Fly / Cruise to Down Under Cruise & Dive

Starting from: $AU489.00

Tour Overview

  • Tour: Fly to Evolution vessel / Cruise back to Cairns
  • Departure location: Cairns
  • Ideal for snorkelling & diving
  • Suitable for couples & backpackers
  • Number of passengers: 150
  • Reef locations (permit areas): Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs
  • Number of reef sites visited: 2 sites
  • Tour duration: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
  • Travelling time to the reef: 1hr 30min
  • Time exploring the reef: 3hrs
  • Vessel type and size: Motor Catamaran with sailing on the way back / 35 meters with 3 levels
  • Morning tea, afternoon tea & Buffett Lunch included

Video

Helicopter Flight - Fly / Cruise to Evolution

Have a relaxing morning in Cairns without any rush and at lunch time take a spectacular low helicopter flight over the colourful waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the reef from Evolution, a $5 million catamaran, and cruise back to Cairns with live entertainment and a complimentary glass of wine.

Down Under Cruise and Dive operates Evolution, a fast, large and modern catamaran that provides to their guests a luxury and superior tour with a personalised service. The catamaran is quite spacious with decks over 3 levels and the interior on the main and upper decks are large and cozy. The outdoor offers a lot of seating options away from the sun including comfortable lounges. Also, the fold-down platforms at the end of the vessel provide easy and safe access to the water to all passengers.

Visiting two outer reef sites in one day travellers spend over 5 hours in the water exploring the reef with a short travelling time. The reef locations, Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs, have been chosen for their good clarity of water and the their diversity of marine species. Visitors will enjoy the beautiful coral formations and the different coloured fish around.

The day package deal includes an amazing low helicopter flight from Cairns to the outer reef, free guided snorkelling tours, scuba diving lessons, onboard entertainment, morning, afternoon tea and a barbecue lunch. For travellers who have never snorkeled before this is not a problem, they can have an one-on-one tuition on gear use and snorkeling techniques.This is also great for kids. Also a selection of buoyancy aids (foam noodles, life jackets and wetsuits) are available to all guests.

Extra activities include:

  • Introductory diving (for clients who have never dived before)
  • Certified diving (for experienced divers)
  • Semi-submersible submarine tour (underwater coral viewing tour)

What's included in the main price

  • Spectacular helicopter scenic flight from Cairns to the outer reef
  • Fast air-conditioned catamaran from the outer reef back to Cairns
  • Five hours of snorkelling at two outer Great Barrier Reef locations
  • Guided snorkelling tours
  • Scuba diving lesson so clients can try it first
  • State of the art snorkel equipment and flotation devices
  • Live musical entertainment
  • Delicious Aussie BBQ lunch including prawns, fish, steak, sausages, vegetarian, tropical salads and pastas
  • Exclusive, protected, sheltered reef locations
  • Introductory dive
  • Certified dive
  • Semi-submersible
  • Wetsuit or Stinger suit
  • Digital underwater camera hire
  • Return coach transfer from Cairns & Northern Beaches accommodation

Tour Itinerary

Time Description
11:00 - 11:45 Check in at the helicopter office in the marina
12:00 Helicopter departs Cairns Marina
Enjoy a spectacular scenic flight from Cairns to the outer reef
Travel time is approx. 30 minutes
12:30 Helicopter arrives at the outer reef
Enjoy around 3 hours exploring the reef
15:30 The journey back to Cairns starts
Enjoy the cruise back in a fast air-conditioned catamaran
Travel time is approx 1 hour & 30 minutes
17:00 Boat arrives back in Cairns
17:05 Clients make their way back to the hotel
  • Beach clothes and accessories such as swimmers, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Dry change of clothes for the trip home
  • Extra cash or a credit card for any onboard purchases
  • Motion sickness tablet is recommended to take 30 minutes prior to the boat departure
  • Dive card and log book for certified divers

Please Note:
All Divers: In accordance with the Australian diving law, ALL DIVERS must complete a medical questionnaire on board, before diving.
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.
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.
Helicopter Passengers: Weight Check: Please note that client’s body weight must be advised prior to the reservation being confirmed as per Australia's Aviation Policy. Should a client advise a weight variance of more than 10%, the right is reserved to charge a 100% cancellation fee.
Insurance: The helicopter operator carries full insurance including Public Liability Insurance of $50,000,000.00.

Tour Prices

Rates & Tariffs

Season: 2022 - 2023 Rates Dates: 1st April 2022 - 31st March 2023 Action
Fly / Cruise $489.00 per adult
$489.00 per child
Season: 2023 - 2024 Rates Dates: 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024 Action
Fly / Cruise $489.00 per adult
$489.00 per child

Age: Adult age: 15 yrs + / Child age: 4-14 years inclusive.
Reef Tax: $20.00 is levied for all adults and children entering the Great Barrier Reef. This charge and other levies are INCLUDED in the cruise fares.

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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