Customize your visit to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns with your selection from three travel options with a choice of snorkeling, scuba diving, and a one-way or round-trip scenic helicopter tour. Admire views of the Great Barrier Reef from your helicopter as you get a multi-angled perspective on one of the world’s top natural wonders. Then enjoy a close experience of the coral reef by choosing to snorkel or enroll in an optional scuba diving course (additional expense).

Half-or full-day guided Great Barrier Reef tour by helicopter and boat
Snorkel, swim, or scuba dive with expert guides at exclusive locations on one of the most famous coral reefs in the world
Marvel at aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef during a scenic helicopter flight
Learn from informative commentary during your helicopter flight and boat cruise

What's Included

BBQ lunch
Use of Snorkeling equipment

Optional introductory or certified dives, payable direct on travel date (morning cruise only)
AU$20per person Environmental Management Charge (EMC) and Fuel Levy is payable direct to the operator on the day of travel
Hotel pickup and drop off

Departure & Return

Possible departure locations

Departure Point

1 Spence St, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
For the Cruise and Fly option, this will be your starting point at the Reef Fleet Terminal at the Down Under Cruise and Dive check-in counter.
2 Pier Point Rd, 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
For the Fly and Cruise, and Fly and Fly option, this will be your starting point.

Return Details

2 Pier Point Rd, 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
For those doing the Cruise and Fly, Fly and Fly option, this will be your end point.
1 Spence St, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
For those doing the Fly and Cruise option, the boat will take you back to the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns.

What To Expect

Choose from three options for your Great Barrier Reef experience (please see details under Itinerary below). Helicopters land at Hastings Reef floating helicopter pad, with transfer from there to a high-speed 100-foot (30-meter) vessel that holds a maximum of 100 people.

Eighteen expert guides lead activities, assist with snorkel or scuba diving equipment, and provide instruction to both newcomers and experienced participants. Even non-swimmers can get in the water with flotation devices and see the reef

Optional activities include scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s top dive locations! A complimentary SCUBA demonstration is provided before the purchase of the introductory dive course. (Available only on the morning boat cruise). The full-day excursion has time for a total of three dives at two different locations for already certified scuba divers. The dives can be booked on the boat, and dive gear and dive computers are provided.

Your guides choose from 12 exclusive moorings at six locations for the best possible experience on the day of your tour. Generally, the boat visits one of the true Outer Great Barrier Reef locations (Saxon Reef or Norman Reef) in the morning. The afternoon features North Hastings Reef for snorkeling and helicopter flight connections.

A tasty Australian barbecue buffet lunch is served on the boat. The spread may include fresh fish, sausages, steak, salads, and pasta. At the end of your tour, return to the mainland by boat or helicopter, depending on the tour you choose.

1 Spence St

For those doing the Cruise and Fly option, this will be your starting point. Check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal at the Down Under Cruise and Dive desk and then make your way to the boat. Check-in is from 07.15 am to 08.00 am.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Great Barrier Reef

For those doing Cruise and Fly option you will stop at one of our wonderful snorkelling/diving sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Your second Reef site for the day is Hastings reef. This is where you will join Evolution if you are doing the Fly/Cruise or Fly/Fly option. You will spend approximately 2 hours at this site, enjoy snorkelling or semi-submersible (additional cost), before boarding the boat or helicopter for your trip back to Cairns.

5 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carry on luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130kg are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of ticket price - this is non-commissionable and payable to Nautilus Aviation on day of travel.
There is a maximum of 6 to 7 passengers depending on aircraft availability.
Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive
Diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended.(Please note: This does not include the helicopter flight). All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
Child Policy: Children 3 years and above are charged adult rates. Subject to conditions, children under 3 years may travel free of charge when seated on a parents/guardians lap.
For the Fly/Cruise option you will have a compulsory 20 minute safety briefing before being allowed enter the water, this is part of your two hours out at the reef. It is recommended that you wear swimmers upon check in for this option
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travelers

Operated by Nautilus Aviation

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns?

A:The policy on face masks and attendee health is:

Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

Q:What is the social distancing policy during Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns?

A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

Guides required to regularly wash hands

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

You can get seasick so consider taking seasickness tablets beforehand to maximise your enjoyment.

Also, many people got sick so would recommend bringing something for motion sickness.

Reviews

4.5

195 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 195 reviews

First time in a...

Mary_M, Mar 2022

First time in a helicopter and surpassed all expectations. The viewing of the Great Barrier Reef from the air was fantastic and then snorkeling at the Reef was a very special occasion. Really brings home the importance of conserving this beautiful planet of ours.

One for the bucket list

Lilia_S, Jul 2021

Wow, just wow. Being able to snorkel to see a tiny bit of paradise that’s the Great Barrier Reef is an experience of a lifetime. Brianna and Phil were excellent in guiding us while snorkeling while Cedric really looked after us while we were on board the Endeavour. The helicopter ride back to Cairns gave us a different perspective of the reef. So much fun! You can get seasick so consider taking seasickness tablets beforehand to maximise your enjoyment.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Very enjoyable

Dort_A, Jul 2021

Going out on the boat was great and the lunch they supplied . And the swim in the nice blue water the crew were helpful and the helicopter was very enjoyable ride back.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Brilliant day!

Roger_W, May 2021

Fantastic day. The boat Evolution has to be the best in Cairns. Spacious, clean, fast and the crew are excellent. The chopper trip home was brilliant! Brand new helicopter (had that new helicopter smell!) and the pilot was great. I asked him his background and he is super over qualified to be flying tourists around (Rescue/Oil Rig pilot). Can't recommend this tour enough.

Magical experience

Sharryn_T, May 2021

Rough trip out to the reef. Suggest taking tablets. Was a totally awesome day. Snorkelled. Did the introductory diving option and then home to Cairns via helicopter. Staff were amazing, attentive and very patient teaching you diving. Loved it.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Foster_Mbewe, May 2021

Swimming in the Rife for the first time. The viewing of the Great Barrier rife on a helicopter was spectacular 👌

Amazing

Barbara_T, May 2021

I would have to say as wonderful as your staff, the stand out, and the person that made us laugh all day was Eddie! He is a staff member you need to hold on to. Thank you all for an amazingly memorable experience.

Life-changing experience

Rakhesh, Mar 2021

This was our first time visiting Cairns and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. At the outset, I was a bit sceptical due to the cost of the whole thing but I can tell you now, it is money well worth spending. The team is amazing, and their attitude towards ensuring the perfect customer experience is PHENOMENAL. I can't swim (can't even float), but they were able to even cater to a fool like me, and I snorkelled for a total of ~90 minutes on the day! There were people on hand throughout, checking how each customer was doing, and whether they had seen all that the reef had to offer. They tirelessly supported everyone throughout the whole day. The helicopter ride back to Cairns was the icing on an already delicious cake, and I can honestly say it was an experienced that changed my life. My wife had an incredible time as well, and spent the whole evening feeling sad that it was over! Huge congratulations to the team for delivering such an excellent product. I cannot recommend it highly enough. We will definitely be back.

1 traveler found this review helpful

One of the top 3

Mark_F, Oct 2020

This was up there with one of the best. We’ve been travelling Oz for 2 years and this reef experience is up there with Uluru and horizontal falls. Well done Down Under - great team, great hospitality, great tour. Thanks.

Spectacular view

Marty, Mar 2020

Well worth every penny 😃 an incredible view of a one of the wonders of the world. Recommend this to everyone going to the Great Barrier Reef

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Product code: 3262FLY

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Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns

From US$340.59

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Overview

What's Included

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Return Details

What To Expect

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Questions?

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