Luxury Catamaran Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise: Personalized Experience from Cairns
4.9
2,057 Ratings
Cairns City
Embark on a personalized luxury catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Dive, snorkel, and sail with an award-winning company, exploring vibrant coral reefs and encountering colorful fish and turtles.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Great Barrier Reef - Passions of Paradise have access to over 26 destinations on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Each day you will visit 2 of these locations chosen for their suitability to the weather conditions. Snorkel or dive with our experienced crew and view an underwater world teeming with marine life and spectacular coral reefs.
What's Included
- Marine naturalist presentation
- Lunch included
- Seasonal suits provided (Winter Wet Suits or Summer Sun Suits)
- Travel on a stylish fast modern catamaran
- Prescription Masks available
- Snorkeling equipment provided
- Tea and coffee served
- Complimentary Snorkel tour with tuition
- All marine park fees and levies included
- Snacks available
What's Not Included
- Underwater Camera hire: AU$80 with an 8GB micro SD card or AU$60 with your own card
- Soft drinks and alcohol available at the bar (cash and credit cards accepted)
- Return transfers; Cairns City $20p/p. Cairns Northern Beaches $30p/p - Must be booked in advance
- Carbon offset - Offset your carbon foot print for only $1p/p
Additional Information
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Great Barrier Reef with a company lauded for its 30 years of excellence in providing personalized day journeys. Departing from Cairns, the 80-foot catamaran delivers you to two unique spots on the reef where you can opt to dive or snorkel amongst vibrant fish, turtles, and a spectacular collection of corals. The friendly staff, having 27 distinct outer Great Barrier Reef locations at their disposal, will choose the best location considering the weather to ensure you have the most rewarding experience aboard a sumptuous, purpose-built catamaran!
- Please bring swim wear, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat!
- Check in will commence at 7.00am at the Reef Fleet Terminal and closes at 7:45am for an 8am departure
- Please note: prescription medication and certain medical conditions, both past and present, will preclude you from scuba diving in Queensland without a Queensland Dive Medical. These conditions include, but are not limited to, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, lung problems, ear problems, high or low blood pressure, current cough, cold or flu, chronic sinus conditions, fainting or seizures, plus the use of prescription medication including those used for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Please contact us directly to discuss your suitability for diving.
- The minimum age for scuba diving in Queensland is 12 years
- Scuba Diving in Queensland; prescription medication and certain medical conditions, both past and present, will preclude you from scuba diving in Queensland without a Queensland Dive Medical. These conditions include, but are not limited to, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, lung problems, ear problems, high or low blood pressure, current cough, cold or flu, chronic sinus conditions, fainting or seizures, plus the use of prescription medication including those used for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
- Scuba divers must allow 18 hours between their last dive and a flight. You cannot participate in scuba diving if you plan to travel by air within 24 hours of your trip. This includes participating in sky diving activities.
Location
1 Spence St
Spence Street
Please check in at the Passions of Paradise desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street Cairns. Check in is open from 7am and closes at 7:45am.
Hotel transfers are available at an additional cost. Please contact us directly to arrange.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(2057 Ratings)
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Jsc2355rt
Apr 7, 2024
An amazing day from beginning to end - An incredible day from beginning to end.
The Passions of Paradise crew has just the right mix of professionalism, expertise and sense of fun to make the trip to the reef really special.
The excellent food, photography and comfortable boat all added to the enjoyment.
We were on the ‘Be A Marine Biologist For The Day’ experience which was fantastic and I’d throughly recommend. We were met as we boarded by Corinda who is a real star. Hugely knowledgeable she explained the Eye on The Reed project where data from those who visit the reef is collated to monitor how the coral and sea life is coping with current stresses.
As we snorkelled we noted down what we sure under Corinda’s guidance. Having your own personal guide was a real treat as she pointed out things we would have definitely missed. She was also brilliant with the kids - 11 and 13 - making them feel secure and safe as we ventured a little further than we would have done alone as a family. We had huge fun but also felt we learned a great deal. An amazing day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simeon
Apr 7, 2024
Amazing day with an awesome crew and stunning reefs - Absolutely amazing! The crew were awesome, the reefs were stunning. It’s a small boat with maybe 90 on board and one of the few remaining locally owned reef tours left. Almost all the other boats going out were huge and jammed with people. We had lots of delicious snacks, a really good buffet lunch and a crew that looked after us perfectly. One of the best was Darby who took care to make sure we were well looked after. She also helped me get reconnected with my wife after we lost track of each other at one of the reef sites. Her enthusiasm for the reef and the company was contagious. Skip the mega boats and book these folks. They really are the best in Cairns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Giles
Apr 5, 2024
A great Barrier Reef experience with Passions of Paradise! - A great day out for 3 of us (two adults and a 13 year old daughter) who had never snorkelled before outside a UK swimming pool! Very efficient check-in with a medical form to complete- 5 minute walk to the catamaran. Departed at 8 am, 2 hours cruise to the first of two areas on the reef - lots of information, comfortable inside and out. Really impressed by the proactive way the crew checked equipment fitted, gave tips and eased us into the water with guides to assist. In both areas, had about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Coffee tea, biscuits and fruit platters served morning and afternoon while lunch was splendid (6 or so salads plus a main (chicken or vegetarian option) and seconds if you wanted.
Very interesting presentation on aspects and occupants of the reef by a team member on the way back - lots of room to tan as well!
The reef itself was unforgettable- and made possible by great service and support. Would thoroughly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happyrabbit11
Apr 4, 2024
Professional staff, good food, nice snorkeling - The snorkeling was great. The staff is very helpful and polite. Our snorkeling guide Gonzalo is very professional and knowledgeable. He took care of our group. Whenever we have a problem with our snorkeling mask, he’s very patient and always knows how to adjust it and make it work well. Food on boat is good too. Very good experience, highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jason_r
Apr 3, 2024
Really fun - This was a really fun trip and the crew were awesome. It was our first time to the Great Barrier Reef and made for a really memorable trip.
Review provided by Viator
Carol_e
Apr 3, 2024
Fantastic trip - I was very nervous as I’ve never snorkelled before, but Andrea guided me over both reefs and with her expertise and knowledge my day snorkelling turned into a wonderful experience.
Review provided by Viator
William_r
Apr 1, 2024
Amazing Snorkling - Awesome group of people on the boat. Made sure everyone had an amazing experience and made sure to help every single person out regardless of their skill level.
Review provided by Viator
Leetylouandlarrytoo
Apr 1, 2024
A terrific tour for active people... - If we were 20 years younger this would have been the perfect tour. They were meticulous about making sure everyone had a good time, and that the dives and snorkeling went off without any hitches.
The problem for us is that we needed a tour that was less physical. So if you are older or slower take another tour. This one is for active people learning to, or competant at snorkeling/diving.
Lunch was really good with lots of options. There were 6 salads, 2 hot dishes, cold meat, cheese and bread. No dessert.
A couple of notes - although the boat has a sail, it's a motorboat in disguise. The morning and afternoon tea and coffee is a bit lacking, so eat plenty of lunch. By the time you get to the cookies and fruit it may be gone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emily_butterfield
Mar 29, 2024
Fantastic Snorkelling Experience! - These guys are absolute professionals and deserve to be at the top of the charts for the experiences they provide on Passions of Paradise! The boat itself is huge with loads of comfortable room both outside and inside for everyone on board. The ratio of staff to guests is amazing and safety is their No.1 concern to ensure everyone has the best possible time which I found massively reassuring as someone who isn’t the most confident in the open water! The snorkelling was far better than anything I saw in the Whitsundays and the whole experience including an amazing lunch was 10/10. The team can’t do enough to make everyone feel welcome from beginning to end. Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristenro5515tp
Mar 29, 2024
Great Staff, great experience and great food ! (GF/DF accommodations) - Locally owned and operated, knowledgeable, educational and fun! From check in at the ferry terminal to disembarking at the end of the day, the whole crew was exceptionally nice, accommodating and knowledgeable. Safely was the #1 priority and they were accommodating of GF/DF diet while on board. Lunch was so good and coffee/tea was provided on our way out to the reef and our way back in. They also had a photographer on board that took memorable pictures of everyone and were reasonably priced if you wanted to purchase. You could also hire a water proof camera or go pro on board. Highly recommend for a local company for explore the GBR!
Review provided by Tripadvisor