The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and Australia's most iconic natural treasure. Stretching over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast, it is the largest living structure on Earth. From Cairns, you have front-door access to some of the reef's most pristine and biodiverse sections. Crystal-clear tropical water, vibrant coral gardens, and unforgettable encounters with sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, clownfish, and more than 1,500 species of fish await.
Great Barrier Reef Tours - Available Tours
- Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel - Great Barrier Reef Cruise - From AUD $255.00 (Full day (Approx. 08:15 – 17:00)) - Join Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel for a unique Great Barrier Reef cruise that combines Australia's Indigenous culture with breathtaking marine life. Enjoy five hours exploring two premium outer reef sites
- Tusa - Outer Reef Snorkelling (Half Day) - From AUD $195.00 (Half day (check-in 8:40am; itinerary returns ~2:00pm; includes ~90-minute boat transit and up to 2 hours snorkelling)) - Experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef with a half-day snorkelling tour. Enjoy expert guidance, up to two hours of snorkelling, and optional lunchbox meals for a memorable experience aboard our
- Birds & Butterflies - From AUD $24.00 - Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Birdworld Kuranda, home to over 350 free-flying birds and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Experience handfeeding, stunning photo ops, and the lush rainfore
- Frankland Islands Reef & Rainforest Full Day - From AUD $260.00 (Full day (approx. vessel departs Deeral 8:30am, returns ~4:00pm; coach transfers commence from 7:00am)) - Join us for an all-inclusive adventure at Frankland Islands, where you can snorkel, enjoy guided walks, and relax with a beachside buffet lunch. Experience the unique beauty of Normanby Island, the on
- Great Barrier Reef Moore Reef Pontoon Full Day - From AUD $317.00 (Full day) - Experience the Great Barrier Reef like never before with Sunlover's Moore Reef tour! Our expert marine team ensures a memorable day filled with snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and more. Enjoy a d
- 3-Day Reef, Rainforest & Outback - From AUD $600.00 (3 days) - This 3-day adventure with Billy Tea Safari includes a full day on the Great Barrier Reef, a day in the Daintree Rainforest, and a day exploring the Chillagoe Caves and Outback. Enjoy guided tours, wil
- Kuranda Explorer - From AUD $70.00 (45 minutes for the river cruise.) - Experience the Kuranda Explorer package featuring three amazing attractions: Birdworld Kuranda, where you can interact with over 350 free-flying birds; Kuranda Koala Gardens, home to native Australian
- Reef Magic Pontoon - From AUD $325.00 (5 hours) - Experience the outer Great Barrier Reef at Reef Magic's exclusive Marine World pontoon. Enjoy a 90-minute cruise to the pontoon, where you have 5 hours to explore pristine coral gardens, join our Mari
- Chillagoe Caves & Outback Tour from Cairns - From AUD $239.00 (Full day) - Billy Tea Safaris offers the only Full Day Outback Tour from Cairns! Experience a completely different side of Tropical North Queensland on a full-day Chillagoe Caves & Outback Tour from Cairns. Tra
- Bespoke Birdworld - An Intimate Experience! - From AUD $70.00 (1-2 hours) - Bespoke Birdworld offers an exclusive 30-minute tour with our keepers at 9.30am, before public hours. Experience hand-feeding endangered cassowaries and other birds. Max 6 guests.
- Zipline Canopy Tour — Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation - From AUD $145.00 (Approx 2 hours session) - Explore the Daintree Rainforest on a zipline canopy tour at Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation. Experience heights of up to 15 metres while gliding across nine ziplines ranging from 15 to 130 metres
- Tusa - Outer Reef Intro to Scuba Diving (Half Day) - From AUD $315.00 (Half day) - Experience a half-day trip to the Great Barrier Reef with Tusa Reef Tours, featuring an introductory diving experience for non-certified divers. Accompanied by experienced PADI instructors, participan
- Cairns Whale Watching - From AUD $159.00 (Full day) - Cairns only dedicated humpback whale watching day tour — a scenic marine cruise to known whale hotspots combined with free time on Fitzroy Island. Led by qualified marine biologists, the tour runs dai
- Cruise / Fly - Full Day Trip - From AUD $630.00 (Full day) - Join us for an unforgettable full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef! This tour includes snorkeling, a delicious BBQ lunch, and a breathtaking 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef and
- Evolution Yacht Gold Class VIP Lounge - From AUD $799.00 (Full day) - Exclusive Gold Class Lounge access aboard the Evolution yacht on the Great Barrier Reef. Limited to 8 guests, the Gold Class experience includes a private concierge, dedicated snorkelling guide, fully
- Kuranda By Design - From AUD $170.00 (1-2 hours) - Experience an exclusive VIP package at Birdworld and Kuranda Koala Gardens. Enjoy a bespoke tour with keepers, meet a wombat, and take a koala patting photo.
- Kuranda Wildlife Experience - From AUD $24.00 (Approximately 3-4 hours, allowing ample time to explore Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens, and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.) - Immerse yourself in the vibrant wildlife of Kuranda at Birdworld, featuring over 350 free-flying birds in a stunning rainforest habitat. Experience hand-feeding, photo opportunities, and the enchantin
- Birdworld Kuranda Park Entry - From AUD $24.00 (1-2 hours) - Discover Birdworld Kuranda, home to nearly 60 species of free-flying birds from Australia and beyond. Enjoy hand-feeding opportunities and capture stunning photos in a beautifully landscaped rainfores
- Frankland Islands Express - Half Day - From AUD $185.00 (Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes (vessel departs Deeral 10:15am and returns approx 2:30pm).) - Join our Express Tour to the Frankland Islands for a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Enjoy swimming, beach exploration, and snorkeling in the stunning waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Idea
- Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation Day Tour - From AUD $239.00 (Full day) - Experience a personalized full-day tour through the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Enjoy a scenic coastal drive, a guided boardwalk tour, and a refreshing swim in a rainforest stream. Spot
- Undara, Cobbold Gorge & Outback 4 Day Tour - From AUD $3235.00 (4 days) - Experience the essence of Queensland's outback on this four-day journey through diverse landscapes, including rainforest highlands, volcanic formations, and expansive savannahs. Departing from Cairns,
- Friends in the Rainforest Package - From AUD $43.00 (1-2 hours) - Experience the wonders of Birdworld Kuranda, a family-operated wildlife attraction featuring over 60 species of free-flying birds and unique encounters with native Australian animals. Enjoy close inte
- 3 Day Outback, Reef and Skyrail - From AUD $795.00 (4 days) - Experience three unforgettable days exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Skyrail, and the Outback. Enjoy a luxurious cruise on the EVOLUTION, glide over the rainforest, and discover the Chillagoe Caves a
- 4 Day Reef, Rainforest, Outback and Skyrail - From AUD $795.00 (4 days) - This 4-Day Package Bundle offers an immersive experience of Cairns, encompassing the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Outback, and the Kuranda Train and Skyrail. Note: There has been an itiner
- Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Cairns - From AUD $275.00 (Full day) - Full-day outer reef cruise aboard the award-winning 35-metre superyacht Evolution, operated by Down Under Cruise and Dive. Visit two exclusive outer reef locations at Norman, Saxon, or Hastings Reef f
- Get High Package - Reef Cruise + Heli Scenic - From AUD $440.00 (Full day (approx 8.5 hours)) - The ultimate reef experience combining a full-day outer reef cruise aboard the luxury superyacht Evolution with a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy over 5 hours at two exclus
- Reef Magic Pontoon with Helicopter Flight (10 minute) - From AUD $525.00 (10 minutes flying time) - Join us for a full day at our Reef Magic pontoon on the stunning outer reef, where you can explore the vibrant underwater world. Your adventure also includes a breath-taking 10-minute scenic helicopte
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Great Barrier Reef tour is best for first-time visitors?
For first-time visitors, we recommend pontoon-based tours like Great Adventures, Reef Magic, or Sunlover Cruises. These offer stable platforms, calm swimming areas, underwater observatories for non-swimmers, and all equipment included.
Do I need to know how to swim to visit the reef?
No! Many reef tours cater to non-swimmers with glass-bottom boat tours, underwater observatories, and semi-submersible vessels. You can experience the magic of the reef without entering the water.
What marine life will I see on the Great Barrier Reef?
The reef is home to six of the world's seven sea turtle species, clownfish, reef sharks, giant clams, manta rays, and over 1,500 species of tropical fish. Dolphins are frequently spotted on the boat trip out.
What is the best time of year to visit the Great Barrier Reef?
The reef is a year-round destination. June to October (dry season) brings calm seas, excellent visibility, and comfortable temperatures. November sees coral spawning. The wet season offers warmer waters ideal for diving.