Cairns & the Tropical North

Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

Badge of ExcellenceCairns & the Tropical North, Australia
Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise from Cairns Including Snorkeling and Marine Biologist Presentation

From $206.51

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 8 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Discover the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day tour from Cairns. Glide across the Coral Sea on a catamaran ride to a premium outer reef location with diverse marine life. Spend hours at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed reef with exclusive access to an activity platform staffed by marine biologist guides. Snorkel, scuba dive, or opt to take a glass-bottom boat tour.
  • Full-day tour to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
  • Enjoy a fast trip to the Marine World platform on the outer reef
  • Choose from activities such as snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, and semi-submersible tour
  • Includes buffet lunch, and morning and afternoon tea

What's Included

  • Marine biologist presentation
  • Snorkeling equipment including mask & snorkel, fins and wetsuit/lycra suit rental.
  • Glass bottom boat tour & underwater reef viewing observatory
  • Morning and afternoon tea with tea, coffee, and filtered water throughout the day
  • Hot/cold buffet lunch
  • All taxes and fees
  • Transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches are at an additional cost.
  • Optional activities: introductory scuba diving, helmet diving, certified scuba diving, guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist, SEABOB jet-powered snorkeling experience, and scenic reef helicopter flight
  • Prescription snorkel and dive masks are available for rental on board

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

    Please go directly to the vessel to check in.

Start time

08:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Leave Cairns in the morning and travel to the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic ride aboard a fast catamaran with spacious interior and exterior seating areas.

Upon arrival at the all-weather Marine World platform, enjoy your choice of activities. The complex and diverse barrier reef ecosystem is home to more than 1,500 species of tropical fish and 400 different types of coral. See some of them while snorkeling in the sheltered coral lagoon, scuba diving (no experience necessary), or taking a guided snorkel safari with a marine biologist (own expense).

If you prefer to stay dry, you can view the reef from a semi-submersible boat, an underwater observatory, or take a glass-bottom boat tour or Helmet Dive (own expense). Take a scenic helicopter flight (own expense) to get another perspective on the coral reef from above. The spacious sundeck provides plenty of room for soaking up the tropical warmth, and you can even purchase a session with the massage therapist.

The range of activities make this tour suitable for people of all ages and level of swimming ability. Spend less time traveling with the speedy catamaran transfer from the mainland, which allows more time at the reef itself.

Your tour includes a hot and cold buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, the use of snorkeling equipment, a glass-bottom boat tour, semi-submersible tour, and access to the underwater reef viewing observatory.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Please bring a swimsuit, hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cash or credit card for any on-board purchases
  • All diving is subject to the completion of an on-board medical questionnaire. Certain medical conditions (such as asthma, epilepsy, and high blood pressure) and medications may exclude individuals from diving. Minimum age to dive is 12 years with parent/guardian permission required for those under 18 years. Certified divers must produce their certification cards. After diving, intervals of 12-24 hours are recommended prior to flying in any type of aircraft dependent on depth of dives and total accrued dive time
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Helicopter flights: Route flown and type of aircraft used are subject to weather, air traffic control, aircraft availability and, ultimately, the pilot's discretion. Maximum of 1 infant allowed per flight. Maximum combined passenger weight limits apply
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Susan_M
The snorkeling was the best we had ever done. The crew was very helpful and we had a wonderful day. It was also helpful to have the bodysuits to avoid being stung by the jelly fish. We also enjoyed the submersible.

Reviews

4.5
735 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 735 reviews
Excellent experience
TRISH, Mar 2024
The ability to get up close to so many fish and the beautiful coral colours. Wonderful lunch and very helpful and friendly staff. Very professional operation.
Enjoying the Great Barrier Reef!
Naruhisa_O, Mar 2024
We had an amazing time on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Unlimited! This was the best snorkeling experience we have ever had. The ocean water was crystal clear, and the coral reef was filled with a variety of fish - it did not disappoint. We would like to give a huge shout-out to Kaitlin, a marine biologist, and Takuya, a Japanese-native scuba instructor, whose knowledge and helpful attitude made the trip even more enjoyable. Tip: The one-way trip to the pontoon takes about 90 minutes. We highly recommend taking anti-nausea medication to prevent seasickness.
Even better than we hoped…
Barbara_M, Mar 2024
One nervous explorer and one more adventurous; and we BOTH had an excellent time! The Great Barrier Reef did not disappoint it was an amazing experience. The crew was knowledgeable and helpful we are so happy that we did this trip. (Tip-purchase a waterproof bag for your phone and practice ahead of time. I had to use my timer to take photos. Also, head out with a battery pack so that you hit the water with 100% charge.)
Great Barrier Reef unforgettable experience with Reef Magic
Ron_F, Mar 2024
The multiple activities and experiences were amazing and the crew as well made it very enjoyable. The only item I would say could be improved was the food selection as curry chicken/vegetables was served and members of my family did not eat that type of cuisine. Regardless, they made do with the salad and veggie dishes.
The snorkeling was the...
Susan_M, Feb 2024
The snorkeling was the best we had ever done. The crew was very helpful and we had a wonderful day. It was also helpful to have the bodysuits to avoid being stung by the jelly fish. We also enjoyed the submersible.
A pleasant day on the reef
Robert_B, Feb 2024
The experience was great. Communication leading up to it could have been better. We were able to add the helicopter experience on on the way to the pontoon when the helicopter operator came and found us. Very nice. My wife enjoyed the experiences that didn’t require swimming while I enjoyed the snorkeling. Was able to see many beautiful fish and coral right off the pontoon. Lunch was good as well
Best GBR location, great day overall
Don_T, Feb 2024
We had done three of these types of tours during our 2-week trip. One on the south end of the reef, one in the middle, and this one. This was by far the most colorful and interesting siting of the tours. They do provide stinger suits, masks, and fins for use when in the water. This was the first GBR tour we were on that they had a phone cover to purchase versus a camera with SD card you could use to get photos. The camera person was great to explain how to use the cover. Got several great photos and video of the reef and fish. And now have something I can use for pictures in the water or rainy days. The intro dive we did was cool but frustrating. Personally, thought the instructor could have been more attentive and understanding to what we knew and needed before we went out. Do not believe they had the weights right for my wife and he kept adjusting her mask during the dive that was not right for her. We are certified divers but just had not been out for a while. We did see a sea turtle during this. Lunch was okay but pay attention to the time it is available. As with most of this type of tours we did, it was rather crowded with people.
Brilliant day
Sharon_E, Jan 2024
What a fantastic day, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef is a day I will not forget. The staff on the boat were brilliant, they made everyone who was snorkeling feel reassured & comfortable. They looked after everyone's needs. There is also a submersive boat for those who didn't snorkel to see the reef as well .
Fantastic
Sharon_E, Jan 2024
What a truly amazing experience this was. It met with all of my expectations & more. The staff were fantastic and very helpful to everyone's needs. Even if you don't swim there is enough things for you to enjoy. Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef has been a dream come true
Had a fabulous time, wish we had known earlier about the diving requirements.
Preran_K, Dec 2023
Reef Magic covers everything, from communication to ensuring a great experience at the Great Barrier Reef. The crew is very well-trained and shares everything you need to know before you begin the experience. Becks, the Marine Biologist, went to great lengths to answer our questions about the reef and help with the Snorkeling experience. We took the helicopter ride, which was optional, and I highly recommend it to everyone. You will be here once in a lifetime, most of you at least, and it is totally worth the money. The only thing that could have been better is to have been informed about the health requirements for scuba diving in advance. We would have gotten the doctor's certificate - we had to miss out on the diving experience because of this requirement.
Best out there !
Meghna_G, Nov 2023
The crew and boat were amazing. Reef was perfect from helicopter to snorkeling to scuba diving .. we enjoyed it all !!
Fab day, enjoyed every minute
jo1006, Nov 2023
We had a great time. The whole day was well organised and the staff were great. I was a little scared to snorkel but the marine biologist (Zoe, I think) was so patient and knowledgeable. I even managed to go in alone and adored every minute Food was adequate and plentiful. We indulged ourselves in a helicopter flight back to Cairns which was great All in all, a brilliant day.
Perfect day at the GBR
Pedro_M, Oct 2023
A top notch activity all the way. Professional, friendly, knowledgeable staff. High quality equipment and activities. And, of course, the GBR does not disappoint. Highly recommended!!
Relaxing and enjoyable way to visit the reef
Chris_E, Jul 2023
A great day of exploring the reef. We absolutely loved the snorkeling and the submersible, Both opportunities gave us the opportunity to truly explore the reef. We even found time to relax on the sun deck and soak it all in. Special shout out to the crew…you all are the best! Thanks for caring for us and being so knowledgeable! Top notch team!
A genuine sea and reef experience
Maarit_M, Jun 2023
The trip itself was great and we loved it. The pontoon was in a great location in the reef and had several different ways to experience the surroundings, both wet and dry. We loved the snorkelling and there was plenty of time for it even when taking the semisub and glassbottom boats. Some people got really seasick already on the cruise to the pontoon even though the sea was not that rough. Some also stayed seasick for the whole day. My family was luckily ok for the whole day. That only negative thing about the trip was that everywhere in Viator it said the trip starts and the cruise leaves at 8.00 am (even the tickets) and because of that we had a really early morning. When we got to the reef fleet terminal at 7.30 (it was instructed to arrive 30min before departure), we found out after asking around that the ship would leave only at 9. We had to spend an extra hour watching other groups and ships leave before our's left. Luckily the day improved a lot after the morning disappointment.
We had such a great day...
Robert_M, May 2023
We had such a great day and Reef Magic have very friendly staff. They all knew their area of expertise well.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling
Dawn_H, Apr 2023
The snorkeling was great and it made it easy to enter the water from the platform. The submersible boat was nice to see the coral. The glass bottom boat tour was difficult to understand and it had nothing to do with what we were seeing. The lunch was ok. The biologist was interesting. Those who speak need to be trained how to speak clearly.
Great staff for tours
nicole_k, Mar 2023
We appreciated the staff doing the safari tour and seeing a little more of the reef that wasn’t in the boundaries for swimming.
Great Barrier Reef experience
Alvin_Y, Mar 2023
The magic reef crew offered a great experience. The dive Instructor (Alysia?) Did an amazing job. The marine biologists offered great presentations about the reef and marine life. Would highly recommend to all.
Great way to see the reef
Mike_D, Nov 2022
Fabulous day on the reef. Five hours to snorkel or glass bottom boat tour or submersible tour. Staff does a great job. Great snorkeling area on reef with everything provided including good buffet lunch. Lycra suit available for stinger protection.

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