Australia · GREAT BARRIER REEF TOURS

Great Barrier Reef Tours: 15 Boats Compared, Inner Reef to Outer

76 tours  ·  from $126

The decision is inner reef or outer, pontoon or drift, and how many guides are in the water with you. These 15 compare the boats out of Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach on price, time at each site and what the gear costs on top.

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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Cairns: Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight - Leaving Cairns and reaching Green Island
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Cairns: Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

4.Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,376 reviews · from $151

Take a 40-minute fixed-wing flight from Cairns over Green Island, Arlington Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Oyster Reef, and the Outer Barrier Reef. Every passenger gets a window seat, air conditioning, a headset, and live English commentary. Pilots such as Justin, Harvey, Daniel, and Cameron are known for friendly, informative guidance.

“it was perfect. the pilot made sure to go left and right so everyone had a good view of everything.”

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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

5.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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Airlie Beach: Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight - Boarding a small plane with a window for everyone
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Airlie Beach: Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

6.Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,810 reviews · 1h 10m · from $211

Take a small-plane flight from Proserpine over Conway National Park, Airlie Beach, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, the Whitsunday Islands, and Heart Reef. You get a guaranteed window seat, live English commentary, and hotel pickup. The group is limited to seven, with pilots such as Adam, Celeste, and Jesse praised for calm, clear flying.

“The flight was amazing I had the best time. Our pilot gave a great and informative commentary. My original flight got cancelled due to the weather but I easily got booked onto the next day, I would recommend making sure you have back up days if doing it in rainy season. Highly recommend the flight it’s amazing seeing the Whitsundays from the sky you get to see so much more. Pick up a drop off was also very convenient and friendly service too.”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour - From Cairns Marina to AquaQuest
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour

7.Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,432 reviews · from $181

Spend up to five hours snorkeling at two outer Great Barrier Reef sites from AquaQuest. Divers Den supplies gear, lycra suits, prescription masks, meals, hot showers, and guided water time. English-speaking guides, including Raj, Laura, and Gabriel, are praised for helping nervous and non-swimming guests.

“Great day spent on the barrier reef. Spent the day at 2 different reefs and seen plenty of fish, coral and even two small sharks. The lunchtime food was a fantastic selection of cold meats, salad, bread and chicken wings. Tea and coffee was supplied all day for no extra costs. The guides were brilliant, explained to us exactly what we were going to be doing and at what times and were very friendly. Had plenty of time to explore each reef (not exactly sure how long but well over an hour at each one). Only downside would probably be the toilets on the boat, would have been nice to…”

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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

8.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 Half-Day Snorkelling Tour - Meeting at the Pier Shopping Centre
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

9.Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,326 reviews · 4 hours · from $126Best value

Spend four hours with Reef Adventures Cairns, including a fast boat ride from the Pier Shopping Centre and about 1.5 hours of guided snorkelling at one of two reef sites. A maximum of 27 people, helpful guides such as Bradley, Lily, and Gus, snacks, equipment, and three departure times make this a focused reef trip.

“Very friendly staff and guides who very very knowledgeable and helpful. Boat handling skills by Renee were amazing thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Guides knew the read very well and showed us some amazing sights.”

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Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns - Snorkeling is the easiest way to join the day
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Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns

10.Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,316 reviews · from $197

Spend about five hours at two outer Great Barrier Reef sites aboard Divers Den’s AquaQuest. Choose snorkeling, an introductory scuba session, or up to three certified scuba sessions. Miwa, Andy, Chris, and the wider crew provide instruction, safety support, gear, refreshments, hot showers, and a tropical buffet lunch.

“The guides were excellent and plentiful to make sure we were safe in the water but also had a great experience. They also helped us find and identify fish at the reef. The only drawbacks were that the lunch was awful - like really bad. I would have also appreciated a little more education about the reef itself. But overall, this company was great and made for an amazing experience.”

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Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour with Lunch - From Cairns to Saxon Reef
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Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour with Lunch

11.Outer Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,298 reviews · 8h 30m · from $187

Cruise from Cairns aboard a 35-metre superyacht to Saxon and Hastings reefs. You get five hours for snorkeling, an optional introductory or certified scuba session, a BBQ buffet, and wine with cheese on the way home. Crew members such as João, Phil, Luca, and Mike are ready to help nervous swimmers.

“Super fun! Very well organized and executed! Had a marine biologist on board to give more in depth tours!”

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Airlie Beach: Whitsunday Islands & Heart Reef Scenic Flight - The 10-minute ride from Airlie Beach to the airport
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Airlie Beach: Whitsunday Islands & Heart Reef Scenic Flight

12.Whitsunday Islands & Heart Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,188 reviews · 1h 5m · from $274

Fly from Airlie Beach over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, the Whitsunday Islands, and Heart Reef. Your pilot provides live commentary while the high-wing aircraft and large windows give every passenger a clear view. Transfers, airport fees, refreshments, and a window seat are included. Chris, Alex, and Bilal are among the pilots praised for their friendly guidance.

“We had an amazing experience, the pilot was very informative, the flight was smooth and the views exceptional! Highly recommend”

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Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour - Michaelmas Cay: reef, sand, birds, and a glass-bottom view
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Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour

13.Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,010 reviews · from $190

Spend about 7.5 hours aboard Seastar Cruises from Cairns, visiting Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef. Snorkel with guides, use the glass-bottom boat, enjoy buffet lunch and tea, and add an introductory or certified scuba session if suitable.

“Small friendly operation. The crew were very knowledgable and helpful. The first stop at Michealmas Cay was a perfect mix of snorkelling with a trip on the glass bottomed boat. The second stop at Hastings Reef was just beautiful, we took advantage of a snorkelling tour with one of the crew, allowing us to find spots we probably wouldn’t have found. 10/10 experience.”

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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

14.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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Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef Experience in Cape Tribulation - The boat ride: quick, exciting, and not dry
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Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef Experience in Cape Tribulation

15.Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef Experience in Cape Tribulation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 902 reviews · from $148

From Cape Tribulation, Ocean Safari takes you by fast rigid inflatable boat to two Great Barrier Reef sites. Expect about two hours in the water, reef talks, turtles, rays, giant clams, and tropical fish. Cape Tribulation pickup is included. Guides such as Brandon, Brooke, Isaac, Connor, and Liz are praised for clear safety help and lively commentary.

“The people were very professional and friendly. They were patient and made we went to the right spots in the reef. They were also excellent swimmers and took me down deeper even though o was hesitant. Highly recommended.”

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New in Great Barrier Reef Tours

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★ 4.5Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from CairnsFrom $22128 reviews
★ 4.52-Day Snorkelling Experience – Great Barrier Reef Twin ShareFrom $50238 reviews
★ 5.0Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling TourFrom $142219 reviews
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★ 4.5Full-Day Great Barrier Reef Pontoon with Snorkeling & ActivitiesFrom $214132 reviews
★ 5.0Great Barrier Reef Cruise – Gold Class VIP Lounge Package58 reviews
★ 5.0Small Group | Outer Reef Snorkel & Dunk IslandFrom $17287 reviews
★ 4.53-Day Best of Cairns Combo: The Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and KurandaFrom $66127 reviews
★ 4.0All Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Cruise w optional Scuba DivingFrom $19036 reviews
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