Great Barrier Reef Diving & Snorkeling

Written by Viator, August 2010

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Nature & Wildlife, Scuba Diving, Tip - What to See & Do, Water Sports, Reef

Tropical Cairns puts you in the ideal position to enjoy the splendor and beauty of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on the planet, covering an amazing 2,900 reefs, 900 islands and 2,600km (1,600 miles).

The reef is home to an incredible diversity of sea creatures, from whales, dolphins and sea turtles to dugongs, crocodiles, seabirds and Nemo clownfish.

The best way to view the reef is from the water, and the top location for your Great Barrier Reef experience is Cairns, the reef’s most easily accessible major tourism hub.

Cairns offers the best selection of reef tours, cruises and activities, tailor made for beginners through to experienced divers. Diving locations from Cairns include Green Island, Upolu Reef, Oyster Reef, Agincourt Reef and Low Isles. Take your pick of half-day boat trips, full-day snorkeling cruises and multi-day tours.

Green Island is an easy half-day or day trip from Cairns, just 27km (16.5 miles) offshore. The sandy coral cay is ringed by reef for easy snorkeling and you’ll swim with several types of turtles. Or you can stay dry and view the Great Barrier Reef from a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible submarine.

For the best visibility, head to the Outer Reef to snorkel from a moored pontoon or luxury catamaran, then refuel with a gourmet buffet or barbecue lunch. All equipment is included for certified divers, and beginners can take an introductory dive with the assistance of diving professionals.

For a more in-depth experience, combine Great Barrier Reef cruising and two nights at a Green Island resort on a Three-Day Reef Trip from Cairns. Or choose three full-day cruises and create the ultimate Reef Cruise Pass – Green Island, Low Isles, the Outer Reef, it’s your choice!

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All Great Barrier Reef Diving & Snorkeling Reviews

Reply by Viator, April 2013
Doing what: Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise Pass

This was by far the highlight of our trip to Australia. We came to Port Douglas to dive and snorkel and this package gave us that ability. We left in the morning and returned about 5pm each day. We were able to customize our package to the areas we wanted to go, this worked great for us. A very professional company. Their gear from masks to snorkels was in great condition and great quality. My 12 year old son was the first in the water and last one out each site, he enjoyed it so much. I also had questions before the trip and they answered my E-mails promptly.

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Reply by Viator, April 2013
Doing what: Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns

They were wonderful! They were entertaining and always made sure we had what we needed. They also got in the water to teach my daughter how to snorkel. The food was plentiful, the attitudes were fabulous! The Great Bartier Reef was AMAZING! Money well spent for sure! I would recommend this tour to anyone, but especially if you have kids! It is a great family atmosphere!

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Reply by Viator, February 2013
Doing what: Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns

The trip on the barrier Reef was absolutely excellent. Firstly the boat was the right size and the crew excellent, very friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them. All safety aspects were gone through and the equipment available from sting suits, floatation jackets, fins, masks and snorkels were of good condition. Breakfast was great with unlimited tea/coffee available throughout the trip. A bar was there and the prices were not a ripoff. The lunch was excellent, followed on the way back by fruit, cheese and biscuits finally slices of cake. An excellent glass bottomed boat trip of the reef with a very knowledgeable skipper. The two areas of the reef they took us to, there were only two boats there, so you were very private. There are only two points I would make. More information needs to be given regarding were to park and the costs. The carpark we used we had to pay in coins only and were chaseing round for 10 dollars in coins. Also were you need to go to check-in. We were then told there was an underground carpark which took credit cards. Other than this I would reccomend this trip to anybody. We would certainly use this company again.

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