Cairns Reef Tours for Non-Swimmers

Can’t swim? No problem: there are a range of Cairns tours and activities tailored to ensure non-swimmers can still visit, explore and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef.

Outer reef pontoons and Great Barrier Reef islands are definitely the best option for non-swimmers, providing the comfort and stability of being off the water on a stable platform or land.

So if I Can't swim Can I Still Scuba Dive in Cairns Great Barrier Reef?

The short answer is Yes! Please note you can still get in the water if you cannot swim but it is highly recommended to wear the provided life jackets, and pool noodles and even purchase the optional extra guided snorkel tour that some of the reef tour companies offer.  Please see our latest video below if you are also thinking about try a scuba dive but still cannot swim:

REEF TOURS FOR NON-SWIMMERS:

Lady enjoying the water-slide at Moore Reef.

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 At The Reef

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.

Evolution Dive Boat Cairns

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.

Aqua Quest Dive Boat Cairns

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.

Reef Magic Outer Reef Scuba Diving

Reef Magic Cruises

Up to 5 hours at the reef. Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon with fabulous coral gardens. Meet Wally! Lots of inclusions: snorkelling, glass bottom boat, semi-sub, underwater observatory and more.

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 Green Island with a visit to a Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Best of both worlds. Suitable for snorkellers and 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.

Cairns Great Barrier Reef activities for non-swimmers include glass bottom boat tours, semi-submersible tours, a visit to an underwater observatory and marine biologist lecture. These activities are all included in the outer reef pontoon tours with Reef Magic Cruises, Sunlover Cruises and Great Adventures. When you are not in the water, relax on the sun decks comfortable lounges, or chill out on the canopy covered main decks.

New technology also allows non-swimmers to go underneath the water in a fully-supervised helmet dive. It’s an updated version of the pearl-diving helmets of old and you can do it on its own, or with a motorised underwater scooter, to explore the Great Barrier Reef in comfort and safety. This is an additional cost to most day tours, but definitely worth the investment for non-swimmers.

Green and Fitzroy Island are another option for non-swimmers, who can explore these tropical Great Barrier Reef islands and relax on beaches facing the Coral Sea. Take advantage of resort facilities, including bars and restaurants.

Please note: We are not affiliated with any of the boats. We are Cairns locals, trying to help visitors have the best time they can, on the amazing Great Barrier Reef. This website is funded and built by us: we make commission from your tour bookings. We hope the information is of some assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more advice on +61 7 40411638 | info@cairnsdiveadventures.com

Lady enjoying the water-slide at Moore Reef.

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.
Scuba diving Green Island

Ocean Free Sailing

Unique Cairns to Green Island sailing day tour. Max number of guests = 25. Snorkelling & diving plus time on Green Island. Buffet lunch + morning and afternoon tea included. Friendly crew.
Big Cat Boats

Big Cat Green Island – Full Day

Green Island day tours run by a locally owned and operated company. Departs at 9am and returns at 5pm. Plenty of time to explore Green Island's rainforest, sandy beaches and fringing reefs. Great value.
Reef Magic Outer Reef Scuba Diving

Reef Magic Cruises

Up to 5 hours at the reef. Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon with fabulous coral gardens. Meet Wally! Lots of inclusions: snorkelling, glass bottom boat, semi-sub, underwater observatory and more.
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 Green Island with a visit to a Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Best of both worlds. Suitable for snorkellers and divers.
Green Island

Big Cat Green Island – Half Day

Half day tours from Cairns to Green Island. Morning (9am) and afternoon (12.45pm) departures. Up to 2 hours to explore Green Island. Rainforest walks, swimming and snorkelling from the beach.
Great Adventures Day Boat

Great Adventures: Outer Reef Pontoon

Leaves later than most (10am) and provides up to 3 hours at their outer reef pontoon. Enjoy the sun deck, underwater observatory, semi-submersible and many optional extras.
Quicksilver Cruises Boat from Port Douglas

Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruises

The Ultimate Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Quicksilver Cruises provides the only Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef pontoon tour, departing Marina Mirage daily. Can snorkel and dive, Semi-Submarines & Underwater Observatory.

Great Adventures: Green Island – Half Day

There are three (3) departure and return times for the half day tours, which means this trip can be accommodated into most itineraries.
Green Island Jetty

Great Adventures: Green Island – Full Day

Great Adventures offer two departure (8.30am - 10.30am) and return times (2.30pm - 4.30pm) for their full day tours. Flexible option, suitable for families.
Pure Snorkel Boat Cairns.

Pure Snorkel – Half Day Reef Tour

Enjoy a dedicated half day snorkel tour from Cairns. Departing at 12:30pm and returning to Cairns at 5:30pm. Enjoy the high speed twin catamaran that is Pure Snorkel. All snorkel gear is provided along with 2 hours reef time.

Search for Tours:

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages

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.