Cairns Helicopter Tours Over the Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Fly-Cruise Adventure

$644.00 per person 3yrs + | $0.00 Infant Under 3yrs no seat
12:30 pm
5:30 pm
Great Adventures Snorkelling & Swimming
Guided snorkel tour
Semi Submersible tour on the Great Barrier Reef with Great Adventures
Great Adventures Snorkelling & Swimming
Guided snorkel tour
Semi Submersible tour on the Great Barrier Reef with Great Adventures

$644 per person 3yrs + Includes Fuel Levy
Departs Cairns daily 12.30pm – 5.30pm

Take in 25 minutes of breathtaking aerial views from the lush tropical coastline across the blue waters of the Coral Sea as you soar into the heart of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Disembark at Great Adventures Outer Reef Pontoon and enjoy lunch, snorkelling, semi submersible coral viewing craft and underwater observatory before cruising back into Cairns at 5.30pm. This gives you the best of the reef from above and below.

Checkin Cairns 11.50am Return Cairns 5.30pm
Please make your way to Pier Heliport – Nautilus Aviation 45 minutes before your flight.

Helicopter Transfer
Enjoy a  stunning 25 minute scenic flight with panoramic views of the Great Barrier Reef and islands. Your highly skilled pilot will share their local knowledge of the region while on the lookout for Turtles, Dolphins, Manta Rays, large schools of pelagic fish and even majestic Humpback Whales (Jul-Sep).
Maximum individual seat weight limit of 130kg applies

Great Barrier Reef – Pontoon
Located off Cairns, just 90 minutes by fast catamaran, the Great Adventures Outer Reef activity platform is a stable, all-weather base allowing visitors to explore the reef comfortably.

Whatever your age, swimming ability or activity level, there is something for everyone at Great Adventures.

Snorkel, swim, or stay dry. Visit the underwater reef observatory for a fun and informative Eco Reef Talk from a local marine expert.

The Semi-Submersible coral viewing vessel is a great activity providing views of the reef from below the waterline without setting foot in the water. It includes live commentary with fascinating insights into this complex ecosystem.

You won’t go hungry either with afternoon tea plus a hot and cold buffet lunch included in the day. Dine comfortably aboard the air-conditioned catamaran or pull up a lounge on the upper sundeck and soak up the tropical ambience.

The friendly and knowledgeable crew are ready to share a wonderful day of discovery and adventure in this very special part of the world.

Please note: departure & arrival times to and from the Outer Reef for Great Adventures listed are a guide only and depend on good cruising conditions.

 

25-minute scenic Helicopter Flight to Outer Reef
Approximately 2 hours at Outer Reef Activity Platform
Snorkelling equipment
Use of buoyancy vests & lycra/stinger suits
Hot and cold buffet lunch
Semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour
Underwater Observatory
Guided Eco Reef Talk in the underwater observatory
Air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise back to Cairns

We suggest packing a small soft sided bag as if you were going to the beach for the day, including:

  • Camera (underwater digital cameras also available for hire on the boat)
  • Sunglasses – polarised lens is recommended
  • Swimming costume
  • Hat, towel, sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended)
  • A dry change of clothes including a jumper in winter
  • Cash or Card for any onboard purchases

Maximum individual seat weight limit of 130kg applies

Checkin required 45 minutes prior to departure. Check-in will close 30 minutes before departure and you will not be able to check in after this time.

All tours are confirmed subject to availability, weather and achieved booking minimums.  Solo traveller bookings welcome.

Cancellation notice of 48 hours is required for a full refund
Any flight amendments made inside 48 hours with incur a 50% penalty.
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.

 

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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
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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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Daintree Tours from Port Douglas

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Cairns Aquarium marine life experience banner

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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.

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Aerial shot of Nautilus Helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef

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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
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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.

Janice Welsh
Janice Welsh
9 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
11 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
9 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
11 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
1 year ago
Marianne set up great tours and was very responsive with any questions. Highly recommended,