11 Cairns Boat Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

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

Spend about eight and a half hours aboard Evolution, traveling from Cairns to two Outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Snorkel with provided gear, enjoy a barbecue lunch, and add an introductory scuba session or 10-minute helicopter flight. Marine guides such as Indy and Phil may add useful reef insight.

“Fantastic experience. The staff onboard the ship were extremely nice, helpful and encouraged all to snorkel and see the coral and sea life. Kudos to each one of the staff for their support. Additionally, we took the helicopter ride to see the reef and it was a sight to behold.”

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2.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

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

From Cairns, Passions of Paradise takes you by fast catamaran to two outer reef sites selected from Flynn, Milln, Norman, and Hastings reefs. Snorkel with crew support, try an introductory scuba experience, enjoy a fresh buffet lunch, and learn about reef life from guides such as Lily, David, and Le’a.

“It’s an experience of a lifetime! Everything went smoothly and you’re well taken care of. Very grateful for all the support received.”

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3.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

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

Cruise from Cairns aboard a 25-meter catamaran to two Great Barrier Reef sites. Snorkel with guides such as Simon, Parker, or Harry, try introductory scuba from age 12, enjoy a buffet lunch, and hear a marine biology talk on the ride home.

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

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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 in Cairns for a full day at Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. You’ll get reef briefings, guided snorkeling with a marine naturalist, a glass-bottom boat tour, buffet lunch, and optional certified or introductory scuba at extra cost.

“Great tour! Experienced instructors, well managed snorkeling & diving, and safety being maintained all the way. Plus the food is good : )”

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5.Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,467 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $183

Cruise from Cairns on Ocean Freedom’s fast 20-metre catamaran for six hours at Upolu Reef and Coral Cay. Snorkel above Wonder Wall, visit the Aquarium, join glass-bottom boat and drift snorkel tours, and choose certified or introductory scuba with guides such as Ollie, Paul, or Tori.

“The experience was Gold class. Instructors well drilled, friendly and hospitable.”

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6.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

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

Cruise from Cairns aboard the 35-meter Evolution to Saxon and Hastings reefs. Snorkel, add a scuba session, enjoy a BBQ lunch, then take a 10-minute helicopter flight over the reef. Friendly multilingual crew, full equipment, stinger suits, and return wine with cheese are included.

“We really enjoyed this boat tour. Even though it was a little bit rocky at the beginning to get there, but the staff was caring and very helpful! We were given masks as well as fins and a suit for the protection.. Lunch was good and we got a glass of wine and cheese with crackers at the end . Also, we did the helicopter tour. It was out of this world , so beautiful. Everything was organized well from the beginning to the end. Highly recommended it!”

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7.Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 792 reviews · 9 hours · from $127

From Cairns Marlin Marina, Reef Magic & Dreamtime Dive takes you to two outer reef sites for five hours of snorkeling and optional scuba. Expect Indigenous stories and music, marine science talks, watchful water safety, tea, and a buffet lunch. Guides such as Jed, Kevin, and Rachel help make the day personal and clear.

“the trip was full of information, very well organised, and helpful, food was really nice and the people looking after you was really great”

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8.Green Island Half-Day Morning Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 417 reviews · 4 hours · from $77Best value

Ride the air-conditioned Reef Rocket catamaran 45 minutes from Cairns to Green Island. Choose snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat, then spend about two hours around the beach, reef, pool bar, and rainforest before returning.

“The crew aboard Reef Rocket were all extremely nice and helpful in every way possible. They made us feel welcomed and appreciated. Apart from the crew I had booked the snorkelling and the guided glass bottom boat tour. The glassy was very nice with informative guides— we visited all the right spots and were always informed of what we were seeing, what we could see and many other facts about the reef which made the whole trip so much better. The guides on the glassy were very patient and tolerant when people did not pay attention or became slightly rowdy and simply dismissive to the information the guides provided.”

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9.Half-Day Afternoon Cruise to Green Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 403 reviews · 4 hours · from $77

Sail from Cairns with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises, then spend about 2 hours and 15 minutes on a 600-year-old coral cay. Choose snorkeling with supplied gear or a glass-bottom boat tour, with time for the beach and rainforest walk.

“Just a rough day on the water but took exactly 45 minutes as promised and left exactly on time to get there and back. Rent the snorkel gear as you’ll be swimming alongside the fish out there!”

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10.Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

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

Join Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom for a nine-hour sailing day from Cairns. With skippers and crew such as Blair, Anne, Ollie, Dan, Mat, Marie, and Paul, you can snorkel a quiet reef site, try an optional scuba session, visit Green Island, and sail home with wine, cheese, fruit, and cake.

“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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11.Green Island Full-Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 262 reviews · 6 hours · from $77

Sail from Cairns to Green Island by air-conditioned catamaran, then choose your mix of snorkeling, glass-bottom boat or semi-submarine viewing, rainforest walking, beach time, and optional lunch. The six-hour outing suits first-time reef visitors and families who want several easy ways to see marine life.

“Interesting day out to the reef. A 45 minute boat trip to Greenisland, lunch and then two trips around the reef. First on a glass bottom boat to see from above, then in a semi submersible to see from a fish eye point of view. There was plenty of good food for lunch and plenty of free time to swim and or explore the island.”

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