Great Barrier Reef Adventure from Cairns including Snorkeling

Embark on a thrilling adventure to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Snorkel, dive, or explore the underwater observatory and discover the breathtaking beauty of this World Heritage site.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Great Barrier Reef - Great Adventures will take you to an exclusive and spacious activity platform on the majestic Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkel, dive, view the reef from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible tour.
  • Great Barrier Reef - Experience the breathtaking beauty of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. From Great Adventures’ spacious reef activity platform moored at the majestic Outer Reef, the coral and marine biodiversity is at its most extreme. There’s an abundance of activities for all ages, swimmers and non-swimmers to enjoy. Snorkel and dive or stay dry and discover the reef in the underwater observatory or from the air-conditioned semi-submersible.

There’s also a great range of exciting optional activities including scuba diving, scenic helicopter flights and the exclusive Scuba-Doo underwater scooter - these are an additional cost paid on the day.

What's Included
  • Round-trip fast catamaran transfer from Cairns
  • Comprehensive reef education presentation
  • Full hot and cold buffet lunch including prawns
  • Use of all snorkelling gear with instruction and buoyancy vests
  • Enjoy 3 hours at the Outer Reef platform
  • Guided semi-submersible coral viewing tour
  • Inclusive of Environmental Management Charge
  • Access to the Underwater Observatory
  • Complimentary morning and afternoon tea
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Optional activitiés
Additional Information

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. From the large marine activity platform provided by Great Adventures, located at the spectacular Outer Reef, you are introduced to an incredible diversity of coral and marine life. A variety of activities are available for everyone, swimmers or not. You can explore the reef by diving or snorkeling, or stay dry and explore through the underwater observatory or via the air-conditioned semi-submersible vessel.

Additional thrilling activities at an extra cost, like scuba diving, scenic helicopter rides and the unique Scuba-Doo underwater scooter, are also available on the day.

  • Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity. We recommend informing crew of any medical conditions.
  • The minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years. Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from participating.
  • After a single dive a wait of 12 hours is recommended before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater. If doing multiple dives an interval of 24 hours is suggested.
Location
1 Spence St
Spence Street
Important: Please check-in at Great Adventures counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at 9:30am to obtain your boarding pass. Boarding is 10am, vessel departs 10:30am.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(95 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Veronicakz4943op
Jul 1, 2024
Exceptional Staff member - A huge and greatful thanks to the staff and especially Sydney who help me locate my perception sun glasses after being so sea sick. Thank you Sydney. Veronica
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dimplemel
Jun 27, 2024
One of the most amazing experiences!! - We took the outer reef trip from cairns on the boat to their pontoon. Also did the scuba-doo which was the most amazing experience! The entire staff was extremely helpful and nice. A special mention for Trent who went above and beyond to make our day fantastic! Saho from Scuba-doo was with me during the scuba doo and made me very comfortable and was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
886dimplem
Jun 25, 2024
Amazing experience - Excellent staff and service. Trent on the whole trip was very helpful and amazing! Saho from Scuba doo and Christian from Nautilus were very good.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bernadettemo8141cv
Jun 14, 2024
Unforgettable - Such a great day. The guides were knowledgeable and very friendly. Scooby-doo was an awesome experience and not to be missed!! But take a sea sickness tablet before you get on the boat!!! It’s quite choppy out there at the outer reef …
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
Apr 15, 2024
Best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef! - Absolutely spectacular way to experience the Great Barrier Reef! The staff and facilities were exceptional! Ruby in particular was absolutely amazing from start to finish!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
858kaylinh
May 28, 2024
Snorkeling GBR for all ages - I was rebooked on this boat after my other trip was cancelled, so the staff was very friendly and professional about that. I think this is a great way to see the Great Barrier Reef easily in one day. They take you on a large boat to a pontoon by the reef where you can snorkel and eat lunch. I thought the amount of time there was good - didn't need more because there was not much else to do. There are a lot of people on the boat, but that did not bother me. It was very family-friendly and accessible for an older crowd which was fine by me but just a heads up if you are looking for a younger, more upbeat trip. We went on a gloomier day and it felt like everyone around me got seasick - take motion sickness medicine before!! Snorkeling was great nonetheless.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dkagtravelers
May 19, 2024
Things to know before you sign up for Scuba-Doo underwater scooter - We did the Great Barrier Reef Adventure from Cairns. I booked the Scuba-Doo underwater scooter option. I was told that there is no photographer to take your under water photo. That was a big disappointment as I wanted a keep sake. If I had known earlier I would have rented an under water camera in Cairns. Something to remember that you do not see the corals or the fish in color, its a hazy blue color all around. The things appear much smaller too. These are things not told to you before hand and it was disappointing. The experience you have going down in the water was really good. Beware what you sign up for.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Irene
Apr 8, 2024
Probably worth seeing only if you are a newbie to reef snorkeling. Well, at least it's an eye opening experience. Otherwise, sav - Was on a holiday in Cairns with mum and she insisted that we must check out this world popular GBR. Honestly, we might not have done this if I check out all the reviews and pictures prior to booking. 1) Green Island - perhaps my mistake as I went to the wrong side of the island (near the sun deck areas) to check out the place. Being a non swimmer which I don't normally have problem snorkeling around provided there's a life jacket, I was like of surprised that you gotto RENT one if needed. With the kind of price charged for the overall tour, I really wonder how much it gonna costs the operator to offer a 'necessity' for safety purposes. After all, I am pretty sure not everyone gonna take it. Was told by some boat mates that you could see a turtle or two + more fishes near the jetty area. The areas near to the sun deck areas literally has nothing much to offer - water is at low visibility, rather murky. It's really not like how they describe, you can see fishes just close by. I have been to Fiji where I can easily see school of baby sharks swimming around just by the shores. Talking about the sun deck area, I was really annoyed as well by the staff's approach telling me that all benches are out for rent. If I remember correctly, it's at 45 dollars for unlimited time. Guess what, I was merely just putting my phone on the table or probably seconds of sitting on the bench since I am taking selfie. I was eyed and sounded twice despite even the blind can tell that I am taking photos around. 😓 Please be more considerate, after all, am not resting at all on any of the bench. *1 selfie takes max of 5 seconds. 2) Outer Reef - hospitality was not too bad, staffs are friendly and attentive to questions posted. Perhaps the crowd is not too overwhelming for our boat today, everything seems to be nicely organized and arranged. I am blessed and lucky that we do not have any issues on long queues on food, overselling of reef activities (in fact none approached us, probably due to we are Asians and doesn't look like one that gonna do the activities much 😂). Food is OK, though I thought it gonna be a nice seafood buffet since the tour is priced on the higher end. We did the semi-subs once we arrived at the pontoon. Guess what, this experience is the main reason why we are joining the tour, especially since mum don't snorkel or swim. Sadly, it's such a big disappointment - not just from me, but few others too from Aus or Canada that I have spoken too. You really can't see much - water is not crystal clear like, not much variety of fishes... Honestly, it's kind of a waste of time. Some of us in the semi-subs were really cracking jokes that 'imagination is all you need" .😂 Well, perhaps we have seen something way better just within my own country in Malaysia! Bleached corals instead of the anticipated colorful underwater world is a real big disappointment to the GBR. Nevertheless, I am glad that I have at least made the trip here in 2024 instead of when the GBR is totally gone in 20/ 30 years time.... 🙏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnd_p
Apr 1, 2024
Great Disappoint Reef Misadventure - This "experience" only made it to 2 stars because of the personable and friendly crew. Otherwise it was a disappointment on many fronts - the viewing windows on both the sub and submerged deck of the platform were dirty, streaked, and gave a prounced blue-grey tint to everything in the water. Several parts of the submerged platform hatch entry way edges were badly and dangerously rusted. Surprisingly, the number and types of both fish and coral were better from the platform than from the moving sub! Most of the staghorn coral was bleached and broken, though some was still blue and alive. Other corals appeared to be in bad shape as well. The sole highlight was the occasional appearance of "Wally", a very large Maori Wrasse, around the submerged platform viewing windows. The primary way we wanted get in the water, the Scuba Doo, was booked up, even though the attendant at the ticket office told us otherwise (so we actually bought swimwear on that advice!) . Even had that been available there were other issues. There were only coffin sized changing facilities; there were no lockers to store your valuables so someone in your party would have to remain out of the water to hold those. The single good thing about water activities was that Lycra suits were provided for sun and stinging jellyfish protection; BUT sadly I don't recall any mention of that in the tour material. Had one known all of this and still decided to go, the way to do so would be in swimsuit and flip-flops with no valuables whatsoever. Lunch was merely so so. The fresh melons were the exception, being very good. What made lunch a harrowing hassle was that the vast majority of the tour attendees were Chinese. They lined up for lunch well before its starting time and then piled two plates precariously high with every available offering, greatly taxing the serving staff. Seating for lunch was grossly insufficient for the number of passengers, and much of it had already been "reserved" by the Chinese covering the tables up up with mountains of bags. We only managed to get lunch late in the serving and had to return to the tied up boat to find a place to eat it.
Review provided by Viator
Paradise09130849193
Aug 2, 2024
ScubaDoo was a load of poo!! - Completely agree with one of the other reviewer. It was A QUITE TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. The scooters barely move hence the view remains the same almost all of the time. Instead of moving around the reef the scooters remain confined to a very very small area. Even there the assistant pushes them around. In our case, one assistant went with two scooters so she spent most of her time struggling and separating the scooters. In addition, each scooter is tethered, the power button is misleading as it barely propels them. Instead the assistant pushes them from behind. The handle does not turn them either. Also, anything you see looks way smaller than the actual size. Complete waste of money, spend it somewhere worthwhile. USELESS!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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