What's Included
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Get up to $20 cash back per person when you book with us
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Return cruise from Cairns to two, outer Great Barrier Reef sites
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Indigenous Welcome to Country and acknowledgement
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Indigenous sea rangers to guide you throughout the tour
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Interesting and informative marine biologist presentation
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Glass-bottomed boat coral tours
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Live entertainment
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Use of snorkelling equipment, wetsuits or lycra suits and personal flotation devices
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Morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, coffee and water provided
What to Expect
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world. Join this full-day cruise from Cairns and spend up to 5 hours on the outer Great Barrier Reef. You'll visit two premium coral reef locations, where you'll come face to face with amazing marine life and coral gardens while snorkeling! The reefs visited on the day can vary, depending on conditions. However, the reefs that are regularly visited include Milln, Flynn and Thetford Reef in Gunggandji Sea Country and Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef in Yirrganydji Sea Country. These locations are chosen for their superior water clarity, coral colour and overall reef health.
You'll also step back into the Great Barrier Reef's Dreamtime with Indigenous sea rangers who recount the Dreamtime stories of the local people. It's the only cultural reef experience that will help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef. The rangers are passionate about sharing their heritage and knowledge with visitors.
You'll be able to explore this magnificent underwater world, by swimming, snorkeling or staying dry if you prefer – there are options for everyone@@ Enjoy the use of snorkel gear, lycra and wetsuit hire, glass-bottomed boat coral tours and fish feeding led by marine biologists, all included in the tour. Optional activities include guided snorkel tours, which can also be purchased on the day.
After working up an appetite, enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch with seafood on board, plus a complimentary morning and afternoon tea - before returning back to the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Departure info
This cruise departs Cairns daily from the Reef Fleet Terminal at 8am and returns at 4:30pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fast, stable motor catamaran delivers you to the Outer Reef in only 90 minutes leaving more of your day to enjoy the reef.
Check-in commences inside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, at 07:30am. The vessel departs Cairns Marlin Jetty at 8am arriving at the first reef by 9:30am, leaving the reef at 3pm and arriving back in Cairns by 16:30.
Activity times will be advised on the day and are dependant on passenger numbers and interest in each activity.
You will have approximately 5 hours to explore the reefs, which is up to 2 hours longer than similar cruises. You can snorkel just off the boat, join a guided snorkel tour, try an introductory scuba dive, enjoy lunch and still have time to relax on the deck with a cool drink! You have time to do as much or as little as you like without the rush. Most guests will have travelled a long way to visit the Great Barrier Reef and with so much to see and do it is not something you want to hurry.
Unfortunately, we don’t offer a coach transfer service, however, the Reef Fleet Terminal is in close walking distance from most accommodation outlets in Cairns. Some hotels may offer a courtesy coach service.
No, all activities can be organised and booked once on board. You may wish to speak to the friendly crew prior to selecting activities so activities can be suggested that are best suited to your swimming ability (or lack of). Pre-booking optional activities guarantees availability and also help with crewing the boat with the right number of staff required for each activity. Cancellations by The Supplier of any pre-booked activities are always subject to a full refund.
Milln, Flynn & Thetford Reef are in Gunggandji Sea Country and are home to some of the best snorkelling and diving on the reef! You don’t want to miss getting in the water here.
Other magnificent reef sites that could be visited are in Yirrganydji Sea Country. These include Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef.
Both Flynn Reef and Milln Reef sites are highly regarded as some of the best quality coral reef locations in the region. Tropical cyclones and storms or higher than average summer temperatures can affect the extent of bleaching but are a natural part of the reef life-cycle.
In poor weather, you can move your booking without charge to the next most suitable day, subject to availability. In the rare event The Supplier deems the weather too bad to travel and you are unable to reschedule, a full refund will be provided.
Hopefully not. This depends largely on the individual. Travelling on the fast, stable catamaran ensures the smoothest possible ride. If conditions are forecast 15 knots or below it will generally be smooth going.
At 20 knots and above it can get a little bumpy at times however the skippers are skilled in picking the best route to our destination. If you are prone to other common forms of motion sickness such as travelling in a car or plane you may wish to take precautions. There are both natural ginger tablets as well as medicated Travel-Calm onboard, however these are a preventative, not a cure, so should be taken approximately 30 minutes prior to departure for maximum benefit.
The boat has sheltered areas throughout for your comfort.
While certain species of jelly fish can be found in tropical waters at any time of year, the majority are harmless to man. Official ‘Stinger season’ in Cairns is from November to May when water temperatures suit the few species of concern.
While incidents involving serious stings are extremely rare our crew are trained to recognize sting types and apply appropriate first aid assistance if required. To greatly reduce your chances of an encounter with a jellyfish protective lycra suits are available for free and come in a range of sizes from XS to XXL. The lycra suits are also excellent sun protection.
Yes! Sharks form a vital part of the worlds marine ecosystem. Most are shy and quite harmless such as the common white tip reef sharks which only grow to approximately 5ft and are very timid. An encounter with a reef shark is a magical experience but enjoy it quickly as they will generally swim off in the opposite direction if they feel they are being watched or if you get to close
Hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, something to swim in, a dry change of clothes, cash or credit card for optional activities and onboard purchases such as souvenirs, professional photos from our on-board photographer or a drink from the bar.
Unfortunately, we are not able to hire or lend towels. The best idea is to bring one from your hotel or accommodation.
There are toilets on the boat accessible at all times throughout the day. Fresh water rinse showers and bathrooms are available.
A cold buffet lunch is served and includes a wide selection of fresh salads, cold meats, smoked meats, tropical fruits, sweets, breads, prawns, vegetarian bunya nut pesto and vegetable tart.
There is snorkelling equipment in both adult and child sizes. Fins range from children’s size 1-3 to Adults 11-13 and masks are in adult and child fittings. Wet suits and lycra suits are also available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL. Swim vests are also available in most sizes for those wanting some extra flotation while snorkelling.
No, parents are responsible for supervising their children at all times. The friendly crew can help organise the timing of your activities so that one parent is always free to attend to the children.
No. While theft is very rare on board, The Supplier suggests valuables are better off left in your hotel room or with the concierge rather than brought to the reef.
There is ramp access from the wharf to the vessel. However, passengers are required to negotiate at least one set of stairs on the vessel depending on tides and loading position so the assistance of a carer is highly recommended.
The Suppliers does not have a wheelchair-accessible toilet or shower, unfortunately. Access to the water and sundeck all require stairs to be negotiated and would require a carer to be present if the customer can not walk unassisted.
The best idea is to give The Supplier a call and talk through the level of disability to determine suitability.
The Outer Reef Wall is a renowned dive location for dive enthusiasts and keen snorkellers and reaches depths of over 30m.
Policies
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Tours are weather dependent and may need to be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice. In the rare event The Supplier deems the weather too bad to travel and you are unable to reschedule, a full refund will be provided
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Tour voucher must be presented on the day of travel. It can either be printed out, or mobile vouchers are accepted
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Cruise vessel subject to change without notice
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The Supplier strongly suggests reconfirming your booking within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
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You can cancel or amend your tour to a different date (subject to availability) with 24 hours or more notice prior to travel
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If you need to cancel or change dates within 24 hours of travel a 100% cancellation fee applies
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A ‘no show’ (where passengers do not turn up to the specified pick-up point or departure point without notification) automatically incurs a 100% cancellation fee
- Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel offer a cancellation free on and an amendment free policy on direct bookings as long as we are notified outside 24 hours of the departure time. If you cancel or no show for check in within 24 hours of the travel time (9am), there will be NO refund.
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