Day Trips from Cairns
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef and home to an amazing diversity of animal life. There are a large number of tour operators that depart from Cairns depending on what you want to do.
Reef Experience is Cairns newest day trip one all inclusive price of $165.00 includes breakfast, lunch afternoon tea, fast catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef, 2 spectacular reef locations, clients choice of guided snorkel, certified dive or introductory dive, city transfers, wetsuit, glass bottom boat, Marine Biologist Reef Presentation, Local Family Owned and Operated
Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Website wwww.reefexperience.com.au
Tusa Dive are a specialist dive boat, but also take snorkellers. They take a small number of people to the two best dive sites depending on the day's conditions. If you're a certified diver, they come highly recommended.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $130, Child (4-14yrs) - $80. Introductory dive: $195. 2 Certified dives: $220
Phone: (07) 4040 6440 | Website
Ocean Spirit have two catamarans - one that goes to Michaelmas Cay and one that goes to Upolu Cay. If you're looking for an inexpensive snorkelling day trip, the Upolu Cay trip is great value for money.
Michaelmas Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $179, Child (4-14yrs) - $87.50. Introductory dive: $95 (additional).
Upolu Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $110, Child (4-14yrs) - $75.50. Introductory dive: $69 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4031 2920 | Website
Reef Magic moors at a ponotoon on the outer reef, giving you 5 hours in which to spend doing what you like. They have semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory and offer scenic helipcopter flights (not included in price).
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $173, Child (4-14yrs) - $93, Family (2A & 2C) - $447. Introductory dive: $180 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4031 1588 | Website
Passions of Paradise is a modern catamaran that goes to the reef and Michaelmas Cay and is another inexpensive option.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $119, Child (4-14yrs) - $75, Family (2A & 2C) - $305. Introductory dive: $65 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4041 1600 | Website
Great Adventures offers a range of advanced ecotourism certified tours cruising daily from Cairns to Green Island and the outer reef. Guests travelling to Green Island can spend up to 7 hours on the island and choose from 3 departures daily. You can also combine a 2 hour stopover on Green Island with a day at Great Adventures' spacious pontoon at the outer reef. The outer reef tour include snorkelling, semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and reef interpretation. Diving, Scuba-doo scooter and helicopter tours are optional extras.
Green Island Cruises: Prices from Adult - $73, Child (4-14yrs) $36.50. Introductory dive: $136 (additional).
Outer Barrier Reef Cruises: Prices from Adult - $186, Child (4-14yrs) - $93. Introductory dive: $136 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4044 9944 | Website
Silverswift is an ultra modern custom-designed dive and snorkel catamaran. She visits three reef sites daily at either Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe Reefs from Cairns. This trip caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silverswift is the only dive vessel in Cairns that has a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Port Douglas is Silversonic)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $158, Child (4-14yrs) - $117.50. With Introductory dive: $220
Contact: Phone - (07) 4044 9944 | Website
Compass Cruises offer the budget option of going to the reef. They go to two different outer reef sites.
Prices: Snorkelling only: $60. Introductory dive: $55 (additional). Certified dive: $30 (additional). Not included in the price is $20 reef tax and $7 city pick up.
Phone: (07) 4031 7217 | Website
Pro Dive are a specialist dive vessel offering 3-6 day liveaboards. Prices vary with the different dive schedules. Check the website for further information.
Phone: (07) 4031 5255 | Website
Day Trips from Port Douglas
Port Douglas Reef Charters
Has a comprehensive list of all operators for the Great Barrier Reef in Port Douglas for sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and sightseeing. Get advice from a local who can book all your tours for you at no extra charge.
Phone 0439 910133
If you do not want to dive, stick to the Snorkel only options. If you would like to try diving, but never have before, look for the companies that offer "introductory" or "resort" dives. And if you only want to dive, check out the specialty diving services.
Snorkel Only
Wavelength takes a maximum of 30 people on its tours and caters specifically for snorkellers.
Prices: Adult - $190, Child (2-12yrs) - $110, Family (2A & 2C) - $485
Contact: Phone - (07) 4099 5031 | Website
Snorkel and Dive
Silversonic takes a maximum of 80 people on its tours and visits three reef sites at Agincourt Reef. This tour caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silversonic is an ultra modern, custom-designed fast catamaran and features a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Cairns is Silverswift)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $170, Child (4-14yrs) - $127.50. With Introductory dive: $230
Contact: Phone - (07) 4087 2100 | Website
Posiedon offer small groups of 90 people and visits three reef sites. It caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $150, Child (3-12yrs) - $115. With Introductory dive: $200
Contact: Phone - (07) 4099 4772 | Website
Haba offer small groups of 90 passengers and visits two reef sites. It caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $165, Child (4-14yrs) - $99. With Introductory dive: $220
Contact: Phone - (07) 4098 5000 | Website
Quicksilver Cruises travels to a spacious reef activity pontoon at the outer reef on the Agincourt reef system. It caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. This cruise is well suited for swimmers and non-swimmers alike with an underwater observatory and semi-submersible tours and marine biologist presentations included. Diving and heli tours are additional costs. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $197, Child (4-14yrs) - $98.50. With Introductory dive: $139 (additional)
Contact: Phone - (07) 4087 2100 | Website
Wavedancer Low Isles Cruises: Quicksilver's sailing catamaran travels to Low Isles. Caters for island activities and includes glass bottom boat tour, island walk and snorkelling with a marine biologist. Advanced Ecotourism Certified.
Prices: Adult - $143, Child (4-14yrs) - $74
Contact: Phone - (07) 4087 2100 | Website
Calypso offer small groups of 65 passengers and visits three sites at Opal Reef. it caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult $175, Child (4-14yrs) - $120. With introductory dive: $225. Contact Phone- (07) 4099 6999.
Aristocat offer small groups of 90 passengers and visits three reef sites. It caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult $165, Child (4-14yrs) - $120, Family (2adults, 2 children between 4-14yrs) - $495. With introductory dive: $225. Contact Phone- (07) 4099 4727
