• 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.

What to Expect

Your Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive tour from Cairns offers a range of activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, and semi-submersible submarine tours (optional extra, weather permitting) to create an unforgettable day on the Outer Barrier reef on a luxury boat.

Departing from Cairns Marlin Marina, our 35-metre (120ft) high-speed luxury catamaran reaches the Outer Great Barrier Reef in just 80 minutes, giving you over five hours of reef exploration. Enjoy the comfort of spacious lounges and sun decks with a maximum of 150 guests on board.

As you return to Cairns, enjoy live music entertainment and a complimentary fruit and cheese platter.

Features and Highlights

GREAT BARRIER REEF TOUR INCLUSIONS:

• Snorkelling at two outer coral reef locations
• Quick 80-minute travel time to the reef
• Enjoy riding along on the newest and most luxurious snorkelling and diving boat in Cairns
• Five hours of reef exploration
• Snorkelling equipment and flotation devices provided
• BBQ lunch featuring meats, fish, prawns, salads, and vegetarian options
• Lycra sun suits for sun protection
• Fruit platter, cheese, and glass of wine on the return journey
• Experienced, professional dive instructors
• Large, air-conditioned lounges for relaxation
• Spacious sundecks for sunbathing
• High crew-to-guest ratio

OPTIONAL EXTRA UPGRADES:

• Introductory Scuba Diving - please prebook
• Certified Scuba Diving - please prebook
• 10-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef - please prebook
• Return Coach Transfers to Cairns and Northern Beaches Accommodation - please prebook
• Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour (20 min) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only
• Marine Biologists Guided Tour (30 min) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only

YOUR CAIRNS GREAT BARRIER REEF SNORKELLING TOUR ITINERARY

Check-in:

• 7:15am at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Spence Street, Cairns. You’ll receive your boarding passes and your equipment locker number.

Departure:

• 8:00m, enjoy complimentary tea and coffee in the saloon before departure. Safety briefings and scuba dive forms are issued as you board.

Outer Great Barrier Reef Arrival:

• After an 80-minute cruise, we arrive at the reef for a full day of snorkelling and scuba diving.

Return to Cairns:

• 4:30pm approx., cruise back with live musical entertainment and complimentary fruit and cheese platter.

OUR GREAT BARRIER REEF TOUR DIVE SITES

The captain will choose the best two dive and snorkel locations for the day from several exclusive mooring spots at six different outer reef systems.

Morning:

• Visit Norman or Saxon Reefs to dive around coral bommies and snorkel in shallow reef lagoons teeming with marine life.

Afternoon:

• Head to North Hastings Reef to snorkel through shallow bays or dive the steep walls. Look out for giant clams, turtles, Maori wrasse, and Nemo!

GREAT BARRIER REEF DIVE & SNORKEL ACTIVITIES

Snorkelling

Enjoy five hours of snorkelling with all equipment provided. Professional snorkelling instructors are available to assist beginners. Our boat has a large snorkel platform for easy water access. Don't miss the optional snorkelling tour led by a Marine Biologist.

Scuba Diving - Optional Extra

• Introductory Scuba Divers: Professional instructors provide a briefing and basic safety training. After a few skills, enjoy an unforgettable underwater tour in small groups.
• Certified Scuba Divers: Choose to explore the reefs with your buddy or opt for a dive guide (optional extra). Equipment is included.

Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour

Experience the reef without getting wet. The semi-submersible tour offers views of corals and marine life through large windows, with informative commentary provided.

SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHT - 10 MINUTES

Take a breathtaking 10-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef from North Hastings Reef. Spot marine life such as turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, and whales in season. Pre-booking is essential here. (Note: Infant age 3 must pay for a seat)

HELICOPTER FLIGHT - 25 MINUTES

Full Day Option – Cruise/Fly: Enjoy a 25-minute scenic flight from Cairns to MV-EVO, giving you plenty of photo opportunities. Book here.

CRUISING BACK TO CAIRNS

Join in the fun with live musical entertainment on board. Enjoy a complimentary fruit and cheese platter during the cruise back to Cairns.

MEALS ON BOARD

Lunch: A freshly cooked BBQ lunch with steak, beef sausages, fish, prawns, salads, breads, and condiments. Dine in the sunshine on the decks or in the air-conditioned saloon. Vegetarian options available upon booking.

Afternoon Tea: Enjoy fruit and cheese platters and a glass of sparkling wine on the return journey.

See more helicopter and Great Barrier Reef tour combo tour options.

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 Snorkelling 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 snorkelling 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 snorkelling and diving 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

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

• Departs 8.00am
• 7:15am check in at at the Down Under Cruise and Dive check-in counter located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
• Returns 4.30pm

Departure Instructions

7:15am check in at at the Down Under Cruise and Dive check-in counter located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.

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
Reef site 1: Norman or Saxon reef - 3 hours
Reef site 2: Hastings reef - 2 hours

Duration

8.5 hours (approx) - 5 hours on the reef

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
• Marine Biologist Guided Snorkel Tour (30 mins) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only - $45 per person
• Semi-submersible Submarine Tour (20 mins) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only - Adult $20, Child $10
• Wetsuit hire ($10) - Free for divers
• Underwater Camera Hire ($65)
• Underwater Phone Case ($35)

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

• Helicopter: 130kg weight restrictions apply for helicopter rides.
• 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.

Eco Certifications

• Prepare as you would for a day at the beach with a hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, something to swim in, a dry change of clothes and a warm jumper in winter.
• Cash or card for any onboard purchases such as bar items, optional activities or photography.

• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
• A maximum of one infant per helicopter may travel as per CASA regulations.
• One (1) infant under their 3rd birthday may travel free of charge if seated on a guardian’s lap
• Diving available for 12 years and over.