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Great Barrier Reef Tours
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Outer Reef Pontoon Experience from Cairns
Recommended for your Cairns & the Tropical North trip
Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
8 hours (Approx.)
Offered in: English and 6 more
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Overview
Enjoy the natural delights of the Great Barrier Reef on an activity cruise from Cairns that gives you several ways to experience this renowned underwater world. After traveling by catamaran to a pontoon moored on the reef, you can observe marine life on a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel; go snorkeling to spot sea turtles; get your hands wet in the touch pool; upgrade to include a Seawalker Helmet dive; or upgrade to include an introductory or certified scuba dive. Snacks and a buffet lunch are included, and the pontoon is equipped with showers.
- Full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise
- See the underwater sights without getting wet from a glass-bottom or semi-submersible vessel
- Enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch including fresh seafood
- Morning and afternoon tea included
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Your day on the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, begins as you depart Cairns by high-speed catamaran, listening to commentary from a marine naturalist about the array of marine life that call the reef home (safety and snorkeling instructions are also provided). Arrive at a spacious pontoon moored on the outer reef, your base for the day, where you can spend your time however you wish to make the most of your experience on the water.
The pontoon is equipped with Wi-Fi, change rooms, and showers. Morning and afternoon tea are provided on board, as is a full buffet lunch that features seafood and tropical fruit. For beverages, you may purchase soft drinks and alcoholic drinks from the onboard bar, as well as additional snacks or ice cream. For protection from the elements, Lycra sun suits are included or you can hire neoprene wetsuits (additional cost); the Great Barrier Reef is home to jellyfish and other stinging species (jellyfish season is November to May).
After ample time on the pontoon, your day trip ends with the return cruise to Cairns.
Included activities
If you prefer to stay dry, take a glass-bottom boat ride or tour by semi-submersible vessel to spot clownfish, starfish, clams, anemone coral and more. Watch a fish-feeding demonstration, and check out the onboard touch tank for a hands-on look at marine life. When you want to cool off, jump in the water with your provided snorkeling equipment to look for resident sea creatures like Dolla the turtle or Wally the hump-headed Maori wrasse. Watch for manta rays, clownfish and maybe even whales in the winter months.
Optional upgrades
Seawalker Helmet diving: Take a walk on an underwater platform to enjoy the thrill of scuba diving without the scuba requirements. No diving experience is necessary to participate in this guided activity, and numbers are limited to six people per group to provide personalized attention.
Introductory dive: If you’re a beginner scuba diver, take an introductory dive with a group.
Certified dive: If you are an experienced diver, enjoy two certified dives.
The pontoon is equipped with Wi-Fi, change rooms, and showers. Morning and afternoon tea are provided on board, as is a full buffet lunch that features seafood and tropical fruit. For beverages, you may purchase soft drinks and alcoholic drinks from the onboard bar, as well as additional snacks or ice cream. For protection from the elements, Lycra sun suits are included or you can hire neoprene wetsuits (additional cost); the Great Barrier Reef is home to jellyfish and other stinging species (jellyfish season is November to May).
After ample time on the pontoon, your day trip ends with the return cruise to Cairns.
Included activities
If you prefer to stay dry, take a glass-bottom boat ride or tour by semi-submersible vessel to spot clownfish, starfish, clams, anemone coral and more. Watch a fish-feeding demonstration, and check out the onboard touch tank for a hands-on look at marine life. When you want to cool off, jump in the water with your provided snorkeling equipment to look for resident sea creatures like Dolla the turtle or Wally the hump-headed Maori wrasse. Watch for manta rays, clownfish and maybe even whales in the winter months.
Optional upgrades
Seawalker Helmet diving: Take a walk on an underwater platform to enjoy the thrill of scuba diving without the scuba requirements. No diving experience is necessary to participate in this guided activity, and numbers are limited to six people per group to provide personalized attention.
Introductory dive: If you’re a beginner scuba diver, take an introductory dive with a group.
Certified dive: If you are an experienced diver, enjoy two certified dives.
Itinerary
On our Moore Reef Daily experience we make a brief stop enroute and on the way back from the reef to pick up and drop off passengers.
Fitzroy Island is favourite trip for Cairns' locals with 99% of its landscape covered in lush tropical rainforest as well as granite outcrops, open woodlands, mangroves and coral beaches.
Learn more about the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef with a visit to Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre or the Reef Restoration coral nursery, take a bushwalk to the Summit or Lighthouse, snorkel straight off the beach or simply relax on the sandy shores of the famous Nudey Beach - voted the best beach in Australia.
Inquire about our Fitzroy Island Transfers, which give you 6 hours to explore this paradise. Or, for the ultimate tropical island and reef experience combine it with a Moore Reef Daily cruise and save.
Traveler Photos
Traveler Tips
- "You wear a life-jacket so even if you are not confident in the water it's not a problem." See review
- "It costs extra, but I would do it all over again." See review
- "Seasickness pills are a great suggestion, as there were a lot of people suffering." See review
Reviews
Questions?
Product code: 5851MR
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