Best for non-swimmers, families with kids. Enjoy stable, all-weather platforms with panoramic reef views and plenty of dry activities.
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
Juan
Mr
Winston
Elisia
Experience the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet. Sightseeing cruises are perfect for non-swimmers, families, and anyone from the comfort of a boat or pontoon. Whether you want to watch fish glide beneath a glass-bottom boat or capture the reef’s colors from above, there’s a cruise for everyone.
Drift above coral gardens and schools of tropical fish through the boat’s clear viewing panels.
Peer through floor-to-ceiling windows at colorful reef life—no fins, wetsuit, or scuba gear required.
Step into a submerged chamber and get face-to-fin with reef dwellers through 360° glass walls.
Unwind on a stable, shaded pontoon equipped with snorkel platforms and glass panels for effortless reef watching.
Soar over the coral maze in a comfortable chopper, marveling at the reef’s vivid patterns from above.
Join expert marine biologists for interactive presentations on reef ecology and conservation as you cruise.
Pro tip: Book early, especially during school holidays or peak travel months, as popular tours and premium experiences fill up fast.
Pontoons offer a superior stationary sightseeing experience with stability and multiple facilities like observatories—ideal for comfort and varied dry viewing.
Pontoon tours (e.g., Reef Magic, Sunlover) provide the most engaging range of dry activities for all ages and swimming abilities.
The catamaran journey from Cairns to the main Outer Reef pontoons takes about 90 minutes.
Most full-day Outer Reef pontoon tours include a buffet lunch. Always confirm specific inclusions when booking.
Both are excellent bases. Cairns offers a lively city vibe and budget options; Port Douglas is quieter, closer to the Daintree, and ideal for a relaxed, upmarket holiday.
At least one full day is recommended, but two or more days let you explore different sites and activities.
Yes, especially on guided tours. During stinger season (November–April), wear provided stinger suits. Always follow safety briefings and swim within designated areas.
Most full-day tours last 7–9 hours, including 4–5 hours at the reef and 1–2 hours of travel each way. Half-day and multi-day options are also available.
Enjoy full flexibility with round-trip ferry transfers for a self-paced Fitzroy Island day trip.
Inclusions
Round-trip ferry transfers from Cairns to Fitzroy Island
Up to 2 hours to spend on the island
Snorkel equipment hire (based on option selected)
Glass-bottom boat tour (based on option selected)
Pocket-friendly full-day island escape with snorkelling, reef viewing, and lunch.
Inclusions
Very friendly helpful staff on the boat and snorkelling was amazing. Speaker system upstairs needs to be updated. Couldn't understand a word but our demonstrator was pretty awesome 👍
Overall it was ok, unfortunately the weather was a let down, not really your fault. Many people sick travelling out to the island. Crew did a great job. Water was rough there, not till late afternoon was it comfortable. Food was ok sandwich bread was soggy. Loved walking around though, enjoyed the walk to Nudey beach. Because of the day intakes the experience down. Perhaps sound have chosen glass bottom boat, heard good reports.
We loved the snorkling, coral so close to the beach. fantastic day out for the family.
A beautiful place to visit. Boat trip over was very nice and well organised.
Problem with booking, ticket didn't show what was booked and paid for, got refund for glass bottom boat experience and booked it myself with Cairns.
You charged me for the experience I wanted and then the day before told others on my booking I hadn't paid for part of the experience and made them repay for it. You never sent the money from 2 of our guests on to the actual company offering the tour so they had to pay again and no doubt have to try and claw a refund from you. 1/5 stars.
Unwind with 5.5 hours on Fitzroy Island—ample time for trails, snorkeling, and beach bliss.
Inclusions
Full-day trip to Fitzroy Island
Round-trip ferry transfers from Cairns
Up to 6 hours on Fitzroy Island
Self-guided walk of National Park
Picnic lunch (menu here) (if option selected)
Guided glass-bottomed boat tour (if option selected)
Snorkel Safari with marine biologist (if option selected)
Snorkelling equipment, lycra suits, and flotation vests (if option selected)
Flexible reef tour offering a choice of snorkeling or diving with a full BBQ lunch.
Inclusions
Full-day freedom and flexible Green Island reef experiences from Cairns.
Inclusions
Full-day cruise to Green Island
Stay on Green Island for 5 hours with a self-guided walk on island trails
Buffet lunch (menu here) (if option selected)
30-minute semi-submarine tour for up to 27 guests (if option selected)
30-minute glass-bottom boat tour (if option selected)
Snorkeling gear including mask, snorkel, fins, Lycra suits, and flotation vest (if option selected)
Guided snorkel safari tour with marine biologist (if option selected)
Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island
Family-friendly reef adventure with waterslide and diverse pontoon activities.
Inclusions
Full‑day reef cruise with pontoon activities, island exploration, and lunch.
Inclusions
Luxury reef tour on a 35‑metre superyacht with a heli-flight and gourmet BBQ lunch.
Inclusions
Explore two exclusive reef sites with scuba diving and snorkeling aboard a luxury superyacht.
Inclusions
Full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef
Round-trip superyacht transfers from Cairns to 2 reef sites
Introductory or certified diving course with licensed diving instructor
8-hour cruise with 5 hours on the reef
Snorkeling equipment, masks, and lycra suits
Guides/captains
Chef-prepared BBQ lunch
Tea and coffee
1 glass of wine and light snack on return journey
Guided snorkel reef tour with lunch on a purpose‑built vessel.
Inclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.