How much is a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef?

You really need to see the Great Barrier Reef from above and below the waters surface to really appreciate the majesty of this World Heritage listed location and the best way to do that is on a helicopter ride and a Great Barrier Reef combo dive & snorkel tour. Barrier Reef Australia has the biggest range of Helicopter Scenic Flights & Great Barrier Reef Combo package tour deals that enable visitors to explore the reef in so many more ways. One of the most popular Helicopter & reef combo flights are our Fly/Cruise & Cruise/Fly packages where guests are flown out to an interactive pontoon in the middle of the Great Barrrier Reef where they can spend the day in semi-submarines, glass bottom boats, underwater observatories, diving and snorkelling. Guests can choose to return to port via helicopter or on the boat cruise. Some of the best scenic flights are to remote sand cays in the middle of the reef where you can land to swim and enjoy bubbles & nibbles. The choices of flights are endless and you can choose to fly from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, Townsville & Magnetic Island or from Cairns and Port Douglas. Just don't leave your helicopter & reef combo booking to the last minute as seat capacity is limited in all Great Barrier Reef locations.

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Frequently asked questions about Helicopter & Reef Combo

Can you fly by helicopter to the Great Barrier Reef?

Yes. Several Great Barrier Reef tours include helicopter flights that land at outer reef pontoons, tropical islands or even sand cays. These experiences allow you to enjoy spectacular aerial views before spending time snorkelling or relaxing on the reef. Tours depart from Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.

What is included in a Great Barrier Reef helicopter and reef combo tour?

Most helicopter and reef combo tours include a scenic helicopter flight together with several hours on the Great Barrier Reef. Depending on the tour, inclusions may feature snorkelling equipment, introductory or certified scuba diving options, guided snorkel tours, buffet lunch, glass-bottom boat tours, semi-submersible experiences and return boat or helicopter transfers.

Which destinations offer helicopter and reef combo tours?

Helicopter and reef combo tours operate from several gateway destinations including Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. Each region offers different reef experiences, from the Outer Great Barrier Reef and coral pontoons to iconic locations such as Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach.

Can you land on the Great Barrier Reef by helicopter?

Yes, on selected tours. Some helicopter experiences land on Outer Reef pontoons, tropical islands or coral cays, allowing you to snorkel, dive or relax after your flight. While you can fly over iconic locations such as Heart Reef, landing there is not permitted to protect this fragile natural coral formation there is just one option where you can land near Heart Reef at an exclusive pontoon and snorkel the nearby reef.

Is a helicopter and reef combo tour a good choice if I get seasick?

Yes, a heli and reef tour combo it's a great option. You can choose to fly one way and cruise back, or fly both ways and skip the cruise all together. 

How much is a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef?

Great Barrier Reef helicopter flights start around $275 for a short 10-15 min flight, then increase to around AUD $450–$500 per person for a 30-minute scenic flight. Prices increase for longer flights, private charters and experiences combining the reef with islands, beaches or rainforest.  You can book a fly-cruise combo tour from around $500, and helicopter ride/sand cay landing for around $1200.

What is the best helicopter tour for the Great Barrier Reef?

The best Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour depends on where you are staying. Cairns and Port Douglas are ideal for outer reef and rainforest combinations, while the Whitsundays offer spectacular flights over Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet.

Is a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef worth it?

Yes, a helicopter flight offers a completely different perspective of the Great Barrier Reef, revealing the scale, colours, coral formations, islands and sand cays that cannot be fully appreciated from sea level. It is particularly popular for milestone celebrations and special occasions.  Read more to help you decide if the expense of a scenic flight is worth it.