Every reef tour on GreatBarrierReefTours.com is run by a local operator who knows their part of the reef. This page tells you who they are, where they depart from, and where to find their tours on our site.
Three Things to Know
- Every operator holds a Marine Park permit. No one can run commercial tours in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park without a permit, and every operator we list holds one.
- No operator pays to be listed. Operators appear here because we work with them, not because they paid for a place on the page.
- How we earn our income. We earn a commission from the operator when you book through us. That’s how we pay our local team in Cairns and keep this guide free to use. It never decides which operators we list, and we don’t add a booking fee.
GreatBarrierReefTours.com is part of Hot Getaways, an Australian owned and operated business based in Cairns.
Cairns Reef and Island Operators
- Reef Experience – Outer reef day tours from Cairns with guided snorkelling, diving options and a marine biologist on board. See tours
- Sunlover Reef Cruises – Day trips from Cairns to the Moore Reef pontoon with snorkelling, semi-submarine and glass-bottom boat tours. See tours
- Down Under Cruise and Dive – Runs Evolution, a full-day cruise from Cairns to two outer reef sites for snorkelling and diving. Evolution Reef Cruise | Cruise and Heli
- Great Adventures – An outer reef pontoon with an underwater observatory and semi-submersible tours, plus Green Island trips. Outer reef | Green Island
- Ocean Spirit Cruises – Sailing day trips from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay on the outer reef. See tours
- Silverswift – Outer reef trips from Cairns visiting three reef sites, popular with certified divers. See tours
- Reef Adventures Cairns – Half-day small-group snorkelling tours. See tours
- Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises – Green Island day trips from Cairns. See tours
- Pure Snorkelling – Guided half-day snorkelling trips on a fast boat. See tours
- Frankland Islands Reef Cruises – Full-day trips from Cairns to the Frankland Islands. See tours
- Fitzroy Island – Ferry and day trips from Cairns to Fitzroy Island. Day trips | Ferry
- Deep Sea Divers Den – Ocean Quest liveaboard trips and outer reef day trips for snorkellers and divers. Ocean Quest | Day trip
- Pro Dive Cairns – Three-day liveaboard trips and PADI dive courses. Liveaboard | Dive course
- Spirit of Freedom – Three, four and seven-night dive expeditions, including Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. 3 night | 4 night | 7 night
- Coral Sea Dreaming – Overnight sailing trips to the reef for up to 12 guests. See tours
- Minke Whale Expeditions – Four-night liveaboard trips from Cairns to see dwarf minke whales. See tours
Port Douglas Reef Operators
- Quicksilver – Outer reef pontoon day trips from Port Douglas. See tours
- Silversonic – Day trips to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs for snorkellers and divers. See tours
- Wavedancer – Sailing trips from Port Douglas to Low Isles. See tours
- Poseidon Outer Reef Cruises – Small-group snorkel and dive trips to three outer reef sites. See tours
- Calypso Reef Cruises – Small-group trips to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. See tours
- Sailaway – Sailing trips to Low Isles and Mackay Cay, and sunset cruises. Low Isles | Mackay Cay | Sunset cruise
- Ocean Safari – Small boat reef trips from Cape Tribulation. See tours
Whitsunday Reef and Island Operators
- Cruise Whitsundays – Day trips to the Hardy Reef pontoon and overnight Reef Sleep stays. Hardy Reef | Reef Sleep
- Ocean Rafting – Fast boat trips around the Whitsunday Islands. Northern Exposure | Southern Lights
- Camira Sailing Adventures – Day sails from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. See tours
- Solway Lass – Three days and two nights on a historic tall ship. See tours
- Summertime Whitsundays – Overnight sailing trips with snorkelling and kayaking. See tours
- Powerplay – Two-night catamaran sailing trips with snorkelling and paddleboarding. See tours
- Atlantic Clipper – Overnight sailing trips with snorkelling and diving. See tours
- On Ice – Sailing and snorkelling trips around the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach. See tours
- New Horizon – Two-night sailing trips through the Whitsunday Islands. See tours
Scenic Flights
- Cairns reef flights – Helicopter and scenic flights over the reef from Cairns. Reef Heli half day | Scenic flights
- Whitsunday reef flights – Scenic flights over Heart Reef, Hardy Reef and Bait Reef. Heart Reef flight
Frequently Asked Questions
Do operators pay to be listed?
No. Operators appear on GreatBarrierReefTours.com because we work with them, not because they paid for a place on the page.
How does GreatBarrierReefTours.com earn its income?
We earn a commission from the operator when you book through us. That’s how we pay our local team in Cairns and keep this guide free to use. It never decides which operators we list, and we don’t add a booking fee.
Do reef tour operators need a permit?
Yes. No one can run commercial tours in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park without a permit, and every operator we list holds one.
What if I can’t swim?
You don’t need to be a swimmer to experience the reef. On a well-run tour, the crew will fit you with a flotation device and, on request, take you out on a guided flotation tour or hold a floating rope line so you can put your face in the water and watch the reef in complete safety. Many operators also offer glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible viewing, so you can see coral and fish without getting in at all. If you’re nervous, tell the crew. A good one will look after you.
