When it comes to the "must see" in Cairns the Great Barrier Reef is at the top of the list. The range of different boat companies operating reef tours daily in Cairns and Port Douglas is wide. Each tour company travels to a different part of the reef offering slightly different activities, this is when visitors get confused on which tour they should choose. Tourism Cairns is here to help travellers find the perfect reef tour for them so many great memories can be carried forever.
There are many different options when it comes to a day tour to the Great Barrier Reef, for example, visitors can travel on a small boat with a small number of passengers, therefore avoiding the crowds. Or travel to a big pontoon where they have a chance to get off the boat and spend the entire day on a floating platform with many different activities included (great for families).
If the idea is to explore Cairns Reef as much as possible, the best option might be to do an overnight tour where visitors sleep in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. If you would like to learn more about overnight tours have a look at our liveaboard tours page and our sailing tours page.
Also visitors have the option to travel to an island which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. There are two islands off the cost of Cairns (Fitzroy Island & Green Island) and one island off the cost of Port Douglas (Low Isles). They are all beautiful locations with so many activities to offer.
While your stay in Cairns, don't forget to do an afternoon or night cruise around the Trinity Inlet. It is a special experience to do with your loved one.
Have a look below at all the Great Barrier Reef tours available daily departing the Cairns and Port Douglas region.
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Fitzroy Island has so much to offer with so many activities available every day such as snorkelling, glass bottom boat, paddle skis, stand up paddle. Visitors can also do some hiking with many hiking tracks around the island.
Tour Overview
Green Island is a 6,000 year old coral cay located just 50 minutes by boat from Cairns. The island has a reef system around which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The island has also a rainforest which is home for 120 species of native plants.
Tour Overview
Sunlover Cruises Platform is very spacious and modern. It is the only platform with a waterslide in the Great Barrier Reef. The waterslide is about 8 metres high and 30 metres long. Visitors can spend the whole day going down the waterslide, it is definitely great fun for kids and also adults..
Tour Overview
Green Island is a 6,000 year old coral cay located just 50 minutes by boat from Cairns. The island has a reef system which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The reef is located just off the beach so an easy access. the The island has also a rainforest which is home for 120 species of native plants.
Tour Overview
Evolution is brand new $5 million dollar vessel that provides to their guests a luxury and superior tour with a personalised service. Evolution is large, modern and fast catamaran that offers class and style of a motor yacht. They offer free guided snorkel tour and they have great dive prices.
Tour Overview
Silversonic is a 29 metre vessel custom-designed and built to take guests to snorkel and dive the reef. Silversonic departs Port Douglas every morning visiting 3 beautiful outer reef sites at the Agincourt Reef. They provide travellers with a great day where visitors can spend over five hours exploring the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.
Tour Overview
This is a half day option to Fitzroy Island, a beautiful tropical island located close to Cairns. At the island visitors can do many activities.
Tour Overview
Visit Green island for a full day or half day with a choice of glass bottom boat coral viewing OR snorkelling equipment included.
Tour Overview
This is a local Australian family business that takes people to the outer reef in a high speed vessel. They provide a day package with all activities included such as introductory or certified dive, glass bottom boat tour, guided snorkel tour, hotel transfers, unlimited snorkelling, and also lunch, breakfast and afternoon tea.
Tour Overview
Great Adventures travels daily to a spacious reef platform where passengers can enjoy a nice and comfortable day exploring the Great Barrier Reef. The platform offers a wide range of activities to everyone on board such as snorkelling, underwater observatory, semi-submersible coral viewing and reef education presentation.
Tour Overview