• Optional scenic helicopter flights over the reef, including Heart Reef and surrounding coral formations
• Purpose-built pontoon with shaded sun decks, freshwater showers and safe snorkelling zones
• Semi-submersible submarine tour and underwater observatory included in the base price
• Optional introductory and certified scuba diving available on the day
• Ideal reef experience for non-swimmers, families and mixed-ability groups
• Snorkel directly above coral gardens with all equipment and buoyancy aids included
• Four full hours at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef
• The only floating multi-activity reef pontoon (Reefworld) accessible from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island
• Lifeguard supervision and marine naturalist commentary throughout the day
• Morning tea, buffet lunch and afternoon tea included
• Family deal available for two adults and two children
• Multiple upgrade paths including snorkelling safaris, diving, helicopter flights and cruise/fly return options
• Family Deal - Save $91 based on 2 adults & 2 children

Departing Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island daily to spend the day on an interactive floating pontoon, on Hardy Reef on outer Great Barrier Reef! Upgrade to sleep in our underwater hotel on the reef.

What to Expect

Embark on an award-winning Whitsundays dive and snorkel tour departing from Airlie Beach at 8:00 AM, with an additional guest pickup from Hamilton Island at 9:00 AM and Daydream Island at 7.35am. This Great Barrier Reef dive and snorkelling tour takes you to the Hardy Reef floating pontoon for a day packed with exciting activities on the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkel coral gardens, keep your hair dry on a glass-bottom boat, dive deeper into the Great Barrier Reef, get a birds eye view from a helicopter ride and so much more, you'll find this Great Barrier Reef tour in the Whitsundays has something for everyone. 

Features and Highlights

Multi Award-Winning Dive and Snorkel Tour

Scenic Journey:

• Begin your adventure aboard a fast catamaran, cruising through the Whitsunday Passage. Enjoy stunning views of lush green mountains and remote islands as you head towards the outer Great Barrier Reef to the floating interactive pontoon.

Hardy Reef Interactive Floating Pontoon:

• Arrive at Reefworld, a floating pontoon located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, which serves as your base for the day’s underwater activities. This pontoon is ideal for both relaxation and adventure, offering a variety of water activities.

Activities for Everyone:

• Whether you’re a swimmer or non-swimmer, enjoy the Great Barrier Reef with options like a semi-submersible submarine tour and an undersea observatory, perfect for those who prefer to stay dry.
• Dive into snorkelling with a guided tour or try an introductory scuba dive to meet underwater characters like Nemo (Clownfish) and Dory (Blue Tang).

Additional Adventure Options:

• Consider enhancing your experience with a scenic helicopter flight over the reef, providing spectacular aerial views of this natural wonder.
• Choose to fly directly to Reefworld from Airlie Beach by helicopter, or opt for a cruise/fly combination from Hamilton Island, allowing for a customised approach to your reef visit.
• Sleep on the Reef overnight with our glamping tours on the top deck
• Underwater hotel accommodation - luxury suites with perspex windows opening out to the reef

Catering and Comfort:

• Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch along with delicious morning and afternoon tea on the pontoon, complementing your day of exploration.
• Friendly and knowledgeable crew are available throughout the day to assist with organising any additional activities you wish to partake in.

Prepare for an unforgettable day on the Great Barrier Reef with this comprehensive tour, perfect for families, couples, and solo travellers alike. Whether snorkelling among vibrant coral gardens, diving into the deep blue, or simply enjoying the view from a glass-bottom boat, this tour offers a unique and enriching way to experience one of the world's most famous reefs.

View more Great Barrier Reef tour options from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island.

Read all about the things you need to know before you go on The Tour Specialists Blog. 

Cruise the Great Barrier Reef to A Floating Pontoon

• At first glance, you’ll feel excited by the sight of your Great Barrier Reef tour boat that will be taking you to see this World Heritage listed reef.
• Next you’ll be sitting comfortably as the boat speeds past lush green islands in the Whitsunday Passage and listening to the crews reef presentation on your days events. 
• From the get go, we can promise you a day on the reef with lot's of activity.
• Reefworld is a floating interactive pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef that is your island for the day offering a remarkable amount of activity and adventure, with a platform for snorkelling, scuba diving and scenic helicopter flights.
• The pontoon itself is likewise your host for a delicious tropical buffet lunch, an underwater observatory cinema, and even a resident onboard masseuse for the ultimate in relaxation!
• The coral gardens and abundant marine life at Hardy Reef can be explored with equally special expedition styles, and with a day at Reefworld, you’ll find the possibilities on offer are endless!

Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef

• If you’ve never snorkelled before, you’ll soon find out how to do it on this Great Barrier Reef tour that you’re about to embark on, a looking glass adventure into another world.
• And if you’re already a fan, you’ll be privy to the fact that this is a visual expedition where fantasy comes alive!
• Your friendly boat crew will help fit you with a snorkel, mask, and fins for easy gliding on the surface.
• If you are not such a good confident swimmer just ask the crew for some flotation devices.  
• The stunning coral wall adjacent to Reefworld is highlighted with roped areas, so you won’t miss out on getting to these snorkelling sights!
• You’ll find instructors and even a lifeguard on hand for some snorkelling tips and assistance.
• Among the rainbow gardens of branches, plates and coral mountains, keep your eyes peeled for the yellow, turquoise and vivid orange of the Angels, Parrots, and Clowns (Nemo) that reside there.
• And any given day could also produce a surprise visit from a sea-turtle, manta-ray, or even a dolphin in the cooler months!

Upgrade to an Optional Snorkelling Safari

• Booking a guided snorkelling safari is an exceptional combination of witnessing marine life, learning riveting facts about the Great Barrier Reef, and utilising a helpful hand if you’re not overly confident in the water.
• In a small group, you’ll be led by an expert marine naturalist guide through magnificent coral reefs and into a world of underwater knowledge.
• Your friendly marine leader knows how to locate and interact with the many weird and wondrous creatures within this coral kingdom of the Great Barrier Reef.
• In these azure waters, you may come across an ethereal sting-ray and learn how amazingly friendly these beings are, and how there’s over 200 different types!
• They’ll be many entertaining stories about the rainbow of reef fish you’ll see, and keep your eye out for the appearance of visiting sea-turtles that have an awe-inspiring life span.
• With the ability to live over 100 years old, these creatures have been residents here on the reef before we were born!

Semi-Submersible Submarine Reef Tour

• It’s perfectly fine if you are a non swimmer or have little children, we have all the facilities that ensure if you’re venturing to the Great Barrier Reef, you shouldn’t have to miss out on a close up view of the coral reefs and multitude of marine life, just because you don’t want to get wet!
• When you opt for a semi-submersible submarine tour, you’ll see the colours of the reef from your seat in dry comfort!
• You won’t even have to take your sunglasses off on this reef trip adventure!
• As you glide through a realm of undersea gardens, you’ll see the vibrant swirls of orange and turquoise belonging to mesmerising Parrot and Clown fish (Nemo).
• And with your marine guides onboard presentation, you’ll likewise learn how parrot fish sleep in a bubble they make to surround themselves, and how clown fish can change from female to male!
• Also keep your eye out for a sea-turtle or giant clam; both which have a lifespan of over 100 years!

Optional Introductory Scuba Dive

• With amazing snorkelling across the surface of the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll see down into the most eye-catching and phenomenal realms.
• Yet when you embark on an introductory scuba dive, you’ll hover only inches away!
• No experience is necessary to try your first introductory dive, and you’ll find a friendly diving expert on hand to teach you all the skills you’ll need.   
• Your introductory scuba dive will go for around about 30 minutes and 7 -10 metres below the waters surface, all dependant on your use of air, but the experience will last a lifetime.
• Hardy Reef boasts an abundance of rainbow reef fish, as well as the odd sightings of sea-turtles, and even migrating whales and dolphins in the cooler months.

Optional Certified Dive

• You may have travelled across the globe, or the Great Barrier Reef might happen to be in your own Australian back yard, and if you’re a certified scuba diver, you’ll know of the stunning underwater world awaiting you here.
• With a dive buddy or expert dive instructor, you’ll glide the azure waters of Hardy Reef within a dazzling labyrinth of coral.
• Through rich red and purple thickets and pastel gardens, you’ll encounter the exhilaration of drops off, walls, and bommies (coral mountains).
• And within this iconic domain, you’ll likewise discover the holiday highlights that live there.
• Just as renowned as the domain is a super-abundance of marine life sightings. Your adventure will include a line-up of spectacularly colored reef fish, varying from one moment to the next.
• You could spot a massive groper on your right and a meandering sea-turtle on your left. 
• Or maybe even a ‘fever’ of manta-rays straight in your path!

Optional Scenic Helicopter Flight

• You’ll gain a breathtaking and brand new perspective of the Great Barrier Reef on a low level scenic flight. 
• By indulging in a scenic helicopter flight, you’ll encounter the kind of panoramic wonder that will become the memory of a lifetime.
• There are many types of helicopter flights to choose from; you could opt for a short, but no less magnificent flight over the Great Barrier Reef from the pontoon, or you could even consider a cruise fly or fly cruise option where you can travel to the reef by helicopter or by boat (or the reverse or fly both ways).
• Little compares to the view of the Great Barrier Reef from a helicopter and you’ll be awed when looking down at the coral gardens.
• Take a scenic flight over Heart Reef  from the pontoon or Airlie Beach.
• During the winter months of July to August you may even see giant humpback whales as they make their annual migration northward on the reef! 

Please note:- All helicopter flights need to be pre-booked by email or phone to ensure seat allocations, weight restrictions apply  

Optional Seabob Tours

• Take a ride around the Great Barrier Reef on our brand new Seabobs with our marine naturalist guides. 
• The Seabobs are easy to operate and a lot of fun for the family.
• Learn about the fish and corals in the Whitsundays, cruise on the surface or get game and cruise underwater.
• Book your Seabob adventure on the platform  
• See more Great Barrier Reef tours from Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach and Daydream Island.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Airlie Beach

Departure Time

• Departs Airlie Beach 8:00am returns 6.10pm
• Departs Daydream Island 7.50am returns 5.50pm
• Departs Hamilton Island 9.00am returns 5.00pm

Departure Instructions

• If making own way to Port of Airlie marina, please check in 30 minutes before tour time
• Coach transfers specific pick up time will be advised at the time of booking.

Destinations

• Daydream Island
• Hamilton Island
• Hardy Reef
• Great Barrier Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

Full day

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Transfers from Airlie Beach and surrounds transfers from accommodation available for a small fee
• Licensed bar with alcohol and non-alcohol beverages for purchase
• Introductory scuba dives
• Certified diving
• Scenic helicopter flight
• Guided snorkelling safari
• Souvenir photos
• Cruise/fly return trip.

Fitness Level Required

Low

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

Due to the number of stairs through pontoon and vessel, this tour is not recommended for disabled passengers.

Eco Certifications

• Swimwear and towel
• Protective clothing, hat and sunscreen lotion
• Your camera and a sense of fun!
• Light jacket / sweater for windy or cool days
• Money / credit card for optional purchases such as beverages, dives or a helicopter flight.

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