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Cairns Reef Tours | Helicopter Rides |Dive-Snorkel | Waterslide | Glass Bottom Boat | by Sunlover

Tour Code: 114

Departing: Cairns

Pickup: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Palm Cove

Family Deal Save $165
  • Guided glass bottom boat AND semi-submersible submarine tours as well as fish feeding presentation AND underwater observatory.
  • Upgrade & book the most popular way to explore the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Fly in a helicopter to and from Cairns and see the reef from above and below the water. 
  • Interactive multi-level pontoon at Moore Reef complete with supersized sundeck and the only theme park style spaghetti waterslide on the Reef! Fully enclosed children’s pool keeps the little one's safe.
  • Ask a friend or crew member to capture you sliding down the pontoon water slide and into the Reef! Or bring, or hire, a GoPro to capture your amazing slide action
  • Meet some of Moore Reef’s resident characters, including Wally the giant, intricately marked Maori Wrasse fish and Dora the friendly sea turtle
  • Family Deal - Save $165 based on 2 adults & 2 children - See child age and policy

Included In Price

  • Travel on air-conditioned catamaran
  • Complimentary tea & coffee on boarding & while moored at the reef
  • 4 hours reef time
  • Lunch is included
  • Full bar facilities
  • Freshwater showers and change rooms
  • Free WIFI on board vessel
  • Upper-level sun deck
  • Full access to the Sunlover waterslide
  • Snorkelling rest stations
  • Ocean enclosed pool for children
  • Glass bottom boat tours
  • Semi-submersible Tours operation
  • Marine naturalist presentations
  • All snorkelling equipment & expert instruction, including Lycra Suit & Buoyancy Vest
  • Underwater observatory
  • Fish feeding presentations

Great Barrier Reef tours depart Cairns daily to the new outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon that has the Spaghetti Slide that everyone is talking about.

Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns - State of Art Interactive Platform

The most fun you can ever have on the Great Barrier Reef is right here on the interactive floating pontoon.

This Cairns reef trip offers a few extras other reef trips do not. A huge range of free activities from Glass bottom boat tours to Semi-submersible submarine tours and if you are a non-swimmer or have young children or elderly friends then this is the perfect Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns. 

You can even enjoy scenic helicopter rides (Infant age 3 must pay for a seat) from this pontoon or you can fly out from Cairns and return to Cairns by boat when you upgrade your reef trip.

After many years of successful operation the Moore Reef Platform was replaced and upgraded with a state-of-the-art two-story Great Barrier Reef pontoon that includes a range of fun and helpful features that are sure to make your day out on this Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns the best it can be.

This is now one of the most popular Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns for families!

At 45 meters long and boasting one of the region’s largest second-story sun decks, the new pontoon has plenty of room for everyone on board to prepare for their day of snorkelling and other activities such as semi-submersible submarine tours, as well as sit back, relax and take in the sunshine and the beauty of the reef all around.

Families are sure to love the new theme-park style spaghetti water-slide - the only water-slide in Cairns that will have you splashing directly into the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

The two-story high-quality slide is free for visitors to the pontoon and provides kids with a new and fun way of enjoying their day at the reef, while mum and dad can relax and keep a close eye on them from the sun deck.

Two new large dive platforms will also make getting in and out of the water much faster and easier than ever before so you can enjoy snorkelling and exploring the reef at your own pace at any time throughout the day.

This floating pontoon is perfect for non-swimmers, families, groups, singles or couples or anyone else who values having the space to enjoy their own time at the reef, as well as enjoy custom-built facilities designed specifically to enhance your reef experience and make the day fun and easy for everyone.

The young at heart will love the fun and excitement of the interactive floating pontoon with it’s water slide, sun deck, large dive platforms and plenty of space to relax plus enjoy the range of delicious food on offer! 

Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns - Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Glass bottom boat tours are ideal for the non-swimmers and young families as they travel over the top of the reef systems giving you an aerial view of the coral formations and the colourful marine life.

Some of the marine life you can see from the glass bottom boat include the graceful green sea turtles swimming freely through the ocean or hiding on the bottom of the ocean floor in between the hard and soft corals, the giant black trevally darting through the ocean, and the colourful parrot fish munching away on the hard corals which they excrete to make sand.

The glass bottom boats tours run throughout the day for approximately 30 minutes so be sure to join on one for the day.

Semi-Submersible Submarine Tours

The semi-submersible submarine tours are a fantastic way to see the marine life as the guests all sit in the bottom concave of the vessel which has glass walls all around.

These underwater tours give you the perspective of a scuba diver without getting wet as you come eye to eye with hard and soft corals, turtles, the larger fish, gigantic clams and possibly Nemo the clown fish and his friends hiding amongst their homes in the anemone.

The semi-submersible submarine trips are complimentary and run throughout the day with approximate times of 30 minutes duration. The families and children just love them.

Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns - Platform Activities

Activities for kids on the Great Barrier Reef: Water Slide, Children's swimming enclosure & Marine presentations

This Great Barrier Reef tour has really catered for everyone on their Great Barrier Reef day trip as they also have a children's swimming pool whereby the smaller reef fish can swim in and out and your children have the chance to feed the fish.

The crew on on this reef trip also have a marine naturalist presentation where you can learn a lot about the different types of coral and marine life that call Moore Reef their home and in general the Great Barrier Reef surrounds off Cairns.

The kids will love the new two-story theme park-quality waterslide where they will slip and slide through two spins before splashing down into the clear blue water of ocean. 

The only water slide in Cairns where you land right into the Great Barrier Reef!

They also have the little goggles and swim gear that is perfectly designed to fit small faces and little bodies.

You will be your kids hero if you take them out to the Great Barrier Reef with this reef cruise day tour boat.

Helmet Diving (Seawalker)

For those that love the water and the adventurous activities this is the place to try Seawalker Helmet diving. Seawalker Helmet diving is a helmet that rests on your shoulders and you can experience the underwater world with no knowledge of swimming or diving necessary.

The crew on board will take you on a guided under water walk to experience the thrill of walking on the ocean floor and being able to see the fish swimming around you.

You will come face to face with an endless number of different fish as well as the star of Moore Reef, "Wally" the giant Maori Wrasse, that just loves a tummy rub and to have his photo taken with his new friends.

The Seawalker experience is like walking on the moon in a space helmet. You have fresh air coming into your helmet from above so no need for scuba tanks. It's so much fun.

Please be aware though a medical questionnaire is to be completed on board before the activity commences. Children need to be 12 years and over with no medical conditions.

Please note that all divers must complete a medical questionnaire/declaration on-board.

A history of asthma, heart conditions and/or other medical conditions or medications may prohibit scuba diving.

If medical is failed onboard no refund will be given for Seawalker or dive options. Guests are advised to review medical checklists/requirements with their booking agent prior to booking.

Please see the medical checklist here prior to booking to ensure you will pass once on-board.

Minimum age is 12 years and for guests aged between 12 and 17 inclusive, written permission is to be signed by a parent or guardian on the vessel prior to the activity.

See the Travel Tips for Helmet Diving and Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving (Certified & Introductory diving)

The reef trip caters for the complete thrill seekers and offers first time introductory scuba dives and certified scuba dives.

If you have always wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater and swim with the vast array of marine life on the Great Barrier Reef then here is your chance to give it a try as the boats crew gives you the chance with an introductory scuba dive.

This is your opportunity for an experience of a lifetime and there is no need to be scared as the scuba instruction is conducted and escorted by the fully qualified scuba dive instructors and it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your reef trip.

For those scuba divers that already know the thrill of scuba diving and how fun it can be these reef cruises offers you a range of awesome locations on the Great barrier Reef, with full equipment and gear hire, and the professional instructors are there to guide you along the way.

As a certified scuba diver you will have a choice of different dive locations such as drift diving along the wall of Moore Reef where you will have the chance to see the bigger marine life such as reef sharks, rays and the amazing fan corals with many different coral formations and colours.

Cave diving between 2 reef bomies and coming up close and personal with Nemo and his friends, green sea turtles and Wally the giant Maori Wrasse.

Please note: You will need to be fit and have no medical conditions at all so please ensure you fill in the medical questionnaire correctly and honestly as it could save your life.

Scenic Helicopter Flights Over the Great Barrier Reef See the Great Barrier Reef From Above and Below

For a more spectacular perspective we also offer scenic helicopter flights around Moore Reef and also give the option of flying out to the pontoon from or returning to Cairns in a helicopter.

One may say they have seen and snorkelled the Great Barrier Reef however once you get above and see how large the reef actually is you will have a bird's eye view of this amazing natural wonder the Great Barrier Reef.

This exciting and breathtaking experience is beauty in its natural form as the Great Barrier Reef will unfold before your eyes and give you the chance to see the brilliant coral formations, groups of turtles, sharks and rays as you cruise approx. 500ft over the Great Barrier Reef and pass the coastline of Cairns.

The helicopter flights must be pre booked as this activity is very popular and you would not want to miss the opportunity to see this natural wonder from above.

This scenic flights are such a reasonable price for the once in a life time experience that you will have.

There is no better way to than to see the Great Barrier Reef from above and below the water and when you travel half way around the world to see one of Mother Nature's most amazing creations you certainly should not be worrying about a few extra dollars.

Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat

Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns - Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise Itinerary

 

Cruise both ways

Cruise EX CAIRNS Reef Fleet Terminal

8.30 - 9.30am: Check In at Reef Fleet Terminal + boarding at the boat
9.45am: Boarding closes
10.00am: Boat departs Cairns Marina
11.15am-11.30am: Arrival at Moore Reef Pontoon
4.00pm: Departure from Moore Reef Pontoon
5.30pm: Arrival at Cairns Marina

Fly/Cruise

EX Nautilus Cairns City Heliport (Pier Point Rd)

11:00am - Check-in at Nautilus Aviation city Heliport (Pier Point Rd, Cairns) + safety briefing
11:30am - Depart on helicopter
11:50am - Arrive at Moore Reef
4.00pm: Departure from Moore Reef Pontoon
5.30pm: Arrival at Cairns Marina

Cruise/Fly

EX CAIRNS Reef Fleet Terminal

8.30 - 9.30am: Check In at Reef Fleet Terminal + boarding at the boat
9.45am: Boarding closes
10.00am: Boat departs Cairns Marina
11.15am-11.30am: Arrival at Moore Reef Pontoon
3:00pm - Depart Moore reef Pontoon
3:30pm - Return to Nautilus Aviation City Heliport (Pier Point Rd, Cairns)

Fly both ways

EX Nautilus Cairns City Heliport (Pier Point Rd)

11:00am - Check-In at Nautilus Aviation City Heliport (Pier Point Rd, Cairns) + safety briefing
11:30am - Depart on helicopter
11:50am - Arrive at Moore Reef
3:10pm - Depart Moore Reef on helicopter
3:30pm - Return to Nautilus Aviation City Heliport (Pier Point Rd, Cairns)

Lunch On Board Your Great Barrier Reef Tour

With so much to see and do on the Great Barrier Reef it's important not to forget about the flavoursome lunch.

The buffet lunch is served on board the air conditioned catamaran where you can sit in the cool comfort or stay outside and breathe in the fresh air with the top decks shaded platform picnic tables and chairs.

Menu - Please note menu may change without notice

Fresh rolls, salted butter

Cured meat and cheese selection – shaved leg ham, pastrami and cheese (GF)

Chilled Endeavour prawns, coral sea cocktail sauce (GF)

Crushed potato salad, mustard mayonnaise & spring onion (V/Veg/GF/DF)

Green leaf salad (V/Veg/GF/DF)

Shredded Rusty’s vegetable slaw (V/Veg/GF/DF)

Tolga beef with sweet tamarind & noodles

Yellow curry with coconut roast vegetables (V/Veg/GF/DF)

Sticky ginger caramel chicken (GF/DF)

Steamed jasmine rice (V/Veg/GF/DF)

Mini pizzettes (Kids offering)

Regional fruit platters(V/Veg/GF/DF)

Banana cake (Veg)

Great Barrier Reef Tour Cairns - Professional photography

After spending 4 full hours at the Great Barrier Reef it is time to head back to reality with afternoon tea and a refreshing tropical fruit platter.

As you cruise back to Cairns an important thing to remember is to take a peek at the photos the crew took of you throughout the day and of the many activities you have tried on board the Great Barrier Reef cruise ship…a great way to show your friends what a wonderful holiday you had!!!

You will be amazed at the amount of photos the photographers have taken and at a reasonable cost these photos are an excellent memory of your trip to the Great Barrier Reef 

Fitzroy Island Day Tour

Visit one of Cairns most popular islands for the day with a Sunlover Reef Cruise to Fitzroy Island.

Spend a day in the sunshine kayaking, snorkelling, hiking, swimming or enjoying a nice lunch and a few cocktails whilst you look out over the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

See more Great Barrier Reef tours here.

Tour Languages Offered
  • Chinese
  • English
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Spanish
Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time
  • 8:30am - 9.30am check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, and board our vessel
  • 9.45am boarding closes
  • 10.00am depart Cairns
  • 11.15am-11.30am Arrive Moore Reef Pontoon
  • 4.00pm depart Moore Reef Pontoon
  • 5.30pm arrive Cairns Marina
  • Cruise/Fly: check in 8.30am-9.30am, departs 10.00am, arrives back in Cairns 3.55pm
  • Fly/Cruise: Check in 11.30am, departs 12.00pm, arrives back in Cairns 5.30pm
  • Fly/Fly: check in 11.30am, departs 12.00pm, arrives back in Cairns 3.55pm
Pickup Locations
  • Cairns
  • Cairns Northern Beaches
  • Palm Cove
Destinations
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Moore Reef
Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

90 minute cruise each way approx.
4.5 hours on pontoon approx.

Available for Purchase / Hire
  • Scenic Helicopter Flights at platform
  • Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
  • Introductory and Certified Scuba Diving
  • Seawalker Helmet Diving
  • Guided Snorkel Tours
  • Full bar facilities
  • Digital photos & DVD's.
Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium, Disabled

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

Weight: Up to 130 Kg / 287 Lb

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving, Scuba Doo and Helmet Diving Restrictions

  • Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving and helmet diving/scuba doo.
  • Participation is subject to medical questionnaires completed on board with the tour operator.
  • Minimum age for scuba diving and helmet diving/scuba doo is 12 years.
  • Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Intro Dive Medical Advanced Dive Medical Seawalker Medical

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Hat, Sunscreen (SPF 30+) & protective clothing, Swimming costume & beach towel, Cash & credit card for onboard purchases

Customer Reviews

Average Rating

shobha S

Reviewed on August 21, 2019

This tour was awesome. well organised in time and could not have asked for more.

Response From The Tour Specialists

Dear Shobha, thank you for your review of our Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour out to the pontoon at Moore Reef. We are glad you had a great day as we like to hear the guests feedback on the tours and attractions we have recommended for them when visiting Cairns. We hope to see you or some of your friends back in Cairns soon.

Punit T

Reviewed on December 26, 2017

It was a once in a lifetime experience for us. We went snorkeling for 2 hours. But we missed the glass bottom tour and other attractions as the total time of stay there was very less. It was only 4 hours and it should be increased to atleast 6 hours. The crew were helpful. The lunch was nice. But there was no morning and evening snacks and that was kind of a disappointment. Overall experience was good but I found it expensive considering the services and food provided.

Response From The Tour Specialists

Thank you for your review on your Great Barrier Reef tour Punit Most of the reef tour trips allow 4 hours out on the reef itself as the travel time each way is around 1.5 hours so that is 7 hours in the day already. The boats need to return to Cairns before it gets dark for safety. With regards to snacks as you board there is usually tea and coffee and biscuits and in the afternoon the same or with cheeses so maybe you did not see these in the galley? Sorry to hear you missed the glass bottom boat. It departs quite regularly during the day but sounds like you had so much fun snorkelling you missed it. We suggest to guests to do all the pontoon activities before snorkelling and diving to ensure you try all on offer. Hopefully you may be able to return to Cairns in the future and if you do please call us and we would love to recommend the perfect Cairns tours for you

Jennifer R

Reviewed on October 01, 2017

We had an interesting day. We enjoyed the glass bottom boat and the submersible although my husband felt the glass in the submersible was not very clean and this impeded our view of the reef. I was frustrated when snorkelling as my mask continually fogged up and I was unable to swim continuously viewing the coral.

Response From The Tour Specialists

Hi Jennifer, thanks for your feedback. We now have a brand new pontoon on Moore Reef with upgraded facilities and even more to see and do. The Tour Specialists are more than happy to point you in the right direction for your next Outer Reef experience.

Eng Hin W

Reviewed on August 20, 2017

The trip is generally good and we enjoyed the facilities provided on the Pontoon. That said, buffet food quality can be improved and guests should be informed prior that the submarine was not working. My wife and some other non-swimmer passengers we spoke to are disappointed that they can only enjoy glass-bottom boat as a result.I

Response From The Tour Specialists

Thank you for your review of your Great Barrier Reef Tour Eng and sorry to hear the semi-submersible submarine was not working on that day. They would have to bring out engineers or parts from Cairns to fix it no doubt. Good to hear they enjoyed the glass bottom boat and of course there are always lots of other things happening on the pontoon. Have passed on your comments about the buffet to the tour operator We look forward to welcoming you back to Cairns

Containes notes on wheelchair accessContaines notes for the hearing impaired
Wheelchair Accessibility
Doorway Measurements For Wheelchair Access

All doors are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs

Number of Steps

Embark and Disembark from the same level no steps~|~No motorised wheelchair access only manual foldiable wheelchairs

Boarding Access

Embark and Disembark on the same level no steps

No motorised wheelchair access only manual foldiable wheelchairs

Onboard Access

Acess to snorkel platform 5 steps

Access to Dive Platform 5 stairs

Access to Glass Bottom Boat 3 stairs

Access to underwater observatory 10 steps

Disabled toilet access troughout the day

Hearing Impaired Information

information sheets are available

Facilities

Disabled toilets are available throughout the day

Additional Information

No electric wheelchair access only folding manual wheelchairs

Accommodation Transfers available to passengers with enough mobility to negotiate 3 steps with assistance on and off the bus

Wheelchair taxi can be booked between Cairns and Cairns Beaches at a set rate
Wheelchair Accessibility

Access pontoon on same level

Number of Steps

5 steps to dive platform~|~5 steps to snorkel platform~|~Access to dive and snorkel platform will require the assistance of a carer or travel companion~|~3 steps to the glass bottom boat

Boarding Access

Access from the quay to the boat at same level no steps

Additional Information

An AS 4005.1 medical certificate from an Australian dive doctor prior to day of checkin is to be brought with the passenger on the day of travel
Wheelchair Accessibility
Number of Steps

This tour is not suitable for all non-mobile passenegers~|~All Passengers must be able to transfer from the pontoon to the transfer boat and onto the Heli pontoon unassisted~|~All Passengers must be able to enter and exit the helicopter unassisted

Hearing Impaired Information

Information Sheets available for the hard of hearing

Facilities

Disabled toilet facilities are available throughout the day

Wheelchair Accessibility
Number of Steps

10 Steps down to the underwater observatory

Boarding Access

same level access from the Quay to the boat

Onboard Access

Wheelchair access around the pontoon

Live touch tank presentaion is wheelchair accessable

Facilities

Disabled toilets are available throughout the day

Wheelchair Accessibility

5 steps to the snorkeling platform

Number of Steps

5 steps to the snorkeling platform~|~5 steps to diving platform

Boarding Access

Same level access from Quay to boat

Onboard Access

Buoyancy vests available

Life Jackets available

Hearing Impaired Information

Information sheets available for hard of hearing

Wheelchair Accessibility
Number of Steps

Semi-Submersible Tours all have a steep decline to enter the vessel . It is not recommended, however this will depend on the severity of immobility

Onboard Access

Access to snorkel platform 5 steps

Acces to dive platform 5 steps

Access to Glass Bottom Boat 3 Steps

Access to Underwaterobservatory 10 steps

Acess to under water observatory 10 steps

Disabled toilets available throughout the day

Hearing Impaired Information

Information sheet available for the hard of hearing

  • Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
  • Child rate is applicable between the ages of 4-15 years inclusive.
  • Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total

All cancellations must be in writing.

Please note that all cancellations will incur an administration fee.

Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.

Tour Operator's Cancellation Policy:

100% cancellation fee will be charged for FIT passengers cancelling within 24 hours of departure.

Please note optional activities such as Diving & Sea Walker are not refundable if you do not pass the medical.

Note: Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total after checkout

Cairns Reef Tours | Helicopter Rides |Dive-Snorkel | Waterslide | Glass Bottom Boat | by Sunlover

Tour Code: 114

Departing: Cairns

Pickup: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Palm Cove

Family Deal Save $165

From

au$265.00

Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.

Child: au$155.00
Family: au$685.00

Tour Code: 114

From

au$265.00

16 yrs & over

4 - 15 yrs

0 - 3 yrs

Ages of Children
(Discounts May Apply)
Phone
1300 761 612
WhatsApp
+61 427 074 745
Phone
1300 761 612
WhatsApp
+61 427 074 745

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