Posts By: Clint

Scuba Diver Plus Anemonefish and Solft Corals

The Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Cairns Reef Tour

By Clint / December 17, 2025

The Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Cairns Reef Tour Don’t ruin your once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef experience! Quick takeaway:Most reef tour disappointments come down to choosing based on price instead of experience, booking the wrong trip for your travel group, or misunderstanding the difference between island reefs and the outer reef. This…

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Silversonic dive and snorkel catamaran anchored over vibrant coral at Agincourt Reef near Port Douglas.

Silversonic Returns to Port Douglas – Newly Refit, Faster, Greener & Better Than Ever!

By Clint / November 8, 2025

Silversonic Returns – Newly Refit, Faster, Greener & Better Than Ever! By Clint | Nov 8, 2025 Big news for divers and snorkellers — Silversonic has officially returned to the water after an incredible refit and engine upgrade that sets a new benchmark for outer reef touring from Port Douglas. Operated by Quicksilver Group, Silversonic…

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Visitors photographing the calm sea from the Cairns Esplanade boardwalk on a sunny morning.

New Footage: Shark Spotted off the Cairns Waterfront — A Reminder of the Reef’s Wild Beauty

By Clint / October 24, 2025

Our team captured incredible footage of a large shark cruising through the calm waters off the Cairns waterfront. The video has since gone viral — but rather than fear, it’s a beautiful reminder of the vibrant marine life that thrives just off our coastline.

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Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Port Douglas with views of coral reef and ocean – Cairns Dive Adventures

New Video: Where Is the Best Place to Visit the Great Barrier Reef?

By Clint / August 20, 2025

One of the most common questions we’re asked is:“Where is the best place to see the Great Barrier Reef?” To help answer it, we’ve just released a brand-new video on our YouTube channel. In it, we compare Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsundays, and explain why your choice of departure point can make such a…

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Purple soft corals and yellow Perch fish.

Question of the Week – We would like to try and dive the Cathedrals dive site if it permits?

By Clint / May 2, 2025

This week, we received a fantastic question and request. A group of scuba divers is planning to come to Cairns from the United States on the new Fiji Air service, which now carries passengers from LA, San Francisco, Dallas, and Vancouver to Nadi in Fiji, direct to Cairns. Getting from the US to Cairns and…

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Learn to dive scuba divers

Question of the Week: Is the Reef Encounter SSI open water learn to dive course basically the same as a PADI open water course?

By Clint / April 28, 2025

Today, we had several fantastic questions about learning to scuba dive in Cairns. Please read on below: Question: I have a question about the SSI 3-day course: https://cairnsdiveadventures.com.au/tour/reef-encounter-3-day-open-water-learn-to-dive-course/ Is this open-water learn-to-dive course basically the same as a PADI open-water course? Would I get a certification at the end of this course, just as with…

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Steves Bommie dive site.

Cairns Diving News: Big Changes, Big Adventures & One Last Chance with the Minkes!

By Clint / April 24, 2025

There’s never a dull moment on the Great Barrier Reef—and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of new horizons, fond farewells, and epic underwater encounters. Here’s what’s bubbling beneath the surface in the Cairns diving scene: One Last Swim with the Minkes – Final Season with Divers Den Get ready for one last…

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Silverswift Dive & Snorkel Cruises Easter Availability.

Traveling to Cairns for Easter? Things are already starting to book out!

By Clint / March 29, 2025

Don’t leave it too long if you are planning to come to Cairns for the Easter holidays. Boats are already starting to book out, and it’s not even April yet! With all the cheap Jetstar and Virgin flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, it seems everyone is planning to come up for a long weekend…

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Scuba Diver and Sea Turtle

Easter in Cairns the Great Barrier Reef!

By Clint / March 6, 2025

Looking for a holiday at Easter in Cairns the Great Barrier Reef? The weather in Cairns over the Easter school holidays is generally stunning! Average ambient air temperatures are around 28 degrees with very low humidity. You can expect beautiful blue skies and sunshine with little to no rain! The Ocean Temperature is around 27…

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Pure Snorkel Boat Cairns.

Brand New Half Day Snorkel Tour!

By Clint / December 20, 2024

An exciting brand-new half-day snorkel tour has launched this month in Cairns. The boat is called Pure Snorkel! Locally owned and operated by Passions of Paradise and Ocean Freedom reef cruise owners. Pure Snorkelling” is a brand-new purpose-built 12m design twin hull vessel. Naval Architect Chris Tucker designed the boat with a genetic lineage. The…

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REEF TOURS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES:

Lady enjoying the water-slide at Moore Reef.

Sunlover Reef Cruises

The only pontoon in Cairns with a waterslide! Great day tour for people of all ages. Visit Outer Reef Pontoon at Moore Reef, with lots of inclusions: all snorkel gear, glass bottom boat and semi-sub tours, underwater observatory. Enjoy magnificent snorkeling.

Silverswift At The Reef

Silverswift Dive & Snorkel

Best Outer Reef Tour for Serious Certified Divers. The only Cairns dive boat to visit 3 x outer reef dives sites in one day! Part of the Quicksilver Cruises fleet. Enjoy 3 x Certified Dives in a comfortable, high speed catamaran. Up to 5 hours at the outer reef.

Evolution Dive Boat Cairns

Evolution Dive & Snorkel Cruise

Beautiful super yacht feel! 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! Add scenic helicopter flights! A really beautiful dive & snorkel boat!

Aqua Quest Dive Boat Cairns

Divers Den: Aqua Quest

Brilliant certified diving, a real divers boat. Dive unguided or with guides, perfect for underwater photographers. Visits 2 reef sites. Great for snorkelers and those wanting to try a first-time introductory dive. Includes buffet lunch and all dive & snorkel gear.

Reef Magic Outer Reef Scuba Diving

Reef Magic Cruises

The newest pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy up to 5 hours at the reef. This is an Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon with fabulous coral gardens. Meet Wally! Lots of inclusions: snorkelling, glass bottom boat, semi-sub, underwater observatory and more. Modern State-of-The-Art Platform!

Great Adventures Outer Reef Pontoon Cairns Australia

Great Adventures: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef

This is the only Cairns day tour to combine time on beautiful Green Island and a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Best of both worlds. Suitable for snorkellers and scuba divers.

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.

Lady enjoying the water-slide at Moore Reef.

Sunlover Reef Cruises

The only pontoon in Cairns with a waterslide! Great day tour for people of all ages. Visit Outer Reef Pontoon at Moore Reef, with lots of inclusions: all snorkel gear, glass bottom boat and semi-sub tours, underwater observatory. Enjoy magnificent snorkeling.
Silverswift At The Reef

Silverswift Dive & Snorkel

Best Outer Reef Tour for Serious Certified Divers. The only Cairns dive boat to visit 3 x outer reef dives sites in one day! Part of the Quicksilver Cruises fleet. Enjoy 3 x Certified Dives in a comfortable, high speed catamaran. Up to 5 hours at the outer reef.
Evolution Dive Boat Cairns

Evolution Dive & Snorkel Cruise

Beautiful super yacht feel! 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! Add scenic helicopter flights! A really beautiful dive & snorkel boat!
Aqua Quest Dive Boat Cairns

Divers Den: Aqua Quest

Brilliant certified diving, a real divers boat. Dive unguided or with guides, perfect for underwater photographers. Visits 2 reef sites. Great for snorkelers and those wanting to try a first-time introductory dive. Includes buffet lunch and all dive & snorkel gear.
Reef Magic Outer Reef Scuba Diving

Reef Magic Cruises

The newest pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy up to 5 hours at the reef. This is an Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon with fabulous coral gardens. Meet Wally! Lots of inclusions: snorkelling, glass bottom boat, semi-sub, underwater observatory and more. Modern State-of-The-Art Platform!
Great Adventures Outer Reef Pontoon Cairns Australia

Great Adventures: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef

This is the only Cairns day tour to combine time on beautiful Green Island and a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Best of both worlds. Suitable for snorkellers and scuba divers.
The Passions of Paradise boat Cairns Australia

Passions Of Paradise

Australian Tourism Award Winner. Daily dive/snorkel trips to Paradise Reef, Norman Reef, Hastings Reef, Flynn Reef, Milln Reef and Moore Reef. Enjoy a 25m sailing catamaran, includes all snorkel gear with Hot / cold buffet lunch.
Fully inclusive Great Barrier Reef day tours with Reef Experience

Reef Experience

Enjoy 1 x FREE Introductory Dive! Cairns' only fully inclusive day tour, including: hot cooked breakfast, trip to Great Barrier Reef, 6 hours on reef, 2 reef locations, meals, free scuba dive intro or cert dive, marine biologist presentation & all dive and snorkel equipment.
Ocean Freedom the quickest Great Barrier Reef day tour dive in Cairns

Ocean Freedom Cruise

Locally owned & operated. 5 star service. Up to 6 hours snorkel / dive time at 2 Great Barrier Reef locations. Best reef tour lunch in town. Friendly crew, glass bottom boat tour & much more.
Great Adventures Day Boat

Great Adventures: Outer Great Barrier Reef Pontoon

Perfect for cruise ship passengers Depart Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal 10:30am return to Cairns 5:30pm. Enjoy beautiful snorkeling and diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Semi-submarines, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and all snorkel gear!
Silversonic high-speed aluminium catamaran anchored over vibrant coral reefs on the Great Barrier Reef near Port Douglas, with snorkellers exploring the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs.

Silversonic Dive & Snorkel – Port Douglas

Save 15% on the Silversonic Outer Reef cruise fare Valid for travel 16th January – 31st March 2026 (Excludes optional extras). Silversonic is a fast, modern dive and snorkel catamaran from Port Douglas, visiting three stunning Agincourt Ribbon Reef sites with up to five hours on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Perfect for snorkellers and certified divers seeking crystal-clear water and vibrant coral.
Ocean Spirit’s 32m sailing catamaran glides across the Coral Sea from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay

Ocean Spirit Cruises – Michaelmas Cay

One of Cairns best kept secrets. Ocean Spirit Cruises provide a luxury sailing catamaran to Michaelmas Cay. This trip is suited to swimmers, snorkelers and families. Often Sea Turtles are seen from the beach. All meals included. 90% daily sea turtle sightings!
Poseidon Dive Boat with Divers

Poseidon Snorkel and Dive

World-class diving on the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs! Poseidon provides daily dive tours from Port Douglas to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, visiting three (3) separate reef sites. Suitable for scuba divers and snorkelers. Great passenger to crew ratio.
Quicksilver Cruises Boat from Port Douglas

Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruises

Limited Offer Save 15% on cruise fare (excludes optional extras) Travel 16th January – 31st March 2026. A smooth comfortable ride on the wave piercing catamaran. Quicksilver Cruises provides the only Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Semi-Submarines, Underwater Observatory, Snorkeling & Diving the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs!
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Reef Boat

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Cruises

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel offers an experience with local Indigenous rangers that spends 5 hours at 2 beautiful outer reef locations. Enjoy Free guided snorkel tour, and marine presentation. Also great if you just want to do 2 x certified dives.
Pure Snorkel Boat Cairns.

Pure Snorkel – Half Day Reef Tour

Enjoy a dedicated half day snorkel tour from Cairns. Departing at 12:00pm and returning to Cairns at 5:00pm. Enjoy the high speed twin catamaran that is Pure Snorkel. All snorkel gear is provided along with 2 hours reef time.
Spirit of Cairns Dinner Cruise at Sunset.

Spirit of Cairns – Buffet Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a beautiful dinner on the Cairns waterfront! Discover the elegance of a tropical night aboard the Spirit of Cairns Dinner Cruise. Glide across calm waters, indulge in a gourmet buffet of fresh local cuisine! Stunning sunsets!
Sunlover boat docking at Moore Reef pontoon.

Moore Reef & Fitzroy Island Full Day Reef Tour

Reef + Island Tour! Visit Moore Reef Pontoon enjoy waterslides, snorkeling, semi-submarines, glass bottom boats and underwater observatory. Enjoy an afternoon at Fitzroy Island, buffet lunch and snorkeling! All in the same day!

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Cairns Reef Information

Click the links below to find out more.

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*

Cairns Underwater Camera Hire Service

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.