Great Barrier Reef Tours
Do you know why there is such a large variety of Great Barrier Reef tours? Well, this is due to the enormous size of the Great Barrier Reef. Hows that you may ask? Well according to The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, this Reef system alone makes up about 10 percent of the world's coral reef ecosystems, which is amazing. It is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and at just over 2600km in length and covers 344,400 km2 in area, at this size it is larger than the country of Japan! Now that's big!
Great Barrier Reef
Sea Turtle
Scuba Diving Tour
You may already know but the Great Barrier Reef is located along the North East coast of Australia (In the state of Queensland). You also may not know it is this close proximity to the mainland of Australia which offers the many access points to join a Great Barrier Reef tour? for example, the cities of Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Whitsundays, and Bundaberg are all fantastic access points to join day reef tours and liveaboards.
Depending on your style of travel, for example, if you are a certified scuba diver or perhaps you would just like to snorkel or maybe you are traveling with family and small children. We have written this article to help explain the top three categories that Great Barrier Reef tours fit into. This will intern help inform you how to choose the best one for you!
Ok, let's get into it!
GREAT BARRIER REEF TOURS FROM CAIRNS:
Sunlover Cruises
Great day tour for people of all ages. Visit Outer Reef Pontoon at Moore Reef, with lots of inclusions: snorkelling, glass bottom boat and semi-sub tours, underwater observatory and more.
Silverswift Dive & Snorkel
Only Cairns Great Barrier Reef day tour to visit 3 different reef sites in one day! Part of the Quicksilver Cruises fleet. Comfortable, high speed catamaran. Up to 5 hours at the reef.
Down Under Dive: Evolution
Well priced Great Barrier Reef day tour, including BBQ lunch. 5 hours on the reef at 2 reef sites. Introductory and certified diving are available at extra cost. Brand new boat.
Deep Sea Divers Den: Aqua Quest
Value for money Great Barrier Reef dive tour. Visits 2 reef sites. Perfect for snorkellers, certified divers and those wanting to try an introductory dive. Buffet lunch included.
Do you need help choosing?
Can't decide?
CALL US: 07 4041 1638
Or try the form below, we have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour, to suit your experience and budget.
Where is the best place to join a Great Barrier Reef tour?
There are two convenient access points located on the East coast of Australia where Great Barrier Reef tours embark. We mention these two port cities to start with as they both have aviation access. Cairns also has an international airport allowing international travellers to fly directly into Australia and join a Great Barrier Reef tour.
Cairns is located in Far North Queensland, right up on the North East coast of Australia. The other port city or town is Airlie Beach, from here you access the Whitsunday Islands. These two ports alone are home to over a dozen Islands with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
According to Google Maps Cairns is regarded as the closest access point to the outer barrier reef systems at just 65km offshore from Cairns to the continental shelf of Australia. Cairns has a large array of Great Barrier Reef snorkeling, diving day boats, and overnight liveaboards.
The Whitsundays Islands are accessed by a large fleet of sailing boats much better for enjoying the inshore Islands.
How Much do Great Barrier Reef Tours Cost?
Well, this depends on where you travel from, how many people are in your party and what activities you choose. A basic ferry transfer over to Green Island and back from Cairns will set you back $102.00. This includes snorkel equipment or a glass-bottom boat. Cairns Outer Reef Cruises travel much further offshore and include all meals, multiple reef locations, and all snorkel equipment. The average cost of these is between $149 to $245 per adult. Most Great Barrier Reef tour companies offer family discounts if the children are between 4-14 years old and you have two adults plus two children, basically, one child travels free.
Can I do a Great Barrier Reef tour if I can’t Swim?
The short answer is, Yes most certainly! Great Barrier Reef tours range from visiting the Tropical Islands and Sand Cays to the outer reef day boats and floating pontoons/platforms. The pontoons or floating platforms really do cater to the non-swimmer or the family with small children as pontoon tours include semi-submarines, glass bottoms boat rides they also include underwater observatories, what are these? Underwater observatories are an observation room located underneath the pontoon usually a flight of stairs or two below the water. They consist of large glass viewing areas perfect for watching scuba divers and the vast marine life that lives on the Great Barrier Reef. All services are usually included in the pontoon ticket price.
Can I try First Time Scuba Diving on The Great Barrier Reef?
The short answer is Yes! But remember you must be medically fit with no asthma and not taking any prescription medication to try first-time scuba diving. Most first-time scuba dives are called an introductory scuba dive. They consist of 10 minutes of training on the boat, learning about breathing thru a regulator, and tips on how to clear your mask and equalize your ears underwater. The remainder of the lesson is spent underwater diving all over the Great Barrier Reef. All introductory scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef is limited to a max depth of 12 meters. All pontoon companies and most day boats all offer the chance to try a first-time introductory scuba dive.
Diver & Cuttlefish
Day boat diving
Introductory Divers
Can I try Helmet Diving on a Great Barrier Reef Tour?
The short answer, Yes! Only a handful of reef tour operators offer helmet diving. This can be done at Green Island and on all the outer reef pontoon companies. You cannot do helmet diving on any of the outer reef day boats. Remember to try any form of diving you must be medically fit with no asthma and not be taking any prescription medication. The service usually consists of 10 minutes of training preparing you for the experience and then around 25 minutes underwater exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
What can I see Snorkeling and Diving?
Great question! You can expect to see a huge array of bright colourful soft and hard corals, including sea whips, staghorn coral, soft anemone’s, brain coral to a large array of marine animals like, Giant Mauri Wrasse, Cuttlefish, Yellow Tail Fusiliers, Anemonefish, Sea Turtles, Giant Clams, Nudibranchs, Moray Eels, Giant Trevally, Coral Trout and much more!
Best time of the year to do Great Barrier Reef Tours?
In general, the lowest windy months are best. These are typically April/May and October/November. Traveling to the Great Barrier Reef during this time will make your journey to and from the reef as comfortable as possible. Generally, the peak tourism time for visiting the Great Barrier Reef are June, July, August and then December and January of each year. The busy tourist season coincides with the Australian school holidays. The rainy season of December, January, February, and March can often bring rain and heavy thunderstorms, although sea conditions can be very calm and flat with warm water temperatures usually around 28 degrees. All tour companies operate 365 days per year.
What Dangers are there?
In general, there are minimal dangers enjoying a Great Barrier Reef Tour. Probably the highest danger is the sun! Sun protection is a must all year round with most companies providing lycra suits for sun protection and from jellyfish. In general, all areas of the Great Barrier Reef are affected by Jellyfish in the warmer summer months. There is only a hand full of Jellyfish that are dangerous to humans and these generally live on the coast next to the mainland beaches. In saying that all reef tour operators advise to where the stinger/lycra suits for added protection during these hot humid rainy months.
Can I take my children to the Reef?
Yes! There are fantastic Great Barrier Reef Tours for families with children. Whether you can all swim or not generally speaking visiting one of the Islands or floating pontoons/platforms is the best way to go if you have a family. All pontoon companies offer family rates which in general means the 2nd child travels free.
How do I choose a Great Barrier Reef Tour?
This can be tough, mainly because of all the different options available. But that also means you can choose the perfect option to suit you and your family. In general, if you are a great swimmer, love the water and have tried and would like to try snorkeling, choose one of the many outer reef day boats. If you have children or perhaps do not wish to swim so much but would still like to see as much of the Great Barrier Reef as you can choose one of the outer reef pontoons/floating platforms. If you are definite non-swimmer and only want to spend half a day on the reef, you should then visit Green Island or Fitzroy Island.
Conclusion:
All Great Barrier Reef Tours offer a great way to visit and explore this magnificent reef system. Choosing one can be a bit tricky so if you are stuck for ideas or need some suggestions, please contact our reservations team on PH: +61 7 40411638 or email reservations@cairnsdiveadventures.com
Sunlover Cruises
Silverswift Dive & Snorkel
Down Under Dive: Evolution
Deep Sea Divers Den: Aqua Quest
Reef Magic Cruises
Great Adventures: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef
Passions Of Paradise
Reef Experience
Ocean Freedom Cruise
Great Adventures: Outer Reef Pontoon
Silversonic Dive & Snorkel
Ocean Spirit Cruises
Poseidon Snorkel and Dive
Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruises
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Cruises
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Cairns Reef Information
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Do you need help choosing a trip?
Can't decide? We have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour, to suit your experience and budget.
Special
FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE*
Spend over $550.00 AUD on your Great Barrier Reef tour with us and receive the latest Digital Underwater Camera Hire. Take amazing High-Resolution images and 1080 HD Video. Only when you book online thru our website.
Not available for any tours to the Islands as fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!
You need to come into our shop located on the Cairns Esplanade the day before departure to pick up the camera before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Camera Card and drop the camera off back at our shop before 5:30pm.
Please Remember there is no other way to collect our cameras! All passengers must come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm.