Tour Highlights
- Luxury boat, purpose built & modern including spacious lounge seating and sun deck for relaxation.
- On the day your Captain will select the best 2 reef locations amongst 27 options
- Snorkel headset gear is fitted with underwater commentary to teach you about the reef.
- This is a 5 star Great Barrier Reef tour for those who wish to see the best of the Great Barrier Reef. Visit 2 reef sites and be there in only 90 minutes.
- Guests must be 12 years and older. Meals included are breakfast, morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea.
- Only 40 guests onboard, it's an all-inclusive, premium Outer Great Barrier Reef tour visiting two reef locations. This is a Cairns reef tour for discerning travellers.
Description & Tour Inclusions
Included In Price
- Small group - 40 passengers only
- All-inclusive outer reef experience
- Visits 2 reef locations
- All snorkel & diving equipment provided
- Two guided snorkelling sessions
- Luxury boat: purpose built, modern vessel
- Waterproof headsets for underwater commentaries
- Delicious chef prepared meals
- 30 years experience
- Return accommodation transfers from Cairns city
- Souvenir take home drink bottle
- All food & beverages supplied incl alcoholic drinks on the return journey
- Tea, coffee and water always available for self service
- Environmentally friendly plant-based wetsuits
- Taxes & marine park levy
- Carbon offset
Our Cairns reef tours carry only 40 guests & visits, 2 reef sites. These all-inclusive Great Barrier Reef tours, includes certified dives, introductory dives and snorkelling. Enjoy up to 3 dives on 2 amazing reef locations. Spend the day on a luxury boat in comfort.
Due to unplanned maintenance, Tusa Reef Tours is not currently operating. Expected return date early 2025
What to Expect
This is not an ordinary Cairns reef tour to the Great Barrier Reef, we limit our guest numbers to only 40 guests and we visit two different outer Great Barrier Reef sites each day so you will never see the same reef twice if you book several Cairns reef tours with us., it’s 5 star service al the way. Join us to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on a luxury Cairns reef tour. This is the best all-inclusive Great Barrier Reef tour offering certified scuba diving, introductory diving, and snorkelling at two incredible reef locations. Enjoy up to three dives and a full day of relaxation and exploration aboard a state-of-the-art vessel.
Features and Highlights
Why Our Cairns Snorkelling & Diving Tours are Simply the Best
Exclusive Experience
- Limited Guests: Only 40 guests onboard, ensuring a more personalised and intimate experience.
- Low Guest-to-Crew Ratio: Receive attentive and personalised service from our experienced crew.
Comprehensive Amenities
- All-Inclusive Package: Includes breakfast, lunch, morning tea, afternoon tea, and drinks with a cheese platter on the return journey.
- Top-Quality Equipment: Snorkelling gear, waterproof headsets with commentary, and all necessary diving equipment provided.
Diverse and Pristine Reef Sites
- Expertly Chosen Locations: The captain selects two distinct Outer Great Barrier Reef dive and snorkel sites each day based on weather and conditions, ensuring the best underwater experience.
- Unparalleled Beauty: Discover vibrant coral gardens, colourful reef fish, and a diverse marine ecosystem that showcases the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
Your Great Barrier Reef Diving & Snorkelling Tour From Cairns
Morning Schedule
- 7:30 am: Complimentary hotel transfers and check-in at C Finger, Cairns Marina.
- 8:00 am: Indulge in a delicious breakfast with invigorating local coffees served onboard. Enjoy captivating commentary and reef information, including dive locations and briefings from our resident Marine Biologist.
First Outer Reef Location
- 9:30 am: Arrive at the first stunning reef site. Certified Scuba Divers can enjoy guided or unguided dives, while those new to scuba diving can experience an introductory dive with a PADI Instructor. Snorkellers can join guided sessions. Morning tea is served onboard between activities.
Lunch and Transition
- 12:30 pm: Savor a sumptuous buffet lunch featuring Tasmanian smoked salmon, Queensland prawns, cold chicken and meats, salads, and fresh breads. During lunch, the vessel cruises to the second exclusive reef site.
Second Outer Reef Location
- 1:00 pm: Continue your adventure at the second reef site. Dive, snorkel, or join a guided snorkelling tour with a marine naturalist to learn more about the Great Barrier Reefs unique ecosystem.
Afternoon Return
- 2:30 pm: Wind down with a relaxing cruise back to Cairns. Enjoy drinks and a cheese platter, review marine life sightings using the GBRMPA’s ‘Eye on the Reef’ app, and take group photos to commemorate your incredible day.
- 4:00 pm: Arrive back at Cairns Marina, followed by complimentary hotel drop-offs.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tour
Experience the best the Great Barrier Reef has to offer on our all-inclusive full day snorkelling trip from Cairns. Limited to just 40 guests, our snorkelling day trip offers the highest level of service with the lowest guest-to-crew ratios of any snorkelling trip from Cairns.
Snorkelling Highlights
- Deluxe Experience: Start with a sumptuous breakfast and a full briefing from our Marine Guides.
- Premium Locations: Captain-selected snorkelling sites, ensuring a breathtaking experience among vibrant marine life and pristine coral formations.
- Comfort and Safety: High-quality snorkelling gear, buoyancy aids, and in-water assistance from staff.
Introductory Scuba Diving Tours Cairns
Enjoy an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef Day trip from Cairns with our premium all-inclusive scuba diving experience. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or a beginner, our experienced PADI instructors will guide you through every step.
Cairns Scuba Diving Highlights
- Comprehensive Briefings: Detailed scuba diving instructions and surface training ensure a safe and memorable dive.
- Stunning Dive Sites: Two serene Outer Great Barrier Reef sites, chosen for their beauty and marine life diversity.
- Top-Notch Equipment: Diving with the latest gear on a purpose-built vessel, equipped with spacious dive decks and easy access platforms.
Cairns Dive Tours - Certified Diving
Limited to just 40 guests, our purpose-built dive vessel offers a premium diving experience. With up to three dives available over the day, you’ll explore vibrant coral gardens, reef walls, and abundant marine life.
Certified Diving Highlights
- Personalised Service: Dive with your buddy or be guided by one of our highly experienced PADI instructors.
- Advanced Equipment: Modern and sustainable dive gear, ensuring a comfortable and environmentally responsible dive.
- Exclusive Dive Sites: Two unique Outer Great Barrier Reef locations each day, offering a range of marine life and topography to explore.
- Note: Don’t forget your dive cards and medicals.
Additional Information
- Lunch: A delicious buffet lunch served between reef visits.
- Optional Activities: Upgrade to guided snorkel tours, introductory dives, or certified dives for an enhanced experience.
Experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef with our exclusive, all-inclusive Cairns reef tour. Discover the underwater wonders, enjoy luxurious amenities, and create unforgettable memories on this premium reef adventure.
Our professional and knowledgeable crew is there to guide you during your day and provide a 5-star Great Barrier Reef tour experience.
See all diving and snorkelling tours from Cairns.
Itinerary
Great Barrier Reef Tours - Your Day Onboard
Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef dive adventure on a luxury purpose-build vessel.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the outer reef on this exclusive, all-inclusive scuba diving day tour from Cairns.
Your day begins with a delicious breakfast before starting the high speed journey from the Cairns Marlin Marina to the edge of the continental shelf on board our modern catamaran.
Enjoy the spacious and air-conditioned lounge or explore one of our sun decks as we make our way out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, and the first of two stunning locations for the day.
7.30 am – Kick off your morning early with complimentary hotel transfers and check-in at C Finger, Cairns Marina.
8:00 am – Time to indulge in a delicious breakfast with invigorating local coffees served on board. After you’re fuelled up, we’ll set sail to the Outer Reef, during which you’ll be treated to captivating commentary and reef information, including dive locations, interactive maps and visuals, dive site briefings for Scuba Divers. Plus, learn about the history of GBR and its Indigenous importance, and get insider tips on what to look out for from our resident Marine Biologist.
9:30 am – Once we arrive at Outer Reef Site #1, the real adventure begins! Certified Scuba Divers can take two short 40-minute dives or one long 60-minute dive, unguided. Certified Divers can also take guided dives scheduled for two sessions of 40 minutes each. Those new to scuba diving can experience an introductory dive with a PADI Instructor, while others can take part in two guided snorkelling sessions. After towelling off, refuel with morning tea served on board. Then it’s time to jump back in the water for the second dive session for the day.
12.30 pm – Enjoy a delicious lunch in the main deck area, or take advantage of one of the many open deck areas and enjoy your meal al fresco. Check out our cuisine page for more info. While you dine, the captain will move the vessel to our second exclusive dive site.
1 pm – Dive back into the action when the dive deck opens for the third and final session.
2.30 pm – As the day winds down, it’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful Reef and head back to Cairns. Enjoy drinks and a cheese platter while getting more information about the fish and reef bios and access GBRMPA’s ‘Eye on the Reef’ app to contribute your sightings. Plus, don’t forget to jump in a group photo or two to commemorate your incredible day.
4.00 pm – Back to the Cairns Marina, and we commence complimentary hotel drop-offs.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Tour
Experience the best the Great Barrier Reef snorkelling the reef has to offer.
Start your snorkel adventure with us and discover the breathtaking beauty of the outer reef on our all day all-inclusive full day trip from Cairns.
Join us for a deluxe Great Barrier Reef snorkelling excursion from Cairns and immerse yourself in the serene and mesmerizing underwater world, rich with vibrant hues and diverse marine life.
Limited to a maximum of just 40 guests, our snorkelling day trip offers the highest level of service, with the lowest guest-to-crew ratios of any snorkelling trip from Cairns.
From the moment your step aboard, our highly trained and knowledgeable crew and marine guides will be on hand to ensure an exceptional day on the Great Barrier Reef and serve you a sumptuous breakfast to get you ready for the day.
Your journey to the outer reef will be a short 90-minute voyage, during which you’ll enjoy a full briefing from our Marine Guides on the activities for the day.
With up to five hours of adventure out on the reef, your captain will select the best two snorkelling sites nestled within the Outer Great Barrier Reef.
Based on the day’s conditions, we will select the most favourable locations, ensuring a breathtaking experience among an abundance of tropical fish (where you can find your own Nemo), pristine coral formations, and majestic sea turtles.
Curious to try scuba diving? Take advantage of our introductory scuba experience for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef encounter.
Designed for confident swimmers, an introductory dive will provide you with the thrill of scuba diving while under the direct supervision of one of our highly trained scuba diving instructors.
Introductory Diving Tours Cairns
Indulge in the ultimate Great Barrier Reef day trip with our premium all-inclusive day trip from Cairns.
Enjoy our Introductory Diving experience as part of your day and treat yourself to an unforgettable experience.
Discover the mesmerizing beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, as our seasoned and knowledgeable Instructors and marine guides accompany you on this extraordinary journey.
Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or a beginner, you can participate in the dive (subject to meeting health requirements).
Our expert marine guides will provide comprehensive briefings, instruction, and surface training, ensuring a safe and unforgettable dive.
Immerse yourself in the underwater world and descend to a maximum depth of 30 feet (10m), where you will encounter a plethora of vibrant marine life.
Our diving expeditions visit two serene outer reef sites each day, handpicked from our private moorings based on prevailing conditions.
With top-of-the-line diving equipment and purpose-built dive vessel, equipped with spacious dive decks and easy access platform, guarantee a comfortable dive experience.
In between dives, relax and enjoy snorkelling the reef, with snorkelling equipment included for all guests.
Relax on sun-kissed decks, enjoy air-conditioned indoor spaces, and tantalize your palate with delectable food and beverages prepared by our talented in-house chefs.
Join us and discover a whole new world beneath the waves.
Cairns Dive Tours - Certified Diving
A Personal Experience
Limited to just 40 guests to maximise your comfort, our purpose-built dive vessel is fitted to the highest standards and equipped with the latest in modern and sustainable dive gear.
Your crew of 9 includes 8 knowledgeable marine guides and dive instructors who are readily available to see to your needs throughout the day and to help you plan your dives and activities at each of the two sites you’ll visit.
You will be awestruck by the vibrant coral gardens, reef walls and abundance of marine life at our dive sites, with plenty of options to excite the most experienced divers as well as easily navigable routes for those new to the sport.
Our open dive deck policy allows you to plan the dives of your choice, with up to three dives available over the day. Dive with your buddy or be guided by one of our highly experienced PADI instructors, considered amongst the best in Australia for their local knowledge and passion for the reef.
View more Cairns reef tours and options here.
Tour Details
Tour Languages Offered
English
EnglishDeparts From
Cairns
Departure Time
Departs 7.30am - Returns 4.00pm (approx)
Destinations
- Great Barrier Reef
- Outer Great Barrier Reef: Norman, Saxon & Hastings reefs
Months of Operation
January - December
Days of Operation
Wednesday - Sunday
Duration
90 minutes to the reef
5 hours on the reef
Fitness Level Required
Medium, Active
Restrictions
Scuba Diving – minimum age 12
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
- No shoes to be worn on boat
- No passengers under 12 years of age permitted
Eco Certifications
What to Bring
Personal items, swimwear, towels, hat, sunscreen & warm clothing.
Child Policy
- Minimum age 12
- Children travel, same rate as adults
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing.
We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.
In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.
Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Operators policy:
- Any amendment made to the Travel Date will be deemed to be a cancellation and will be subject to the charges set out in this document.
- Should you fail to arrive in time for our scheduled departure for any reason, you will not receive a refund of your tour costs. The vessel’s departure will not be delayed due to your late arrival. This includes factors beyond your control including medical problems, airline delays, bad weather, etc. – Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
- No refund or compensation will be given for any unused equipment or prepaid course or guide in the event you are unable to complete the entire tour.
In the event you cancel your booking with us, the following charges will apply:
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations with 48 hours or more notice, will not be charged a cancellation penalty.
Cancellations within 48 hours of departure, will incur a penalty of 100%.
Trip Itinerary Changes
We endeavour to adhere to the advertised itinerary at all times, but we reserve the right to alter the itinerary or cut short the tour in the event of a medical emergency, inclement weather conditions, or for reasons involving passenger, crew or vessel safety, at the sole discretion of the Master of the Vessel.
A severe storm or named cyclone in the region may delay our departure or require the trip to be cut short or cancelled. If travelling in the cyclone season (December to April) we advise (well prior the due Travel Date) the purchase of insurance that covers force majeure events (events outside the control of the parties, such as natural disasters).
In the event that the advertised itinerary is altered, or the tour is cut short in accordance with clauses above:
a) We will not be liable to provide a refund for your booking, or the unused portion of your booking;
b) We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or out of pocket costs, howsoever caused (whether direct or indirect), because of the cancellation or change to the itinerary; and
c) You may choose one of the following options:
Accept new arrangements that might, at our absolute discretion, be made by us; or
Accept a replacement tour from us of equivalent standard and price that, subject to availability, might be offered by us at our absolute discretion.
In the event of a mechanical breakdown, you accept that we will only be obliged to refund fees on a pro-rata basis and will not be responsible for alternative accommodation or tours, nor will we be liable for any other direct or indirect loss, expense, inconvenience or disappointment.
Tusa Reef Tours reserves the right to change vessel, dive locations and price without notice.
Medical Conditions
- Some medical conditions may preclude a person from diving. Please check the medical conditions on our website or contact us for further details.
- Please note that any medicals required should be completed well before the day of departure. If in any doubt, please contact us prior to trip departure.
- Upon arriving at our vessel, and before commencing any dive activities, we will require all customers to complete our liability forms. All information provided must be strictly accurate.
- If during the tour it becomes apparent that a form has been incorrectly completed, by omission or false statement, we reserve the right to prevent any customer from undertaking any scuba diving / snorkelling activities while on board our vessel. Any decision made in this regard will be at the absolute discretion of the Dive Supervisor aboard the vessel.
Insurance Advice
We strongly recommend that all customers purchase a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy that covers them for personal injury and the events, including but not limited to, your cancellation for any reason, and the cancellation or alteration to the scheduled itinerary for reasons involving weather or passenger, crew or vessel safety.
We strongly recommend that all customers also purchase Evacuation and Medical cover for scuba diving. Scuba diving and In-water activities are not covered by all Travel Insurance Policies, and policy wordings should be read carefully. It is important to note that in the event a customer requires medical emergency services, the evacuation, medical, and vessel relocation expenses are the financial responsibility of the customer.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) www.diversalertnetwork.org & Dive Assure www.diveassure.com offer comprehensive insurance packages specifically for scuba divers.
Scuba Diving
We require all Certified Divers to present a valid Certification Card. Failure to show a Certification Card may result in the customer not being able to dive on the tour. This includes but is not limited to dive equipment that varies from standard and any specialty cards needed such as Full-Face Mask Distinctive Specialty or Nitrox.
Our tours are subject to the risks and perils of scuba diving in changeable conditions in an open water environment. We reserve the right, for our customer’s safety and/ or the safety of our crew or other scuba divers, to prevent any customer’s participation in scuba diving if they are deemed physically or medically unfit to do so or in our sole discretion.
No compensation is offered if you should be unable to complete all offered dives
We strongly recommend a wait of 24 hours before flying after diving.
You must not participate in scuba diving or snorkelling whilst under the influence of alcohol or any drugs. We shall have no liability to any customer should they participate in diving or snorkelling whilst under the influence of alcohol or any drugs. We may refuse entry to the water in the event we have reasonable grounds to expect a customer has consumed alcohol or drugs within a timeframe that could, in any way, affect their ability to scuba dive/snorkel safely. Any decision made in this regard will be at the absolute discretion of the Dive Supervisor aboard the vessel.
If any equipment or property belonging to us is damaged or lost, we reserve the right to charge the customer responsible for making good the damage or loss.
To participate in scuba diving/snorkelling, ALL customers are required to agree to, and sign, our liability forms relevant to the activity they will be undertaking.
Included dive equipment used is BCD, Regulator with 1st Stage, Primary and alternate 2nd Stage, Gauges with Dive Computer, emergency signalling equipment, including a high visibility signalling device, for example, a safety sausage; and an audible signalling device (e.g., a whistle). If you are bringing your own equipment you must have at a minimum BCD, Regulator with 1st Stage, Primary and alternate 2nd Stage, Gauges and Dive Computer, emergency signalling equipment, including a high visibility signalling device, for example, a safety sausage; and an audible signalling device (e.g., a whistle). If your equipment varies from this, you must contact us prior to travel to verify suitability.
From
au$480.00
Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.
Child:
au$480.00
Family: au$1,920.00
Tour Code: 1114
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