The Great Barrier Reef, best viewed from Cairns Australia is the world’s largest living thing and home to an amazing variety of animal life. There are a large number of tour operators that depart from Cairns, below is a short selection.
Reef Encounter is an unique floating hotel offering 1 night or several nights surronded by the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef in style snorkelling, scuba diving and learn to dive packages are all available
Compass Cruises is Cairns best value budget trip to the Great Barrier Reef price is $60.00 plus $20.00 for levies, cruise includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, afternoon tea, boomnetting, 2 spectacular reef locations Local Family Owned and Operated.
Tusa Dive are a specialist dive boat, but also take snorkellers. They take a small number of guests to the two best dive sites depending on the day’s conditions. If you’re a qualified diver, they come highly recommended.
Ocean Spirit have two vessels – one that goes to Michaelmas Cay and one that goes to Upolu Cay. If you’re looking for an inexpensive snorkelling day cruise, the Upolu Cay tour is good value for money.
Michaelmas Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $179, Child (4-14yrs) – $87.50. Introductory dive: $98 (additional).
Upolu Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $114, Child (4-14yrs) – $75.50. Introductory dive: $9 (additional).
Passions of Paradise is a modern catamaran that goes to the reef and Michaelmas Cay and is another inexpensive option. This company recently won the Cairns Tourism Award for Adventure Tourism. Traveling to two different uncrowded destinations you can be sure of a high quality experience.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $169, Child (4-14yrs) – $89, Family (2A & 2C) – $407. Introductory or Certified dive: $70 (additional). These prices include $10 reef levy.
Pro Dive Cairns has boats departing tours non-stop to various places on the reef, catering to divers of all experience levels. They have 3 boats running 3D/2N liveaboard cruises to the Great Barrier reef, as well as expeditions from 3-7 days in various combinations visiting other famous GBR sites such as Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Outer Barrier Reef 3D/2N (leaves every day except Tuesday) prices are $604 for certified divers / $508 snorkelling only. Price includes all gear hire, accommodation and food/drinks while at sea. Dive courses are available from introductory diving to professional level training, and run on the liveaboard trips, check the website for further information.
Deep Blue Divers Den This is an overnight vessel that can best be decribed an a floating 4 star hotel. she is surprisingly spacious. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three sites a day. There are daily transfers to and from the vessel every day so you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you want. A perfect boat for both divers and snorkelers .