef has to offer, ensuring that you are comfortable with your equipment and introducing you to some of our friendly fish! A day on the Great Barrier Reef will be one of the most memorable days in your life.

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

  • FREE Pick up and Return to Cairns City Accommodation
  • Up to 6 hours at two pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef locations
  • Unlimited Snorkelling at morning and afternoon locations.
  • All equipment INCLUDING wetsuit hire & lycra suits
  • FREE Scuba Dive
  • Certified Dive qualified OR
  • Resort Dive no-experience is necessary at the first reef location for everyone over age 12 and medically fit to scuba dive.
  • Medical Conditions do apply
  • FREE Marine Biology Presentation
  • Breakfast consisting of barbecue bacon & egg rolls, coffee, tea and fruit platters
  • Delicious Buffet BBQ lunch with an assortment of fresh salads
  • Cheese & fruit platter & complimentary wine on the return journey
  • No hidden costs!
  • Second introductory/resort dive – $ 70
  • Second certified scuba dive – $ 60
  • Guided certified scuba dive – $ 15
  • Underwater Camera $89 –For safety reasons, resort (introductory) divers cannot use camera on their 1st dive.
  • Professional Underwater Photographer –
  • 1 photo $35 3 photos $45 5 photos $54
  • Unlimited photos $96
  • Prescription Masks $10

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

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

Public Holiday surchages are payable on board DIRECT on the day of travel


 A Surcharge of $50 per person applies to all Queensland public holidays listed below. Note Christmas day has $100 surcharge per person.

Payable direct on the day of travel 

Labour Day 5th May 2025
Show Day 8th July 2025
King’s Birthday 6th October 2025
Boxing Day 26th December 2025
Christmas Day 25th December $100.00 Surcharge
New years day 1st January 2026
Australia Day 26th January 2026
Easter 3-6th April 2026
Anzac Day 25th April 2026
Labour Day 4th May 2026


Terms and conditions of travel
20% cancellation fee for cancellations made 30 days or more before the departure date.
• 50% cancellation fee for cancellations made within 30 days of the departure date.
• 100% cancellation fee for cancellations made within 14 days of the departure date.
3.2 We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to reschedule or alter a reservation.

______________________________________

Diving Terms – To avoid disappointment on your day of travel, we strongly recommend that all of our passengers complete the medical questionnaire before booking as some medical conditions, age and/or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. You will also be required to complete the questionnaire on the day of travel. Dive Medical questionnaire

Flying and Scuba Diving – Please remember you need to allow 24 hours after scuba diving before flying or travelling to altitude. You can fly then dive.

Explore related tours

Adult $145|Child$80|Family $390
Gold class option 9.30 train only $60 per person
Train departs Cairns 8.30am or 9.30am
Return Skyrail 2.30pm or 3.30pm
Tour not bookable online – please contact us P 07 40283567
Experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns Central or Freshwater Station, choose from 8:30 am or 9:30 am trains (Gold Class upgrade available). Explore the Kuranda markets Wednesday through to Sunday and the many attractions of Kuranda, then return on the Skyrail as you guide over the rainforest canopy.  Includes return transfers from Skyrail to Cairns Railway Station.

Adult $145.00 | Child $80.00 | Family $390.00 | Gold class option 9.30 train only $60.00 per person

Book Now

Departs Daily – $495.00 per person
Experience the fun & unique sensation of being in a Hot Air Balloon, flying gently high above the Atherton Tablelands, Australia.Complimentary hotel pick ups from Cairns City, Cairns Beaches and Palm Cove

Start with an early morning pickup and transfer from your accommodation in Cairns. Approx 4.00am
Return approx. 9.30am – 10.00am -Breakfast at your own expense.

More Info

Departs Daily $495.00 per person

$395 per person -May – October 2026
Depart Cairns Mon, Wed & Friday – 6.30am
Port Douglas IGA Bus Stop 7.45am

Discover Cooktown on this exclusive one day tour for a 4WD adventure taking in some of Australia’s most amazing scenery and natural beauty. On your Cooktown Day Tour, you will travel in a purpose-built 4WD, air-conditioned coach, catering specifically to small groups with a limit of just 12 passengers. Cross the Daintree River, traverse the 4wd Bloomfield Track and return along the Mulligan Highway, the Outback of Far North Queensland

$395.00 Per Person

6:30 am
7:30 pm
Book Now

Adult from $239 Child (7-14yrs) $215 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 $239.00 | Child $215.00 Child 7yrs-14

7:30 am
4:30 pm
Cairns Food Tour

Adult $255 Children not catered for.
Departs Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat 8am – 5pm 

7 Delicious stops including tastings of liqueurs, wine, beer, spirits, cheeses, coffee, chocolate, tropical fruits, nuts, Crocodile, Kangaroo, Red Claw with Tree Kangaroo & Platypus spotting. Breakfast, Morning tea, gourmet lunch, afternoon tea and all tastings included.

 

More Info

Adult $255.00 Children not catered for.

8:00 am
5:00 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.

More Info

Adult $315.00 | Child $228.00

8:30 am
4:30 pm

Adult $107|Child $53.50
Family 2A+2C $267.50
Daily from Cairns & Palm Cove
8.30am to 2.30pm or
12.30pm to 5.30pm

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers a thrilling immersion into Australia’s iconic wildlife. Spanning over 10 hectares of natural habitat, the park is renowned for its focus on conservation and education. Visitors can embark on guided tours, encountering saltwater crocodiles, cassowaries, and an array of native species in their natural habitats. The park also features interactive experiences, including crocodile feeding shows and wildlife presentation.

Adult $107.00 | Child $53.50 | Family 2A+2C $267.50

Book Now
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
Book Now

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
4 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
6 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
4 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
6 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
11 months ago
Marianne set up great tours and was very responsive with any questions. Highly recommended,