Cairns Helicopter Flight & Great Barrier Reef Tour | NT-GA

Cairns Helicopter Flight & Great Barrier Reef Tour | NT-GA

Landing or taking off on a scenic helicopter flight from a platform in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef just of Cairns is an absolute treat.

Choose to depart Cairns by boat or in a helicopter scenic flight and spend the day on the reef. Helicopter scenic flights from Cairns  to the pontoon are 25  minutes or you can take a 10-15 minute scenic flight whilst out on the platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

A scenic helicopter flight really just has to be done as you never know if you will ever be back to see the Great Barrier Reef again. 

Make the most of your day on the Great Barrier Reef by adding a breathtaking scenic helicopter flight to your outer reef package.

Choose to fly to or from the Cairns Heli base to the outer reef platform or cruise out by boat and enjoy a 10-15 minute scenic flight straight from the Great Barrier Reef Adventures pontoon.

Helicopter flights offer a spectacularly unique perspective of the reef and you will be mesmerised by the coral formations, see marine life in their natural habitat and fall in love with the vibrant shades of blues in the shallow lagoons.

Our two tour companies join forces to ensure you experience the ultimate day on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. With a range of different helicopter scenic flight options you’ll be sure to find a helicopter flying tour to match your itinerary.

The platform at Norman Reef in the outer Barrier Reef includes many great fun activities to experience the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet. 

Included is a Semi-Submersible Submarine tour, Underwater observatory, snorkel gear, lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

You can choose to do an introductory Scuba Dive, Certified Scuba Dive or Scuba Doo for little extra cost.(Medical form to be  filled in prior to joining any underwater tours)

10 - 15 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flights From Outer Reef Platform

Cruise out to the outer Barrier Reef platform by boat and return to Cairns by boat.

Whilst out on the reef platform you can take off in a helicopter and enjoy a 10 - 15 minute scenic flight up above all of the snorkellers and scuba divers in the waters below.

This view will provide you with some great photography and give you a bigger perspective of the majesty of the reef and it's coral systems.

Please note: All helicopter flights are to be booked at time of booking the boat cruise and flights are based on total passenger weights 

Cruise/Fly To The Reef

Choose the Cruise/Fly and your reef tour boat will cruise past Green Island to the outer reef pontoon where you will have 3 hours of in water reef viewing fun.

Check in by 10am at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal where the staff will issue your boat boarding passes and other useful information for your day and discuss the helicopter departure details.

A large powerful catamaran will ferry you out to Green Island approx. 45 minutes off the coast for a short stop to pick up guests from the island to join you for the day on the outer reef.

Continue another 60 minutes to the outer reef pontoon; a large stable platform where all the platforms activities are conducted from. Enjoy 3 hours of reef viewing activities and lunch.

As the end of day approaches your friendly crew will ferry you over to the helicopter pontoon with your belongings in a small tender and prepare you for your exciting flying adventure.

Take off over the reef and have your camera ready to capture memories of this spectacular vista. Arrive back in Cairns at 3.40pm, ideal if you have an evening flight or evening activity you need to meet.

Flying time is approximately 25 minutes

Fly/Cruise To The Reef

The Fly/Cruise package starts a little later in the morning with the helicopter departing Cairns at 12.30pm and the ferry boat arriving back in Cairns at 5.30pm making it a perfect reef tour for those guests landing in Cairns that morning or for guests that widh to relax and sleep in a little whilst on holidays.

Please allow more time if you are staying at Palm Cove or the norhtern beaches of Cairns.

Your scenic flight to the reef lasts around 25 minutes with breathtaking views of Green Island and surrounding reef systems.

As the low level flight makes it way over the coral formations keep an eye out for larger marine life like turtles, reef sharks and seasonal whales (June to Sept).

Landing takes place on the dedicated helicopter pontoon sitting out on the reef and a friendly Great Adventures Cruises staff member will come and collect you and your belongings for the short boat ride over to the main pontoon platform for your afternoon of reef viewing activities.

The boats return cruise back to Cairns departs the pontoon approx. 3.30pm, you’ll travel via the beautiful Green Island and arrive back in the Cairns marina at 5.30pm

Fly/Fly To The Reef

Do away with the transfer boat component altogether by flying in style like a VIP or rock star by helicopter to and from the outer reef pontoon.

A great option for those with limited time or for those that are not a fan of boat rides due to sea sickness.

Departing from Cairns at 12.30pm and returning at 3.40pm this is the perfect way to experience the reef with no chance of suffering any effects from the motion of the ocean.

Helicopter flight paths are over the picturesque Green Island, Upolu and Michaelmas Cays and the surrounding reef systems including Saxon, Hastings and Arlington Reefs.

See more Cairns and Port Douglas scenic helicopter flight options