The Best Great Barrier Reef Tours in Cairns
The Great Barrier Reef needs no introduction!
More than 1.5 million tourists come each year to enjoy this World Heritage-listed area, which extends along 2000 kilometres of coastline. This marine wonderland, nestled along the tropical oceanfront of Cairns, draws visitors from all over the world to explore its brilliant coral gardens, encounter unique marine life, and revel in the splendour of its azure seas.
Have we got you thinking about your next trip? We give you a list of the best Great Barrier Reef tours that depart from Cairns.
Premier Reef & Island Tours
If you are looking for an intimate and small tour of the mighty Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Premier Reef and Island Tours are just for you. Operated by Perry Jones and Taryn Agius, the duo offer two unique tours.
Hop on Ocean Freedom, a 20-metre motor catamaran, for 6 hours of uninterrupted reef time; you can snorkel, scuba dive, and even explore Upolu Cay Reef.
If you want to try something different, cruise to Pinnacle Reef and Green Island in Ocean Free, their 16.5-metre schooner.
How to get there:Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Reef Magic Tours
All aboard Reef Magic Tours for five hours of exploration of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Your journey on the Reef Magic pontoon will be filled with learnings; you will get a chance to see an underwater observatory and a fish-feeding demonstration. You can get some great views of marine life by sitting on the semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat.
The reef cruise comes with snorkel equipment so don’t hesitate to jump in!
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Down Under Cruise and Dive Reef Tours
Having been around for over 30 years, Down Under Cruise and Dive are among the best Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns. Experience the beautiful Great Barrier Reef while cruising on the EVOLUTION, a superyacht that has won numerous awards for speed, luxury, and comfort.
Every day, a 35-metre luxury superyacht sails from Cairns to two stunning outer Great Barrier Reef destinations where passengers can snorkel at Saxon Reef (usually not visited by other tour operators), participate in beginner or certified dives, and enjoy a barbecue lunch with hot and cold dishes like fresh fish, succulent prawns, juicy steak, and crisp salads.
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Divers Den
Want to spend more time by the Great Barrier Reef? The best overnight trip to the iconic reef from Cairns is organised by Divers Den, on their liveaboard ship, OceanQuest. With options for snorkelling, introductory diving, and certified diving, spend your days and nights onboard this floating accommodation exploring the best outer Great Barrier Reef dive spots.
The overnight excursion from Cairns gives you all the time you need to see the reef. During the day, visit vibrant dive and snorkelling locations, and at night, just relax or jump right back into the waters.
How to get there: Take bus 140 to Mulgrave Rd near Parramatta Park and walk for about 5-minutes
Address: 319 Draper Street, Cairns (map)
Cairns Helicopter Tour
If you're not up for a water adventure, there are plenty of other ways to experience some stunning sights.
And here's one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns: going for an exhilarating helicopter ride that will take you on a panoramic tour over the breathtaking reef.
From above, you'll have the opportunity to capture stunning images of landmarks such as Green Island, Arlington Reef, and Upolu Sand Cay. So fasten your seatbelt and get ready for an unforgettable aerial experience!
How to get there: Take bus 140 to Cairns City station (Lake Street) and walk for 12-minutes
Address: Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Great Adventure Tours
You’re in for a great time with another one of the best Great Barrier Reef Tours starting at Cairns. The Great Adventure Tours are perfect for both swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. You can snorkel and dive, visit the underwater observatory, travel in a semi-sub, or simply relax on the sundeck.
If you want to know more about the reef, there is a guided eco-reef talk in the underwater observatory as well.
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Tour
Did you know that you can see all sorts of colorful creatures in and around the Great Barrier Reef? From green turtles, manta rays, and clownfish to soft and hard corals, be prepared to be surprised. On this tour, one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours setting sail from Cairns, get ready for the best day ever. With two exclusive outer reef spots, you'll be onboard the elegant high-performance catamaran, where you can snorkel, swim, dive, or simply relax.
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Passions of Paradise Reef Tour
Ready to explore the Great Barrier Reef? With Passions of Paradise’s Reef Tour, you can go snorkelling, diving and sailing. Experience the serene beauty of Paradise Reef, a secluded mooring exclusively reserved for Passions of Paradise. Say goodbye to crowded spots as you indulge in a snorkelling or diving adventure on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, giant trevally, small blacktip reef sharks and batfish.
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Great Barrier Reef Cruise, Snorkel, Heli Flight from Cairns
Hop aboard the fancy Evolution superyacht for an epic voyage to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. You'll have more than five hours to explore two exclusive spots on the reef, perfect for snorkeling, chilling, and soaking up the sun.
Want to crank up the adventure? You can dive into the Great Barrier Reef Tour Experience with an intro or certified scuba dive at the second reef spot.
Then, at Hastings Reef, get ready for a jaw-dropping helicopter ride. You'll soar above the immense and stunning World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Keep an eye out for manta rays, turtles, and other cool sea creatures during the flight. And if you're traveling in winter, you might even catch a glimpse of some whales!
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Semi-Submersible Reef Viewing Tour
There's no more Aussie experience than diving into the stunning Outer Great Barrier Reef. You can base yourself on a rock-solid reef platform, the ideal spot for both swimmers and those who prefer to stay dry.
During this incredible Great Barrier Reef adventure, you can snorkel and/or dive, check out the underwater observatory, glide through the water in a semi-sub, or simply kick back on the sun deck with a tasty buffet lunch. Don't pass up this chance to explore one of the planet's most treasured natural marvels.
Sunlover Tours Cairns
A water slide opens up into the ocean with a person sliding into the waterJust when you thought your Great Barrier Reef couldn’t get any more fun, Sunlover Tours gives you a pontoon with a waterslide that goes right into the ocean! The tour takes you to Moore Reef which is filled with vibrant coral gardens, friendly resident turtles and Maori wrasse.
You can choose between snorkelling in the natural lagoon and staying dry in their semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours to explore the reef.
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Compass Reef Tours
Compass Reef Tours will give you the most enjoyable water experience. You can snorkel amongst vibrant coral reefs and plentiful marine life in two wonderful sites and also have the option to dive or sit in the popular glass-bottom boat. But what makes Compass Reef Tours one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours is the addition of boom netting! In boom netting, you hold on for the ride of your life as you are towed behind the boat on a massive cargo net!
How to get there: Take bus 123 to Cairns City station (Lake Street) and walk about 7-minutes
Address: 100 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Evolution Reef Tour
The Gold Class VIP Package from Down Under Cruise and Dive offers the ultimate luxurious Great Barrier Reef experience. Step aboard a 35-meter superyacht, where your personal concierge will escort you to your private VIP lounge on the second level of the Evolution. From this vantage point, you'll have sweeping views of the Reef.
Travel in style aboard the Evolution, the most impressive vessel for exploring the outer reef in the region. Enjoy exclusive entry to the VIP Gold Class Lounge, complete with your own concierge service and special added perks. Whether you're a couple, honeymooners, a family, a group of friends, or a small gathering of up to 8 guests, this experience is perfect for you, making this one of the best Great Barrier reef tour in Cairns for luxury.
How to get there: Take bus 123 from Cairns Central Shopping Centre (2-minutes) before walking about 8-minutes
Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Tour
Whether you are a seasoned diver or this is your first time, Tusa Reef Tours is perfect for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef diving expedition.
You will be guided by their expert team of marine guides and PADI instructors so there is nothing to worry about. Your diving experience will include two unique reef locations from Tusa's choice of 16 spectacular dive and snorkel sites. Water lovers, this is a Cairns diving tour you don’t want to miss!
How to get there: A 10-minute walk from Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Address: Cnr Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia (map)
Commonly Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to go diving in the Great Barrier Reef?
The best time for diving in the Great Barrier Reef is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to November.
What kind of marine life can I expect to see while diving in the Great Barrier Reef?
Be prepared to catch a glimpse of diverse marine life, including colourful corals, tropical fish, turtles, sharks, rays, and even dolphins and whales in certain seasons.
Do I need to be a certified diver to go diving in the Great Barrier Reef?
No, you don't need to be a certified diver to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Many dive operators offer introductory diving programs for beginners, where you can dive with an experienced instructor.
What is the visibility like when diving in the Great Barrier Reef?
Visibility while diving can fluctuate due to weather conditions and the specific dive site. On average, divers can expect visibility ranging from 15 to 30 metres (50 to 100 feet), creating an ideal environment for an enjoyable diving experience.
What are the popular diving spots in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef boasts several renowned diving spots, such as the Outer Reef, Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Osprey Reef, and the famed Agincourt Reef. Each of these locations provides distinct marine life encounters and captivating underwater scenery.