Helicopter Flight & Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Packages | Snorkel Dive | NT

Helicopter Flight & Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Packages | Snorkel Dive | NT

This is one spectacular Great Barrier Reef tour, a scenic helicopter flight over the reef and a day snorkelling and scuba diving on the reef from Cairns.

Our Great Barrier Reef interactive floating pontoon  is located 40km off the coast of Cairns on Moore Reef; a stunning reef system with a diverse range of marine life and spectacular corals.

Please Note: Book Very Early as Only 6 - 7 Helicopter Seats are Allocated Daily

The pontoon is the hub of all the Great Barrier Reef viewing activities including in-water options like snorkelling, Scuba Diving and Seawalker helmet diving and dry options like the semi-submersible submarine (underwater reef viewing boat), glass bottom boat, underwater observatory and even an exciting fish feed by the on-board marine naturalist.

Upgrade to an unforgettable scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef to experience the world’s largest coral reef from a birds-eye perspective, easily a highlight to any Tropical Far North Queensland holiday.

10 Minute Scenic Reef Flight

Cruise to and from the outer reef interactive pontoon on our fast air-conditioned catamaran, departing from the Cairns Marina daily 9.30am and returning at 5.30pm.

Once on-board the friendly Helicopter crew will assist you to set your 10 minute scenic flight departure time and provide a short safety briefing. Once at the pontoon you’ll have time to enjoy all the other in water activities offered as well as your pre-booked scenic helicopter flight.

When your flight time is due a crew member will ferry you over to the helicopter pontoon platform by tender where your experienced pilot will be awaiting and ready to whisk you up into the skies above for an absolutely breathtaking view of the surrounding coral reefs, keep an eye out for turtles, rays, reef sharks and even Minke and Humpback whales in the winter months.

Please note return accommodation transfers not included in the Cruise/Cruise with 10 minute scenic flight

Cruise/Fly

Upgrade your Great Barrier Reef tour to a Cruise/fly package to make your Great Barrier Reef trip one you will never forget. Cruise by boat to the outer reef pontoon on-board our high speed catamaran and then return to Cairns in the afternoon in style on board the Helicopter for a low level scenic flight. Now this is the life!

Departure from Cairns’ Marlin Marina is at 9.30am; enjoy a morning tea or coffee on arrival to the boat and an informative marine and safety presentation whilst cruising out to the reef platform.

The on-board helicopter crew member will seek you out and inform you of your afternoon helicopter departure meeting point, time and also conduct a short safety briefing.

With 3 hours on the outer reef pontoon you’ll be able to experience all the in-water reef viewing activities that are on offer as well as a delicious buffet lunch.

As the day draws to an end and fellow passengers are boarding the catamaran for the return cruise you’ll be ferried with your belongings over to the helicopter platform and embark on your spectacular scenic flight back to Cairns.

Lift up over the reefs and take in the beauty of the coral formations as you head towards the green luscious mountains surrounding Cairns.

Your helicopter flight path takes you over Moore and Sudbury Reefs, Fitzroy Island, Cape Grafton and Cairns City before touching down at General Aviation at 3.20pm. Cairns Helicopters will return passengers to their Cairns or Northern Beaches accommodation.

Fly/Cruise

Depart the helicopter general aviation at 11.30am on an impressive scenic flight over Cairns City and out to the Great Barrier Reef and make your way out the Great Barrier Reef.

Witness the colour variations as you approach the reef systems, the clear shallow waters surrounding the coral reefs are home to a variety of marine life that can be viewed from your helicopter’s windows.

Capture photographic memories as your low level flight travels towards the floating pontoon, as your experienced pilot touches down on the separate helicopter platform crew members will be waiting in the transfer tender to ferry you across for a day of fun reef viewing activities and tropical buffet lunch.

Return on the fast air-conditioned catamaran to Cairns for an ETA of 5.30pm at the Marlin Marina.

Fly/Fly Helicopter To The Outer Reef 

Upgrade to fly out out to the reef like a rockstar both ways, this is a perfect option for those with limited time or would rather not travel by boat.

Complimentary return transfers are available from Cairns and Northern Beaches accommodation. Your friendly helicopter staff will assist with a safety briefing and information regarding your day before your flight takes off at 11.25am over Cairns City. 

Enjoy approx. 3.5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel and join the reef viewing boats for a spectacular close up experience of the corals and marine life, have a delicious tropical lunch with prawns and watch the fish feed led by the marine naturalist.

On-board crew will assist you and your belongings on the ferry transfers between the helicopter platform and pontoon on arrival and departure.

You will then board the helicopter again taking a different route back to Cairns. Arrive back at Cairns General Aviation at 3.20pm.

See more Cairns scenic helicopter flight options

Important Information: Weights of individual passengers and accompanying carryon luggage (max 5 kg) MUST be advised at time of booking. A weight variance greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130kg.