Catamaran Excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns

4.8 (8 reviews)
Visit two sections of the Great Barrier Reef on this catamaran cruise that includes snorkeling, scuba diving, and a buffet lunch.

Overview

Discover the Great Barrier Reef with this full-day cruise on a high-speed catamaran, where you'll learn about the world's largest coral reef from onboard experts and get to experience it for yourself with snorkeling and scuba diving. The journey begins in Cairns, where you'll meet the expert crew and learn about the Great Barrier Reef. This trip includes stops at two different areas of the reef, and once you anchor, you can snorkel, scuba dive, or just relax on the ship. Guided snorkel excursions are available, so you can see all the things you might miss otherwise, or you can head out on your own with the provided equipment. Enjoy a hot-and-cold tropical buffet lunch on board along with tea and refreshments from the bar, and then return to Cairns in the evening.

Highlights

  • Snorkel or scuba dive through the Great Barrier Reef to see its wildlife up close
  • Learn about one of the world's most diverse ecosystems from expert guides
  • Cruise along the Great Barrier Reef in a comfortable catamaran 
  • Indulge in a tropical buffet of hot and cold dishes and refreshments on board

Know before you go

Duration
1 day
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Group tour

What you'll do

Today's excursion begins in Cairns, which you can reach on your own or with a requested transfer. Arrive at the departure point in the morning to board the high-speed catamaran. Relax with a morning tea and meet the crew, which includes wildlife experts ready to teach you about the largest coral reef in the world and one of our planet's most diverse ecosystems.

You'll be visiting two different parts of the Great Barrier Reef today, so after getting settled with a morning refreshment and refresher on the area, you'll make your first stop. Once there, you can grab some snorkel or scuba diving gear to get a closer look at this reef that's home to 9,000 different species of creatures (that we know of). The staff is on hand to train you in snorkeling techniques, and you can either explore on your own or take a guided swim with a crew member. You can also just relax on the ship, soaking in the sun and the reef from above.

Afterward, you'll have a lunch break and sample various dishes from a tropical hot-and-cold buffet. Then you'll continue on to the second stop of the day, where you can explore another part of the reef via snorkeling or scuba diving or you can keep relaxing on the ship. Enjoy an afternoon tea or beverage afterward, and then soak in the sights as the catamaran brings you back to Cairns in the early evening.

What's included

  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Guided snorkel adventure
  • Chef-prepared tropical buffet lunch of hot and cold dishes
  • Morning and afternoon tea
  • Wet suit or sunsuit

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Traveler reviews

8 total ratings, 8 with reviews
4.8
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.7
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8
Transport
4.4
G
Grace V.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on May 19, 2024

This was our favorite trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The boat was very nice and wasn't a huge boat with tons of people. The staff was very kind. We loved our dive master for our certified scuba dives. There was also an optional session about the underwater wildlife during the boat ride back and that was a pleasant surprise!

C
Cheryl P.
Cedar Park, TX | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024
This day was amazing. I was apprehensive about snorkeling as I had a previous bad experience. The crew that went out with us were so patient and helpful. Basically if you wanted a crew member would escort you out to reef , take you around to different locations and then return you to boat. It totally put me at ease and made my snorkeling experience so enjoyable Read more

This day was amazing. I was apprehensive about snorkeling as I had a previous bad experience. The crew that went out with us were so patient and helpful. Basically if you wanted a crew member would escort you out to reef , take you around to different locations and then return you to boat. It totally put me at ease and made my snorkeling experience so enjoyable

Tips for future travelers

Do it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
K
Ken K.
Lake in the Hills, IL | Reviewed on Mar 28, 2024
This activity was memorable, snorkeling in this location was one of the higlights of our trip. The guides were awesome! Read more

This activity was memorable, snorkeling in this location was one of the higlights of our trip. The guides were awesome!

Quality of Experience
Yael
Yael C.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 02, 2024
We were taken by a beautiful Catamaran. The staff on the boat were absolutely outstanding !!!!! they took care of each one of the 80+ passengers as if we were royals. I was not feeling well on the way and 2 staff members looked after me easing my sea sick and making me feel better. When one of the guides saw that I was not comfortable with the snorkelling gear in the water he took me personally on trip to the reef attached to a life saving ring making sure to point every special fish and... Read more

We were taken by a beautiful Catamaran. The staff on the boat were absolutely outstanding !!!!! they took care of each one of the 80+ passengers as if we were royals. I was not feeling well on the way and 2 staff members looked after me easing my sea sick and making me feel better. When one of the guides saw that I was not comfortable with the snorkelling gear in the water he took me personally on trip to the reef attached to a life saving ring making sure to point every special fish and coral we saw on the way. He made my day and I made sure to tell him he did (I tipped him some extra $) .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Carole
Carole R.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2023
It was so informative and the staff was so accommodating with all of our needs that it made it special. Read more

It was so informative and the staff was so accommodating with all of our needs that it made it special.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
One of our party has some medical conditions and they were able to create a great experience for them
Transport
boat was very open but the seas were rough so some of the areas became crowded
D
Debra G.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2023
Seeing the GBR was an amazing experience, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so. The crew was high energy the entire time, and made the journey there and back a pleasant one. What I was expecting, but didn't get, was any information about the GBR. I had assumed there'd be some type of presentation about the plants and animals we'd be seeing during our 2 hour journey there, and how to maximize our snorkeling/diving experience. Even better would have been a discussion about the... Read more

Seeing the GBR was an amazing experience, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so. The crew was high energy the entire time, and made the journey there and back a pleasant one. What I was expecting, but didn't get, was any information about the GBR. I had assumed there'd be some type of presentation about the plants and animals we'd be seeing during our 2 hour journey there, and how to maximize our snorkeling/diving experience. Even better would have been a discussion about the issues that the GBR is facing as the oceans warm. All we got was a disjointed, generalized slideshow AFTER we had done the snorkeling. In addition, I was given a wetsuit that was too large (never having worn a wetsuit before, I had no idea). Thus, for me, the snorkeling was uncomfortably cold, and I ended up with non-stop shivering even after back on the boat. Thankfully, a crew member noticed on the second round of snorkeling, so that dive was much more enjoyable. Lastly, I wasn't blown over by the food provided. Since I stayed out snorkeling until called in for lunch, most of the food was already gone, since others had come in early. What I had was fine, but cold (all the hot food was gone), and not particularly memorable.

Tips for future travelers

First, realize that you'll be on the boat for 4 hours, so you might want to bring something along to pass the time. Be prepared for a rough ride. Our trip was quite choppy, and several people got seasick. Thankfully, I did not, but I'd probably bring along some medication to be prepared if I take such a trip again.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Katie
Katie K.
Palm Bay, FL | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2023
Unfortunately I was sea sick most of the time. Regardless, this excursion was one for the books. The captain took good care of me and the kids and I had a blast. Read more

Unfortunately I was sea sick most of the time. Regardless, this excursion was one for the books. The captain took good care of me and the kids and I had a blast.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vaibhav
Vaibhav M.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

Well organized, food was great, equipment was excellent quality, supervision was top-notch, and the views were spectacular.

Tips for future travelers

Take some motion sickness pills!

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