Enjoy the natural delights of the Great Barrier Reef on an activity cruise from Cairns that gives you several ways to experience this renowned underwater world. After traveling by catamaran to a pontoon moored on the reef, you can observe marine life on a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel; go snorkeling to spot sea turtles; get your hands wet in the touch pool; upgrade to include a Seawalker Helmet dive; or upgrade to include an introductory or certified scuba dive. A buffet lunch is included, and the pontoon is equipped with showers.

Full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise
See the underwater sights without getting wet from a glass-bottom or semi-submersible vessel
Enjoy a buffet lunch

What's Included

Snorkeling equipment
Glass bottom boat and Semi-Submersible tours
Sunlover waterslide and spacious sun deck
Great Barrier Reef and fish feeding presentations by our marine experts
Underwater observatory and ocean enclosed pool
Lunch
Coffee and/or Tea
WiFi on board
Fresh water showers and change rooms
Environmental Management Charge (EMC)

Additional cost: Wetsuit and prescription snorkel mask
Snacks
Additional cost: Guided Snorkel Tour, Intro or Certified Diving, Seawalker Helmet Dive, Heli Filghts
Additional cost: professional photos or camera hire
Additional cost: Secure lockers
Additional Cost: Hotel Transfers can be added directly with Sunlover

Departure & Return

Departure Point

1 Spence St, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
The Sunlover reservations desk is inside the Reef Fleet Terminal on the ground floor. All guests must check in and collect their boarding pass between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. The boat departs from the A finger right beside the terminal.

Departure Time

9:30 AM

Return Details

This activity will end right where it started.

What To Expect

Your day on the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, begins as you depart Cairns by high-speed catamaran, listening to commentary from a marine naturalist about the array of marine life that call the reef home (safety and snorkeling instructions are also provided). Arrive at a spacious pontoon moored on the outer reef, your base for the day, where you can spend your time however you wish to make the most of your experience on the water.

The pontoon is equipped with Wi-Fi, change rooms, and showers. A buffet lunch is provided for beverages, you may purchase soft drinks and alcoholic drinks from the onboard bar, as well as additional snacks or ice cream. For protection from the elements, Lycra sun suits are included or you can hire neoprene wetsuits (additional cost); the Great Barrier Reef is home to jellyfish and other stinging species (jellyfish season is November to May).

After ample time on the pontoon, your day trip ends with the return cruise to Cairns.

Included activities

If you prefer to stay dry, take a glass-bottom boat ride or tour by semi-submersible vessel to spot clownfish, starfish, clams, anemone coral and more. Watch a fish-feeding demonstration, and check out the onboard touch tank for a hands-on look at marine life. When you want to cool off, jump in the water with your provided snorkeling equipment to look for resident sea creatures like Dolla the turtle or Wally the hump-headed Maori wrasse. Watch for manta rays, clownfish and maybe even whales in the winter months.

Optional upgrades

Seawalker Helmet diving: Take a walk on an underwater platform to enjoy the thrill of scuba diving without the scuba requirements. No diving experience is necessary to participate in this guided activity, and numbers are limited to six people per group to provide personalized attention.

Introductory dive: If you’re a beginner scuba diver, take an introductory dive with a group.

Certified dive: If you are an experienced diver, enjoy two certified dives.

Great Barrier Reef

Sunlover's Marine Base at Moore Reef on the Outer Great Barrier Reef is teeming with colourful coral and abundant marine life in every colour of the rainbow.

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Fitzroy Island (Pass By)

On our Moore Reef Daily experience we make a brief stop enroute and on the way back from the reef to pick up and drop off passengers. Fitzroy Island is favourite trip for Cairns' locals with 99% of its landscape covered in lush tropical rainforest as well as granite outcrops, open woodlands, mangroves and coral beaches. Inquire about our Fitzroy Island Transfers to enjoy on another day, which give you 6 hours to explore this paradise, including amazing walks on the picturesque beaches and visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 12 years for SCUBA diving and Seawalker Helmet dive
Please ensure you bring your dive certification for Certified SCUBA dives
All dives are subject to an on board medical checklist, please contact us for more information.
Wheelchair accessible

Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 342 travelers

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.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience 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 sanitization during Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience?

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 Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

It costs extra, but I would do it all over again.

Seasickness pills are a great suggestion, as there were a lot of people suffering.

I would recommend this trip for those with varying ages in your group including non-snorkelers.

Reviews

4.5

407 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 407 reviews

Wonderful experience

Melissa_S, Jun 2022

Very well organised day. Lovely helpful staff. The glass boat was a bit disappointing as the glass had not been cleaned. But worth the ride just for the experience.

Cairns reef

Jessie_S, Jun 2022

The day was good except the lunch options were not that great nothing really for children either as in lunch wise …

First time doing a dive,...

Terry_N, Jun 2022

First time doing a dive, the team were very helpful and understanding. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The crew on board the vessel were extremely friendly, helpful and the knowledgeable too.

Fabulous day, well...

Joanne_C, Jun 2022

Fabulous day, well organised great staff, and the whole experience was amazing. The food was great , and the kids loved it

Very fun

MaryJuma, Jun 2022

Favourite part was trying on flippers.Took them off after one swim.The water was warm the staff were friendly.

Fantastic experience

Jaimie_M, Jun 2022

Fantastic day all round. Snorkelling was amazing, so beautiful, the kids loved it. The crew were so friendly and organised, lunch was great, top day.

1 traveler found this review helpful

This reef experience was...

Sandy_G, Jun 2022

This reef experience was fantastic as it provided other activities through the day, great lunch options and waterslide for the kids. Snorkelling was in a good allocated area, we got to see a turtle!

1 traveler found this review helpful

Seeing a sea turtle....

Yasodha_N, Jun 2022

Seeing a sea turtle. Identifying all the different kinds of fish. Riding the boat. Taking pictures of the reef.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Snorkelling

Steven_S, Jun 2022

The Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling was Mint. Really enjoyed the adventure and would strongly recommend

Great way to explore reefs

ywz8swt8zd, Jun 2022

It was our first experience of coral reefs and we couldn’t have asked for a better tour. Shout out to our snorkelling guide, Ted, who was amazing guide and made that experience the highlight of the tour.

Lovely experience

Vincent_L, Jun 2022

This was a fantastic experience. Snorkeling is an absolute must try! But make sure to take travel sickness meds before you go, as the waves may be bit rough for the inexperienced.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Snorkelling

Aritra_C, Jun 2022

I did snorkelling for the first time in my life. I am so excited to take snorkelling as a hobby and all credits goes to Ted. He was friendly, informative and an amazing snorkelling tour guide!!!

1 traveler found this review helpful

Magical

Tara_J, Jun 2022

The most wonderful part of the world! Amazing adventure with professional friendly staffs from Sunlover! Thanks ever so much

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thanks for the review Tar, a pleasure to have you onboard and we are all really glad you you had a great day on Moore Reef

1 traveler found this review helpful

Great day

Dawn_T, Jun 2022

Snorkelling next to turtle Loved the underwater submarine & glass bottom boat Nature talk about sea animals was very interesting

Response from Host, Jun 2022

So glad you gad a great day Dawn, the turtles are really special and the staff are definitely passionate and informative.

Great day

Toni_H, Jun 2022

Had a wonderful day. Staff were very friendly and able to answer my questions. Recommend this trip as a must do when visiting Cairns.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thanks Toni, we are really glad you had a great day on the reef.

Amazing day

Susan_R, Jun 2022

Had the best day, went snorkling with marine biologists amazing 👏 Beautiful place we are so lucky in Australia

Response from Host, Jun 2022

The snorkel tours are really well worth doing. Thanks for the kind words Susan.

Whole day was well...

Stephen_T, Jun 2022

Whole day was well organised and my family had a great time. Lots to see on the reef and the lunch was also nice.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thanks for the feedback Steph. Glad the day was great.

Worth doing. A fun day.

Joyce_J, May 2022

Lots to do whether you can go snorkeling or not. Everything provided if you go snorkeling. Staff friendly and helpful. Good lunch. Air conditioner a bit cold to sit inside the vessel. There is a cover if you want to sit outside so you don’t need to be in the sun if you want fresh air.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Amazing experience for all family

Sonia_K, May 2022

This was an amazing way to see the Reef. Very comfortable catamaran out to the reef, great team in board always available, then onto the pontoon. So many different activities! We loved the Seawalking experience and snorkelling to really get amongst the reef and fish. Highly recommend!

Great Barrier Reef

Meagan_R, May 2022

Coming back it was a terrible trip with many people sick Otherwise a lovely day and the underwater sub was fantastic. Lunch was really nice too. Rainy day which was a shame

...

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Product code: 5851MR

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Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience

From $172.74

Select Date and Travelers

Overview

What's Included

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Departure Time

Return Details

What To Expect

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Questions?

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Attractions in Cairns City, Australia