• It's your choice on how you travel out to see the Great Barrier Reef and the best way we can recommend is on a helicopter ride for sure! And when you combine it with a landing at a pontoon you have found the ultimate reef adventure.
• With a helicopter departure or return to Cairns you will experience 25 minutes of eye popping beauty as you fly low over over the Great Barrier Reef coral gardens and out to the pontoon.  
• The pontoon sits on the outer Great Barrier Reef and offers a myriad of in-water toys to explore the reef such as glass bottom boat, semi-submarine, Scuba Doo, diving, snorkelling, observatory & helicopter rides at the platform.
• This Great Barrier Reef tour is perfect for simply everyone who wishes to see as much of the Great Barrier Reef in as many ways possible in a one day tour even if you don't want to get wet!

A helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef at a low level of only 500 feet is the ultimate way to experience the magnitude of the Great Barrier Reef. Guests can choose to fly out and cruise back or cruise out and fly back or fly/fly both ways to the pontoon.

Cairns helicopter rides & Great Barrier Reef pontoon tours.

What to Expect

Flying over the Great Barrier Reef at a low altitude of 500 feet in the seat of a helicopter from Cairns offers an unmatched experience of this Natural Wonder. Choose from various options: fly out and cruise back, cruise out and fly back, or fly both ways to the floating pontoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Your adventure will be filled with breathtaking aerial views and exciting reef activities.

Features and Highlights

Scenic Helicopter Flights and Pontoon Tours

• Departure Options: Fly from Cairns to the Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon or take a shorter scenic helicopter flight while on the floating pontoon.
• Helicopter Flight Duration: 25 minutes from Cairns or 10-15 minutes from the pontoon.
• Marine Life Views: Spot whales, dolphins, manta rays, and more from your helicopter seat.

Pontoon Activities at Norman Reef

• Location: Outer Great Barrier Reef.
• Activities: Semi-submersible submarine tour, underwater observatory, snorkelling, introductory and certified scuba diving (*), Scuba Doo (*). Extra cost. (*) Only available on Cruise Cruise and Cruise Fly options
• Meals: Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea included.

Helicopter Flight and Cruise Options

• Cruise Both Ways & 10-Minute Scenic Flight: Enjoy a round-trip catamaran cruise from Cairns with a scenic helicopter ride from the pontoon.
• Fly/Cruise: Fly by helicopter to the reef pontoon and cruise back to Cairns on the catamaran.
• Cruise/Fly: Cruise to the reef pontoon and fly back to Cairns on a helicopter ride.
• Fly/Fly: Fly both ways by helicopter to and from the Great Barrier Reef pontoon.

Additional Features

• Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour: Explore the reef without getting wet.
• Underwater Observatory: Watch marine life from a dry, comfortable setting.
• Snorkelling Gear: Provided for all guests.
• Diving Options: Introductory and certified scuba diving available (medical form required). Own Expense. Only available on Cruise Cruise and Cruise Fly options
• Scuba Doo: Underwater scooter experience available at an additional cost. Only available on Cruise Cruise and Cruise Fly options

Detailed Great Barrier Reef Tour Itinerary

Option 1: Cruise Both Ways & 10-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight

• Departure: 10:30am from Cairns Marina.
• Reef Time: 3 hours at the reef platform.
• Return: 5:30pm to Cairns Marina.
• Highlights: Semi-submersible tour, underwater observatory, snorkelling, and a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight.

Option 2: Cruise/Fly

• Departure: 10:30am from Cairns Marina.
• Reef Time: Approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes at the reef.
• Return: 3:40pm by helicopter.
• Highlights: Cruise past Green Island, enjoy reef activities, then fly back to Cairns.

Option 3: Fly/Cruise

• Departure: 12:30pm by helicopter from Cairns (check-in at 11:45am).
• Reef Time: Approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes at the reef.
• Return: 5:30pm by boat.
• Highlights: Scenic flight to the reef, enjoy afternoon reef activities, then cruise back to Cairns.

Option 4: Fly/Fly

• Departure: 12:30pm by helicopter from Cairns (check-in at 11:45am).
• Reef Time: Approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes at the reef.
• Return: 3:40pm by helicopter.
• Highlights: Experience the reef like a VIP with round-trip helicopter flights, avoiding any potential seasickness.

Booking and Additional Information

• Reservations: Must be booked in advance as seats are limited to 6 – 7 seats daily.
• Weight Restrictions: Passenger weights must be provided at the time of booking. See maximum weights.
• Safety: Medical forms required for scuba diving activities.
• Tour Companies: Collaboration between leading reef tour operators Great Adventures and Nautilus ensures the ultimate Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour experience.

Make the most of your day on the Great Barrier Reef with our diverse range of scenic helicopter flights and Great Barrier Reef tour activities. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, our helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo tours offer an unforgettable experience of this iconic natural wonder.

See all Cairns and Port Douglas helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo scenic flights and all helicopter and airplane scenic flights. 

Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef tours. 

10 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flights From Outer Reef Platform

Cruise out to the outer Barrier Reef platform by boat and return to Cairns by boat.

Cruise both ways + 10 minute reef scenic flight.

• 10 minutes flying & 3 hours at the reef
• Depart Cairns: 10:30am
• Arrive Cairns: 5.30pm

Whilst out on the reef platform you can take off in a helicopter and enjoy a 10 minute scenic flight up above all of the snorkellers and scuba divers in the waters below.

This view will provide you with some great photography and give you a bigger perspective of the majesty of the reef and it's coral systems.

Please note: All helicopter flights are to be booked at time of booking the boat cruise and flights are based on total passenger weights.

Cairns Helicopter Flights - Cruise/Fly To The Reef

Choose the Cruise/Fly and your reef tour boat will cruise past Green Island to the outer reef pontoon where you will have 3 hours of in water reef viewing fun.

Check in by 9.30am at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal where the staff will issue your boat boarding passes and other useful information for your day and discuss the helicopter departure details.

• Flying Time: 25 minutes & approx 2hrs:15mins at the reef
• Depart Cairns: 10:30am
• Arrive Cairns: 3.40pm

A large powerful catamaran will ferry you out to Green Island approx. 45 minutes off the coast for a short stop to pick up guests from the island to join you for the day on the outer reef.

Continue another 60 minutes to the outer reef pontoon; a large stable platform where all the platforms activities are conducted from. Enjoy 3 hours of reef viewing activities and lunch.

As the end of day approaches your friendly crew will ferry you over to the helicopter pontoon with your belongings in a small tender and prepare you for your exciting flying adventure.

Take off over the reef and have your camera ready to capture memories of this spectacular vista. Arrive back in Cairns at 3.40pm, ideal if you have an evening flight or evening activity you need to meet.

Cairns Helicopter Flights - Fly/Cruise To The Reef

The Fly/Cruise package starts a little later in the morning with the helicopter departing Cairns at 12.30pm (check in 11.45am) and the ferry boat arriving back in Cairns at 5.30pm making it a perfect reef tour for those guests landing in Cairns that morning or for guests that widh to relax and sleep in a little whilst on holidays.

Please allow more time if you are staying at Palm Cove or the norhtern beaches of Cairns.

Fly to the Reef & Cruise Return

• 25 minutes flying & approx 2hrs:15mins at the reef
• Depart Cairns: 12:30pm
• Arrive Cairns: 5.30pm

Your scenic flight to the reef lasts around 25 minutes with breathtaking views of Green Island and surrounding reef systems.

As the low level flight makes it way over the coral formations keep an eye out for larger marine life like turtles, reef sharks and seasonal whales (June to Sept).

Landing takes place on the dedicated helicopter pontoon sitting out on the reef and a friendly Great Adventures Cruises staff member will come and collect you and your belongings for the short boat ride over to the main pontoon platform for your afternoon of reef viewing activities.

The boats return cruise back to Cairns departs the pontoon approx. 3.30pm, you’ll travel via the beautiful Green Island and arrive back in the Cairns marina at 5.30pm.

Cairns Helicopter Flights - Fly/Fly To The Reef

Do away with the transfer boat component altogether by flying in style like a VIP or rock star by helicopter to and from the outer reef pontoon.

A great option for those with limited time or for those that are not a fan of boat rides due to sea sickness.

Departing from Cairns at 12.30pm (check in 11.45am) and returning at 3.40pm this is the perfect way to experience the reef with no chance of suffering any effects from the motion of the ocean.

Fly to the Reef & Fly Return

• 50 minutes flying & approx 2hrs:15mins at the reef
• Depart Cairns: 12:30pm
• Arrive Cairns: 3.40pm

Helicopter flight paths are over the picturesque Green Island, Upolu and Michaelmas Cays and the surrounding reef systems including Saxon, Hastings and Arlington Reefs.

See more Cairns and Port Douglas scenic helicopter flight options

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Cruise/Fly: departs Cairns at 10:30am returns Cairns 3:40pm
• Fly/Cruise: departs Cairns at 12:30pm returns Cairns 5:30pm
• Fly/Fly: departs Cairns at 12:30pm returns Cairns 3:40pm
• Cruise + 10 Min Scenic Flight: departs Cairns 10.30am returns Cairns 5.30pm

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Outer Barrier Reef - Norman Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

Fly/Cruise: 5 hours (approx.) - Flying time 25 minutes
Cruise/Fly: 5 hours (approx.) - Flying time 25 minutes
Fly/Fly: 3 hours (approx.) - Flying time 50 minutes (25 minutes each way)
Cruise + 10 Min Scenic Flight: 7 hours (approx.)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Scuba diving - only available on Cruise Cruise Or Cruise Fly options
• Scuba Doo - only available on Cruise Cruise Or Cruise Fly options
• Boat Snorkel Trip
• Return accommodation transfers

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Restrictions

Individual passenger weights and accompanying carryon luggage MUST be advised at the time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130KG. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130KG are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of ticket price 

Weight: Up to 130 Kg / 287 Lb

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving 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.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

• DIVING
• The minimum age to dive is 12 years with parent/guardian permission.
• All divers must complete a medical questionnaire/declaration on-board.
• Certain medical conditions (eg asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and/or prescription medication may prevent some people from diving.
• After diving, intervals of 12-24 hours are recommended before you travel to more than 300m (or 1000ft), depending on the number, depths and duration of dives.
• Maximum single seat payload of 130kg. For passengers comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130kg are required to pay a 50% surcharge on the helicopter flight componenet of this tour directly to the tour operator

• 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

• Children 3 years and older are legally required to occupy their own seat and therefore must pay the per seat price
• Children 0-2 years travel FOC on the lap of a parent / guardian (max 1 per flight).