Best Great Barrier Reef Tour from Cairns
If you are looking for the best Great Barrier Reef Tour from Cairns you have come to the right spot!
With so many Great Barrier Reef Tours to choose from, it is hard to know which one is the best for you. This list makes it easier to see what each tour offers and how much the tour costs.
All of the tours that include snorkeling also have wetsuits and snorkel equipment, so no need to bring your own. Many of the tours also have prescription masks if needed. Just click the link to the tour to see more information.
Whether you want to see the Great Barrier Reef from the water or from the sky, there are lots of options leaving from Cairns.
Find the best Great Barrier Reef tours below.
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Sunlover Reef Cruises
✔ Waterslide
✔ Wheelchair Accessible
✔ Many Activities Included and Available to Add-On
Best Great Barrier Reef Boat Tours from Cairns
Great Barrier Reef Cruise with Water Activities
⭐ 4.6/5
🗺️ Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina
💲 315, $155 for Kids, Free for Under 3
🛒 Book Now
One of the later boat tours is the 9 a.m. start with Reef Magic. This Great Barrier Reef Cruise leaves from Cairns Marlin Marina and lasts about 8 hours.
In addition to time snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, guests can go on a glass-bottom boat, see the reef from a semi-submarine, join a marine biologist on a guided snorkel safari, or scuba dive. There is even an option to Helmet Dive, where you don’t get your hair wet!
This is the only Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns that includes a science lab where marine biologist presentations are held. Fish feeding and fish identification classes are available.
There is even an infant swimming area with a supervisor.
Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are provided.
What separates this Great Barrier Reef Tour from the others? Indigenous rangers tell the Great Barrier Reef creation story, talk about the local tribes, and explain the ecosystem.
The snorkeling is led by a marine specialist. This tour provides a unique Great Barrier Reef experience.
My family went on the Great Adventures tour to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, which you can read all about.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience from Cairns
⭐ 4.6/5
🗺️ Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina
💲 225 for adults, $145 for kids, free for under 3s
🛒 Book Now
Meet at 9 a.m. at Cairns Marlin Marina on most days throughout the year to join the Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience.
Adult tickets cost $255 per person, and kids ages 4-14 cost $145 each. Kids 3 and under are free.
5 hours of this 9-hour tour provided by Reef Magic includes water activities, including two different snorkeling spots on the Great Barrier Reef.
Morning and afternoon tea are provided, as is a buffet lunch.
All-Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Trip with Scuba Dive
⭐ 4.4/5
🗺️ Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina or Pickup from your hotel
💲 260, $175 for kids, 3 and under free
🛒 Book Now
This all-inclusive Great Barrier Reef tour begins with breakfast and coffee.
You will visit 2 locations for snorkeling, and those who want can scuba dive. If you are certified, you can dive, and those who are not can participate in a 20-minute introductory lesson.
A BBQ lunch is provided, as is a glass of wine with cheese and crackers in the afternoon.
Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran
⭐ 4.8/5
🗺️ Meet at Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal
💲 Starting at $269, Kids $169, Under 4 Free
🛒 Book Now
Opt to dive or snorkel on a Great Barrier Reef Cruise on a catamaran. Kids 12+ can dive with parental consent.
Kids 4-14 are eligible for a discounted ticket, and those under 4 are free.
Guests will relax on a catamaran, enjoy a buffet lunch, and spend time snorkeling in multiple parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
Morning and afternoon tea are provided, as is lunch. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. A bar is available to purchase drinks.
If you are looking for a great place to enjoy a meal with kids back in Cairns, check out this list of kid-friendly restaurants.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour
⭐ 4.6/5
🗺️ Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina
💲 275, $195 for kids
🛒 Book Now
Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina at 8 a.m. to join Divers Den on an 8-hour snorkeling tour that includes lunch.
Opt to sit inside in the air-conditioning or out on the sundeck on a luxury boat that only carries 80 passengers at a time.
Morning tea is provided, as is a buffet lunch. Coffee, tea, and water are available throughout the day. Snacks and other drinks can be purchased.
Two private reef locations will be visited, with a total of 5 hours spent on the reef.
Hot showers are available on the boat for those who wish to change into dry clothes after snorkeling.
Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight
⭐ 4.6/5
🗺️ Meet at Cairns Marlin Marina
💲 395, $330
🛒 Book Now
Do you want to see the Great Barrier Reef from the water and from the sky? Book Down Under Cruise and Dive’s Cruise and Helicopter Flight.
Kids ages up to 16 qualify for a child ticket.
The helicopter ride lasts 10 minutes, and snorkeling takes place for 5 hours at 2 different snorkel spots.
A BBQ lunch is included, with vegetarian options. Wine and a snack are provided on the return journey.
Find more great day tours from Cairns.
Silverswift 3 Great Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day
⭐ 4.7/5
🗺️ Meet at Reef Fleet Terminal
💲 296, $219 for Kids, Free for Under 4s
🛒 Book Now
Great Adventures Reef and Island Cruises leads an 8-hour boat tour to the Great Barrier Reef, where participants can snorkel or dive at multiple sights.
This is the fastest boat cruise from Cairns, which allows more time at the reef.
Morning and afternoon tea are included, as is lunch.
A guided snorkel tour takes place, and there is lifeguard supervision.
Sunlover Reef Cruises
⭐ 4.5/5
🗺️ Reef Fleet Terminal
💲 295, $169 for Kids, Free for Under 4s
🛒 Book Now
A catamaran drives out to a pontoon boat on this Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns, which is available in multiple languages.
Four hours are spent at the reef with included options of a glass bottom boat, underwater observatory, marine life touch tank, and a kids’ ocean pool.
There is also a waterslide!
Lots of extras are available, including scuba diving, a guided snorkel trip, or a helicopter ride.
Lunch is included, as is tea and coffee.
This boat cruise is wheelchair and pram accessible.
Showers and change rooms are available on the pontoon so you can ride back to Cairns in dry clothes.
Outer Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour
⭐ 4.7/5
🗺️ Reef Fleet Terminal
💲 265, $165 for Kids, Free for Under 4s
🛒 Book Now
Take a luxury boat to the Great Barrier Reef with Down Under Cruise & Dive.
Five hours of snorkeling are included at 2 different spots. Diving is available for those who want to try it, including an introductory dive.
A BBQ lunch with veggie options is included, as is a glass of wine and a snack. Allergies can be catered to upon request.
Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip
⭐ 4.9/5
🗺️ Cairns Marlin Marina
💲 269, $200 for Kids
🛒 Book Now
Sail around the Great Barrier Reef with a small group, owner-operated tour.
Lunch, tea & coffee, and snacks are included in this 9-hour sail.
Snorkeling can be done on your own or with a guide. Usually, two different snorkeling sites are visited.
Does the forecast call for rain? Luckily, there are plenty of fun things to do in Cairns when it's raining.
Best Multi-Day Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns
Great Barrier Reef Overnight Snorkeling Boat Trip
⭐ 4.6/5
🗺️ Hotel Pick Up
💲 700
🛒 Book Now
Join Divers Den on a 2-day or 3-day snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef with hotel pick-up from Cairns.
All of the rooms are twin-shared. Single participants will be matched with a similar traveler.
Multiple snorkeling trips take place, no matter which tour you choose, though, of course, there are more chances to snorkel on the longer tour.
Meals are included, as are hot drinks and water.
German-speaking instructors are available each Monday-Friday on the Great Barrier Reef Overnight Snorkeling Tour from Cairns.
This tour is for those 12+ only. Anyone 11 or younger is not allowed to join.
Best Great Barrier Reef From Above Tours
Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight
⭐ 4.9/5
🗺️ Meet at Daintree Air Services near Cairns Airport
💲 239
🛒 Book Now
Meet Air Tours Australia near Cairns Airport to go on a scenic flight and view Green Island and multiple parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
The 40-minute flight includes window seats and plenty of photo opportunities. In the winter months, whales can be seen in the water.
Multiple flights are available daily starting at 9 a.m.
Air Whitsunday 40-Minute Great Barrier Reef Flight
⭐ 4.9/5
🗺️ Meet near Cairns Airport
💲 269
🛒 Book Now
Another option for a 40-minute flight over the Great Barrier Reef also offers all window seats and incredible views.
In-flight commentary is provided as you soar above multiple islands and areas of the Great Barrier Reef.
Kids under 3 are free if they sit on a parent’s lap.
Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Ride
⭐ 4.5/5
🗺️ Meet at 2 Pier Point Road, Cairns City
💲 458 for a minimum of 2, additional price for additional people
🛒 Book Now
Fly above Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef on a 30-minute-long helicopter ride.
A minimum of 2 people need to book at a time, and the helicopter fits 6-7 people. Kids 3+ need to have their own seat.
Commentary is given throughout the flight.
Hopefully you have time to check out Daintree! Here is our guide to the best things to do in Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
What to Bring on a Great Barrier Reef Tour
Of course, this list varies depending on whether you are going to see the Great Barrier Reef by sea, sky, or both.
- sunglasses
- camera
- bathing suit
- towel
- hat
- sunscreen
- change of clothes
- snacks
- water bottle
- sea sickness tablets
Great Barrier Reef from Cairns FAQ
Depending on the type of boat and the area of the Great Barrier Reef, the ride from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef is 1.5 to 2 hours.
Yes, it is easy to visit the Great Barrier Reef in 1 day on a boat tour from Cairns.
While Port Douglas is slightly closer to the Great Barrier Reef, the boat tours out of Cairns tend to be faster. Plus, there are more boat tour options from Cairns.
Stinger season runs November-April. During this time, it is still possible to swim at the Great Barrier Reef (we went in January), but you should wear a stinger suit. Stinger suits are usually provided by the tour.
Great Barrier Reef from Cairns Wrap-Up
With so many tours to choose from, it is hard to decide which Great Barrier Reef tour to take from Cairns, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the options on this list.
Once you decide on a budget and what kind of inclusions you are hoping for, it is easier to find the right tour for you.
Some of these tours have children’s ticket prices, and some include kids 3 and under for free, while others only have adult prices for all ages. Most of the tours on this list are kid-friendly, but others are only for teens and adults.
Opt to take a boat tour to the Great Barrier Reef and a helicopter ride on the same day, or book two different tours if you would rather experience the reef on multiple days.
There is even an option to spend the night on a boat at the Great Barrier Reef.
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