• On our Outer Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns you can upgrade your reef trip by adding  an introductory scuba dive or certified dives as well as a Semi-submarine tour.
• This is one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns where you have so many more inclusions and so many options to choose from to upgrade your Great Barrier Reef tour
• You will only have 80 minutes of travel time to the outer reef and get to spend 5 hours of Great Barrier Reef time and visit 2 reef sites, enjoy unlimited snorkelling and barbeque lunch.

Save on our Cairns Family Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour Package Deal. Your Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour from Cairns gives you the option to add scuba diving and semi-submersible tour to make your day out on the reef unforgetable.

Departing from Cairns Marlin Marina this 35 metre (120ft), high speed catamaran cruises at 30 knots so you reach your reef destinations in only 80 minutes, allowing you over five hours of reef viewing time.

We offer guests a huge array of in-water activities to experience the corals and marine life including snorkelling, diving and semi-submersible submarine tours (weather permitting).

There is nothing like seeing the reef from above, our vessel offers an amazing package including a 10 minute scenic flight - more information here.

With a maximum of 170 guests on board you’ll have plenty of room relax on the sun deck or in the air conditioned saloon.

The journey home will have you singing along with the on board entertainer with a complimentary fruit & cheese platter.

Great Barrier Reef Tour Inclusions:

• Snorkel 2 outer coral reef locations
• Travel time to reef only 80 minutes
• 5 Hours of reef time
• Use of snorkeling equipment & floatation devices
• Barbeque lunch with meats, fish, prawns, salads, and vegetarian option available)
• Use of lycra sun suits
• Fruit platter, cheese and glass of wine on return home journey
• Experienced, professional dive instructors
• Large air-conditioned modern lounges to relax in comfort
• Spacious sundecks for sunbathing
• High crew to guest ratio

Optional Extra Upgrades

• Introductory Scuba Diving
• Certified Scuba Diving
• Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour (Book whilst out on the Great Barrier Reef)
• Return Coach Transfers to Cairns and Northern Beaches Accommodation

You can alos add a 10 inute reef scenic flight - view our package here.

Your Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour Itinerary

Check in for your Great Barrier Reef tour is at 7:30am inside the Reef Fleet Terminal in Spence Street, Cairns where you will be issued your boarding passes. 

Once welcomed on board by the crew, they will issue you with a number for the day which correlates with your snorkel equipment locker and is also used for safety reasons.

There is complimentary tea and coffee available in the saloon until your reef trip departs (8:15am). 

As you board, the crew will issue snorkel and dive forms to everyone. 

This allows the crew to be aware of any medical conditions that may need extra attention throughout the day.

During the cruise out the scuba dive briefings will take place ensuring maximum time is spent in the water on arrival to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Your cruise boat will return back to Cairns at 4:30pm approx.

Our Great Barrier Reef Tour Dive Sites

With several exclusive mooring locations at 6 different outer reef systems the Captain will be sure to pick the best two dive and snorkel locations for the day’s conditions.

In the morning visit either Norman or Saxon reefs to dive around coral bommies and snorkel shallow reef lagoon teeming with marine life.

In the afternoon we will head to North Hastings Reef where you can snorkel through shallow bays or dive the steep walls, keep an eye out for giant clams, turtles, Maori wrasse and Nemo!

Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel Activities

Snorkelling

With 5 hours of snorkelling, including all snorkel equipment & floatation devices you’ll be sure to get your snorkel fix.

For beginners who need a helping hand getting started there are professional snorkel instructors available to assist in and out of the water.

Our boat has a large dedicated snorkel platform to ensure entering and exiting the water is done with ease.

Don’t miss the Lesson/snorkel tour (optional extra), a great way to learn about the local reef residents - this tour is lead by a Marine Biologist and is an optional extra.

Scuba Diving - Optional Extra

Enjoy up to 3 dives a day, either certified or introductory.

Please be aware that certain medical conditions and medications may exclude you from diving, speak to your Tour Specialist if you have any concerns on this matter to find out more.

Introductory Scuba Divers

The professional dive instructors will take you through an on board dive briefing on the way out to the reef covering the basics of scuba diving and safety.

You will be allocated a time to meet your instructors on the dive deck ready for your underwater experience (you’ll have plenty of time to snorkel before or after your dive), from there the back deck supervisor will assist you with your equipment and into the water with your instructor.

After completing a few skills you’ll be whisked off for an unforgettable underwater tour in a small group of no more than four divers to the instructor.

Certified Scuba Divers

Have the choice of exploring the reefs with your buddy or opting for a dive guide (optional extra).

The on board PADI dive master will provide a dive briefing on the way out to the reef ensuring you can dive as soon as arriving at the first dive site.

The crew will assist you with your equipment which is included in your dive price.

Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour on The Great Barrier Reef

Enjoy the corals and marine life through the glass of a semi-submersible submarine (optional extra payable on board).

This really is experiencing the Great Barrier Reef without gettng wet which is great if you are a non-swimmer. 

A knowledgeable crew member will provide informative commentary during the ride as you look out the windows at all the marine life and corals as they go by.

You may be lucky enough to see a turtle and stingrays. 

Scenic Helicopter Flight 10 Minutes – Get High Package

Take in panoramic views of the Great Barrier Reef with a breathtaking Great Barrier Reef 10 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight departing from the heliport at North Hastings Reef. 

With these low level flights you may be able to spot an array of marine life such as turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and in the season, whales.

There is no better way to see the Great Barrier Reef than flying in a helicopter only 500 feet or so above the corals which look like intricate lace works under the aqua waters.   

Pre-booking your reef and helicopter package “Get High Package” is essential.

Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat

Helicopter Flight 25 Minutes - Full Day Option – Cruise/Fly

For the ultimate experience you can Cruise/Fly with all the full day inclusions MV-EVO has to offer.

The flight to MV-EVO from Cairns is approximately 25 minutes giving you lots of opportunity to take photos and see the marine life playing down below.

Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat

Helicopter Flight - Half Day Options - Fly/Cruise

Enjoy a 25 minute helicopter reef scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef before reaching our vessel.

Great half day reef experience

Please note you will have very limited time on the reef, 75 minutes (approx) we strongly recommend you eat before you go.

The half day options are great for travellers limited in time and wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef from above and below.

The Fly/Cruise package is the most popular and offers great value for money.

Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat

Cruising Back To Cairns - Live Musical Entertainment On Board

Join in the fun with the on board live entertainer. You’ll be sure to enjoy the toe tapping songs as you cruise back into Cairns whilst nibbling on a complimentary fruit and cheese platter.

Meals on board

Lunch: a freshly cooked BBQ lunch is offered to all guests on board. Choose from a selection of steak, beef sausages, fish, prawns, salads, breads and condiments. Dine out in the sunshine on the decks or at the seating area in the air conditioned saloon. Vegetarian options available, please notify us on booking.

Afternoon Tea: enjoy fruit and cheese platters during the cruise back to Cairns along with a glass a sparkling wine.

See more helicopter and Great Barrier Reef tour options.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Check in 7.15am to 7.45am
• Departs 8.00am
• Returns 4.30pm

Departure Instructions

Check in 7:15-7:45 inside Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

• Transfers are an additional cost and must be pre-booked
• Cairns CBD pick up from 7.00am
• Northern Beaches pick up from 6.50am

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Outer Great Barrier Reef
• Hasting Reef
• Saxon Reef
• Norman Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Excludes Christmas & New Years Day

Duration

9 hours approx.

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Introductory Scuba Dive - up to 3 intro dives
• Certified Dives - up to 3 cert dives
• Upgrade to Scenic Helicopter Flights
• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
• Semi-submersible submarine tour - please prebook (weather permitting, bookable on the boat, cannot be pre booked)
• Wetsuit hire ($10) Free for divers
• Underwater Camera Hire ($60)

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

Diving: All divers must complete a Queensland Medical Questionnaire onboard. Certified divers must show an internationally recognised scuba card. Minimum age for Introductory divers and dive courses: 12+ years and Certified divers: 10+ years. Please read the important diving safety information prior to booking.

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

Hearing impaired passengers can be provided with written snorkelling and safety information.

Eco Certifications

• Sunscreen & Hat
• Travel voucher
• Change of Clothes
• Swimmers and a towel
• Cash or Credit Card for bar and souvenir purchases

• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
• Diving available for 12 years and over.
• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total