Cairns Tours
Arlington Reef Special - Express Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Cairns
3.5

Arlington Reef Special - Express Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Cairns

By Sunlover Reef Cruises
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About

Ages 0-99, max of 310 per group
Duration: 7h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: German, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, English, Spanish
More


  • Aussie BBQ buffet lunch cooked on BBQ's on the marine base
  • Snorkeling equipment including a buoyancy vest if required
  • Glass-bottom boat tour (unlimited rides)
  • While the vessel is stationary
  • Great Barrier Reef presentation by marine experts
  • Head and shoulder massages
  • Underwater observatory
  • Fish feeding presentation
  • Marine life touch tank
  • Restroom on board
  • WiFi on board
  • Fresh water showers and change rooms
  • Environmental Management Charge (EMC) from the Queensland Government
  • Entry/Admission - Great Barrier Reef
What's not included
  • Seawalker helmet dive (extra charge)
  • Introductory SCUBA dive (extra charge)
  • Two Certified SCUBA dives (extra charge)
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (extra charge, contact Sunlover to inquire)
  • Wetsuit (additional charge)
  • Secure lockers (additional charge)
  • Scenic helicopter flights (additional charge)
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Soda/Pop


Start:
  • 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
    The Sunlover Reservations counter is inside the Reef Fleet Terminal on the ground floor. Please check in there also. The vessel leaves from the Marina, just steps away from the terminal.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5851P3

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Minimum age is 12 years for SCUBA dive or Seawalker dive
    • SCUBA and Seawalker passengers are subject to an on board medical checklist. No refunds are given for failed medicals so passengers are required to ensure they are medically fit for diving prior to booking.
    • Please ensure you bring your dive certification for Certified SCUBA dives
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 310 travelers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5851P3

    Currently unavailable
    This product is unavailable to book via Tripadvisor.
    Explore other options
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Sunlover Reef Cruises
      1,009
      Australia
      Joined in November 2010
    • A7072NBkatherineb
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A special three generation family holiday.
      We had an amazing trip. The staff were outstanding, the food was delicious, considering we were out in the middle of the ocean. The Reef itself did not disappoint.
      Written September 26, 2024
    • jess_fair2
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fun Day Out!
      We spent a lovely day at Fitzroy Island, with the glass bottom boat being an absolute highlight! Hannah, our guide, was brilliant and so knowledgeable. We opted for the package that included lunch, which was nice enough for a buffet offering! I was tempted to knock off a star because the weather wasn't great so it was a but cold and the snorkeling views weren't the best, but still we saw some coral and it's not like Sunlover control the weather! I would just say that if the weather's not looking the best, bring a jumper for after you've been snorkeling because we really could have done with one.
      Written September 25, 2024
    • Freedom58062350353
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Helping a senior fulfill her dream
      Dont swim much. Wanted to go in water,but too afraid.Lifeguard came over and did a one on one experience with me.She let me hold on to a flotation device,and she pulled me around a few metres. Got to see fish and 3 turtles..
      Written September 7, 2024
    • Jeanette S
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic.. a must regardless of your age. Fantastic crew, great boat, wonderful pontoon, yummy food. The coral was out of
      What a fantastic day we had. From the check in to disembarking there was nothing to fault. Everyone was so friendly, so helpful nothing was too much trouble. The glass bottom boat and semi submersible was excellent. The snorkelling and swimming looked fun. The water slide looked fantastic. The sea was a bit rough so take your tablets before you go.
      Written September 3, 2024
    • ReemaS57
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A Great Barrier Reef experience!
      What a great way to experience the Great Barrier Reef!! 4 hours spent on the pontoon which included lunch, boat rides, snorkelling & water slides. Would definitely recommend paying the extra for the 30 minute guided snorkelling tour. All staff were super friendly welcoming & couldn’t do enough to ensure our trip was enjoyable. Would definitely recommend!
      Written August 30, 2024
    • JonG1466
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful day on the reef
      The crossing was choppy but staff attentive all the way, and once there it was all worth it. Beautiful blue waters, a great selection of fish and a couple of turtles spotted as well. There were lots of additional activities, mainly free, and the kids particularly enjoyed the water slide and the glass bottom boat. In addition, we had a guided snorkelling tour and the guide (Ted) was excellent. Extremely knowledgable after 32 years working on the reef and we saw all sorts of things we otherwise wouldn’t have. A great lunch, friendly staff and a quieter trip back made it a wonderful experience.
      Written August 28, 2024
    • Dreamer04649650815
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Tour too long, reef is in poor condition and not much to see.
      The reef is in very bad shape, grey and dull, it appears to have been suffering from over tourism, very limited variety of fish, many massive overfed fish, maybe this way because the tour operators feed them to attract them. The boat was very cold with AC on quite strongly even though it was not warm. The tour was too long, sitting around on the boat for hours, you can pretty much complete the snorkelling quite quickly, there is not much to see, similarly the glass bottomed boat was average. Then you have hours of sitting around. The Barrier Reef should be better protected and it is not really worth going these days. Go to a local aquarium you would get a better experience.
      Written July 29, 2024
    • Cruiser637941
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The BEST day on the Reef possible!
      We did the Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island tour, absolutely the best in Cairns for the boat, staff, amenities and experience. We did the guided snorkel tour as an extra and it was brilliant…highly recommend and will definitely do this again!
      Written July 16, 2024
    • pardesi_frangipani
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Too large a group
      The pontoon is great, the guided snorkel was fantastic and the sea walk a lot of fun. The rest of the trip felt like a giant tourist trap. There were over 200 people on the boat - way too many people to make the trip enjoyable.
      Written July 12, 2024
    • amandamQ8849RP
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent customer service
      Due to an issue on my end with my booking, as well as changes in the times Sunlover were actually able to do the transfers I contacted them to cancel my booking. They were wonderful, understanding and exceptionally prompt with the processing. I can only imagine that it would have been equally exceptional customer service if we had been able to use them.
      Written July 6, 2024
    • D3946ZSbenw
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing trip - especially the snorkeling
      I went with my wife and 8 year old son along with two friends, their 5 year old daughter and 6 month old son. We had a great time. The snorkeling is the best part by a country mile but the glass bottom boat tour was also great and there were other things fun to do when not snorkeling. We didn't do any add-ons like scuba-diving or helicopter ride. The ride out to Moore Island (a pontoon island) is about an hour and a half and is very bumpy. My son and I were both very seasick and many other people inside the cabin were as well (they walk around with paper bags and the bags get used plenty). Maybe 20% of us in the cabin. We did take seasick meds, but alas. I think it was a mistake to not ride outside with fresh air, and they said the back of the boat is better. We didn't have any problems on the way back. The reef is amazing. My son, wife, friends, and I all loved the snorkeling and saw amazing things. Our friends five-year old loved the water slide and must have gone down it 50+ times. The glass bottom boat tour was great. We saw lots of different fish, lots of variety of coral, and most of us saw a sea turtle. It was terrific. I'd do it again. I'm not sure if every day is as bumpy as our day was, but take the sea-sick warnings seriously!
      Written July 5, 2024
    • mtY6406XS
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best experience on Fitzroy island!!
      We went on a Fitzroy island tour with Sunlover Reef Cruise. What I loved about this tour was the time duration on Fitzroy Island. You get to experience Fitzroy island more than enough in a day! We went on a hike, went to the Nudey beach, snorkelling around & spent a day on Nudey Beach exploring! While we were waiting for the boat to go back to Cairns, we spotted some sea turtles on the jetty. Boat came around 5pm and we could enjoy the pre sunset sky at Fitzroy island which was absolutely beautiful ✨ All the staff I have spoken to on the boat, they were all friendly and professional. I highly recommend to book Fitzroy island tour with Sunlover Reef Cruise! It was definitely worth the money.
      Written June 17, 2024
    • Ahmed E
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      great experience
      Who accompanies you on your adventure day is experienced and knowledgeable about the activities the local area and safety procedures They provide clear instructions demonstrations and guidelines to make sure you feel confident and have a good time while participating in the various activities
      Written May 30, 2024
    • Ritva M
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Mezmering day at the GBR
      It was mezmerising day at the GBR💎! Everything was organized and taken care of professionally. There was many options to do at the GBR. I absolutely recommend this tour.
      Written May 12, 2024
    • aussie1Sydney
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great staff and a great experience
      Headed out on an overcast day with a warning of rough seas. Wife and I made sure we popped an avomine (Travel sick tablet) an hour before departure and glad we did! Plenty of people used their provided bags........and not to put their lunch in! This is where I saw the wonderful staff kick into action. One poor lady spent the whole day with her head in a bag and the staff were so kind and considerate to her, never leaving her side even sitting next to her on the trip home. Well done to those staff! The snorkelling went really well and we even scored some sunshine while in the water. The food provided for lunch was plentiful and tasty with the staff always cleaning up tables and left overs...they never stopped working. Anytime any person needed anything, from directions to the toilets through to another snorkel, I found the staff to be pleasant and always willing to help. Everything about the experience was well organised and lived up to the advertised experiences. I have done these trips previously and felt this was just as good, if not better. Sure, it is quite expensive but who knows how long the reef will be there!!!!! Thanks to all the staff.
      Written April 21, 2024
    See all 1,009 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


    3.5
    3.5 of 5 bubbles6 reviews
    Excellent
    2
    Very good
    2
    Average
    0
    Poor
    0
    Terrible
    2

    Connie525
    El Cajon, CA198 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2019
    Amazing day on the barrier reef. It was a little hectic upon arrival with everyone crowding to get their gear and begin snorkeling. With so many people I think the fish scattered, as few to see. Nice having a cover on the platform to stay out of the sun and escape the humidity. Fun day on the reef.
    Written January 18, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    leapriscilla
    toronto21 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2019 • Family
    We had a great Moore reef experience!

    We went to their Underwater observatory, we did their semi-submersible Tour, and glass bottom boat Tour and view the colorful coral and marine life.

    The kids enjoyed their Ocean enclosed Pool and waterslide on the reef.
    Written August 7, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for your feedback leapriscilla. We are glad you enjoyed your day on Moore Reef. There really is nothing better than a day on the Outer Reef with everything you need for young and old alike to view the incredible corals and marine life. It is great to hear that the kids had an amazing day as well - the waterslide is pretty unbeatable. We hope to welcome you back again in the future. Kind Regards, Sunlover Reef Cruises.
    Written August 8, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Kevin K
    Naperville, IL113 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2019
    We came into Cairns on the Celebrity Solstice cruise ship, they had contracted with Sunlover to provide this tour. The catamaran picked us up directly from the ship, which was great because it saved us from the tender plus shuttle bus it would have taken to get to Cairns.

    Sunlover has a pontoon at Arlington Reef and we took a large catamaran out to the reef. The catamaran was very comfortable, the seats were more like a tour bus than a boat. As other reviews point out, it can be a rough ride sometimes en route to the reef, so take your seasick meds BEFORE you board. We had no problems but a few people did, and I felt sorry for the staff helping them out.

    The snorkeling was great. Hey, it's the Great Barrier Reef, how could it not be. :-) Lunch was very good as well.

    My only complaint was that the food was back on the boat, so you had to dry off enough mid-day to go back over to the boat for lunch and try not to get the seats wet. It's too bad the pontoon wasn't larger so that they could serve lunch on the pontoon.
    Written November 19, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello and thanks for your feedback. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us at Arlington Reef. It is certainly a beautiful Outer Reef location. We understand it can take a bit of time to dry off before collecting lunch, however in our tropical climate, we prefer to serve the meal inside the air-conditioned vessel and away from the elements. Thanks for joining us on Sunlover and we hope the rest of your holiday is just as fantastic. Kind Regards, Sunlover Reef Cruises
    Written November 29, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    AussieCairns1985
    Cairns, Australia35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2019 • Family
    Great experience . Amazing reef , no too crowed . Good food , good service and amazing soft corals to see.
    Written August 8, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks AussieCairns1985, We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you on board again in the future. Kind Regards, Sunlover Reef Cruises
    Written August 12, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    James T
    1 contribution
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2019 • Couples
    Ridiculously overcrowded and about a hundred schoolkids screaming all day, could not wait to get off!
    Written November 18, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi James, Whilst we appreciate all reviews and feedback, we do find this one quite confusing. Our Arlington Reef Special traveled on the 17th November and the 18th of November both with less than 100 guests on board. The only groups travelling were a small group of international university students. If you would like to perhaps provide more details of your experience, please email tours@sunlover.com.au as we take all feedback seriously. Kind Regards, Sunlover Reef Cruises
    Written November 18, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    dtikimon
    Northport, AL55 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2019 • Solo
    Large crowds even after I had told the booking agent I did not want to be in large crowds.
    Constant talking english and chinese over the PA system. Super crowded and about half the passengers sick and throwing up. Very average food. Crew was ok but not helpful.... one guy crew member extremely rude. The only part done well was the glass bottom boat.
    Written May 8, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello dtikimon, Whilst disappointing to read, thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. Although there is plenty of space for all guests on board both our vessel and pontoon, it is by far not a small boat experience. I would welcome an email direct so that I could get some further information from you with regards to your booking process so that we can make sure all of our agents are on the same page. Please email me at tours@sunlover.com.au with your name and travel date so that I can look into this matter further for you. We are a company who enjoys being a part of our international visitors' Great Barrier Reef experience and in part this means we do need announcements on board in multiple languages for both the safety and information of our on board guests. Sea sickness and motion sickness are a very personal thing and whilst we cannot prevent all guests from experiencing this, we do go above an beyond to assist with free ginger tablets, affordable travel calm tablets, sea sickness bags and staff on hand to assist guests in making their way to the fresh air. For many visitors to Queensland, this is their once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the iconic Great Barrier Reef and possibly their first and last time on a boat so far out to sea. I look forward to speaking with you further soon to work on improving our education to booking agents and to improving our on board experience further. Kind Regards - Sunlover Reef Cruises
    Written May 8, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Arlington Reef Special - Express Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Cairns provided by Sunlover Reef Cruises

    All Cairns HotelsCairns Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Cairns
    All things to do in Cairns
    Day Trips in Cairns
    RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars