Great Barrier Reef Day Tours

Green Island & Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour from Cairns

Adult $299.00 | Child $164.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $770.00
8:30 am
5:30 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.

The complete reef and island experience awaits with this exciting tour. Take a fast 45-minute catamaran ride to beautiful Green Island and enjoy two hours on this unique reef and rainforest coral cay. Then, you’ll depart Green Island to continue your day of adventure and discovery with 3 hours on board Great Adventures’ spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island
It is a beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – a premier world heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Grab your snorkel gear and head to the Lifeguard patrolled beach to explore the marine world off the beach, take a stroll thru the unique tropical rainforest, laze on the white coral sand beach or take part in some of the optional activities that Green Island has to offer.

Outer Barrier Reef
The stable reef activity platform is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and/or dive, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub to view the surrounding coral or relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. The vibrant marine life of the reef awaits you.

 

  • Depart Cairns Marlin Marina 08:30am
  • Return air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
  • Morning tea & coffee served until departure
  • Morning tea cake selection
  • Two (2) hours on Green Island
  • Three (3) hours on the Outer Reef platform
  • Snorkelling equipment included at Green Island and the Outer Reef
  • Lycra/Stinger suit included at the Outer Reef
  • Use of buoyancy vests at the pontoon
  • Reef education presentation
  • Hot and cold buffet lunch
  • Semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour
  • Underwater observatory
  • Guided Eco Reef Talk in the underwater observatory
  • Afternoon tea and coffee are available whilst at the platform
  • Cheese and biscuits on the return journey
  • Return Cairns at 5.20pm

Seawalker Helmet Dive – Green Island
An amazing underwater walking experience, let Seawalker’s expert guides show you wonders of the reef as you stroll along Green Island lagoon’s sea floor. There’s no equipment to operate, non-swimmers welcome and you don’t even have to get your hair wet! View Dive Medical questionairre.pdf before booking

It’s easy – no new skills to learn, no swimming and no equipment to operate.

Per Person 12yrs +  $198.00 

Outer Barrier Reef Options

Guided Snorkel Tour 
For those looking for a more immersive snorkel experience, a guided snorkel tour is a great way to maximise your visit to the Great Barrier Reef.
Ideal for novice snorkellers and family groups, you will be able to swim with the fish and explore the wonders of the reef with one of our knowledgeable guides by your side.
Adult $84 Child $44

Introductory and Certified Diving
For an underwater adventure to remember, come diving with us! It’s fun and no experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive. Our professional and experienced PADI instructors will guide you through every aspect of your dive, allowing you to have a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Cert Dive $148 Intro Dive $198

Please note a dive medical questionnaire will be required to be completed on the day

View Dive Medical questionairre.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

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

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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

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.

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Adult from $239.00 Child (7

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.

 

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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.

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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

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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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$683 per person
Departs daily from Port Douglas
For your experience of a lifetime depart Port Douglas, Quicksilver’s friendly crew will take you to the renowned Agincourt Reef, a jewel-like ribbon reef on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef.  The 35 minute scenic flight between Port Douglas and Agincourt Reef delivers stunning panoramic views extending from the tropical rainforest clad coastline

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,