Back Previous Pages

Cairns Scenic Flights - Helicopter Ride Great Barrier Reef - 30 Min | ZM

Tour Code: 1032

Operated By: Zoom Helicopters

Departing: Cairns

Cairns Helicopter Flights - 30 Min Reef
  • View the Great Barrier Reef with a birds eye view, on our most popular Cairns helicopter flights!
  • This is a 30 minute Great Barrier Reef helicopter ride to blow your mind. The visual beauty of the reef and her islands can only be taken in fully from the seat of a helicopter from Cairns on a low level scenic flight. 
  • Cairns helicopter flights allow you to see the expansive size of the Great Barrier Reef, her islands and coral cays. Such a beautiful way to see the reef before snorkelling and diving the reef. 
  • Whilst on your helicopter ride we pass over Upolu Cay, Vlasoff Cay, Green Island, False Cape, Arlington Reef. You even get to see the magnificent rainforest covered mountains surrounding the reef. 

Included In Price

  • 30 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight Over The Great Barrier Reef

Our most popular Cairns helicopter scenic flight. This 30 minute Great Barrier Reef scenic flight takes in the highlights of the inner reef from Cairns city.

What to Expect

Popular Cairns Helicopter Scenic Flight: 30-Minute Great Barrier Reef Tour

Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Barrier Reef on our most popular 30-minute helicopter scenic flight from Cairns. This unforgettable experience offers breathtaking aerial views of the world’s largest coral reef system, providing a unique perspective that simply can’t be matched from the ground or sea.

As you relax in the seat of the helicopter gliding above the turquoise waters, you’ll have the chance to spot marine life such as turtles, sharks, and even humpback whales during the season (July - November). This Cairns helicopter ride is ideal for visitors wanting to fully appreciate the sheer scale and vibrant colours of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding landscapes.

Features and Highlights

  • Incredible Reef Views: Take in stunning views of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef as your helicopter soars over the intricate coral formations and crystal-clear waters. Your flight offers an up-close look at the marine life and vibrant hues of the Great Barrier Reef from a bird’s-eye perspective.
  • Cairns and Coastal Highlights: Departing from Cairns General Aviation Airport, your helicopter scenic flight adventure begins with views of the city, Trinity Inlet, and the surrounding coastal landscapes. You’ll pass False Cape, a historical site with remnants of World War II defences, as well as Mt Yarrabah, Mission Bay, and Cape Grafton on the southern side of Cairns.
  • Explore Iconic Reef Sites: Your helicopter ride takes you over iconic reef sites including Green Island, a 6,000-year-old coral cay with its own native rainforest ecosystem. Continue north to the western side of Arlington Reef, where you may spot turtles, stingrays, and reef sharks swimming below.
  • Vlasoff Cay and Upolu Cay: Marvel at the beauty of Vlasoff Cay, a tiny sand island that almost disappears at high tide, before flying over the stunning Upolu Cay. Capture postcard-perfect pictures of these secluded cays from your helicopter seat.
  • Coastal and Rainforest Views: As your helicopter ride heads back to Cairns, enjoy panoramic views of the Far North Queensland coastline, framed by the lush rainforest-covered slopes of the Great Dividing Range. The contrast between the reef, rainforest, and cityscape creates a truly spectacular sight.

Perfect for Cruise Ship Passengers

  • If you’re visiting Cairns on cruise ship, this helicopter scenic flight tour is an excellent option for a shore excursion. With a short duration and easy access from the port, it’s a great way to maximise your time in this beautiful region.

Additional Scenic Flights

  • Explore more Cairns helicopter scenic flights and check out additional options for Port Douglas helicopter flights. See all helicopter and reef combo package tours. Whether you’re looking for a quick overview of the reef or a more immersive experience, there are plenty of options to suit your needs.
  • Please note you must book your helicopter flights far in advance due to limited seat capacity and number of daily flights.

For cruise ship passengers, read more about our tailored shore tours in Cairns for the best ways to explore this stunning area.

Read more about scenic flights on the Great Barrier Reef on our Blog.

Tour Languages Offered
  • English
Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

Departure time confirmed at time of booking

Destinations
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Arlington Reef
  • Vlasoff Cay
Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

30 Minutes

Available for Purchase / Hire

In flight video

Fitness Level Required

Low

Restrictions

Weight variances greater than 10% of that advised at the time of booking may incur additional charges and/or luggage allowances being reduced. Operator reserves the right to refuse travel and charge a 100% cancellation fee.

Weight: Up to 130 Kg / 287 Lb

Camera (charged)

  • Children 2 years and above are legally required to be seated in their own seat and are therefore required to pay the full ticket price.
  • Children aged 2 years to 13 years must be accompanied by an adult on all flights.
  • Children who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday are classified as infants and may travel free of charge (seated on a parent/guardian’s lap utilising a company provided infant seat belt restraint).
  • Only one (1) infant is permitted to travel in an aircraft.
  • Please notify us at the time if booking advise if passengers are travelling with infants

Our T&Cs

All cancellations must be in writing.

We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.

In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.

Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.

Additional Tour Operator's T&Cs

All passengers travelling with Zoom Helicopters accept the terms and conditions detailed below.

Operating Hours

7 days per week

  • Office 08:00am to 6:00pm
  • After Hours 07:00am to 9:00 pm

Prices

  • Fares are listed per person, in Australian dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of GST.

EMC

  • EMC is the Environment Management Charge levied by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to fund its care and upkeep.
  • EMC charges apply to all adults and children, four years and over, when entering the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  • All published prices include EMC charges.

Fuel Surcharge

  • With global oil price fluctuations, a fuel surcharge may be applied to any advertised ticket price. Where applicable, any surcharge will be payable at checkin.
  • Fuel surcharges are not currently being applied.

Safety

  • Safety is our overarching priority - without exception.
  • The pilot in command’s decision is final regarding the carriage of luggage, seat allocation and commencement continuation or termination of any flight during periods of inclement weather.
  • Passengers will receive a safety briefing prior to departure.
  • When flying over water, all passengers are required to wear a life jacket for the duration of the flight.
  • Smoking is strictly forbidden in or around helicopters.

Booking Conditions

  • All flights are confirmed subject to availability, weather and booking minimums (passenger numbers).
  • Single passenger bookings are welcomed; however, all listed tours require a minimum of two (2) passengers.
  • In accordance with CASA regulations, all passengers are required to provide full name, accurate weight and baggage details prior to their flight.
  • Seat allocation for flights is determined at the discretion of pilot / ground crew based on aircraft weight and balance to ensure the safety of all passengers.
  • Reservations are only confirmed when passenger weights have been advised and full payment is made – unless credit facilities have been agreed in advance.

Flight Cancellation By Zoom Helicopters

  • Tour(s) and aircraft substitution(s) are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion in consideration of weather, air traffic control and availability.
  • The pilot’s decision regarding the continuation of any flight is final.
  • He/she may terminate the flight at any time he/she deems it unsafe to proceed and may refuse carriage of a passenger(s) if they are deemed unfit for flight.
  • In the event of inclement weather causing a flight to be cancelled, an alternate time / date will be offered. If alternative time / date cannot be agreed, a full refund will be given.

Flight Cancellation By Customer

  • In order to receive a 100% refund - flight cancellations Zoom Helicopters must be notified a minimum of 48 hours in advance of scheduled departure date/time.
  • Cancellations notified between 24 and 48 hours in advance of scheduled departure date/time, qualify for a 50% refund.
  • If booking is cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled departure date/time – no refund will apply.
  • If passengers are ‘no shows’ for a pick-up or flight, a 100% cancellation fee applies. If the flight is booked through a third-party website or agent, the third-party will be contacted and notified of applicable charges.

Flight Cancellation Other

  • Zoom Helicopters accepts no responsibility for any additional expenses incurred by passengers arising from delays to any domestic or international flights, tour rescheduling or substitution, inclement weather or unplanned aircraft maintenance.
  • Whenever possible, Zoom Helicopters will seek to delay flight/tour departures – provided that doing so does not negatively affect other passengers, tours or connecting flights.
  • Where a flight cannot be delayed and results in the requirement for an exclusive charter, this will be subject to availability and incur additional cost.
  • Zoom Helicopters recommends that all passengers protect themselves with travel insurance to mitigate unforeseen events and costs.

Check-In

  • Zoom Helicopters requires passengers to arrive no less than 20 minutes prior to planned departure time.
  • At check-in, passengers will be given a mandatory safety briefing

Passenger Weights

  • Helicopters are subject to strict weight limitations, specific to each aircraft type.
  • Accurate individual passenger body and carry-on luggage weights MUST be advised at the point of booking.
  • It is a legal requirement that all passengers and their luggage be weighed at check-in.
  • Weight variances greater than 10% of that advised at the time of booking may incur additional charges and/or luggage allowances being reduced. Zoom Helicopters reserves the right to refuse travel and charge a 100% cancellation fee.
  • The maximum single seat weight limit/payload for Zoom Helicopters’ fleet of aircraft is 130kgs.

Children and Infants

  • Children who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday are classified as infants and may travel free of charge (seated on a parent/guardian’s lap utilising a company provided infant seat belt restraint).
  • Children 2 years and above are legally required to be seated in their own seat and are therefore required to pay the full ticket price.
  • Children aged 2 years to 13 years must be accompanied by an adult on all flights.
  • Only one (1) infant is permitted to travel in an aircraft.
  • Please notify us at the time if booking advise if travelling with infants.
  • If travelling with more than one infant please contact us to discuss your needs.
  • With regard to luggage, prams and seat capsules for infants, please refer ‘Luggage Allowance’.

Pregnant Passengers

  • Expectant mothers are welcome to fly with us at their own discretion.
  • Zoom Helicopters advises passengers to refer to their Doctor prior to confirming a booking with the consideration that seatbelts must be worn at all times during any flight.

Special Assistance

  • At the time of booking, please advise us if you are travelling with passengers that require special assistance as additional seating regulations apply.
  • Due to Workplace Health and Safety requirements, our staff are not able to lift passengers.

Luggage Allowance

Resort Transfers / Private Charters

  • Helicopters offer limited capacity for the carriage of luggage. Accurate individual passenger body and carry-on luggage weights MUST be advised at the point of booking.
  • Permissions to carry additional luggage for infants is subject to the combined weight (passengers / luggage) being within aircraft operational limits on the day of travel.
  • Full size prams cannot be accommodated, and capsules/child seats cannot be fitted in the helicopter.
  • Due to the dimensions of helicopter cargo compartments, luggage is required to be carried in a single carry-on size case or soft bag per person.
  • You are welcome to store excess baggage at the Zoom Helicopters office.

Flight Paths and Schedules

  • Zoom Helicopters endeavours to always conduct flights as described on our website or in other promotional collateral.
  • At pilot discretion, due to weather, Air Traffic Control instructions or other operational considerations beyond our control, flight paths and times may vary. This may affect exact arrival and departure times.
  • Please refer to “Conditions of Carriage”.

Passenger Refusal

  • In accordance with CASA regulations, Zoom Helicopters reserves the right to refuse to carry any passenger who, in the opinion of the pilot in command, may constitute a hazard to the safety of the flight and or the safety and comfort of other passengers.
  • Refusal may occur for reasons including (but not limited to); erratic, offensive or threatening behaviour, perceived intoxication and/or a perceived risk to the safety of the flight.
  • Zoom Helicopters will support the decision of any pilots and staff that elect to refuse a passenger carriage on company aircraft.
  • In the event a passenger is refused, no refund will apply.

Vehicle Transfers

  • Vehicle transfers are not provided.

Sand Cay Use

  • All helicopter operators are governed by Marine Park permits and the applicable restrictions.
  • Sand Cay landings are only permitted when the Sand Cay is unoccupied and subject to weather and tides.
  • In the event that a landing on the sand cay is not possible, the flight will be extended by 15 minutes. No refund shall apply.
  • The Sand Cay Landing Factsheet must be provided to customers at the time they make a booking.

Partner Tour Operators

  • For specific product information and terms and conditions relating to partner tour operators, please visit their respective websites or contact them directly.

Insurance

  • Zoom Helicopters carries insurance for all operations including; Carrier’s Liability insurance, as required by Australian Aviation Law and Public Liability Insurance cover to A$20,000,000.

Conditions of Carriage

  • While the best of care is taken at all times, Zoom Helicopters accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to personal belongings, luggage or personal injury due to events beyond our control and will not be liable for any additional expense or inconvenience arising from, or incidental to, any delays in service.
  • Zoom Helicopters works in conjunction with other tour operators and is not liable for other operators’ acts or omissions, whether negligent or otherwise. Travel and admissions will be subject to the conditions imposed by these operators, which may limit or exclude liability for personal injury or property damage.
  • For terms and conditions of any partnered tour operators, please refer to their respective websites.

Cairns Scenic Flights - Helicopter Ride Great Barrier Reef - 30 Min | ZM

Tour Code: 1032

Operated By: Zoom Helicopters

Departing: Cairns

Cairns Helicopter Flights - 30 Min Reef

From

au$415.00

Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.

Child: au$415.00
Family: au$1,660.00

Tour Code: 1032

From

au$ 415.00

14 yrs & over

2 - 13 yrs

0 - 1 yrs

Ages of Children
(Discounts May Apply)
Phone
1300 231 118
WhatsApp
+61 427 074 745
Phone
1300 231 118
WhatsApp
+61 427 074 745

You May Also Like