Australia · BOAT TOURS IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Boat Tours in the Great Barrier Reef: 15 Ranked on What Lands in the Price

25 tours  ·  from $180

Below: 15 boat tours in the Great Barrier Reef you can book today, with the price, the running time and who each one suits. The order is not random, so the top of the list is a fair place to start.

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns - The long crossing to the outer reef
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Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,714 reviews · from $190Our pick

Board Evolution in Cairns for a full day at two outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Snorkel with crew support, add an introductory or certified scuba session, or book a 10-minute helicopter flight. Marine biologists such as Indy and Phil may help explain the reef, while lunch, wetsuits, gear, afternoon snacks, and a glass of wine are included.

“Waves were pretty bad, but the entertainment and snorkeling were great. If big waves and strong wind skip and rebook. Great experience.”

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From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran - First reef stop: two hours in the water
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From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

2.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,567 reviews · 9 hours · from $190

Take a nine-hour catamaran from Cairns to two outer Great Barrier Reef sites selected for the day’s conditions. Snorkel with turtles, fish, giant clams, and colorful coral, or try scuba with a certified instructor. Marine guides such as Lily, David, and Le’a add sharp local insight, while lunch, tea, gear, and wetsuits are included.

“Attention to detail and safety! Excellent adventure. Parker was awesome!”

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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran - What the catamaran feels like during the nine-hour outing
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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

3.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,564 reviews · from $192Top rated

Spend about nine hours aboard a 25-metre catamaran visiting two Outer Reef sites from Cairns. Snorkel with guides such as Simon, Harry, or Parker, try introductory scuba from age 12, enjoy buffet lunch and reef talks, and expect a capable but sometimes busy boat.

“No complaints. Phoebe was very good and helpful in rough seas. Food was good. Safety review good. All crew friendly.”

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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise - Upolu Cay for shallow coral and easy viewing
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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

4.Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,895 reviews · from $181

Board the 65-foot Ocean Freedom catamaran at Cairns for a full day at Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. You can snorkel, join marine naturalist tours, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or add certified or introductory scuba. Expect breakfast snacks, a seafood buffet, afternoon treats, and close crew support in a group capped at 75.

“Fantastic tour with a small family company. Pastries and coffee and tea on arrival. Great instructions for snorkelling at the snorkelling sights - saw so much including sting rays and turtles. Really enjoyed the drift snorkel with our guide explaining what we could see. Tasty lunch with fruit platters, cheese and biscuits and cake on the journey home. Great day!”

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Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas - The ride out to Agincourt or Opal Reef
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Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

5.Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,385 reviews · from $227

Spend about eight hours aboard Calypso’s custom reef boat from Port Douglas, visiting three sites at Agincourt or Opal Reef. Snorkel with a guide, hear a reef talk, and add an introductory or certified scuba session for a fee. The crew, including PADI instructors such as Delphine and Nick, helps beginners feel safe and prepared.

“Everyone had fun. They enjoyed the snorkeling, the food and the trip as a whole. It is a great opportunity to see the reef and wildlife responsibly.”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight - Starting at the Reef Fleet Terminal
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

6.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,003 reviews · 8h 30m · from $279

Spend a full day aboard the 35-meter Evolution, visiting Saxon and Hastings reefs from Cairns. Snorkel, add scuba, enjoy a barbecue lunch, and take a 10-minute helicopter flight over Hastings Reef. The crew supports beginners, and onboard languages include English, Mandarin, German, and Japanese.

“The boat trip was lovely and when snorkelling you felt very safe. There were snorkel guides free and available for weaker or less confident swimmers. The helicopter ride was amazing got to see the reef from above. Definitely recommend to anyone visiting cairns!”

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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas - What non-swimmers can do
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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

7.Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 782 reviews · from $233

Travel 90 minutes from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef on a fast catamaran. Snorkel from a permanent pontoon, watch the reef from a semi-submersible and underwater observatory, or add scuba, a marine biologist led snorkel, an Ocean Walker helmet walk, or a 10-minute helicopter flight. Lunch, tea, suits, and equipment are included.

“Great experience! They handle couple hundred people pretty well. Safety was of upmost importance. Need to plan ahead on the time that you have on the platform. We enjoyed it immensely.”

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2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef - Meeting the crew and leaving Airlie Beach at 10:30
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2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

8.2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise incl. Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 752 reviews · from $466

Spend two nights aboard OzSail’s 82-foot sailing boat, Spank Me, with Captain Alex and crew. Visit Whitehaven Beach and possible stops around Hook, Hayman, Border, and Whitsunday islands. Snorkeling gear, meals, reef and park fees, and bunk accommodation are included. Expect shared, compact quarters and an active boat-based trip.

“The OzSail team, led by Captain Alex, was fantastic! The crew was attentive, the Whitsunday Islands stories were captivating, and the food was delicious throughout the trip. Highly recommend!”

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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise - The 90-minute ride from Port Douglas
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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

9.Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 711 reviews · 8 hours · from $210

Join Wavelength Reef Cruises from Port Douglas for an eight-hour, snorkelling-only trip to three Outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Marine biologists lead guided swims, explain coral and sea life, and help nervous beginners. The day includes quality equipment, wetsuits or lycra suits, lunch, snacks, drinks, reef-safe sunscreen, and free photos.

“Everything about this trip was 5* All the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. The food was very good and plentiful. The 3 dive sites were excellent And the eco-friendly nature of the trip was a real bonus.”

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Port Douglas: Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full-Day Cruise - Why Agincourt Reef Is the Main Attraction
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Port Douglas: Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full-Day Cruise

10.Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full-Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 506 reviews · 7 - 9 hours · from $195

Sail from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef aboard Quicksilver’s air-conditioned catamaran. You get about 3.5 hours at the activity platform for snorkeling, swimming, a semi-submersible ride, and the underwater observatory. Add scuba, helmet walking, guided snorkels, or a helicopter flight for extra cost. Non-swimmers have plenty to see.

“The experience was simply amazing! And the organization was superb! Despite what feels like hundreds of people, everything flows smoothly, no waiting lines for the suits, you pick your fins and masks and off you go into the water! There is constant lifeguard watch, and for those not swimming the semi-submerged boat ride is fabulous (I took it twicd and saw turtles, so so many fish and coral, and even a small shark). Definately recommended!”

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Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas - From Port Douglas marina to the outer reef
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Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

11.Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 506 reviews · from $192

Spend about 10 hours aboard Silversonic, a 29-metre catamaran from Port Douglas to three Agincourt Reef sites. Snorkel with a marine naturalist, try introductory scuba from age 12, or complete up to three certified scuba sessions. Pickup, equipment, tea, and buffet lunch are included.

“It was a great day and great way to see the reef. The dive was amazing and Hannah, our dive guide was great!”

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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas - Guided snorkeling with a marine biologist
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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

12.Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 436 reviews · from $243

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Mackay Cay and the Outer Great Barrier Reef aboard a small sailing vessel. You get guided snorkeling with a marine biologist, a glass-bottom boat tour, coral cay time, buffet lunch, and reef talks. Barry, one of the marine biologists mentioned by name, is especially good at spotting marine life for the group.

“Amazing Day would do it again . Staff outstanding. Fabulous Captain and vessel such fantastic day . Thank you”

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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Leaving Cairns aboard Silverswift
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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

13.Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 432 reviews · from $212

Spend about 10 hours aboard Silverswift, a 29-meter catamaran sailing from Cairns to three outer reef sites. Snorkel all day, try one or two introductory scuba sessions, or complete up to three certified descents. Guides such as Matilda, Paul, Vanessa, and Dave help first-timers feel at ease, while lunch, tea, equipment, showers, and reef guides are included.

“The crew was professional, friendly, and always very helpful! We did scuba diving and totally enjoyed the experience.”

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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns - Why the 20-person limit matters
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Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns

14.Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 408 reviews · from $179Best value

Spend about nine hours sailing from Cairns to Upolu Reef and a sheltered lagoon aboard a boat limited to 20 people. Snorkel with coral, tropical fish, turtles, clams, and possibly sharks or stingrays. Equipment, guided snorkeling, morning tea, buffet lunch, snacks, and return transport are included.

“The snorkeling was beautiful but the crew alienated every passenger at the start with their aggressive management of the paperwork. It’s very difficult to undo first impressions!”

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Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour - Boarding at Cairns and settling into the yacht
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Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

15.Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 398 reviews · 9 hours · from $183

Spend nine hours aboard a 16-meter sailing boat with a small group of up to 25 people. Snorkel an exclusive reef site, take an optional introductory or certified scuba session, visit Green Island, and return under sail with fruit, cheese, cake, and wine. Crew members such as Blair, Anne, Ollie, Dan, and Marie help keep the day friendly and well organized.

“Amazing! Would really recommend this tour! We got some sailing done (no engine), the guides / crew were super friendly and knowledgeable! Good snacks and many places to relax on the boat. It’s not a very big boat so there is plenty of space in the water (and on the boat) and the crew helps you out snorkelling and points out all the amazing fish!”

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New in Boat Tours in the Great Barrier Reef

★ 4.5Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from CairnsFrom $22128 reviews
★ 4.0All Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Cruise w optional Scuba DivingFrom $19036 reviews
★ 4.7Great Barrier Reef Overnight Snorkeling Boat Trip51 reviews
★ 4.6Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute HelicopterFrom $33225 reviews

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