Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns

Passions of Paradise Cairns

Adult $275.00 | Child 4-14yrs $175.00 | Family 2A+2C $795.00
8:00 am
5:00 pm
Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef sailing tour
Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef sailing tour

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!

 

It’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, all in one unforgettable day on the reef. Enjoy a personalised day on the Great Barrier Reef with a friendly crew dedicated to making your trip memorable and a local operator whose environmental credentials and attention to detail have earned many awards including the Australian Tourism Award for Adventure.

Our brand new high quality snorkel equipment is provided on board with plenty of sizes to choose from. Full snorkelling tuition is provided by our professional friendly staff and flotation belts are available for extra comfort. Join our staff on our complimentary guided snorkel tour or explore the wonder of the underwater world your own adventure. Our qualified staff are close by ensuring everyone’s safety. Snorkelling is available at both locations giving you plenty of time to explore two diverse eco systems in one day

 

07:00 – 07:45 Check in at Reef Fleet Terminal
08:00 – 08:15 Departure and Safety Briefing
08:15 – 10:30 Motor to First Outer Barrier Reef Location

Passions of Paradise has a selection of more than 24 exclusive outer reef locations to choose from. Each day we will select the two best sites suited to the weather conditions to give our guests the best possible experience. Exclusive sites include: Hastings Reef (Some sites Include: 1770, Stepping Stones & Split Bommie), Flynn Reef (Little Tracey & Point Break), Milne Reef (The Three Sisters, Club 10, The Whale Bommie, The Edge) and MORE!

10:30 – 12:15 Arrive at first Outer Barrier Reef location

Snorkeling – Our reef sites are selected for their abundance of marine life and diversity of healthy corals. Our snorkel guides are on hand to assist new or nervous snorkelers to feel comfortable and at ease.
Introductory Dives – Are available for those who wish to try SCUBA Diving for the first time. These are fully guided dives in small groups under the competent instruction of one of our fully qualified and experienced Dive Instructors.

Certified Divers – Have the opportunity to conduct two dives during the day. All dives are guided in small groups, by experienced dive masters/ instructors.

11:45 Lunch is served – Lunch is prepared daily by our chef on-board the vessel for maximum freshness and taste. Enjoy a sumptuous hot and cold buffet lunch and a selection of fresh salads. Vegetarians are catered for daily.

12:15 Prepare to depart to Second Outer Barrier Reef location
13:00 – 14:00 Arrive at Second Outer Barrier Reef location

Water activities begin with passengers free to snorkel, conduct another introductory or certified dive or simply soak up the sun on our large sun decks

14:00 Depart Second Outer Barrier Reef Location

Time to enjoy a cold beverage (purchasable from our onboard bar!) as we set sail (weather dependent) for a relaxing trip back to Cairns.

17:00 Arrive Cairns

Underwater cameras from $25
Prescription masks – FREE

Due to the huge popularity of Scuba diving, we are unable to guarantee diving availability on board. So we do recommend that all 1st dives are pre-booked!
Introductory Dive $90.00 is for beginners, 12yrs +
Certified Dive $75.00 with internationally recognised certification

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

Private guide for the day – $750.00 Total for 1-6 guests 

  • Marine Biologist Experience:
  • Led by a qualified marine biologist, the tour provides in-depth knowledge of the reef’s ecosystem, marine life, and the conservation efforts being undertaken.
  • Participants can assist the marine biologist with research activities like identifying and cataloguing marine species, helping with reef surveys, and monitoring coral health.
  • You will have the chance to snorkel at two pristine reef locations, selected daily based on conditions.
  • The reef locations are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, known for vibrant corals, turtles, colourful fish, and occasional sightings of rays or reef sharks.
  • Reef Education: The tour contributes to reef conservation by working with programs like Eye on the Reef, where data collected on the tour helps in reef monitoring.
  • Hands-On Experience: It’s more than just a snorkelling tour. You get the chance to engage with the reef’s ecosystem from a scientific perspective, making it a unique, educational experience.
  • Conservation Focus: By participating, you contribute to reef conservation efforts, and your experience helps raise awareness for future travellers.
  • This eco-conscious reef tour is a great choice for travellers wanting to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.


Total $750.00 for 1-6 guests

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

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Return Skyrail 2.30pm or 3.30pm
Tour not bookable online – please contact us P: 07 40283567
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Adult $240.00 | Child 4-14 yrs $142.00

9:00 am
6:00 pm

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Cairns Aquarium marine life experience banner

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Experience available up until 28th June 2026

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Aerial shot of Nautilus Helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef

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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
7 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
9 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
7 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
10 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,