• The perfect Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns for non-swimmers to marvel at colourful marine life in the underwater observatory, enjoy a glass bottom boat tour or a semi-submersible submarine tour or helicopter flight 
• The activity platform on the outer Barrier Reef is the destination your boat will head to from Cairns. Perfect for families with young children, scuba divers, and snorkelers. There are so many different ways to see the reef 
• The ultimate way to upgrade this Cairns tour is to book a Fly and Cruise Great Barrier Reef tour where you can fly in a helicopter from Cairns out to the pontoon or do it in reverse or fly by helicopter both ways for the best tour experience
• Everyone loves to meet Wally the giant Maori Wrasse fish on this Great Barrier Reef tour. Don't be surprised if ultra-friendly Wally swims towards you for a cuddle and a selfie! 
• Brand new state of the art interactive pontoon soon to be launched on the Great Barrier Reef!
• Family Deal - Save $149 based on 2 adults 2 children

The Reef Magic pontoon offers a variety of activities for all levels of adventure. Snorkel in the beautiful coral lagoon or join a Guided Snorkel Safari with a Marine Biologist. For more experienced divers, there are opportunities for Scuba Diving and Sea Trek Helmet Diving.

What To Expect

Book your family on one of Cairns premier Great Barrier Reef tours to enjoy the newly completed interactive Marine World platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Our floating pontoon is a state of the art interactive pontoon for guests to explore a lagoon full of coral gardens and brilliant marine life on the Great Barrier Reef. This floating pontoon is over 1003sqm, comprising of three levels with a capacity to accommodate 450 day guests but we will be keeping our daily numbers up to 250 guests only for the best experience possible.

The two level floating pontoon will be powered using the sustainable energy of 18 solar panels and 3 wind turbines. With a unique and easy water entry point for swimming and snorkelling, a fully functional scientific laboratory for Great Barrier Reef research and projects.    

Features and Highlights

Cairns Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Day Trip - Fun Activities

• Scuba Diving - Introductory & Certified diving
• Guided Coral Gardens Snorkelling Tour
• Adventure Snorkelling Safari
• Reef Scenic Helicopter Ride - Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat
• Helmet diving - Sea Trek - one of the longest helmet diving circuits on the reef
• Semi-submersible submarine
• Glass bottom boat
• Underwater observatory - Air-conditioned floor to ceiling. Watch and learn during the fish feeding display
• Licenced bar- buy drinks and snacks during the day
• Sun deck - Huge sundeck and sun loungers
• Media room
• 15m wide swim platform

Cairns Reef Tour On A Floating Pontoon 

• These floating pontoons are excellent for familes, snorkellers, scuba divers and even those that are non-swimmers or if you just do not wish to get wet but still want to enjoy every aspect of the opportunity to see the Great Barrier Reef.
• This is a Cairns reef tour that allows you to try it all or just enjoy the day relaxing in the sunshine on the spacious sundeck area with sun lounges on the first floor!
• This Cairns reef tour is also perfect for the more active and gives guests the opportunity to jump in the water and see Wally “the tame Maori Wrasse” waiting to welcome you! This giant and very playful fish knows when the Cairns reef tour boat will arrive each day and he will be there waiting. Be aware he will not go away until you give him a pat and take a selfie with him!
• The 2 story all-weather floating pontoon caters for all activity levels. Snorkel in the sheltered lagoon, join a Marine Biologist on a guided snorkel safari, try scuba diving or even Sea Trek helmet diving.

Cairns Reef Tour to Moore Reef

• Moore Reef is one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most beautiful locations just off Cairns with lots of variety in the underwater flora and fauna.
• The water visibility is always incredibly excellent on this coral reef and alive with Manta rays, green sea turtles and small harmless reef sharks. Such an amazing life underwater!
• These coral reefs are very pristine and colourful and full of vibrant marine life.  
• After snorkeling and scuba diving you will be ready to tuck into a sumptuous buffet lunch, and get ready for your next activity.

Families will simply love this Cairns Reef tour as there are so many ways the young one's can enjoy the reef in a safe environment. The pontoon even has an infants swimming enclosure! 

See all Pontoon reef tours from Cairns and our helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combos.

Learn more about the best Great Barrier Reef tours and things you need to know before you go from our blog.

Cairns Reef Tours - Introductory Scuba Diving

Taking you diving for the first time is a specialty on this interactive platform. An introductory scuba dive requires no experience, just a sense of adventure.

The friendly, highly qualified instructors will give first time divers an underwater experience they will never forget. There is no better way to experience the Great Barrier Reef!

Minimum age restriction for scuba diving is 12 years in Australia. Certain medical conditions (e.g Asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure) may exclude people from diving.

Please check with us when booking as a medical questionnaire must be completed onboard. You can read all about our scuba diving travel tips right here.   

Cairns Reef Tours - Certified Scuba Diving

Enjoy certified scuba diving from the dedicated dive tender at exclusive sites such as spectacular drift and wall dives, and colourful coral gardens suitable for divers of all levels.

All certified dives are guided by one of the professional dive team to ensure the best, safest and relaxed Outer Barrier Reef underwater experience.

Guided Snorkelling

Guided Coral Gardens Snorkel Tour:

Perfect for the beginner snorkeller. Join our Marine Naturalist in small groups and learn more about the reef.  Explore our sheltered coral lagoon with expert snorkelling assistance and instruction available at all times.

Adventure Snorkel Safari :

Suitable for snorkellers who are comfortable in the water, you have the opportunity to explore even further utilising our dedicated snorkel boat.

Drift snorkel the spectacular outer reef wall with our Marine Biologist. The extensive coral formations and HUGE schools of fish have to be seen to be believed!uitable for snorkellers who are comfortable in the water, you have the opportunity to explore even further utilising our dedicated snorkel boat.

Cairns Helicopter Flights Great Barrier Reef

Cairns Scenic Helicopter Flights

A bird’s eye view of the breathtaking sights of the Great Barrier Reef.
Scenic helicopter flights available throughout the day. A 10 minute flight just to see if you like it!

Helicopter Fly/Cruise Combo

A picturesque scenic helicopter flight from Cairns over tropical rainforest, take in the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, before landing at the floating pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

This helicopter and reef combo option provides the best value for money as you get to enjoy a 25 minute flight, combined with your snorkelling reef experience. Return by boat to Cairns. 

Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat

Half day helicopter flights and tailor made private charter tour options also available.

Cairns Reef Trips - Helmet Diving - Sea Trek

Helmet diving or Sea Trek is a great option for those who are a little nervous of the full scuba diving gear methods or for people who are non-swimmers but still wish to see the under water world of the Great Barrier Reef.

Helmet divers have the opportunity to explore down to 3 metres depth, without even getting your hair wet while a staff member carefully watches over you.

A large bubble is placed over your head, allowing you total viewing abilities without the hassle of dive gear.

Cairns Reef Trip Itinerary

• 8:15am - 8:45am: Check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal
• 9:00am: Departs from Cairns Marlin Jetty
• 10:30am: Arrives at Marine World Interactive Platform/Pontoon
• 12:00pm Lunch
• 3:30pm: Departs from Marine World Interactive Platform/Pontoon
• 5:00pm: Arrives back in Cairns

See more helicopter flights and Great Barrier Reef tour options here 

Tour Languages Offered

• English
• French
• German

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Boarding commences at 8.15am with final boarding at 8.45am from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal located  1 Spence Street
• Departs Cairns Marina at 9.00am - Travel time is only 90 minutes direct from Cairns on a fast stable motor catamaran
• Departs potoon at 3.30pm
• Arrives back in Cairns at 5.00pm

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

• Pick-up time will be advised upon booking
• Northern Beaches *Incl Stratford to Ellis Beach and west of Park Ridge Estate to Crystal Cascades

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Moore Reef 45 kms east of Cairns

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

8 hours (approx)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Diving: Introductory & Certified
• Helmet Diving
• Guided Coral Gardens Snorkel Tour
• Adventure Snorkel Safari
• Helicopter Reef Scenic Flight
• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
• Return Accommodation Coach Transfers
• Beverages & snacks
• Lockers for personal items: $2 per locker approx.
• Prescription masks for snorkellers & divers: $5 hire fee. Magnifications -1.5 to -8.0
• Underwater camera hire: from $60, includes 4 GB card to keep
• Dive/Snorkel photographer: prints from $15

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

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.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

• DIVING: All diving is subject to successful completion of an on-board medical questionnaire. Certain medical conditions (i.e: asthma) and some medications may exclude individuals from diving. The minimum legal age for diving is 12 years. All divers under 18 years of age must have parent/guardian consent. Certified Divers must produce their certification card. Please note: it is recommended to leave at least 12-24 hours between diving & flying with the time period dependent on depth, duration & number of dives.
• HELICOPTERS: Bookings can be made for individuals, however a minimum of 2 pax is required for heli to operate. Flights are subject to pilot’s discretion, weather, air traffic control and availability. 1 x FOC infant (0-2 years) is permitted per flight when mentioned at time of booking – subject to pilot approval. Accurate passenger weights are requested at time of booking for all helicopter passengers. Please note: child age for all heli flights and packages is 3-14 years.
• Note: Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total

Eco Certifications

Swimmers, Towel, Sun Protection, Hat, Sunglasses, Camera, Cash/Credit Card for Onboard Purchases, Certification Card/Scuba license if "Certified Diving"

• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
• Child Fare 4-14 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