The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef and home to an amazing diversity of animal life. There are a large number of tour operators that depart from Cairns depending on what you want to do.
Sunlover Reef Cruises
offers the shortest travel time, longest play time at the Outer Barrier Reef. Once docked at their pontoon on Moore Reef, guests have over 4.5 hours to snorkel, take glass-bottom boat and/or semi-sub trips, enjoy a full hot and cold buffet lunch as well as afternoon tea on the trip back to Cairns. Full day trip: $180/adult, $65/child or $425/family of 4. Phone 1800 810 or check for special online deals at www.sunlover.com.au.
Reef Encounter is a boutique floating hotel offering 1 night or several nights surronded by the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef in style snorkel dive and learn to dive packages available Phone (07) 4051 5777 Website http://www.reefencounter.com.au/ voted number 1 specialty lodging on Tripadvisor.com - Local Family Owned and Operated
Reef Experience is Cairns newest day trip one all inclusive price of $165.00 includes breakfast, lunch afternoon tea, fast catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef, 2 spectacular reef locations, clients choice of guided snorkel, certified dive or introductory dive, city transfers, wetsuit, glass bottom boat, Marine Biologist Reef Presentation, Local Family Owned and Operated
Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Website wwww.reefexperience.com.au
Compass Cruises is Cairns best value budget trip to the Outer Barrier Reef price is $60.00 plus $20.00 for levies, trip includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, afternoon tea, boomnetting, 2 spectacular reef locations Local Family Owned and Operated
Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Website www.compasscruises.com.au
Vagabond Dive 'N Sail is a 65' cruising yacht set up for diving, sailing and entertaining for a maximum of 11 guests operating out of Cairns. The trip is two days and one night which is spent aboard the boat out on the reef. Phone: (07) 4059 0477 | Website
Diversion Dive Travel is a specialised dive travel agency based in Cairns. All their consultants know the diving and the operators out of Cairns inside out, especially the extended cruises and dive training options. Their website has been online since 1994 and has up to date information. Phone: Aust. 1800 607 913 | Website
DiveTheReef.com has a complete index of all the dive operators in Cairns, organized so you can search and find the trip that suits you best. An online booking service allows for one-stop browsing and booking. Phone: USA 1-800-207-2353, Aust. 1-800-101-319, UK 0-800-234-6949 | Website
Tusa Dive are a specialist dive boat, but also take snorkellers. They take a small number of people to the two best dive sites depending on the day's conditions. If you're a certified diver, they come highly recommended.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $130, Child (4-14yrs) - $80. Introductory dive: $195. 2 Certified dives: $220
Phone: (07) 4040 6440 | Website
Ocean Spirit have two catamarans - one that goes to Michaelmas Cay and one that goes to Upolu Cay. If you're looking for an inexpensive snorkelling day trip, the Upolu Cay trip is great value for money.
Michaelmas Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $179, Child (4-14yrs) - $87.50. Introductory dive: $95 (additional).
Upolu Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $110, Child (4-14yrs) - $75.50. Introductory dive: $69 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4031 2920 | Website
Reef Magic moors at a ponotoon on the outer reef with the lowest passenger numbers on the market, giving you 5 hours in which to spend doing what you like. Included in the trip is semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory, all snorkelling equipment included and offer scenic helipcopter flights and diving (not included in price).
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $165, Child (4-14yrs) - $85, Family (2A & 2C) - $415. Introductory dive: $80 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4031 1588 | Website
Passions of Paradise is a modern catamaran that goes to the reef and Michaelmas Cay and is another inexpensive option.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $119, Child (4-14yrs) - $75, Family (2A & 2C) - $305. Introductory dive: $65 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4041 1600 | Website
Great Adventures offers a range of advanced ecotourism certified tours cruising daily from Cairns to Green Island and the outer reef. Guests travelling to Green Island can spend up to 7 hours on the island and choose from 3 departures daily. You can also combine a 2 hour stopover on Green Island with a day at Great Adventures' spacious pontoon at the outer reef. The outer reef tour include snorkelling, semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and reef interpretation. Diving, Scuba-doo scooter and helicopter tours are optional extras.
Green Island Cruises: Prices from Adult - $73, Child (4-14yrs) $36.50. Introductory dive: $136 (additional).
Outer Barrier Reef Cruises: Prices from Adult - $186, Child (4-14yrs) - $93. Introductory dive: $136 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4044 9944 | Website
Silverswift is an ultra modern custom-designed dive and snorkel catamaran. She visits three reef sites daily at either Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe Reefs from Cairns. This trip caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silverswift is the only dive vessel in Cairns that has a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Port Douglas is Silversonic)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $158, Child (4-14yrs) - $117.50. With Introductory dive: $220
Contact: Phone - (07) 4044 9944 | Website
Pro Dive Cairns has boats running trips non-stop to various places on the reef, catering to divers of all experience levels. They have 3 boats running 3D/2N liveaboard trips to the outer reef, as well as expeditions from 3-7 days in various combinations visiting other famous GBR sites such as Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Outer Reef 3D/2N (leaves every day except Tuesday) prices are $600 for certified divers / $500 snorkelling only. This includes all gear hire, accommodation and food/drinks while on board. Dive courses are available from introductory diving to professional level training, and run in conjunction with the liveaboard trips, check the website for further information.
Phone: (07) 4031 5255 | www.prodivecairns.com