Sailing Trips in the Great Barrier Reef: 7 Days Out With the Prices Attached

1.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

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

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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2.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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3.2-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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4.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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5.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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6.Outer Reef Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 182 reviews · 9 hours · from $240

Leave Port Douglas at 7:30am for a relaxed, full-day sailing trip to Mackay Cay. You will snorkel with a marine biologist, visit a small coral cay, ride a glass-bottom boat, and enjoy morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea aboard a spacious catamaran. This is a snorkeling trip only, with no scuba diving.

“This was the first time my family has snorkelled in the ocean. The guides were very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. They helped all of my kids so willingly and even my youngest son was able to snorkel. We had such a good time on this trip.”

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7.Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $221

Sail from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard the 30-meter Wavedancer. Snorkel from a calm beach, join a marine biologist such as John, spot turtles and giant clams, ride a glass-bottom boat, and enjoy a buffet lunch. Hotel pickup from Cairns and the Northern Beaches is included.

“I enjoyed myself on this trip but Cairns has a million tours and tour companies and enjoyed myself more on a non viator tour.”

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