• This is the best Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns when you combine a scenic helicopter flight to a floating activity pontoon on the outer sections of the Great Barrier Reef at Moore Reef.
• Choose options: 1.) Helicopter flight Cairns to pontoon, Cruise back. 2.) Cruise to pontoon, return to Cairns on helicopter.  3.) Helicopter flight to pontoon and back to Cairns.
• Free activities on pontoon: Glass bottom boat, Semi-submersible submarine, Underwater observatory, Marine Biology talk, Snorkelling equipment Delicious buffet lunch
• Optional Extras: Introductory diving, Certified diving, Helmet diving, Guided snorkel tours, Lockers

Take in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with a low level Cairns Helicopter flight on your Great Barrier Reef tour to the Reef Magic Marine World pontoon.

What To Expect

Our Cairns helicopter flight company Nautilus and the Great Barrier Reef tour company Reef Magic work in unison to provide a breath taking helicopter & reef combo experience for guests offering a 20-25 minute scenic flight across the reef and out to land near the floating pontoon at Moore Reef. 

During the Cairns helicopter flight enjoy the views of the spectacular patterns of the Great Barrier Reef system, spot coral cays and an array of larger marine life swimming in the clear lagoon waters.

The brand new interactive Marine World pontoon is located 45km from Cairns Marlin Marina on Moore Reef. A day at Marine World consists of many fantastic reef viewing options including snorkelling, scuba and helmet diving, semi-submersible submarine tours, glass bottom boat tours and scenic helicopter flights.

Experience a whole other perspective of the Great Barrier Reef when joining a low level scenic helicopter flight, take in the enormity that is one of the seven wonders of the world with the chance to view some of the larger marine life residents like turtles, reef sharks and even whales (seasonal) in the shallow lagoons.

Features & Highlights

10 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flights - Departing From The Pontoon

• Book a 10 minute scenic flight that departs from Marine World helicopter pontoon. The helicopter crew will greet you once you have boarded the transfer vessel. Crew will provide flight times and safety information and can also help you plan your day to ensure you experience all activities on offer whilst out diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Once at the pontoon and your helicopter flight time has arrived, the crew will assist you onto the transfer boat and ferry you over to the helicopter pontoon.
• Here you will meet your pilot who is ready to whisk you up into the sky. As you are already on the Great Barrier Reef, the spectacular views are immediate and you’ll be treated with panoramic perspective of the surrounding reef system. Helicopter landings and take-off's are just as exciting as the flight, once completed the boat crew will collect you from the Helicopter pontoon and return you to Marine World for the rest of you fun-filled day to continue snorkeling and diving the Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns Helicopters - Cruise/Fly

• Cruise from Cairns on a high speed boat to Marine World in the comfort of the wide body catamaran and return on a spectacular 25 minute scenic flight landing back in Cairns. Check in is at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal at approximately 8.15am.  The boat cruise takes 90 minutes to reach Marine World and on the way the on board helicopter crew member will greet you and conduct a helicopter safety briefing to get you ready for your sceninc flight.
• Enjoy your day of reef viewing activities on the Great Barrier Reef. Before the transfer vessel gets ready to depart back to Cairns the crew will ferry you with all your belongings over to the helicopter pontoon for the 25 minute scenic return flight. The helicopter will fly up and over Moore Reef with views of neighbouring Sudbury Reef before returning over the mountainous Fitzroy Island and arriving back in Cairns at around 3.40pm.

The helicopter may land at the Cairns General Aviation for operational reasons; if this is the case a transfer will be provided back to your accommodation.

Cairns Helicopters Fly/Cruise

• Fly from Cairns to Marine World on a 25 minute scenic helicopter flight and return in the comfort of the wide body fast catamaran. Take off from Cairns approx. 10.30am and fly over the luscious green mountains of Cape Grafton and Fitzroy Island.
• Witness the ocean’s colour change as you approach the shallow reef systems and keep an eye out for marine life like turtles and small reef sharks. Arrive and land on the helicopter pontoon at Moore Reef where the professional boat crew will come and collect you in their transfer tender. Once at Marine World enjoy all the reef viewing activities before departing by catamaran at 3.30pm for 5pm ETA to Cairns.

Cairns Helicopters Fly/Fly

• Flying via helicopter 25 minutes each way eliminates the boat cruise and is a spectacular way to begin and end your day on the Great Barrier Reef. There is so much to take in and explore so flying both ways you will capture more lifelong memories. Helicopters are great for those who suffer from sea sickness also, and this is the perfect tour for non-swimmers.

See more Cairns and Great Barrier Reef helicopter scenic flight options.

Please note all timings are approximate and may be affected by weather or airport operations.

Read The Tour Specialists Blog for all the things you need to know before you go. 

Helicopter Package Options

FLY / CRUISE

Fly to the Reef & Cruise Return
25 minutes flying & approx. 4.5 hours at the reef

Depart Cairns: 10:30
Arrive Cairns: 17:00

CRUISE / FLY

Cruise to the Reef & Fly Return
25 minutes flying, approx 4.5 hours at the reef

Depart Cairns: 9:00
Arrive Cairns: 15:40

FLY / FLY

Fly to the Reef & Fly Return
50 minutes flying, approx 4.5 hours at the reef

Depart Cairns: 10:30
Arrive Cairns: 15:40

CRUISE + 10 MINUTE SCENIC FLIGHT

Cruise both ways + 10 minute scenic flight ex Reef
10 minutes flying & approx 5 hours at the reef

Depart Cairns: 09:00
Arrive Cairns: 17:00

Outer Reef Activity Pontoon

Journey to our state-of-the-art pontoon anchored at an exclusive Great Barrier Reef location. We offer activities tailored for the whole family, giving you the freedom to choose how you spend your day!

No matter your age or swimming ability, Reef Magic offers something for everyone. You can snorkel, SCUBA dive, experience the Sea Trek Helmet Dive, or stay dry and explore the underwater reef observatory with an informative Eco Reef Talk led by local marine experts. Families can enjoy the Semi-Submersible for underwater views and live commentary on the reef ecosystem.

To keep you fueled throughout the day, Reef Magic provides morning and afternoon tea, along with a hot and cold buffet lunch. You can dine in comfort aboard the air-conditioned catamaran or relax on the upper sundeck, enjoying the tropical atmosphere.

CRUISE INCLUSIONS

Air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
up to 5 hours at the Outer Reef activity platform (dependant on package booked)
All snorkelling equipment including buoyancy devices and friendly instruction for beginners
Hot and cold tropical lunch
Semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour
Underwater Observatory and Eco Reef Talk
Afternoon tea and coffee whilst on the platform
Lycra suits 
The Environmental Management Charge (EMC) is included in the proce of your cruise ticket

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Fly Cruise : Depart Cairns 10:30 Return 17:00
• Cruise Fly : Depart Cairns 09:00 Return 15:40
• Fly Fly : Depart Cairns 10:30 Return 15:40
• Times are subject to change

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Great Barrier Reef and Moore Reef Marine World

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

Reef time 4.5 hours approx.

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Scuba diving
• Helmet Diving
• Guided Snorkeling tours
• Accommodation transfers from Cairns or the Northern Beaches
• 10 minute helicopter flights

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

• Scuba Diving – minimum age 12
• All Diving is subject to successful completion of an on-board medical questionnaire
• Certified Divers must produce their certification card
• Guests body and luggage weight must be advised at the time of booking. Should a client advise a weight variance of more than 10%, the right is reserved to charge a 100% cancellation fee
• Maximum Single seat payload of 130kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130kg are required to pay a 50% surcharge on the helicopter flight component of this tour directly to the tour operator prior to travel.

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.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Hat
• Camera (charged)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Cash for drinks and snacks

• 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).