• Fly - Fly : Half day Great Barrier Reef Tour from Cairns. 3 Hours in total with 1.5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef. 25 minute helicopter scenic flight To/Fro Cairns 
• Cruise - Fly : Short half day tour (4.5 hours) offering 1.5 hour on the Great Barrier Reef, returning to Cairns on an amazing helicopter scenic flight.
• See the reef snorkelling, riding in a glass bottom boat or semi-submerged submarine. Upgrade to Seawalker Helmet diving.

The absolute best half day tour in Cairns. A scenic helicopter flight and Great Barrier Reef tour on a pontoon on the outer reef. Choose to cruise out by boat and return by helicopter or fly out and return by boat or fly both ways.

What to Expect

There simply is no better way to explore Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef than a seat on a scenic helicopter flight and this half day tour is simply the best in Cairns. Board Sunlover’s catamaran at the Cairns Marlin Marina for a scenic cruise across the ocean to the Moore Reef Pontoon, a renowned destination known for its vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life. Enjoy over 1.5 hours at the floating interactive pontoon, where you can take part in included activities such as a glass-bottom boat tour, ride in a semi-submersible sumbarine or just enjoy some snorkelling with the friendly marine life such as the famous fish Wally . For a more immersive underwater experience, book a spot for Seawalker helmet diving. After exploring the Great Barrier Reef up close, you'll take a scenic helicopter flight back to Cairns, capping off your unforgettable half day helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo package tour adventure.

Please note: There are only 4 seats daily so you must book early for this half day tour from Cairns. 

Cruise & Fly (Option 1 )

7:00 - 7:30am – Check in inside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. 
7:45am – Boarding closes 
8:00am – Depart Cairns Marina 
9:30am – Arrive Moore Reef Pontoon Over 1.5 hours reef time 
11:10am – Prepare for boarding helicopter scenic flight
11:20am – Depart Moore Reef Pontoon (25 min flight) 
11:45am – Return to Cairns at helicopter hangar at General Aviation Cairns Airport. 

Make own way back to Cairns

Fly & Fly (Option 2) 

Short on time but still eager to explore the outer Great Barrier Reef? Our fly out fly back helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo flight is the perfect solution! In just 25 minutes, take a quick helicopter flight from Cairns to the Moore Reef pontoon. Enjoy over 1.5 hours at the pontoon, where you can dive into activities like snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride to discover the reef up close. Then, wrap up your half-day tour adventure with a scenic helicopter flight back to Cairns, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef from above.

08:50am – Check in at hangar at General Aviation Cairns Airport + safety briefing   
09:05am – Board the helicopter 
09:15am – Depart on helicopter from Cairns (25 min Flight)
09:40am – Arrive at Moore Reef pontoon Over 1.5 hours reef time 
11:10am – Prepare for boarding helicopter 
11:20am – Depart Moore Reef on helicopter  
11:45pm – Return to hangar at General Aviation Cairns Airport

Make own way back to Cairns

• Please note due to limited time on the Great Barrier Reef there are no meals included on the helicopter and reef combo package half day tours.
• Helicopter seating:- 1 up front with pilot and 3 in rear seats - all views no matter the seat are still big and awesome! 

Optional Activities

Guided Snorkel Tour:

• Join our expert marine naturalist for a 30-minute guided snorkelling tour and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. The experience lasts a total of 35 minutes, including a 5-minute briefing and instructions from your tour guide, followed by 30 minutes of snorkelling. Duration may vary depending on weather conditions and participants' swimming abilities.

Seawalker Helmet Dive (only available on Cruise Fly):

• Seawalker helmet diving offers a thrilling underwater experience with no prior diving knowledge or experience needed. Unlike traditional scuba diving, Seawalker allows you to breathe naturally through your nose and mouth, just like on land. It’s the ideal way to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef while staying completely dry. Briefings are provided during the journey to Moore Reef, and this activity is available exclusively on the Cruise & Fly package, with up to 20 minutes of underwater time.

See all Cairns and Port Douglas helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo package tour deals.

Read The Barrier Reef Australia Blog for all the things you need to know before you go.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

08:00am

Departure Instructions

• Cruise Fly Check in starts at 07:00 at Sunlover Cruises counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
• Fly Fly 08:50am – Check in at Zoom hangar @ General Aviation Cairns Airport (21 Bush Pilot’s Avenue) + safety briefing

Destinations

• Cairns
• Sunlover Pontoon on Moore Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

SCHEDULE* *timings are approximate * seasonal and alternate operating times may apply

Duration

Fly Fly - Check in 0850 Returns to Cairns 11:45
Cruise Fly - Check in 07:00 Returns 11:45

Fitness Level Required

Low

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

Weight: Up to 130 Kg / 287 Lb

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Doo and Helmet Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from helmet diving and scuba doo.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for helmet diving/scuba doo 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.

Additional Information

• No meals are included
• No transfers from Helicopter Hangar are included. Passengers make own way back to accommodation.

Hat, Sunscreen (SPF 30+) & protective clothing, Swimming costume & beach towel, Cash & credit card for onboard purchases

Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total