• On our Outer Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns you can upgrade your reef trip by adding  an introductory scuba dive or certified dives as well as a Semi-submarine tour.
• This is one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns where you have so many more inclusions and so many options to choose from to upgrade your Great Barrier Reef tour
• You will only have 80 minutes of travel time to the outer reef and get to spend 5 hours of Great Barrier Reef time and visit 2 reef sites, enjoy unlimited snorkelling and barbeque lunch.

Cruise on our brand new luxury boat on an Outer Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns Marlin Marina. Snorkelling among pristine coral or upgrade to an introductory or certified dive. Why not also take advantage of the Semi-submersible upgrade and make your day on the reef the best it can be

What to Expect

Join us on a Cairns diving and snorkelling tour to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Departing from Cairns Marlin Marina, our recently launched luxury boat will speed you to the world’s most colourful reef system in just 80 minutes. Your skipper will select the best diving and snorkelling locations from 12 stunning spots based on currents, tides, and visibility each day.

Enhance your Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns with an optional 10-minute reef helicopter flight to see the Great Barrier Reef from above and below the water’s surface whilst out at the reef. Marine guide experts will provide a Great Barrier Reef presentation and snorkelling tips to enrich your adventure on the way out to the reef.

Explore the underwater world filled with sea-stars, turtles, parrotfish, butterflyfish, lace like coral formations, and pinnacles. You can also book an introductory or certified scuba dive, and even a semi-submersible submarine tour while out on the Great Barrier Reef.

Features and Highlights

Snorkelling on the Outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns

• Duration: 5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef
• Locations: Two outer coral reef sites from Cairns
• Equipment: Use of snorkelling gear and flotation devices

BBQ Lunch on Board

• Menu: BBQ with meats, fish, prawns, salads, and vegetarian options
• Extras: Fruit platter, cheese, and a glass of wine on the return journey

Optional Activities

• Introductory Scuba Diving - please prebook
• Certified Scuba Diving - please prebook
• 10-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight - please prebook
• Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour (20 min) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only
• Marine Biologists Guided Tour (30 min): Snorkelling with a marine biologist and enjoy in-depth knowledge about the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem - - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only

Additional Information

• Travel Time: Only 80 minutes to the Outer Great Barrier Reef
• Boat Amenities: Large, air-conditioned lounges, spacious sundecks, high crew-to-guest ratio

Optional Extra Upgrades

Introductory Scuba Diving

• Experience: Perfect for beginners, includes a free introductory lesson
• Guidance: Dive master support throughout the dive

Certified Scuba Diving

• Sites: Includes famous reefs like Hastings, Saxon, and Norman Reefs
• Marine Life: Encounter tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and more

Scenic Helicopter Flight

• Duration: 10 minutes
• View: Aerial perspective of the reef’s intricate formations and marine life

Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour (20 min)

• Experience: Explore the reef without getting wet
• View: See vivid coral formations and marine life through glass windows

Marine Biologist Guided Snorkel Tour (30 min)

• Experience: Explore the reef without getting wet
• View: See vivid coral formations and marine life through glass windows

Book Your Adventure

Make the most of your Great Barrier Reef tour with these exceptional activities. Book now to secure your spot on this unforgettable journey from Cairns Marlin Marina.

Have you seen our luxury Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns that provides you with your own private Admirals Club Lounge or our helicopter and Great Barrier Reef tour combo?

Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tour Inclusions

Jump on board the newest and fastest luxury Great Barrier Reef tour boat in Cairns to snorkel and scuba dive two outer coral reef sites as chosen by the boats skipper each morning based on the tides, winds and currents on the day.

This Great Barrier Reef tour is the best value reef trip in Cairns and you have so many extra optional activities that you may also upgrade to enjoy.

Great Barrier Reef Tour Inclusions:

• Snorkel 2 outer coral reef locations
• ​Travel time to reef only 80 minutes
• ​5 Hours of reef time
• Use of snorkelling equipment & floatation devices
• Barbeque lunch with meats, fish, prawns, salads, and vegetarian option available)
• Use of lycra sun suits
• Fruit platter, cheese and glass of wine on return home journey
• Experienced dive instructors
• Large air-conditioned boat lounges
• Spacious sundecks
• High crew to guests ratio 

Optional Extra Upgrades

• Introductory Scuba Diving - please prebook
• Certified Scuba Diving - please prebook
• Return Coach Transfers to Cairns and Northern Beaches Accommodation - please prebook
• Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour (20 mins) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only
• Marine Biologist Guided Tour (30 mins) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only

If you would like to add a 10 minute helicopter reef scenic flight then we have the right package for you view here.

Cairns Great Barrier Reef tour, fast boat

Cruise off on a fast boat ride from Cairns to a magical wonderland of coral kingdoms on this brand new luxury Great Barrier Reef tour vessel.

With air-conditioned cabins and sunny decks, you can enjoy the cruise in personal-choice comfort.

The boats skipper has an option of 12 spectacular mooring sites to anchor at, and will choose the most superb for you based on clear balmy waters and coral excellence.

There will be a mouth-watering Aussie BBQ lunch buffet, and complimentary wine and cheese in the afternoon.

And your entertainment isn't just a rainbow of coral formations and tropical fish, but a live on-board band playing all your favourites.

With so many exceptional activities to indulge in, a friendly crew member can help plan your morning and afternoon.

You might want to try your first ever helicopter scenic flight and introductory scuba dive.

Or see the splendour of the reef from a land-lovers submarine tour point of view.

Snorkel on the Outer Great Barrier Reef - Cairns

The winter months of July - August draw Dwarf Minke Whales, Bottlenose dolphins, and sometimes a sighting of Australia's most famous Humpback Whale, Migaloo, at the outer Great Barrier Reef.

Other drawn visitors could be a fever of manta-rays or idling dugong (sea-cow).

Yet every day will bring a breathtaking visitation of sea turtles and and an endless array of striking coloured and patterned reef fish.

You'll skim a sparkling surface over a gemstone-like habitat of coral mountains, peering in awe at beautiful anemone and fusiliers in every hue.

If you've never snorkeled before, there's one-on-one special tuition available, given by a friendly marine expert.

Embrace this undersea wonderland with both your eyes and memories.

Optional Introductory Scuba Diving

This may very well appeal to the explorer’s soul inside you, just looking for a way to try a new experience or adventure!

Drifting along the shores with a snorkel and mask is a magnificent way to view the fantasyland below the waters surface, then an introductory scuba dive allows you to glide further down within the heart of this world heritage masterpiece to see things that are just not lurking in the shallower waters above.

You could view cheeky eels darting in and out of crevices up close, and hover only centimetres away from the giant purple clam.

The giant schools of heavenly blue Maori wrasse and speckled cod could mistake you as one of their own and swim alongside for the tour.

For 30 minutes, you’ll scuba dive and explore mythical coral peaks and basins, alive with rich branch thickets and flowery clusters.

If you're hesitant about trying an introductory scuba dive, this tour offers a rare, free introductory dive lesson.

A helpful dive master will be with you every underwater breath of the way, as you coast weightlessly through the ocean.

Optional Certified Scuba Diving

Welcome to the ultimate aspiration for every certified scuba diver who dreamed of marine heaven.

Your entrancing sites for the day could include Hastings, Saxon, and Norman Reefs; all legendary destinations renowned for swim throughs, pinnacles, bommies, (coral mountains) and drop off walls close to the continental shelf.

The reason the Outer Great Barrier Reef is a far-travelled scuba dive mecca, is not just because of its awe-inspiring terrain, but the sheer plenitude of marine life you’ll find.

Tropical fish, sea-turtles and stingrays in abundance.

Dolphins and whales in the cooler months, world famous coral spawning later in the year, and such a cache of reef fish that you might find a rare rainbow Mandarin, or a settlement of Clown fish (Nemo) so vast, it will leave you breathless.

In fact we can guarantee each sighting in your world-wonder experience with stay with you for the rest of your diving days.

Optional Scenic Helicopter Flight

Spectacular as the azure Outer Great Barrier Reef is from under the surface, there's another breathtaking way to view this icon.

Fly like one of the sea-eagles you're likely to see, over a quilt of turquoise entwined with coral gems on a scenic helicopter flight.

This unforgettable 10 minute aerial adventure will fan across a miraculous discovery of marine life.

The joyful recognition of grazing sea-turtles, frolicking dolphins, and perhaps even a whale or two is the kind of helicopter scenic flight visuals that dreams are made of.

The friendly crew will jet you across to a helipad on the ocean, and a pilot will lift you to soaring new heights, and a new perspective of the marine park.

Your scenic helicopter flight will have you flying at around 500 feet above the waters surface which enables you to see the intricate lace like formations of the reef and its inhabitants.

Book the 10 minute scenic helicopter flight whilst out on the reef or book here. 

Optional Guided Snorkel Tour

A fun and informative small group guided tour with opportunity to have all your reef questions answered.

Duration 30 minutes

Optional Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour

Duration 20 minutes.

You might want to interlace amidst a mesmerising land of vivid branches, vast plates, and intricate flowery coral.

And you may want to view an ethereal ray and regal sea-turtle from inches away.

Yet you may not be in the mood to get wet while doing it!

This unique semi-submersible submarine tour is a dry, air conditioned, birds-eye view of the intriguing Outer Great Barrier Reef.

Semi-submerged under the water, your custom made submarine will glide throughout a wondrous marine world of captivating colour.

Thru glass windows floor, you'll view the beauty of vivid Starfish, neon feeders and a gala of reef fish.

To accompany you on this Great Barrier Reef tour, they'll be an interactive reef presentation by the submarine boat captain.

Hear all about why the fascinating complexities of this Great Barrier Reef system and its legend as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Book the submarine whilst out on the Great Barrier Reef.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Departs 8.00am
• 7:15am check in at at the Down Under Cruise and Dive check-in counter located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
• Returns 4.30pm

Departure Instructions

7:15am check in at at the Down Under Cruise and Dive check-in counter located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

• Transfers are an additional cost and must be pre-booked
• Cairns CBD pick up from 7.00am
• Northern Beaches pick up from 6.50am

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Outer Great Barrier Reef
• Hasting Reef
• Saxon Reef
• Norman Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Excludes Christmas & New Years Day
Reef site 1: Norman or Saxon reef - 3 hours
Reef site 2: Hastings reef - 2 hours

Duration

8.5 hours (approx) - 5 hours on the reef

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Introductory Scuba Dive - up to 3 intro dives
• Certified Dives - up to 3 cert dives
• Upgrade to Scenic Helicopter Flights
• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
• Marine Biologist Guided Snorkel Tour (30 mins) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only - $45 per person
• Semi-submersible Submarine Tour (20 mins) - weather permitting, bookable on the boat only - Adult $20, Child $10
• Wetsuit hire ($10) - Free for divers
• Underwater Camera Hire ($65)
• Underwater Phone Case ($35)

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

• Helicopter: 130kg weight restrictions apply for helicopter rides.
• Diving: All divers must complete a Queensland Medical Questionnaire onboard. Certified divers must show an internationally recognised scuba card. Minimum age for Introductory divers and dive courses: 12+ years and Certified divers: 10+ years. Please read the important diving safety information prior to booking.

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.

Eco Certifications

• Prepare as you would for a day at the beach with a hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, something to swim in, a dry change of clothes and a warm jumper in winter.
• Cash or card for any onboard purchases such as bar items, optional activities or photography.

• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
• A maximum of one infant per helicopter may travel as per CASA regulations.
• One (1) infant under their 3rd birthday may travel free of charge if seated on a guardian’s lap
• Diving available for 12 years and over.