Posts By: Clint
The Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Cairns Reef Tour
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…
Read MoreSilversonic Returns to Port Douglas – Newly Refit, Faster, Greener & Better Than Ever!
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…
Read MoreNew Footage: Shark Spotted off the Cairns Waterfront — A Reminder of the Reef’s Wild Beauty
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.
Read MoreNew Video: Where Is the Best Place to Visit the Great Barrier Reef?
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…
Read MoreQuestion of the Week – We would like to try and dive the Cathedrals dive site if it permits?
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…
Read MoreQuestion of the Week: Is the Reef Encounter SSI open water learn to dive course basically the same as a PADI open water course?
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…
Read MoreCairns Diving News: Big Changes, Big Adventures & One Last Chance with the Minkes!
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…
Read MoreTraveling to Cairns for Easter? Things are already starting to book out!
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…
Read MoreEaster in Cairns the Great Barrier Reef!
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…
Read MoreBrand New Half Day Snorkel Tour!
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…
Read MoreREEF TOURS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES:
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 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 & 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!
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 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: 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.
Sunlover Reef Cruises
Silverswift Dive & Snorkel
Evolution Dive & Snorkel Cruise
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 Great Barrier Reef Pontoon
Silversonic Dive & Snorkel – Port Douglas
Ocean Spirit Cruises – Michaelmas Cay
Poseidon Snorkel and Dive
Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruises
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel Cruises
Pure Snorkel – Half Day Reef Tour
Spirit of Cairns – Buffet Dinner Cruise
Moore Reef & Fitzroy Island Full Day Reef Tour
Search for Tours:
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*
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.