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Experience the Ocean Freedom Luxury Snorkel & Dive Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns CBD
Board a fast, sleek luxury catamaran from Cairns and spend six relaxed hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling or scuba diving two very different sites: the dramatic outer-edge Wonder Wall at Upolu Reef and the aquarium-style coral garden around Upolu Cay with stunning clear blue azure waters; you’ll enjoy more time on the reef than most tours and there’s absolutely no rush. Your cruise is designed for comfort and excellent service - limited to 75 guests - and includes complimentary glass-bottom boat and Adventure Drift Snorkel tours guided by an onboard marine naturalist through protected Marine Park areas. Whether you’re booking from Cairns Central Business District or planning a day from elsewhere in Cairns, this customer-oriented Great Barrier Reef experience delivers memorable snorkeling, diving, and marine-watching opportunities tailored to your pace.
About this activity in Cairns Central Business District
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Luxury fast catamaran cruise from Cairns to two distinctly different Great Barrier Reef sites - outer “Wonder Wall” at Upolu Reef and the tranquil Upolu Cay reef garden.
- Six full hours on the reef - more time than most tours - so you can snorkel or scuba dive without feeling rushed.
- Guided marine-naturalist experiences: informative glass-bottom boat tours plus interpretative adventure drift snorkel sessions in highly protected marine park zones.
- Small-group feel with a maximum of 75 guests, plus a large lunch spread and refreshments aboard to keep your reef day relaxed and comfortable.
Important Information
- This full-day reef experience departs from Cairns and includes snorkel gear, wetsuits or lycra (seasonal), in-water crew assistance and snorkeling briefings.
- Optional scuba diving is available but requires completing an on-board medical questionnaire; only book dives if you have no disqualifying medical conditions or medications.
- The vessel operates in most weather conditions; site order may change depending on sea conditions - check the Cairns coastal forecast if you’re concerned about the weather.
- There is no hotel pickup; plan your own transfer to the marina and arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Meeting Point
Meet at the Cairns Marina departure pontoon on the Esplanade. Check your booking voucher for the exact pier and departure time, and please arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for check-in.
Includes
- Enjoy tea and coffee throughout the day on a luxury, fast, stylish catamaran cruise from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef.
- Spend six full hours on the Great Barrier Reef with stops at two uniquely different reef locations for snorkeling and reef experiences.
- Receive snorkeling instruction and in-water crew assistance, plus guided interpretative drift snorkel tours led by a marine naturalist in a highly protected marine park zone of the reef.
- Use provided snorkeling equipment: snorkel, mask, flippers and buoyancy vests.
- Take an informative glass-bottom boat tour at a Great Barrier Reef site to complement your in-water time.
- Fuel your day with a large smorgasbord lunch featuring seafood, plus platters of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers.
- Access freshwater showers on board after your reef activities.
- Wetsuits or lycra suits are available depending on the season to keep you comfortable in the water.
- Note that an environmental management charge (EMC) and port fees are included.
Excludes
- Confectionery, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided.
- You must only pre-book diving if you have no medical conditions and are not taking medication that may preclude you from diving.
- Optional diving available as x1 or x2 certified dives or x1 or x2 introductory dives (diving options are additional and subject to medical eligibility).
Other
- Public transportation options are available nearby, making it easy to reach the Cairns departure point.
- This experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is family-friendly, adventure-ready and ideal for nature-focused travelers.
- A maximum of 75 people on board ensures a unique and personalized reef experience.
- The order in which snorkeling and dive sites are visited may change depending on sea and weather conditions on the day.
- The vessel operates in most weather conditions (except gale force or severe weather warnings) and uses extra procedures to make your day as comfortable as possible; if you’re concerned about conditions, check the BOM Cairns coastal report for forecasts.
- If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider taking travel sickness tablets about 20 minutes before boarding, as the open-air vessel has boat movement but is less likely to cause seasickness than some closed vessels.
- If you intend to dive, all divers (certified or introductory) must complete a diving medical questionnaire on board; only book diving if you have no disqualifying medical conditions or medications, as some issues may preclude you from diving.
- You can change your travel date subject to availability, and you may receive a full refund if you cancel with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice.
- Many guests travel from overseas to visit the reef; the crew is experienced in catering to an international mix of visitors to make your day memorable.
Customer Reviews
10
/
10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
They have everything you need, gear, food, knowledge. Did two dives and a snorkeling dive. Great diving spot, saw white tip shark, big clams, turtles, clown fish and anemones, eel, stingrays, chromis, and all sorts of corals and fishes.
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Summary:
Great trip, really friendly and helpful crew, perfect of snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. Generous and tasty lunch. Glass bottom boat a real bonus.
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Summary:
Professional group. Safety oriented, well staffed with friendly, outgoing people. I snorkel, but after seeing how they handled the new scuba divers (some of whom couldn’t even swim!) I would try that next time. You get to snorkel and then they call you over to scuba for a bit. Recommend doing that. They have lookouts as well as people in the water with you. I’ve been on tours in Hawaii where people practically drowned because they had one lookout who wasn’t looking- this is not that tour. Also, they have really good food all day. Cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, buffet lunch, beer for sale, and water, tea, and coffee free. Lots of places to sit- in the sun or shade. They provide full lycra kind of suits to wear so you don’t get stung by any jellies (just in case), and you don’t get a sunburn. They also offered sunscreen if you didn’t have any. Surprisingly, I only saw one other snorkel boat in our general area.
Their mask fit better than my own at home (!) and they had plenty of fins and snorkels to go around. Nice big steps to get in/out of the boat. Some people didn’t snorkel at all, so they just rode the glass bottom boat that they have come out and take you around as well. I rode on the glass bottom first and spent the rest of the day snorkeling. They double checked how many people were on board often, and checked in with us to make sure we were having a good time. I had a fabulously great time and I would recommend this tour to anybody. You don’t have to know how to swim. You don’t have to snorkel if you just want to accompany your family. There were little kids to elderly on board. I thought it was fun when one of the guides fed the big giant fish off the back of the boat. I enjoyed the 1980s music playing softly in the background.
And of course, the barrier reef was outstanding. One of the top snorkel experiences I’ve had. Also, some of the fish I’ve seen other places are much bigger here, and there’s more of them. They don’t seem scared of people, you can swim right there with them.
One suggestion is put out a tip jar. I wanted to tip them, but it was weird and I didn’t get to.
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Know more about Cairns Central Business District
You’ll travel on a fast, sleek luxury catamaran that limits passengers to 75 for better service and comfort. The day includes six full hours on the reef - more time than many other tours - visits to two very different sites including the outer edge “Wonder Wall” at Upolu Reef and the aquarium-style coral garden at Upolu Cay, plus guided activities led by an onboard marine naturalist.
Your day includes snorkeling equipment and instruction, in-water crew assistance, a guided interpretative adventure drift snorkel with the marine naturalist, and a complimentary glass-bottom boat tour to view the reef from above. Wetsuits or lycra suits are provided depending on the season.
The cruise offers a large smorgasbord lunch with seafood, platters of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers, and tea and coffee throughout the day. Freshwater showers and buoyancy vests are available on board for your comfort and convenience.
Yes. You can spend six hours snorkeling or choose optional scuba diving packages (x1 or x2 cert dives or intro dives). All divers must complete a medical questionnaire on board and only pre-book diving if you have no medical conditions or medications that might preclude you from diving.
You get six full hours on the Great Barrier Reef, with ample unhurried time to snorkel or dive at two uniquely different reef locations - the Wonder Wall at the outer Upolu Reef and the clear blue coral gardens around Upolu Cay.
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure. The vessel operates in most weather conditions except gale force and severe weather warnings; if concerned about conditions you can check the local coastal forecast before travel.
