• Departing from Cairns our catamaran charter boat sails to 2 stunning coral reef moorings on the very edge of the outer Great Barrier Reef.
• Our Cairns charter boat caters for small group private charters with a maximum of 20 guests for special events and celebrations 
• Charter our small group boat for your family and friends to dive & snorkel the Great Barrier Reef on your time and in your way. The skipper will show you the best places to explore so you have a memorable day on the reef off Cairns 
• When you charter our boat in Cairns we include a crew of 3-4, delicious meals, snorkel & dive gear, free guided snorkel tour, spa on deck, trampoline net on deck and more.  

Cairns dive & snorkel tour, only 20 guests, 42 foot (13 metres) catamaran. Dive & snorkel 2 reef locations on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

What to Expect

One of the most popular charter boats for day tours in Cairns for guests to explore the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef your way and on your time. Join an exclusive private charter dive and snorkel tour from Cairns aboard a spacious 42-foot (13-meter) catamaran designed for small private groups of up to 20 guests. Departing from Cairns Marlin Marina around 8:00 am, you’ll enjoy a scenic two-hour cruise to two stunning mooring locations on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

Relax in the comfort of this intimate setting while our attentive charter boat crew provides personalised service, from welcoming you onboard with hot coffee or tea to tailoring your personal itinerary for the day. Whether you soak up the sunshine on the bow net, unwind in the shaded saloon, or chat with the skipper at the helm, this Great Barrier Reef tour promises a memorable and serene experience for your charter group.

You’ll explore the Upolu Reef, a part of the Arlington Reef system located approximately 32 kilometres from Cairns. Known for its rich marine biodiversity and crystal-clear waters with visibility up to 15 meters, this reef is a haven for snorkellers and divers alike. Spend four hours discovering vibrant coral gardens, colourful fish, and unique marine creatures at two distinct reef locations.

Features and Highlights

Intimate Group Setting

• Exclusive charter boat tour for up to 20 guests, ensuring a personalised and uncrowded experience.
• Spacious 42-foot catamaran with shaded areas, a bow net for sunbathing, and even a spa tub.

Two Outer Great Barrier Reef Locations

• Visit two carefully selected mooring spots on Upolu Reef for varied underwater exploration.
• Encounter vibrant coral formations, including staghorn, brain, and boulder corals.

Diverse Marine Life

• Observe reef sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, starfish, and a variety of colourful pelagic fish.
• Meet friendly resident batfish, Emily and Max, who love interacting with snorkellers and scuba divers.

Guided Snorkelling Tours

• Professional marine interpreters lead guided snorkel tours, identifying coral species and marine life.
• Flotation equipment provided for non-swimmers or those less confident in the water.

Scuba Diving Options

• Cater to certified and non-certified divers with all equipment included.
• Two separate dives at distinct locations to maximise your underwater adventure.
• Medical clearance required for diving—ensure all participants review and complete the necessary forms.

Premium Service and Flexibility

• Tailored itineraries to suit your group’s preferences, whether focusing on snorkelling, diving, or relaxing.
• Onboard comfort and safety guaranteed by experienced crew and high-quality equipment.

Scenic Sailing Experience

• Two hours of peaceful sailing to and from the reef, with opportunities to spot dolphins riding the bow waves.
• Stunning views of the Coral Sea as you relax onboard with cooling sea breezes.

This Cairns charter boat combines the best of luxury, adventure, and marine exploration, offering a truly unique way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Ensure you book early to secure your spot on this sought-after private charter boat!

See all charter boats in Cairns and Port Douglas.

For luxury charter yachts consult the crew at YOTSPACE.

Dive and Snorkel Upolu Reef

Our sail boats destination for our day of snorkelling and scuba diving is the Upolu Reef which is approximately 32.3 kilometres from the Cairns Marlin Marina and forms a continuation of the Arlington Reef.

This outer Barrier Reef system offers guests a wide variety of hard and soft corals, giant bommies, staghorn, plate, brain and boulder corals along with large and small clam shells.

Some of the marine life you will see are the ever so shy black tip and white tip reef sharks, small stingrays hiding under the sand, sea cucumbers, turtles, starfish and lots of colourful pelagic fishes.

Due to the size of the Upolu Reef snorkelers and scuba divers are blessed with a wide variety of marine life gin clear water which normally offers underwater visibility up to 15 metres and water depths of up 8-15 metres 

When entering the water we advise our private charter groups to be prepared to be greeted by the friendly fish duo Emily & Max, the resident Bat Fish that just love coming up to the scuba divers and snorkelers to say hello.

Emily and Max know the exact time to be at the Upolu Reef mooring in the hope they may have a free feed and get a bit of loving attention from our guests.

There are quite a number of fish on the Great Barrier Reef who are tuned into the times the Great Barrier Reef tour boats arrive at their little patch on the reef and to the guests delight, they are always there to meet the them as they enter the water.

Each of these fish have names and they are as playful as little puppies and certainly love to dominate in underwater photographs so ensure you bring your waterproof camera along.

Read about Wally the famous Maori Wrasse    

Your private charter boat will take you to 2 mooring locations on Upolu Reef ensuring you get to see and experience the different varieties of corals and marine life that inhabit those areas and you will have a total of four hours of leisure time on the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkelling The Great Barrier Reef

When you book a private charter boat trip from Cairns the choice of activities can be yours to choose for the day.

You and your group of guests may wish to just go snorkelling all day.

We will provide a marine interpreter to give you a private guided snorkelling tour around the coral reefs and point out all the names of the coral varieties and the colourful marine life that inhabit these complex eco systems.

If some of your charter guests are non-swimmers or not so confident in the water we can provide flotation equipment so they too can enjoy all there is to see on the Great Barrier Reef.

Scuba Dive The Great Barrier Reef

We cater for both certified and non-certified scuba divers on board our small boutique style sailing boat to experience the fabulous underwater world of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

On this private charter reef tour, we have plenty of time to offer our guests with 2 dives, one in each different reef location to ensure you see as much as you can in the one day.

All equipment is included and the price varies for certified and non-certified scuba divers.

Please read the medical requirements here for scuba divers prior to booking your private boat charter and ensure all of your group are aware that they need to sign a form saying they are medically fit to dive and have no medical issues. 

Take a look at more Great Barrier Reef private charter boat options 

See more luxury private charter tour options.

Catering

The following menu items are provided for the guests:

Morning (check in):

coffee, tea and danish/pastry

Lunch (tropical style buffet):

•  pasta salad
•  potato salad
•  garden salad
•  cold cut deli meat selection,
•  cold roast chicken legs and,
•  bread & butter

Afternoon (return journey):

•  tropical fruit platter
•  cheese & crackers
•  1 complimentary wine 
•  1 complementary soft drink

Tour Languages Offered

• English
• German
• Japanese

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

Variable - on request for private charters

Departure Instructions

• We can organise return transfers from accommodation or please board on boat at Marlin Marina, Cairns, D Finger
• Check in 7:30am, departs 7:45am, returns 4:30pm

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• 2 sites at Upolu Reef, the edge of the Outer Barrier Reef (Weather permitting)

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

Approx 4 hours at Upolu Reef
1.5 - 2 hours boat cruise each way

Available for Purchase / Hire

Certified and Introductory Scuba Diving

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Swimming Costume, Towel, Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Camera, Dry Clothes, Money for Reef taxes and marine levy (approx $15.00) and any extras purchased on board. Certification card & log book (cert. divers only)