Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tour types

Activities

Activities

Activities Get ready to dive into the best things to do in Cairns. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs, hike through ancient rainforests, or take off on...

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Adrenaline

Adrenaline

Adrenaline Crave an adventure rush? Dive into heart-pounding experiences like skydiving over the reef, white-water rafting down the Barron River, or bungy jumping in the...

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Attractions

Attractions

Attractions Explore the top attractions in Cairns and experience the magic of Tropical North Queensland. Meet native wildlife up close, wander through lush botanical gardens,...

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Family

Family

Family Travelling with kids? Our family-friendly tours are fun, safe, and designed for all ages. Snorkel with turtles, ride a glass-bottom boat, visit wildlife parks,...

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Fishing

Fishing

Fishing Reel in the adventure with half-day and full-day fishing charters from Cairns. From calm estuary trips to deep-sea sport fishing on the Great Barrier...

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Food and Wine

Food and Wine

Food and Wine Taste your way through Tropical North Queensland. Enjoy sunset dinners on the water, rainforest picnics, or brewery and distillery tours—all celebrating the...

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Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef No trip to Cairns is complete without visiting the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Choose from snorkelling tours, scuba diving adventures, pontoon day...

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Half Day Tours

Half Day Tours

Half Day Tours Short on time? Our half day tours make it easy to see the best of Cairns. From morning reef snorkels to afternoon...

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Indigenous

Indigenous

Indigenous Learn about Australia’s rich First Nations culture through immersive Indigenous experiences. Join guided walks, taste bush foods, hear Dreamtime stories, and gain deeper insight...

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Island Tours

Island Tours

Island Tours Escape to a tropical island paradise. From the family-friendly fun of Green Island to the snorkelling havens of Fitzroy and Frankland Islands, these...

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Liveaboard

Liveaboard

Live on the Great Barrier Reef with an unforgettable overnight experience. Whether you're snorkelling, diving, or relaxing under the stars, our liveaboard tours offer the...

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Outback

Outback

Outback Swap coral for red dirt and explore the diverse landscapes of the Australian Outback. From lava tubes and waterfalls to cattle stations and ancient...

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Rainforest

Rainforest

Rainforest Step into the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. Discover lush trails, hidden waterfalls, and rich biodiversity in places like the Daintree, Cape Tribulation, and Atherton...

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Scenic Flights

Scenic Flights

Scenic Flights See the reef and rainforest from above on a breathtaking scenic flight. Helicopter and fixed-wing tours reveal the true scale and beauty of...

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Sightseeing

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Take in the sights of Cairns and beyond at your own pace. From historic villages to lookouts, beaches, and natural wonders—our sightseeing tours show...

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Tour Packages

Tour Packages

Tour Packages Combine the best of Cairns into one seamless holiday with our curated tour packages. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week,...

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Water Activities

Water Activities

Water Activities in Cairns (Beyond the Reef)Cairns is full of fun and exciting water adventures. If you’re looking for something different to the reef, there...

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Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns

🐠 Welcome to GreatBarrierReefToursCairns.com

Discover the Magic of the Reef – From the Heart of Tropical North Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef is calling! From Cairns, you’re perfectly placed to explore this World Heritage-listed wonder. Whether you’re snorkelling with sea turtles, diving vibrant coral gardens, or relaxing on a sandy cay surrounded by turquoise water — this is where unforgettable moments happen.

💙 A Shout-Out to the Reef
We’re proud to support the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park — a global leader in marine conservation. With less than 3% of the world’s oceans protected, this reef is something truly special. Let’s look after it together.


🌴 Featured Reef Tours from Cairns

Explore our most popular Great Barrier Reef experiences — handpicked for all ages, abilities, and adventure levels.

🚤 Reef Experience – Full Day Tour

Snorkel, dive, relax on the sundeck and enjoy a free glass of wine on the way home. This award-winning day trip includes meals, gear, and expert guides.
🔗 Book Reef Experience Tour

🐢 Fitzroy Island Day Trip

A short ferry ride takes you to a tropical island paradise where rainforest meets reef. Perfect for families and nature lovers.
🔗 Explore Fitzroy Island

🤿 Reef Encounter – Liveaboard Adventure

Wake up on the reef! Sleep under the stars, enjoy gourmet meals, and dive or snorkel all day long.
🔗 View Liveaboard Packages


🧭 Plan Your Reef Adventure

Tips to help you get the most out of your Great Barrier Reef trip from Cairns.

  • When to Visit: Discover the best seasons for snorkelling, diving, and wildlife encounters.
  • What to Bring: Packing tips, gear guides, and reef-safe essentials.
  • Tour Types: Compare half-day, full-day, island, and liveaboard tours.

🔗 Start Planning

🐬 Reef Facts & Wildlife

Get to know the amazing creatures you might meet on your trip.

  • Clownfish and coral gardens
  • Giant clams and reef sharks
  • Green sea turtles, manta rays and more
    🔗 Meet the Marine Life

🙋‍♀️ FAQs – We’re Here to Help!

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

  • Can I snorkel if I can’t swim?
  • Is the reef safe for kids?
  • What’s included in the tour?
    🔗 Visit FAQs

📸 Visitor Gallery

Take a peek at what’s waiting for you — crystal-clear water, colourful fish, and smiling faces.
🔗 View Gallery


🌱 Protecting the Reef

We love the reef — and we know you do too. Learn how to travel responsibly, use reef-safe sunscreen, and choose eco-certified tours.
🔗 Learn More About Reef Conservation


🔗 Ready to Book Your Trip?

Let the adventure begin.

[🔘 View All Tours] [🔘 Ask a Question] [🔘 Plan My Trip]

Best Great Barrier Reef Tours

Green Island Tours

Green Island Reef Cruise options for both full or half day spend a lovely day options for snorkeling relaxing on the beach walking and more

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Green Island Eco Adventure

Enjoy beautiful Green Island with the Green Island half-day to full-day tour. Laze on the beach, snorkel, dive or wander the rainforest boardwalks.

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Green Island Discovery Tour

Green Island Discovery tour A wonderful day of sightseeing with transfers, snorkelling equipment, a glass-bottom boat excursion, and up to 7 hours on the island

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Reef Experience

Great Barrier Reef Tours departing daily from Cairns, this tour visits 2 outer barrier reef locations, includes bus transfers, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.  A...

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Ocean Spirit

Relax and enjoy a day of sailing and snorkelling with Ocean Spirit Cruises to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

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Sunlover Reef Cruises

The Moore Reef pontoon is the perfect destination to experience all the outer Reef offers. Visitors of all ages and abilities can view and interact...

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Silverswift Cairns

Take the plunge today! Enjoy access to stunning remote reef locations for you to dive and snorkel this Natural Wonder of the World.

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Great Adventures Cairns

Visit Norman Reef, onboard with Great Adventures your trip includes 3 hours on our Outer Reef Activity platform, snorkeling equipment

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Reef Experience Top Deck Club

Our Top Deck Club Great Barrier Reef Experience includes your own valet for the day, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and 2 spectacular reef locations

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Reef Experience Family Tour

A Great Barrier Reef family day tour with Cairns ONLY ALL inclusive reef package - packed with family friendly activities!

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Pro Dive Cairns

3 Day Liveaboard Cairns scuba diving trip includes two-night dives and visits Cairns stunning southern reefs, including Milln, Thetford and Flynn Reefs.

Lizard Island

Escape the world for the day by visiting the enchanting & exotic Lizard Island Your day starts with a low-level scenic flight from Cairns.

Reserve

Spirit of Freedom 3 night liveaboard

This 3-night liveaboard visit Australia's remote Great Barrier Reef - Ribbon Reefs, including the famous Cod Hole and Steve's Bommie. Includes scenic flight.

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Spirit of Cairns

A Cairns Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to relax and take in the views of the Cairns city lights and Trinity Inlet

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Fishing Cairns Inlet

Cairns Fishing Tours the open waters, creeks and deep channels of the Cairns Estuary System are a paradise for anglers and fishermen alike.

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Reef Adventures Cairns

Experience Reef Adventures Cairns, The newest reef trip with Mad Max! Enjoy a thrilling half-day snorkeling adventure to Upolu Reef with only 25 guests.

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Great Barrier Reef Accommodation

Great Barrier Reef DEAL

Great Barrier Reef deal Stay on the Great Barrier Reef snorkeling deal, two days 1 night 'reef special deal.'

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Reef Encounter

Reef Encounter, Cairns liveaboard stay on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling and scuba diving packages available includes all meals and accommodation.

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Green Island Resort

Green Island Resort Stay on Australia's Great Barrier Reef enjoy a tropical island paradise, relax on the beach, be pampered in the island spa

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Top Deck Club Liveaboard

Experience the best with a luxurious liveaboard cruise with exclusive VIP service on the Great Barrier Reef.

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Reef Encounter and Daintree Rainforest

Reef Encounter and Daintree Rainforest Package See 2 World Heritage sites, go snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef and explore the amazing Daintree.

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Reef Encounter and Kuranda

Reef Encounter and Kuranda village package. See the Great Barrier Reef, go snorkelling and scuba diving, and experience a fantastic day trip to Kuranda village.

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North Queensland Getaway

Great Barrier Reef liveaboard, Daintree rainforest, Outback and Chillagoe Caves package. Explore limestone caves, discover the oldest tropical rainforest and stay on the Reef.

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Reef Encounter and Green Island Resort

Imagine sleeping on Australia's Great Barrier Reef! This awesome package includes Australia's best Great Barrier Reef liveaboard and one night on tropical Green Island.

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