Great Barrier Reef & Fitzroy Island Day Cruise near Cairns

Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a shared day trip that combines a floating activity pontoon with an island escape. Spend your free time swimming, following rainforest trails or relaxing beside coral beaches. Flight options add either a 10-minute helicopter ride over the reef or a 25-minute flight from Cairns to the pontoon, with a cruise back.

• Slide into the reef experience on the Great Barrier Reef's only waterslide
• Look beneath the surface without getting wet at Moore Reef's underwater observatory
• Enjoy a buffet lunch overlooking Welcome Bay at Fitzroy Island Resort
• Unwind on the pontoon's spacious sun deck or explore its ocean-enclosed children's pool

Itinerary

1. Meet at Reef Fleet Terminal at Cairns Marina between 7:00 and 7:30 am and check in at the Sunlover Cruises desk, at the corner of Spence Street and Pier Point Road. For the Reef & Island Full Day + Fly Out, Cruise Back option, meet at Reef Fleet Terminal at 8:15 am instead.
2. Depart by boat at 8:00 am. For the Reef & Island Full Day + Fly Out, Cruise Back option, travel by car at 8:25 am instead, then take a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight from Cairns to Moore Reef Pontoon at 9:15 am.
3. Arrive at Moore Reef Pontoon at 9:30 am and explore its activities independently for 2.5 hours. For the Reef & Island Full Day + Fly Out, Cruise Back option, arrive at 9:40 am and spend 2 hours at the pontoon. Some activities may be unavailable due to capacity or weather conditions.
4. With the Reef & Island Full Day + 10-Min Scenic Flight option, take a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef during your pontoon visit.
5. Join a 20-minute guided glass-bottom boat and/or semi-submersible tour at Moore Reef Pontoon.
6. Travel by boat to Fitzroy Island.
7. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant, Fitzroy Island Resort, at 12:45 pm.
8. At 2:00 pm, explore Fitzroy Island independently with over an hour of free time. Stroll along the beach, swim or follow a rainforest walking trail.
9. Depart Fitzroy Island by boat at 3:30 pm.
10. Return to Reef Fleet Terminal at 4:30 pm.

What's Included

• Boat transport between destinations and back to Cairns
• Snorkelling equipment
• Glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible rides
• Pontoon facilities and Fitzroy Island access
• Buffet lunch at Fitzroy Island Resort
• Helicopter flight with the corresponding flight option

Important details

• Bring the credit card used for payment and the cardholder's valid ID for verification at check-in.
• Children aged 0–3 travel free on the cruise-only option. On flight options, children aged 0–1 travel free only if they do not occupy a separate seat.
• Seawalker helmet diving, if added, has medical participation requirements.
• Do not feed marine animals, walk on coral or take part in activities that damage the marine ecosystem.
• Some pontoon activities may be unavailable because of capacity or weather conditions.