Great Barrier Reef Day Trip & Helicopter Flight from Cairns

Pair a scenic helicopter flight with self-guided time at Moore Reef's floating pontoon. Fly from Cairns, back to Cairns or both ways, with a boat journey covering the other leg on one-way options.

• Watch beneath the surface from the underwater observatory without getting wet
• Slide into the reef waters on the pontoon's waterslide
• Enjoy the kids' ocean pool or stretch out on the spacious sun deck

Itinerary

1. Check in at the Sunlover Cruises counter inside Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. For the one-way helicopter flight back to Cairns, check in between 08:45 and 09:30. For the one-way flight from Cairns or round-trip helicopter option, check in at 10:50.
2. For the one-way helicopter flight back to Cairns, depart by boat at 10:15. For the one-way flight from Cairns or round-trip helicopter option, depart by car at 11:00. The one-way flight from Cairns includes arrival at Zoom Hangar at Cairns Airport at 11:20 for a safety briefing and boarding.
3. For the one-way flight from Cairns or round-trip helicopter option, take a 25-minute helicopter flight at 11:45, arriving at Moore Reef at 12:10. With the one-way helicopter flight back to Cairns, arrive at the reef by boat at 12:00.
4. Explore the Sunlover pontoon at Moore Reef, with over 3.5 hours at the reef. Take a 20-minute guided glass-bottom boat and/or semi-submersible tour, and enjoy lunch. The one-way flight from Cairns option includes snorkeling and a buffet lunch at 12:30.
5. For the one-way flight from Cairns, depart the reef by boat at 16:00. For the one-way flight back to Cairns or round-trip helicopter option, depart at 15:45 for a 25-minute helicopter flight to Cairns with Zoom Helicopters.
6. Finish at Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal at 17:30 with the one-way flight from Cairns option, or at 16:30 with the one-way flight back to Cairns or round-trip helicopter option.

What's Included

• Moore Reef Pontoon admission
• Snorkeling gear
• Glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours
• Underwater observatory, kids' ocean pool, sun deck and waterslide access
• Lunch
• A 25-minute helicopter flight each way selected, with boat transport for the other leg on one-way options

Important details

• All ages are welcome. Child fares cover ages 2–15; separate helicopter seats are charged for ages 2 and older.
• Infants aged 0–1 travel free without a separate seat and fly on a parent or guardian's lap. A maximum of 1 infant is allowed per flight.
• This activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.
• Bring valid ID.