25 Sep
Great-Barrier-Reef-Tours
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Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns & Port Douglas

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and Queensland’s most remarkable natural gift. It is the world’s largest coral reef, comprised of over 3000 reef systems and coral cays, and home to an abundance of mesmerising sea life. It is scattered with breathtaking tropical islands, including some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Cairns in Far North Queensland is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, so it’s no wonder people from all all over the world flock to this small tropical city as the starting point for their Great Barrier Reef adventure.

Once you’ve decided to indulge in a trip to the Great Barrier Reef the only problem you will encounter is the overwhelming number of reef trips on offer to choose from.

The beauty of this is that there is something for everyone and here in this article we will uncover some of the best Great Barrier Reef tours on offer to help make your choice a little easier.

Reef Tours From Cairns

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Pro Dive Cairns

As the name suggests, Pro Dive is all about diving. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced diver with years of experience under your belt, Pro Dive has something for you.

Their Silverswift day trips are the most comprehensive one day diving experience with over 5 hours spent out at the reef visiting 3 different outer reef sites.

This ultra modern catamaran caters to small groups and has everything you need to experience the underwater world of colourful marine life in safety and comfort. The complete beginner can enjoy adventure snorkelling and 2 introductory dives while more experienced divers can indulge in up to 3 certified dives.

For the more adventurous at heart, Pro Dive specialises in Liveaboard Trips where you can spend from 3-7 days exploring the very best dive sites the reef has to offer, while staying on board their multi million dollar, purpose built liveaboard vessel. You can participate in up to 11 dives, including 2 night dives, at 16 exclusive dive sites.

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Sunlover Reef Cruises

Sunlover Reef Cruises offer travellers a full day of reef adventures, designed to cater for everyone including families with kids.

Departing daily from Cairns, you’ll enjoy a high speed air conditioned catamaran experience to the new multi-level pontoon at Moore Reef. The trip is approximately 40km from Cairns and you’ll enjoy the sundeck and only theme-park style water slide on the reef making it a blast for kids.

Upon arriving you’ll enjoy 4 hours at the pontoon, including snorkelling equipment, guided glass bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, giving options for water lovers or those that would prefer to stay dry. You’ll also be able to enjoy feeding the fish, a fully enclosed children’s pool and an underwater observatory to get up close with marine life.

That’s enough to make anyone hungry and Sunlover Reef Cruises include a hot and cold buffet lunch featuring local fresh prawns. Even if swimming with fish is not your thing you’ll still be able to enjoy an amazing Great Barrier Reef experience.

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Reef Magic Cruises

Reef Magic is fortunate enough to offer exclusive access to a stunning coral reef location which was purposefully selected for its superior water clarity, coral quality and diversity of marine life.

Like other tours, you’ll depart directly from Cairns on a fast, stable catamaran providing a smooth ride, for those that have weak sea legs. Not only will you have more of your day to experience the magic of the reef, you’ll enjoy space, comfort and a quality service.

Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon or join their Marine Biologist on a Guided Snorkel safari.

Not a confident swimmer? For those that would prefer to keep their feet on the boat, you’ll be able to view the reef from the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass bottom boat or underwater observatory.

If simply relaxing & soaking up the tropical warmth is more your style then take time out on our spacious sundeck where you will also find the regions only reef-based massage therapist.  Best of all when travelling with Reef Magic Cruises, you benefit from the expert local knowledge of a Cairns family owned company while enjoying a friendly Australian atmosphere.

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Fitzroy Island

If you’re wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef from your own tropical island paradise, then you can’t go past Fitzroy Island. A short 45 minute Fast Cat ride will have you arriving at the Fitzroy Island jetty where you are free to explore this magical Island and the surrounding coral reef at your own leisure.

Alternatively you can choose to combine the Fast Cat transfer with a guided sea kayak and snorkel tour. This will take you to the most private beaches and stunning coral reef, teeming with tropical marine life, only accessible by kayak. A glass bottom boat tour can also be included in your package for those wanting a less hands on experience but still wanting to get a glimpse of the breathtaking beauty that lies below the surface.

One day at Fitzroy Island is never enough to take in all that the Island has to offer, so you can choose to extend you stay and pamper yourself for the night in one of the resort suites or beach cabins.

Reef Tours From Port Douglas

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Quicksilver Cruises

Quicksilver’s Wavepiercing Catamaran departs from the Reef Marina in Port Douglas daily at 9:30am out to Agincourt Reef, a pristine ribbon reef at the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

Quicksilver Cruises offers a wide variety of activities, so it is ideal for those who are wanting to experience a little bit of everything. You will have the opportunity to learn to dive and snorkel, or the more experienced passengers can go on an advanced dive or snorkel tour and explore the breathtaking beauty of this remote coral reef.

Quicksilver has a permanent floating pontoon at Agincourt Reef that includes a viewing platform and underwater observatory which is perfect for non-swimmers and families with young children. A trip on the semi-submersible is also a great way for non-swimmers to experience the magic of the reef without getting wet.

A Quicksilver tour isn’t as intimate as some smaller tour operators but with so much to do and plenty of space to do it in, it won’t feel overcrowded at all.

 

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Reef Sprinter

If you want to experience the Great Barrier Reef but are not too keen on boats and the thought of spending a whole day out on the water isn’t very appealing, then Reef Sprinter Reef Trips were made for you.

Reef Sprinter departs from Port Douglas and only takes 15 minutes to get out to the stunning coral reef at Low Isles. Once out there, you will have 1.5 hours of snorkelling time to explore the beautiful coral formations and colourful tropical fish before taking the 15 minute boat trip back to Port Douglas.

Reef Sprinter also have a glass bottom boat located at the Low Isles, giving those who prefer not to swim the chance to still see the spectacular coral reef, turtles and diverse marine life that makes the Great Barrier Reef so special.

As you will discover, these Great Barrier Reef tours are just a handful of what’s available when you start looking to book a tour out to the reef. Choosing the right reef trip for you and your family can be confusing but we believe the tours we’ve reviewed here are some of the best on offer and have something for everyone, no matter what type of reef adventure you’re seeking.

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