• One of the most popular small group Great Barrier Reef tours from Cairns. With so many fantastic reef sites to choose from, the experienced skipper and crew will show you the best of the best on the day!
• On our small luxury reef trip from Cairns guests may snorkel and enjoy a FREE guided snorkel tour.  We visit 2 different reef sites every day.   
• This vessel is not only eco-friendly but also does Vegan Fridays!  If you like to stay healthy on your holidays be sure to pick your travel day to suit your style.

This unique comfortable sailing "maxi-catamaran" travels out from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef daily to two incredible dive and snorkel sites that are chosen by the skipper on the day to deliver the best and safest experience for guests.

Small Group Great Barrier Reef Tours - Dive & Snorkel

This unique comfortable sailing "maxi-catamaran" travels out from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef daily at 8:00 AM to two incredible dive and snorkel sites that are chosen by the skipper on the day to deliver the best and safest experience for guests.

With a maximum of only 100 passengers on board you will be in your glory traveling with this small group and will be wowed by the personalized service offered by the multi award winning boat crew.

This Cairns based Great Barrier Reef dive & snorkel tour really is great value and a wonderful experience for everyone!

Departing from Cairns your day on your Great Barrier Reef tour begins with a 7:30 AM check-in at the Marlin Marina in Spence Street inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.

Medical forms are given to everyone whether you are scuba diving, snorkeling or just spectating so that the boats crew can keep a close eye out for any potential medical problems.

Upon boarding the reef boat tour, coffee, tea and cupcakes are served just in case you did not have time for breakfast. 

Our new boat is surveyed to carry 130 guests but we choose to only carry 100 guests so we can give you all that personalised attention 

The saloon inside of the catamaran is large enough to fit everyone but the best place to be is out front of the boat on the netted bow watching the world go by with the fresh salt air flying past.

The boat that is designed for lounging around on as you cruise out to the Cairns Great Barrier Reef and the most fun place to seat yourself for the journey is at the bow where you will find two large bow nets that work like trampolines that are ideal to lie on during the cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef.

After a two hour cruise the boat will arrive at its first snorkel destination of the day.

Great Barrier Reef Tour Optional Extras

Scuba Diving The Great Barrier Reef

Scuba Divers can enjoy up to 2 scuba dives while out on the Cairns Great Barrier Reef on this reef trip.

No experience is necessary for introductory divers, although they must pass a medical questionairre to be able to safely scuba dive.

The groups are 2-8 divers and are separated into certified and introductory scuba divers to match the skill levels. Introductory Scuba Divers dive from the back of the boat for comfort and get to enjoy the beautiful underwater world full of life for approximately 30 minutes in a depth of anywhere form seven to ten metres.

The Cairns Great Barrier Reef is the perfect place to try your first scuba dive as the waters are calm and protected by the surrounding coral reefs.

Certified scuba divers get the chance to head off in the tender boat on an incredible 45 minute scuba dive with the dive master.

For those who really enjoyed their first introductory scuba dive, there is another opportunity to try another one at the second reef site of the day.

First off though is lunch and a fish feeding presentation by a marine naturalist!

Again we recommend you pre-book your scuba dive spots when reserving your seat on the reef trip to ensure you do not miss out! 

Cairns Reef Trip - Lunch On The Great Barrier Reef

Lunch is served onboard the boat before leaving and during the day as the catamaran sails between reef sites. Lunch is a tropical smorgasbord of a variety of salads, breads, cheeses, meats, prawns, vegetarian and meat curry, noodles and rice to suit all likes and dislikes.

The boat has a fully stocked bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase throughout the day.

The staff will run a tab throughout the day of everything purchased from the bar and this can be settled at the end of the day on the cruise back home to the Cairns Marlin Marina.

Fish feeding is also conducted at the end of lunch for about 10 minutes. The fish feeding presentation is lead by a marine interpreter who has all sorts of fun facts and stories about the hungry fish of the Cairns Great Barrier Reef and the kids just love it.

After a ten minute cruise, the maxi cat has arrived at the next snorkel and dive location.

Cairns Reef Trip - 24 Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel Locations

We have the choice of 24 exclusive dive and snorkel locations to choose from  each day and each one is very unique and special for this small group reef trip vessel only, which means there are no crowds and the coral reefs and bommies are an incredible amazing place to explore.

Join in on the guided snorkel tour or snorkel at your leisure. You will do the certified or introductory scuba dive straight off the back of the boat this time.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy an hour and a half of colorful hard and soft corals, heaps of anemone's with fish cleaning stations, Clown Fish and two large Moari Wrasse that swim close to the boat hoping that someone may give them a snack!

Each reef really lives up to its reputaions and is really is a wonderful place to dive and snorkel.

Cairns Sailing Tours - The Sail Home and Return to Cairns

We depart this little piece of paradise for a two hour relaxing sail back to Cairns City at 2:30 PM to witness a magnificent sunset over the Cairns mountains beyond.

Cheese,crackers and salami sausage are served inside at the ships bar if you are feeling pekish. Enjoy the two hours to relax, perhaps enjoy a few drinks and swap stories on your dive and snorkel discoveries on your Cairns Great Barrier Reef adventure.

Be sure to be out front of the boat for when the crew hoist the sails and the skipper turns off the engines for part of the trip back to Cairns to enjoy a sail on the Great Barrier Reef with nothing but the sounds of the winds and the boat cutting thru the deep blue ocean of the coral sea.

The bow of the boat is a great place to see the dolphins racing with the boats bow wave.

The return to Cairns is at approximately at 4:30 PM where you will catch your coach transfer or head back to your Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches holiday accommodation knowing that you have had a wonderful day having seen one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns Dive & Snorkel Tour - A Range of Exclusive Reef Sites to Choose From

You will visit two different reef sites on this Great Barrier Reef tour. Each day the highly experienced local crew will assess the weather conditions and choose the two best reef sites on the day to give guests the best possible experience.

The range of reef sites to choose from includes:

Flynn Reef - Little Tracy

Experience a vast array of marine life and stunning coral formations.

Flynn Reef - Point Break

See an amazing range of reef species that are attracted to the unique current and tidal patterns of this reef site.

Milne Reef

This popular reef features a range of hard and soft corals and diverse marine life at shallow depths making it perfect for snorkellers and divers alike.

Milne Reef - Three Sisters

Three Sisters offers a wide range of marine life and excellent visibility, making it one of the most famous reef sites off of Cairns.

Milne Reef - The Whale

See Giant Clams and Sea Turtles at this unique reef site comprised off one large coral formation.

Milne Reef - The Edge

Experience spectacular underwater topography as you dive along the edge of the reef at The Edge. 

Milne Reef - The Drop

Look down into the deep dark blue at The Drop, a reef site marked by amazing coral formations.

Thetford Reef - 360

This stunning lagoon is surrounded by large coral gardens making it one of the most popular reef sites off of Cairns.

Thetford Reef - Nolans Bommie

No matter your diving experience level you will love Nolans Bommie as it features some of the most incredible variety of marine life on the reef.

Moore Reef - East Timor

A distinctive dive and snorkel site that offers a wide variety of undersea life to explore.

Moore Reef - West Timor

Encounter Giant Clams, Sea Turtles, and a range of other marine life in the clear waters of this stunning reef site.

Moore Reef - 5 Ways

This reef site offers the perfect enviroment for snorkellers and divers alike featuring a range of hard and soft corals.

Moore Reef - Wildside

Noted for its remarkable coral structures and high quality of coral cover, Wildside is a popular reef site off Cairns.

Pretty Patches

A tranquil lagoon featuring a beautiful coral garden provides pristine conditions for guests to experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef.

Breaking Patches - Long Bommie

Certified divers will love the swim-through at Long Bommie and intro divers and snorkellers will marvel at the impressive coral structures. 

Breaking Patches - Paradise Reef

A double wall of coral split by a shallow lagoon provides ideal conditions for large schools of small fish to feed - creating a magical reef site full of life. 

Hastings Reef - 1770

This ideal reef location features a maze-like formation of stunning coral structures - a picture perfect location for snorkelling and diving.

Hastings Reef - Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones provides an amazing location for snorkelling and diving alike with it's patchy series of coral formatons.

Hastings Reef - Split Bommie

Home to some of the densest coral cover snorkellers and divers will experience on the Great Barrier Reef, Split Bommie is also home to a swim through that certified divers will love.

Additional reef sites include Hastings Reef & Norman Reef.

So as you just read you will be diving and snorkelling a different reef location each day you are on the Great Barrier Reef. We do this for our repeat guests and to ensure each reef location is not over visited.

It also shows our visitors that no two reef systems are the same. Each coral outcrop supports a different varierty of corals and marine life so that makes it exciting for our divers and snorkellers.

Upgrade your tour - Be A Marine Biologist For The Day

Participate in our distinctive and thrilling conservation and education programs, where you can engage in a day of hands-on scientific activities. By joining us, you contribute to the vital task of monitoring our sites, providing essential data for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. This opportunity allows you to actively participate in real-world science and make a meaningful impact on marine conservation efforts

This is private touring option on board Passions of Paradise regular day trip for individual travelers joining a small group of 6 other participants.

A family of two adults and two children age 4 to 14 get a private guide for the day - with no other participant

Inclusions:
•Meet & Greet with your personalized Master Reef Guide at check in
•Reserved seating for the day
•Morning and afternoon tea
•Visit to two Outer Great Barrier Reef locations.
•Personalized training in marine conservation
•All research materials & data collection tools
•Fully supervised in-water activity at both locations assisting our team in data collection
•Chef prepared lunch (allergies catered for on request)
•Winter wetsuits or sunsuits in summer months
•Prescription masks
•Afternoon debrief and data entry on the way home with your host

Embark on a fully guided educational adventure tailored for enthusiastic snorkelers eager to elevate their Great Barrier Reef experience. Gain a profound appreciation for this incredible ecosystem and be motivated to make a difference.

Immerse yourself in a full day of exploration alongside a dedicated expert, actively contributing to the continuous conservation efforts of this globally celebrated natural marvel. This experience goes beyond mere observation – it invites you to actively shape the Reef's sustainable future with Passions of Paradise.

Designed for small groups and independent travelers, this exclusive opportunity accommodates a maximum of 8 participants. Please note that pre-booking is essential to secure your spot.

Due to the sometimes-technical nature of this product this option is only suitable for experienced and confident snorkelers. Children are welcome to book once their parents or guardians are participating too.

 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Check in: 7:00am at the Passions of Paradise counter located at the Reef Fleet Terminal
• Check in closes at 7:50am
• Boat departs at 8:00am
• Boat returns at 5:00pm (approx)

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Two different reef sites chosen by the Skipper on the day

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Does not operate 25/12 and 01/01

Duration

9 hours (approx)

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Additional dives can be booked onboard (subject to availability) however we highly recommend pre booking your first dive as it will sell out.
• 2nd intro dive: $60
• 2nd cert dive $55

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

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

• DIVING POLICY
• All diving is subject to the completion of Queensland medical questionnaire. Certain medical conditions and prescription medication may preclude passengers from scuba diving in Queensland. Examples include but are not limited to; diagnosed asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, lung problems, ear problems, high or low blood pressure, current cold, cough, flu, chest infection, chronic sinus conditions, fainting or seizures, any non-over the counter medications including those for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
• Additional dives can be booked on board on day of travel
• IMPORTANT INFO
• reserves the right to cancel the day tour due to poor weather conditions, mechanical problems, or use another vessel, or travel to different reef sites. We offer a two-destination itinerary, however at times the weather may make one of these destinations unsafe or impractical to visit on those days, we may only visit one location. In poor weather it is the Skippers discretion to decide which locations to visit; keeping passenger safety, the safety of the vessel, and passenger comfort in mind. There are no refunds issued for an itinerary change. We will endeavour to sail as much as we
• can each day, however wind speed and direction determine if or how long this occurs. The Skipper will inform everyone of our sailing plans each day. Should the trip be cancelled due to poor weather or mechanical breakdown, we will refund 100%.
• Passions of Paradise offers an exclusively in-water experience. A basic level of fitness and comfort in the water is required to participate in snorkelling.
• All passengers must complete a medical questionnaire on board prior to participating in water activities in accordance with Queensland Health and Safety Regulations.

Eco Certifications

Hat & Sunscreen, Swim suit, Sunglasses, Towel and Cash or Credit Card for onboard purchases

• Child price applies to children 4 to 14
• Infants 3 and under travel free
• Family Price: 2 adults and 2 children
• Minimum age to dive is 12