7 Scenic Flights in the Great Barrier Reef That Survive a Second Look

1.Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

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

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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2.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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3.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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4.1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 746 reviews Top rated

Fly for about 60 minutes over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach. Expect a window seat, live pilot commentary, low passes over Heart Reef and Hill Inlet, and possible views of whales, manta rays, or sharks. Pickup is available, and flights carry no more than 13 people.

“Nice views of the islands and Great Barrier Reef. Pilot gave plenty of time to allow us to get our cameras ready to take pics. Try to avoid 3rd row, which had some obstructed visibility due to plane wing and wheel. Plane was very hot during takeoff and landing - dress accordingly.”

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5.Great Barrier Reef 40 Minute Scenic Flight from Cairns – Reef Hopper

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $185

Fly from Cairns over Green Island, Double Island, Palm Cove, Arlington Reef, and Upolu Reef in a high-wing aircraft with a maximum of seven people. GSL Aviation guarantees a window seat and includes a central Cairns pickup. Pilots such as Ben and Spencer provide commentary, and the flight can be rescheduled or refunded if poor weather cancels it.

“Picked up from my accommodation by friendly and helpful driver and taken to airport for flight In-house information then our friendly and helpful pilot Spencer took us for a spectacular flight over a number of coral island from both the left and right side of the plane. Such a beautifu and spectacular tour of the turquoise sea. There was along the way a mother whale and her calf that I saw along the edge of one of the coral islands. Thanks Spencer for a very informative tour.”

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6.Outer Reef Odyssey – 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · from $376

Take a 40-minute helicopter flight from Cairns Airport over Green Island, Vlasoff Cay, Arlington Reef, and the outer Great Barrier Reef. Your pilot, including Chris, Haley, Johnno, or Niels, points out reef life and explains the changing water below. The flight carries a maximum of four travelers and may include a brief sand-cay landing.

“This was a wonderful way to see the great barrier reef. We enjoyed our flight. It was just the two of us with the pilot.”

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7.45 Min Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 45 min · from $442

Take a shared 45-minute helicopter flight from Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. The route includes Double Island, Palm Cove, Kuranda, Stoney Creek Falls, Barron Gorge, and Barron Falls. An English-speaking pilot provides commentary, with space for up to six passengers.

“The tour was amazing, the views were incredible and the driver was very good at telling us history and what places were! However I would’ve expected the flight to be less crowded for what we paid. Just think it’s pretty expensive and we were jammed in with 2 other couples! Otherwise no complaints”

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