Best value for money which includes your first Scuba Dive (Beginner OR Certified)
Warm breakfast, BBQ lunch, and wine & cheese on return
Complimentary shuttle transfers for guests staying in Cairns city (hotels/motels/hostels)
A modern catamaran with a spacious sun deck, perfect for lounging and capturing scenery
Discover the Beauty of a World Heritage Reef
Embark on a journey to the stunning Great Barrier Reef, visiting sites on Norman, Saxon, and Hastings Reefs where the underwater world of vibrant corals and marine life awaits.
Boarding: 7:30 am
Departure: 8:00 am from Cairns
Return: 4:30 pm
Pricing:
Adults: $245
Children (4–11 years): $165
Family (2A 2C): $655
What’s Included in Your Reef Experience?
Breakfast: Start your day with a hearty breakfast featuring egg and bacon rolls, tea, and coffee.
Safety and Equipment Briefing: Receive expert guidance and demonstrations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Marine Biology Presentation: Learn about the reef’s ecosystem from our onboard marine biologist.
Diving Options: Enjoy a certified dive or beginner dive—no prior experience needed!
Snorkelling Gear: High-quality snorkelling equipment is provided for all guests.
Delicious Lunch: Indulge in a variety of fresh-prepared options to satisfy all tastebuds.
Optional Second Dive: Enhance your experience with an optional second dive (additional cost).
Friendly Crew: Our expert team ensures your day is fun, safe, and memorable.
Join us for a day of adventure and discovery on the Great Barrier Reef. Book your tour today and make memories to last a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is included in the Reef Experience tour?
The tour includes a hearty breakfast, snorkelling equipment, a marine biology presentation, a certified or beginner dive, a delicious lunch, and optional upgrades like a second dive. Expert guidance from the friendly crew ensures an unforgettable experience.
What time does the Reef Experience tour start and finish?
Boarding begins at 7:30 am, with departure at 8:00 am from Finger A, Cairns Marlin Marina. The tour returns at 4:30 pm, giving you a full day to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
Can beginners participate in the diving activities?
Absolutely! Reef Experience offers beginner dives with no prior experience required; however, it is subject to medical fitness. Full safety demonstrations and guidance are provided to ensure your comfort.
Are there any health or safety restrictions?
Certain medical conditions and flying within 24 hours of diving may impact your ability to dive. A medical questionnaire must be completed before booking to confirm eligibility.
What happens if I need to reschedule my tour?
Date changes are permitted up to 48 hours before departure, subject to availability. Additional charges may apply for Queensland public holidays or special dates, like Christmas Day.
Important Information
Health & Safety: Certain medical conditions and flying within 24 hours of scuba diving may affect your diving eligibility. Please complete a medical questionnaire before booking.
Flexible Changes: Date changes are allowed up to 48 hours before departure (subject to availability).
With expert guides and stunning reef locations, you’ll explore crystal-clear waters that teem with marine life. From snorkelling to diving, you will witness vibrant coral reefs, swim with tropical fish, and create lifelong memories.
Tour highlights include snorkelling at two pristine Outer Reef sites, a FREE scuba dive (beginner or certified), all-inclusive meals and refreshments, Cairns City pick-ups, and engaging marine biologist presentations—making it Cairns’ best-value, all-inclusive reef adventure.
Reef Experience Sample itinerary
7:15–7:45am Check-in at Cairns Marlin Marina (hotel shuttle available for CBD—conditions apply). Tea/coffee & light breakfast on board.
Morning reef stop: Snorkel vibrant coral gardens; certified or intro divers take their included dive with professional guides.
BBQ lunch on board while cruising to site two.
Afternoon reef stop: Guided snorkel tour available; relax on the sundeck or jump in for more reef time.
Return cruise: Afternoon refresher served; back to Cairns ~4:30pm.
What’s Included – Everything You Need for the Perfect Day
With Reef Experience, everything is taken care of from the moment you step aboard. This is an all-inclusive Great Barrier Reef tour, designed to give you maximum reef time, comfort, and incredible value — no hidden costs, no surprises, just a full day of fun, exploration, and relaxation.
What’s Included on Reef Experience
Breakfast on boarding – enjoy a delicious start to your day as we cruise from Cairns to the Outer Reef.
All snorkelling equipment – mask, fins, snorkel, and flotation aids included for all guests.
FREE scuba dive – choose between an introductory dive or a certified dive, with all gear and supervision provided.
Guided snorkel tours with friendly crew to help you discover the best reef spots.
Marine biologist presentation – learn about reef life, coral ecosystems, and conservation in a fun, interactive talk.
Tropical BBQ buffet lunch with fresh salads, meats, and vegetarian options served on board.
Afternoon refreshments – tea, coffee, and light snacks for the return journey to Cairns.
Wetsuits or lycra suits (seasonal) provided for your comfort and sun protection.
Friendly, experienced crew offering personal assistance and safety supervision throughout the day.
All marine park fees and levies included in your fare — no extra charges at check-in.
➕ Optional Extras on Reef Experience
Introductory Scuba Dive
Certified Scuba Diving
Underwater photography
Soft drinks / snacks onboard
What to Bring
A little preparation helps you make the most of your day on the Great Barrier Reef. Here’s what we recommend bringing along:
Swimwear – wear it under your clothes for an easy start to the day.
Towel – for drying off between snorkels or dives.
Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen – protect yourself from the tropical sun.
Change of clothes – something comfortable for the return cruise to Cairns.
Camera or GoPro – capture the incredible underwater colours and coral life.
Reusable water bottle – refill throughout the day and help us reduce waste.
Credit or debit card – for any onboard purchases or optional extras.
Dive certification card – required for certified divers.
Sense of adventure – you’re about to explore one of the world’s greatest natural wonders!
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tour, Reef Experience departs from
A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any changes to the booking (date, names, etc) incur a $20 administration fee.
We must notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to ensure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 24 hours or more prior to departure
100% cancellation fee within 24 hours prior to departure
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. No refund or compensation will be issued for unused equipment, prepaid/pre-booked courses and/or Scuba dives, or guides if you cannot complete the entire tour. Please see Scuba Diving – Important Information below.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
Check-in: If you are Making your own way (no return transfers booked), please check-in and board at 7.30 am. Reef Experience is located on A Finger, at Cairns Marlin Marina.
Terms and Conditions:
Children’s prices are from 4 to 11 years of age. If booking as a certified diver, adult rates apply.
If you have used a credit card to purchase your ticket for either Reef Experience or Reef Encounter directly from our websites, email or phone, please have this card present along with a matching valid photo ID of the cardholder at check-in. Boarding will be denied without them, or you may be asked to pay again.
Open-Dated Ticket: In certain cases, Open-Dated tickets may be issued. These tickets are valid indefinitely but are non-refundable. Any fare increase must be paid at the time of rebooking. Once a customer accepts an Open-Dated ticket, the cancellation policy applicable to the original booking date will remain in effect.
Schedules, vessels, dive locations, and itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances, with full consideration for your safety and enjoyment. We reserve the right to adjust tours, schedules, prices, and itineraries at any time without notice. We are not liable for any changes, cancellations, or delays, and we accept no responsibility for any loss, additional expenses, or out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result, whether caused directly or indirectly.
Neither this site nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, any loss, any damage, delays, deaths or personal injury.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase Comprehensive Travel Insurance that covers personal injury and the events, including but not limited to your cancellation for any reason and the cancellation or alteration to the scheduled itinerary for reasons involving weather or passenger, crew or vessel safety. Please read your insurance policy's wording carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. Please be aware that all travel insurance companies do not cover scuba diving and other in-water activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical expenses, or other expenses are the passenger's financial responsibility.
The passenger acknowledges and consents to Reef Encounter taking photographs or video recordings during the course of this activity/tour. The passenger acknowledges and consents to Reef Encounter receiving and using images of the passenger from third parties and using these images for marketing and promoting its services.
Please inform us of any special requirements 48 hours before your travel date, such as dietary requirements, allergies, mobility and disability issues. This can be done in the ‘Booking Message’ section of your online reservation or by contacting our friendly reservations team.
Scuba Diving – Important Information:
All Certified Divers must present a valid Certification Card. Failure to present a Certification Card may result in the customer being unable to participate in scuba diving. They can enjoy snorkelling activities instead. No refunds would be offered.
The minimum age for Introductory Diving is 12 years old. The minimum age for certified diving and Open Water Courses is 10 years old. All junior divers must either be accompanied by a certified parent or guardian or must dive with a dive professional at an additional charge. If the diver is under the age of 18 years, parental or guardian consent is required for that diver to undertake a dive. The parent or guardian should sign the medical declaration as witness.
Upon arriving at our vessel and before commencing any dive activities, all passengers must complete our liability forms. All information provided must be strictly accurate. If during the tour, it becomes apparent that a form has been incorrectly completed, either by omission or false statement, we reserve the right to prevent any customer from undertaking any scuba diving or snorkelling activities while on board our vessel. Any decision made in this regard will be at the absolute discretion of the Dive Crew aboard the vessel.
The dangers and risks associated with scuba diving in an open ocean environment under variable conditions apply to our tours. We reserve the right to prevent any customer from participating in scuba diving if we determine that they are physically or medically unsuitable to do so or if it is in the best interests of our crew or other scuba divers. Our crew are trained professionals, and it is up to their sole discretion who they take diving and/or snorkelling. No refunds would apply.
Please remember you must allow 24 hours from your last dive before flying.
Medical Conditions & Medications:
Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world but also the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules, including medical, as is the law.
All passengers participating in any Scuba activities must complete a
Medical Questionnaire
. If you’ve answered yes to any questions or take any prescribed medication, you will need further medical clearance. This must be arranged prior to your day of departure.
Medication: DO NOT presume that by taking medication is controlling your medical conditions, and you should be fine to scuba dive, as it is the medication that can be the problem when scuba diving. Particularly prescribed medication may require a medical clearance.
The medical certification should be provided in English, preferably by a medical practitioner with experience in diving medicine, within 90 days prior to the scuba dive. The certificate must state that the person is medically fit to dive.
No refunds are given for uncompleted dives due to medical conditions and/or prescribed medications or changes of mind.
Peak Season Surcharge - To be paid onboard on the day of travel:
➢ A Surcharge of $100 per person applies to 25 December 2025 & 2026 – Christmas Day
➢ A Surcharge of $50 per person applies to the following days:
• 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
• 3, 4, 5 & 6 April 2026 – Easter Weekend
• 26 December 2026 – Boxing Day
• 26, 27, 28 & 29 March 2027 - Easter Weekend
2 Reviews for “Reef Experience Great Barrier Reef tour”
Reef Experience Great Barrier Reef tour
Nikola
5
This was one of the best organised tours I have been to! Starting with hotel pick-ups, the hand out of diving equipement and the diving coordination! The crew was super friendly, informative and helpfull and their marine biologist snorkel tour was probably the best part of the day as it showed me parts of the reef I'd otherwise wouldn't have seen. Thank you guys!
Fabulous day! Will be recommending to others! My first snorkel in the morning - WOW. The crew are excellent! They worked super hard to keep us safe and having fun.
Nikola
5This was one of the best organised tours I have been to! Starting with hotel pick-ups, the hand out of diving equipement and the diving coordination! The crew was super friendly, informative and helpfull and their marine biologist snorkel tour was probably the best part of the day as it showed me parts of the reef I'd otherwise wouldn't have seen. Thank you guys!
Laurie
5Fabulous day! Will be recommending to others! My first snorkel in the morning - WOW. The crew are excellent! They worked super hard to keep us safe and having fun.