Cruises to Upolu Cay Reef

Starting from: $AU255.00

Tour Overview

  • Tour: Reef & Island cay
  • Departure location: Cairns
  • Ideal for snorkelling & diving
  • Suitable for backpackers & families
  • Number of passengers: 75
  • Reef locations (permit areas): Upolu reef & Upolu cay reef
  • Number of reef sites visited: 2 sites
  • Tour duration: 8:00am – 4:30pm
  • Travelling time to the reef: 1hrs 15min
  • Time exploring the reef: 6 hours
  • Vessel type and size: Motor Catamaran / 20 meters with 2 levels
  • Free glass bottom boat tour
  • Free snorkelling tour with a Marine Naturalist
  • Free guide for certified divers

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Cruises to Upolu Cay Reef

Ocean Freedom is a fast 20 metre luxury cruiser that travels to two reef destinations, Upolu cay and the outer edge of Upolu reef.

Upolu Cay is a naturally formed coral cay situated 30 kilometers from Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. Ocean Freedom is the first boat to arrive at this beautiful location. The shallow waters make it perfect to explore the reef, for both snorkelers and divers as it is a natural pontoon. The cay size and visibility are subject to weather conditions of the day but the beautiful blue waters surrounding the cay are always there.

The vessel offers visitors a complimentary glass bottom boat tour and also snorkeling tour with an experienced and attentive snorkel guide. They offers minimum travelling time and over six hours in the outer reef so visitors can enjoy all the water activities with no rush or relax on the vessel's deck.

Included for the day is personal service with low guest numbers, high crew to guest ratio, snorkelling equipment, tuition with personal in-water crew assistance, glass bottom boat tour, pastries, fresh fruit, buffett lunch, cheese, fruit and cake platters.

Extra activities include:

  • Introductory diving (for clients who never dived before)
  • Certified diving (qualified divers)

For introductory divers personal diving is offered with only two divers to one instructor and a complimentary guide is also offered for certified divers.

What's included in the main price

  • Fast air-conditioned cruise to and from the reef
  • Large smorgasbord lunch (with smoked salmon and prawns / mixed meat platter / chicken platter / 3 salads and assorted breads)
  • Top quality snorkelling and diving equipment
  • Snorkelling tuition
  • Buoyancy snorkel vests
  • Snorkelling tour with Marine Naturalist
  • Reef talk by Marine Interpreter
  • Glass bottom boat tour
  • Lycra suits or wet suits (depending on the season)
  • Platter of tropical fruit, cheese, crackers and assorted cake served during day
  • Tea and coffee all day
  • Introductory dive
  • Certified dive
  • Underwater cameras
  • Hotel coach transfers

Tour Itinerary

Time Description
07:00-07:50 Check-in at the Ocean Freedom desk inside the Reef Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns Marina
08:00 Boat departs Cairns Marina
Travel time is 1 hour & 15 minutes direct from Cairns to the reef
09:15 Boat arrives at the reef
Enjoy around 6 hours exploring the reef
15:15 Boat departs the reef
16:30 Boat arrives back in Cairns
  • Beach clothes and accessories such as swimmers, towel, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Dry change of clothes for the trip home
  • Extra cash or a credit card for any onboard purchases
  • Motion sickness is recommended to take 30 minutes prior to the boat departing
  • Dive card & log book for certified divers

Please Note:
All Divers: In accordance with Australian Diving law, ALL DIVERS must complete a medical questionnaire on board, before diving.
Flying after Diving: If only one dive is undertaken then a minimum of 12 hours is recommended before flying. If more than one dive is conducted in the day, an interval of 24 hours is recommended. This is not applicable for low helicopter flights over the reef.
Introductory Divers - NOTE: Certain medical conditions may prevent you from diving (e.g. Asthma, Heart Disease), please contact our office. Min. age to dive is 12 years.

Tour Prices

Rates & Tariffs

Season: 2024 - 2025 Rates Dates: 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025 Action
Main Tour (Snorkelling) $255.00 per adult
$190.00 per child
$809.00 per family
Main Tour (Snorkelling) $279.00 per adult
$200.00 per child
$958.00 per family
Additional Extras Dates: 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025
Return Coach Transfer (Cairns City) $23.00 per adult / $23.00 per child / $92.00 per family
Return Coach Transfer (Northern Beaches) $34.00 per adult / $34.00 per child / $136.00 per family
1 Introductory Dive $105.00 per adult / $105.00 per child
2 Introductory Dives $170.00 per adult / $170.00 per child
1 Certified Dive $80.00 per adult / $80.00 per child
2 Certified Dives $135.00 per adult / $135.00 per child

Age: Adult age: 15 yrs + / Child age: 4-14 years inclusive.
Family Price: 2 Adults & 2 Children.
Reef Tax: $10.00 is levied for all adults and children entering the Great Barrier Reef. This charge and other levies are INCLUDED in the cruise fares.

Related Products

Ocean Free Cruises

Have a real sailing experience.

Ocean Free is a beautiful 16 metre sailing vessel that carries a small group of passengers with maximum of 25 people. Ocean Free sails to their exclusive location Pinnacle reef.

  • Maximum 25 passengers
  • Sailing experience
  • 4 hours and 30 minutes exploring the Great Barrier Reef

Booking fees: Tourism Cairns do not charge any booking fees.

Deposit and final payment: At Tourism Cairns clients are required to pay a deposit only at the time of booking. Final payment is to be completed 48 hours prior to departure or on the day of travel, depending on each tour operator's policy.

Cancellation by the traveller: If the tour is cancelled by the client up to 7 days prior to departure, a full refund is applicable. If the tour is cancelled by the client 7 days prior to departure, the deposit amount might be retained. If the tour is cancelled by the client 48 hours prior to departure, 100% cancellation fee may apply.

Booking amendments: If the date of a tour needs to be changed, Tourism Cairns must be notified in writing by the client up to 48 hours prior to the tour date.

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