Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkeling Cruise from Cairns

Choosing the right trip can mean the difference between having a fantastic day satisfying everyone in your family/group. Or everyone or at least some members of your group having a very average day perhaps even wishing for it to be over quicker.

The art of finding the ultimate Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkeling Cruise from Cairns is to ask everyone in your party can you swim? If the overwhelming majority can swim and have or would like to snorkel and even try scuba diving, then choose a day boat from Cairns.

Day boats move around, they visit two and sometimes three outer reef sites in one day. This is actually the advantage of day boats the fact that they can move around. (Pontoons or fixed platforms do not move around they are permanently moored at the one location all year round) See a list of outer reef day boat snorkeling and diving from Cairns.

If you have people or family members in your group that do not swim (Perhaps elderly or very young children) then it is best to choose a pontoon or fixed platform. Pontoons are moored at the one location all day, they are often very stable with lots of shady areas and sun decks to relax. Pontoons offer many ways to view the coral & marine life without getting wet!

Pontoons have semi-submarines, glass-bottom boats, underwater observatories, marine touch tanks, fish feeding and some even have water slides! They all include lunch, morning, and afternoon tea. View a list of pontoon day tours from Cairns, great for families with children.

All-day boats and pontoons provide snorkeling equipment which consists of the snorkel, fins, mask and some even give you a wetsuit or lycra suit. For the ones that don't they usually only charge between $5 or $10 to hire on the boat.

Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkeling Cruise from Cairns

Both day boats and pontoons offer snorkeling with the optional extra of scuba diving. Scuba diving you will wear a scuba tank on your back and breathe compressed air underwater for just over 40 minutes.

Scuba diving is easy and a really enjoyable way to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Diving gives you the chance to easily move around underwater and explore the reef with an instructor. You can easily get very close to marine animals and reef structures like Anemonefish and Anemone's, Sea Turtles, Cuttle Fish, Giant Clams, and much more.

The main requirement to try scuba diving is that everyone is medically fit with no asthma and not taking any prescription medication. PADI the World standard in dive training courses recommends that everyone allow up to 24 hours after scuba diving before flying in an airplane.

Why Visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns?

The city of Cairns, situated just 26 km from the Great Barrier Reef, is regarded as the gateway to the reef on the East Coast of Australia. If you book and stay in a hotel in Cairns it is usually only a 5-minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street Cairns). This is the main check-in terminal where all day boats and pontoons depart to the reef.

The majority day boats and pontoons depart from the Terminal at 8:30 am / 9:00 am most return between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

As with all tours to the Great Barrier Reef, it is best to bring a towel, hat, and sunscreen, 50+ marine eco-friendly sunscreen is best. Talk to your local pharmacy to buy an environmentally friendly brand.

Due to the popularity of visiting the Great Barrier Reef and close proximity, the city of Cairns is to the reef is what makes Cairns the most desirable place to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Departing from Cairns there are many good day tours and pontoons to choose from. There is a cruise to suit all family arrangements and budgets. Pontoons are popular as they are large, spacious, and have covered seating, sun decks, and change rooms. All of the pontoons are anchored near shallow coral gardens, which are excellent for snorkeling and trying a first-time scuba dive. These trips are great for everyone but particularly good for people who perhaps will not swim so much. (Like very young children, adults, and even elderly people who do not wish to swim). Choose a pontoon cruise if you have family members or friends in this category.

Day boats are another great option for the more active swimmer and really cater to those that have perhaps snorkeled or scuba dived before or at least are very comfortable in the water. Choose a day boat is you have an active family.