Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

Name: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Brand: Down Under Dive
SKU: 3253OSPREY
Price: 167.11 USD
Rating: 4.5 (2935 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceCairns & the Tropical North, Australia

Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkeling Cruise from Cairns

From $167.11

Select Date and Travelers

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

8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

Lunch on board the boat is included in the ticket price
Learn about the marine life you encounter from your crew
Full training and safety instructions are given on every trip
Upgrade to go scuba diving or take a scenic helicopter flight

What's Included

BBQ lunch prepared onboard with fresh fish, prawns, steak, salads (Veg, GF, DF & Vegan options)
5 hours reef time at 2 spectacular outer reef locations
Use of Scuba equipment
Use of Snorkeling equipment
1 pre-booked dive (if dive package is selected. Additional dives can be added once onboard)
Free lycra/stinger suit hire
Glass of wine and a snack on return journey
10-minute Scenic Flight (if selected)
All Fees and Taxes

Private transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Reef Fleet Terminal
Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Check-in is from 7.15am to 7.45am at Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Evolution departs 8.00am sharp. Return transfers are available for an additional cost. You must contact Down Under Dive to book.

Start time

08:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Begin your day down by the Cairns waterfront to check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal before departure. Set out on the superyacht and travel for roughly an hour on the water to the Great Barrier Reef.

Based on conditions on the day, you’ll be taken to two prime reef locations for time in the water, with all snorkeling equipment and wetsuits provided by the onboard guides. Normally, the first session of swimming, snorkeling, and diving takes place in one of the Outer Great Barrier Reef locations.

Following a barbecue lunch onboard the boat with meat, seafood, and salads, cruise out to the day’s second reef location at the North Hastings Reef. It’s here that the pre-booked scenic flight takes place, as well as the semi-submersible tour that can be organized on the day. Spend the return trip to Cairns relaxing with snacks and listening to live music.

Reef Fleet Terminal

Admission Ticket Free

Great Barrier Reef

Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Check-in is from 7.15am at Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Please make your way to the Down Under Cruise and Dive counter to check-in. Boat departs 8.00am sharp.
Not wheelchair accessible
All divers are required to complete a Medical Questionnaire. In a commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 65 years must have a medical clearance with a physician the confirms they are Fit To Dive. Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and ANY prescription medications will require a letter or email from a doctor clearing you to dive. This clearance must state your full name, the doctor's name and practice and the clearance to dive for the specific medications/condition. Please review the operators Medical Questionnaire and Terms & Conditions prior to travel.
Children aged and under 12 years (introductory) and 10 years (certified divers) are not permitted to participate in onboard diving activities as per Queensland Australian Law.
Children under the age of 18 must be in the immediate company of a parent or legal guardian.
For Certified Diving, evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive.
Near public transportation

Diving within 24 hours before your flight is not permitted.
Infants must sit on laps
Due to comfort, weight and balance of the aircraft, the weight limit for helicopters is 130kg. Please contact the supplier directly for further information.
Most travelers can participate
Special dietary requirements must be confirmed at least 24 hours prior to travel directly with the tour operator. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options are available.
If you chose a package with a dive, this includes 1 pre-booked dive only (note: dives are not included with snorkel-only packages). Additional dives can be purchased onboard on the day or direct with the operator prior to travel.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 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.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Gary_W

The entire crew were so friendly and helpful. My wife has a difficult time moving and they were so helpful getting her in to the water. They cater to so many people at different ability levels. The lunch was wonderful and the boat was spacious and clean. Highly recommend this cruise adventure. Very much worth the cost.

Reviews

4.5

2,935 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 2,935 reviews

Average tour

Thomas_T, May 2024

This was a large group tour. 150 people is just to many to really enjoy the GBR. The food was average and equipment didn't work very well. Pushing a 3 star rating.

Amazing.

Nikita_B, Apr 2024

Amazing experience. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. Such an incredible experience, so planned out and enjoyable!

Falling in love with scuba diving

Annamaria_T, Apr 2024

The crew was friendly, took us to great spots. Saw even a shark. Was nervous before my first scuba diving, and I absolutely loved it. Food was delicious, buffet style, great variety. I would recommend this tour.

Top notch reef experience

Linda_P, Apr 2024

This reef tour was top notch. I would give it a 6 if I could. All crew members were helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Everything was so well organized. The lunch was spectacular with many options. I saw lots of amazing fish at both reefs. I would highly recommend this tour.

Great staff

Jacqueline_S, Apr 2024

I ended up having a seizure on deck prior to snorkeling, which meant I was not able to snorkel for the remainder of the trip. The staff were unbelievably nice and helpful the entire time. They gave me a private room and continuously checked on me. They made what could have been a horrible experience much more pleasant!

Professional crew

Sian_W, Apr 2024

Very friendly and professional crew. Passenger safety and experience was paramount. Very comfortable boat.

Incredible, amazing,

Shannon_M, Apr 2024

Staff made us feel so welcome. Really funny people. Was a great experience. And would recommend to a friend. And would definitely go again!

Excellent dive boat and fantastic crew experience!

Jeff_W, Apr 2024

Fantastic Dive trip!! We've been blessed to have dived around the world, and this was honestly one of the best. The very stable boat was the best facilities we've seen -- everyone had a locker shelf area for their stuff, there are plush dry areas to hang out, and the wet deck areas. The meals were great, but more importantly the staff was fantastic. Ruth and Sammy did a great job with the dives, and Andi took amazing photos of everyone under water on the reef. Our friends can't believe they weren't photo shopped! Our family highly recommends this tour.

big but still good

Damian_W, Apr 2024

Nice snorkelling!! , And crew was good. My only issue which was not their fault, is that its a large boat with lots of people. I would prefer a smaller outfit next time.

Great

Gary_W, Apr 2024

Barrier reef day on Evolution

Amanda_P, Apr 2024

Great day all round. We were allocated seats in the lower deck which was air conditioned and where the lunch and afternoon snacks were served. Comfy seating if not a little crowded with 6 at a table. The crew were absolutely amazing especially Fifi who fulfilled several roles but most importantly cooked our steak prawns and lovely food. The day was well organised and the stinger suits (once on!) were reassuring! Snorkling was good and safe although the sea was a bit wavy and a challenge to less experienced and unfit swimmers. The helicopter ride was fun but a lot of the coral looked brown and unwell sadly. The return trip was great with free flowing wine and cheese and biscuits which after snorkling/ scuba diving everyone was hungry for! Smooth journey back and then the crew cheered us off the boat like we were celebs! Great fun day and worth every penny.

Excellent, once is not enough :-)

Steven_N, Apr 2024

The best service as far as for a service of an on board crew one may wish for! Very caring and helpful (thank especially you Mike!...from the two wrinkly Slovakians :-) Informative all the way to - reef and back. The choppy sea, and low underwater visibility due to circumstances were of course unpredictable.

Definitely recommend!

Roisin_M, Apr 2024

Staff was very friendly & well organised. Got plenty of time at the two snorkel locations. Lunch was nice alongside the complimentary wine & cheese the afternoon! :) would definitely recommend doing this!

Wonderful -time great...

Gary_S, Apr 2024

Wonderful -time great experience wonderful crew And I’m not gonna waste anymore time thinking of more words to say about this to be able to give them a five star review

Great Barrier Reef

Allegra_D, Apr 2024

It was so much fun! The crew was all very nice and accommodating. They made sure we felt safe and had a good time! The helicopter ride was so smooth and it was nice to see the Great Barrier Reef from above. There are 2 stops for the coral reefs the first one is better than the second because the corals are too shallow so it’s hard to swim around. But so beautiful regardless! You get two hours each location. The boat is pretty big which helps because I usually get sea sick. There was tons of food options for lunch, steak, shrimp and fish, with veg options. It was a little bland but not bad. Highly recommend this tour!

Great activity with a...

Gregory_B, Apr 2024

Great activity with a very friendly crew and beautiful views Good introduction to scuba diving for 20 min and lots of fishes

Add to your list!

Joanne_M, Apr 2024

This trip was amazing. Well organised, staff very professional, knowledgeable and attentive. The visit takes you to two reefs. I was booked for snorkelling but you can also add diving or helicopter ride to this trip. There was also an option on the day to go in glass bottom boat at the reef for a small charge. This was great as my husband is a non-swimmer. He did try to snorkel but it wasn’t for him. Staff were amazing. Unfortunately the sea was rough on return journey and I was sea sick. Again amazing staff, very helpful and supportive. I would definitely recommend to book this trip.

Snorkel with Great Down Under Dive

Sunil_N, Apr 2024

If there’s something amazing in my 9 years of Aus trip - it’s great barrier reef. Friendly staff - being a non swimmer team really helped me so that I can have a nice experience on water. I highly recommend this tour operators. Now I wanna learn swimming and snorkel on my own

Great trtip

PAUL_S, Apr 2024

wonderful and well informed crew. Comfortable ship. Good equipment. Great experience all around. Incredible coral and fish life.

Amazing

Shijomon_A, Apr 2024

Dedicated crew members was able to enjoy through out the journey on board. Good food and drinks 😋🍷😋🍷😋🍷😋🍷

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