Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Day Cruise from Cairns

Cruise by catamaran to an Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon and explore at your own pace on this shared outing. Stay with the cruise experience or add guided snorkeling, a scuba or helmet dive, or a scenic helicopter flight.

• Learn about reef life through a marine biologist's presentation and fish identification session with activity-added options
• Relax on sundeck lounges or in shaded areas between reef activities with activity-added options

Itinerary

1. 8:15–8:45am: Board at Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.
2. 9:00am: Depart by boat for the Great Barrier Reef.
3. 10:30am: Arrive at the Outer Reef for about 5 hours of snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, a semi-submersible experience, the underwater observatory, fish feeding, and a buffet lunch.
4. 10:45am: Explore the reef on a guided glass-bottom boat tour. Tours run several times throughout the day; check the onboard screens for the latest departure times.
5. 12:00pm: Enjoy a buffet lunch on the pontoon.
6. 1:00pm: Explore the underwater observatory and the timeline of the Great Barrier Reef.
7. 1:30pm: Join the activity included with your selected option.

   Cruise Tour + 35-minute Snorkeling Tour: Explore the reef on a 35-minute guided snorkeling tour.

   Cruise Tour + Intro Dive: Try introductory diving from the Reef Magic pontoon. No experience is needed, all equipment including a wetsuit is provided, and you receive a souvenir certificate.

   Cruise Tour + Cert Dive: Explore drift, wall, and channel dive sites from the Reef Magic pontoon, featuring swim-throughs, caves, and drop-offs.

   Cruise Tour + Helmet Dive: Discover Moore Reef's marine life on a guided underwater helmet walk. Ages 12–65 only; no swimming skills required.

   Cruise Tour + 10-minute Scenic Heli Flight: Take off from the Reef Magic pontoon for a 10-minute helicopter flight with aerial views of the reef, islands, and sand cays. Look out for turtles, sharks, and manta rays.

8. 3:30pm: Depart the reef by boat.
9. 5:00pm: Return to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.

What's Included

• Round-trip catamaran transport
• Snorkeling equipment
• Buffet lunch
• Morning and afternoon tea, coffee and filtered drinking water with activity-added options
• All diving equipment, including a wetsuit, with the introductory dive option

Important details

• Snorkeling is for ages 6+ only. Ages 6–18 require parent or guardian consent.
• Introductory and certified dive options are for ages 12+. No previous diving experience is needed for the introductory dive.
• Helmet diving is for ages 12–65 only; swimming skills are not required.
• Child tickets cover ages 4–14 for the cruise-only option, 6–14 for guided snorkeling, 12–14 for dive options and 3–14 for the helicopter option. Adult rates apply from age 15. Children aged 0–3 join the cruise-only option free.
• The cruise is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, but snorkeling tours and helicopter flights are not.
• Check in at the counter before boarding.