Reef Experience Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns, the Best way to see the Reef
Join us onboard our high-speed Catamaran “Reef Experience” for an unforgettable day visiting two pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef tour locations and discovering the breathtaking wonder of this World Heritage environment.
Reef Experience is Cairns’ only all-inclusive Great Barrier Reef tour, including a free scuba dive.
Everyone will find the perfect way to experience the Great Barrier Reef by catering to all swimming, snorkelling, and scuba diving levels.
First, we will pick you up from your Cairns accommodation. Next, we will start the day with our famous BBQ bacon, egg burgers, and tropical fruit.
We will introduce your day while we go to the outer barrier reef. Our marine biologists will give you an informative marine presentation during the trip.
Snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities will be available when we reach the reef, even if you can not swim.
Experienced swimmer or snorkeler?
Our crew will show you the best patches of coral and tell you where to find the marine marvels that call the Great Barrier Reef their home.
Never snorkelled before or can’t swim?
Our friendly and professional crew is always ready to jump in and assist everybody who needs help. The water is the best place to introduce you to some of our brightly coloured tropical fish.
We are passionate about our guests having the best day possible, experiencing the magic of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
A day on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef tour will be one of the most memorable days in your life.
If you want to stay longer on the Great Barrier Reef, please click here to read about our floating hotel.
Highlights
About your day at the Great Barrier Reef
- Up to 5 hours at two pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour locations
- Unlimited Snorkeling at morning and afternoon locations. All equipment, including wetsuit hire.
- Scuba Diving (Certified Dive qualified OR Resort Dive no-experience necessary at the first reef location for everyone over age 12 and medically fit scuba) Reef Experience Medical Questionnaire
- Pick up and Return to Cairns City Accommodation
- Marine Biology Presentation
- Breakfast consisting of barbecue bacon and egg rolls and also coffee, tea and fruit platters
- Lunch delicious bbq with an assortment of fresh salads
- Cheese, fruit platter and complimentary wine on the return journey
- All dietary requirements catered for. (Vegetarian/gluten-free etc.: please advise upon booking).
- All food is locally sourced where possible and prepared fresh by the onboard Chef.
- FREE Crew assistance for non-confident snorkelers (flotation aids available). Friendly and professional crew are ready to jump with everyone who requires assistance to have fun and experience the reef’s magic!
- Large Sun Deck with padded loungers and air-conditioned indoor areas
- Reef tax, fuel levy and national park fees. Unlike other operators, mandatory levies for visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are included in this trip cost, so there won’t be extra charges on the day.
- No hidden costs
Itinerary
- 07:30 – Board Reef Experience boat at the Cairns Marina ‘A-Finger’ for check-in
- 08:00 – Approximate departure and Safety Talk with snorkel briefing
- 08:30 – Marine Biology presentation,
- 09:00 – Scuba diving briefing
- 09:30 – Arrive at our first spectacular reef site, snorkel and/or scuba diving.
- 12:30 – Lunch
- 13:00 – Cruise to our second location to explore forests of coral, large sea fans and black coral trees in its shallow lagoons
- 15:00 – Depart the Great Barrier Reef
- 15:30 – Glass of wine, tropical fruits, cheese and biscuits
- 16:30 – Arrive back in Cairns
Included
Shuttle BusFor those staying in the Cairns Business District area, bus transfers to and from your accommodation to the boat are included on your day trip. |
BreakfastBBQ bacon and egg rolls are served. Your dietary requirements will be met; please advise upon booking. All food is locally sourced and prepared fresh by our onboard chef. |
Marine Biology Presentationis a great way to learn about the marine life on the Great Barrier Reef from our resident onboard expert as you journey to your first reef destination. |
Free scuba diveAll scuba dive equipment hire is included in your trip along with one free scuba dive (certified or resort dive)!* |
LunchBuffet style lunch is served with a wide variety of meal options with healthy salads on the side. Your dietary requirements will be met; please advise upon booking. All food is locally sourced and prepared fresh by our onboard chef. |
SnorkellingUnlimited morning and afternoon snorkelling at two reef locations. Non-swimmer snorkel tours are also included throughout the day for those who require assistance in the water. |
Wine, cheese and crackersEnjoy a light snack with wine on the journey back to Cairns. |
RefreshmentsTea and coffee are served throughout the day except when the boat is moving. |
SunscreenA reef-friendly sunscreen is provided onboard free of charge. |
Reef LevyWe include mandatory reef tax and fuel levies for visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in the trip cost, so there won’t be extra hidden charges on the day. |
Optional Extras
- Underwater Digital Camera Hire
- Snack Bar Purchases: Soft drinks, chocolate, chips, alcohol etc.
- Marine Biologist Guided Snorkel Tour of the reef: Snorkel with an experienced Marine Biologist and learn about the marine life you see on an educational and interactive tour
- Great Barrier Reef souvenirs – T-shirts, hats etc
- Dive Guides for already qualified ‘Certified’ scuba divers (dive guides included for beginner divers)
- Prescription Mask Hire if you require stronger lenses to see (contact lenses can be worn in most circumstances)
- Bus transfers from accommodation outside of the Cairns Business Area
- Second Scuba Dive at our beautiful afternoon reef location
What to bring
- Cash and/or credit card for purchases
- Swimming Clothes
- Towel
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Proof of qualification if you’re a Certified Diver
This is a barefoot tour. Once onboard, no one wears shoes.
How to get there
Reef Experience departs from
Cairns Marina: ‘A-Finger’ View map
Boarding commences at 7:30 am for check-in directly on the vessel ‘Reef Experience.’
Arrive back at Cairns Marina at approximately 4:30 pm
Where Can I Park?
Several parking stations throughout Cairns are within walking distance of the Marina.
Click here to see where
Important Information
Scuba diving Information
We have a passion for showing you Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, so please make sure you understand the scuba diving laws.
Queensland, Australia, has some of the strictest scuba diving rules globally and the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all regulations, including medical as is the law.
To avoid disappointment on your day of travel, we strongly recommend that all of our passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire before booking as some medical conditions, age and/or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef experience.
Reef Experience Medical Questionnaire
We are happy to help you with any questions you may have.
Please get in touch with our office on 07 4037 2700 or email us.
Flying after Scuba Diving
It would be best if you did not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive for a single no decompression scuba dive. For multiple dives, you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive.
If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning, you must wait 24 hours after your dive.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible.
Add your review for Great Barrier Reef Tours, Reef Experience
Linda M
5The crew were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable! Our favourite part of the day was to snorkel and dive at the Great Barrier Reef. It was definitely a brilliant experience, thoroughly, enjoyed every second of it. We will definitely do it again!
Nancy L
5This was a bucket list trip! I had an excellent trip! I would highly recommend it as the crew was spectacular.
Prateek G
5Good value for money! The staff was very courteous and helpful. Trip was made beautiful by the crew! Loved the experience, good food as well! Well rounded, excellent!
Bryan
5One of my friends recommended Reef Experience to tick the Great Barrier Reef off my bucket list, and it was great. Crew on board were awesome, I got to swim with sea turtles and the snorkeling was great! The experience of once in a lifetime, thank you! cheers.
Veronica T.
5This tour has the best price for the facilities given. Crew were super, handy, helped non- swimmers get comfortable in the water. The whole journey was just our favourite part of it. I would suggest to change nothing! the best and coolest experience ever. Thanks to a young and skilled crew. THANK YOU <3
Emma
5This tour is the best value for price!!! The crew were fantastic! Our favourite though was swimming with a turtle and the intro dive course. Food was really good, loved every minute of the tour!
Katerina
5I booked my Reef Trip with Reef Experience. Very friendly crew, smiley, nice, helpful and experienced people. Brilliant!!! Hard to say what was the best part of the day, I loved everything at the reef (the reason why I chose the tour), and i loved the BBQ - the meal was super delicious. I will definitely gone back. Have to try scuba diving! Thank you so much for a spectacular day :)
Gareth J
5GREAT day out. The crew are the best and the best part of the day was diving for the first time!!
Alison Williams
5Every member of staff was more than helpful! They are all so knowledgeable. Amy (Newcastle) was lovely, the guys who did the talks were wonderful and again I am just so grateful to Ziggy. It is clear the whole crew are passionate about what they do and have an excellent rapport with everyone. The crew were brilliant Amy helped me when my wetsuit didn't fit and also helped my daughter with her prescription mask. Ziggy was wonderful and very encouraging when she helped me do my first snorkel. She is amazing!!!! The whole day was fantastic but snorkelling on the great barrier reef was spectacular.
Yana Hoy
5The crew were excellent. Your staff are so nice, they took care of everyone and work really hard. I really appreciate every effort from them and I hope the boss will reward the staff. They treat your customers really well, we need to appreciate together.
Annika
5The meals were fresh and delicious. The places we went snorkelling and the scuba diving for beginners were great! The best part of the day was diving with a green sea turtle.
Laura Taylor
5Amazing food and amazing staff. I would not change a thing. Thank you all for an incredible day and experience.The crew were awesome, a great laugh and very knowledgable. The best part of the day was the 2nd reef stop.
Sarah Desforges
5The whole day was amazing, thank you for a great experience!! The crew were INCREDIBLE!! Knowledgeable, entertaining and so helpful. It is clear that the whole day works because of a fantastic crew who really show what teamwork is.
Aida Salcic
5Great value, what an awesome day, cool crew, great food I would defo recommend this tour. The crew were great the best part of the day was we saw two different sea turtles.
Sally B Younes
5I would recommend this boat experience to anyone. It was so good. This has been my dream come true. Thank you!! The crew were fantastic, wonderful, happy and very helpful to everyone onboard. The best part of the day was snorkelling on the reef because I saw a sea turtle and the most amazing colourful fish.
Alicia McMahon
510/10 Stars. The crew were very kind and friendly and willing to help at a moments notice. The best part of the day was scuba diving for the first time. A big shout out to Zack for helping me overcome my fears and ensuring I was okay.
Casey Ercolano
5The best part of the day was snorkeling on the reef. How do I apply to work here. The best part of my Cairns trip...Thank you!The crew were amazing and nice to speak to and with everything they do.
Anne Marsh
5An excellent day and one I will tell my friends and family about!! The trip was great value for money. The crew were excellent. The best part of the day was snorkelling/ marine biology talk/ marine biology tour. Well done
Phillip Hicks
5It was the best day of my holiday. The crew were excellent. The best part of the day was my first time snorkelling with Rick guiding me.
Amy Uchtenberger
5This was an excellent experience. I would definitely recommend it, great value for money. The crew were 10/10 so happy, helpful and friendly. The whole day was planned out so well. I really enjoyed my first ever scuba dive as I never thought I would do it. The scuba instructor gave me lots of help which I was grateful for.
Brian
5Snorkeling the Reef was best part of the day! The crew were fantastic, helpful, supportive and informative. An outstanding, professionally run organization. Would love to do it again. Highly recommend this trip.
Jeff & Elizabeth
5The team were very knowledgeable and professional, but are able to keep things light and fun along the way. Loved seeing a shark and then realizing there is nothing between you and the shark! We also really enjoyed learning about the marine life.
Kos
5The crew are very helpful and enthusiastic- they know what to do. Was the first time in my life snorkeling but I enjoyed it!
Juliet
5The price was good and the crew were great. The best part of the day was seeing all the fish. The food was also great and catered to my vegan needs :)
Michelle & Adrian
5Loved all of it! Fabulous, friendly, helpful crew. All inclusive. Recommended highly- keep up the good work!