Cairns Reef Tours for Kids and Families

Fitzroy Island has a campground and resort. The kids will love jumping on the ocean trampoline, exploring the island's mountain and rainforest walks, snorkeling and swimming. Optional extras include a guided sea kayaking tour.

There are three outer reef pontoon trips to choose from: Reef Magic, Sunlover Cruises and Great Adventures. Each of these Great Barrier Reef pontoons have shaded decks, freshwater showers and offer swimming, snorkeling, semi-submersible tours, glass bottom boat tours, underwater observatory and fish feeding. All are pram friendly and have wetsuits, lycra suits and snorkelling equipment in kids sizes, as well as buoyancy devices (noodles and vests) for extra comfort in the water.

For families looking to spend more than just a day on the reef, we recently joined a 3-Day / 2-Night liveaboard aboard OceanQuest — a comfortable, family-friendly vessel that lets you wake up surrounded by coral and turtles on the Outer Reef. Our detailed review shares what it’s really like to sleep overnight on the Great Barrier Reef with kids, including cabin life, meals, snorkelling sessions, and sunrise swims. Read our full OceanQuest Family Liveaboard Trip Review.

Kids of any age can explore Cairns' Great Barrier Reef and be amazed at the colours and types of fish and coral. Some pontoons have touch tanks and enclosed swimming areas: all have marine biologists who can explain the interesting features of this amazing natural environment.