Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. This 35-metre luxury fast superyacht departs Cairns with 5 hours spent exploring 2 spectacular and exclusive outer Great Barrier Reef locations for an adventure-filled day.
Visit two different outer reef locations on the Great Barrier Reef for the chance to see tropical marine life. Delicious fresh BBQ lunch, tea, coffee, light snack and glass of wine on the return journey is included. Upgrade to include additional water adventures such as introductory or certified scuba dive or a scenic helicopter flight. Top quality equipment and instruction provided by friendly and professional instructors.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Check-in is from 7.15am at Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Please make your way to the Down Under Cruise and Dive counter to check-in. Boat departs 8.00am.
All divers are required to complete a Medical Questionnaire. In a commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 65 years must have a medical clearance with a physician the confirms they are Fit To Dive. Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and ANY prescription medications will require a letter or email from a doctor clearing you to dive. This clearance must state your full name, the doctor's name and practice and the clearance to dive for the specific medications/condition. Please review the operators Medical Questionnaire and Terms & Conditions prior to travel.
Children aged and under 12 years (introductory) and 10 years (certified divers) are not permitted to participate in onboard diving activities as per Queensland Australian Law.
Children under the age of 18 must be in the immediate company of a parent or legal guardian.
For Certified Diving, evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive.
Diving within 24 hours before your flight is not permitted.
Due to comfort, weight and balance of the aircraft, the weight limit for helicopters is 130kg. Please contact the supplier directly for further information.
Special dietary requirements must be confirmed at least 24 hours prior to travel directly with the tour operator. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options are available.
If you chose a package with a dive, this includes 1 pre-booked dive only (note: dives are not included with snorkel-only packages). Additional dives can be purchased onboard on the day or direct with the operator prior to travel.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Free lycra/stinger suit hire
5 hours reef time at 2 spectacular outer reef locations
All Fees and Taxes
1 pre-booked dive (if dive package is selected. Additional dives can be added once onboard)
Personal flotation aids - life jackets and noodles
10-minute Scenic Flight (if selected)
Glass of wine and a snack on return journey
Use of snorkelling and scuba equipment
BBQ lunch prepared onboard with fresh fish, prawns, steak, salads (Veg, GF, DF & Vegan options)
Private transportation
What To Expect
Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal between 7.15am - 7.45am. Once checked in, you can make your way down to the boat, Evolution. Be greeted by your friendly crew, who will provide you with masks and snorkel, and then enjoy arrival tea, coffee and muffins before departure.
Great Barrier Reef
Evolution departs Cairns at 8 am with a safety briefing on your way to your first reef location. After 1 hour and 30 minutes, you will arrive at the first reef location. This will either be Saxon Reef or Norman Reef based on weather conditions and water clarity, to ensure the best experience for all activities.
Options
One Introductory Dive
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 2 sites. Includes 1 introductory dive, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear.
Snorkeling and Heli Flight
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef including a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight and free time to snorkel
Cruise, Intro Dive and Heli
Cruise, Dive and Heli Flight: Outer Barrier Reef Cruise including 1 introductory, a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight, and buffet lunch.
Snorkeling Only
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 2 sites. Free time for snorkeling and swimming. Includes buffet lunch, snorkel gear.
One Certified Dive
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 2 sites. Includes 1 certified dive, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear.
Reviews
3,663 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
AMAZING snorkeling boat tour
Lauren D,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the BEST snorkeling boat tour that I have been on thus far! The crew is absolutely wonderful, so kind, knowledgable, and funny, which made the experience even better. Indy the marine biologist on board, was soooo knowledgable about all of the sea life we were seeing today and it was cool to learn about the reef while en route. The rest of the crew did an amazing job making sure that everything was organized and safe, and the ladies at the bar/kitchen whipped up such a fabulous lunch including grilling whole steaks on board. The snorkeling was spectacular, the two reef spots were amazing we saw SO many fish, turtles, even a small reef shark. We didn't do any of the side experiences but if you wanted to there was a semi submersible tour, helicopter flight, and even intro scuba dives. On the ride back you get complementary wine and cheese, and get to sunbathe on the gorgeous boat. I felt like this was by far the best tour we could have booked, the size of the boat was just right about 120 people, on a massive boat. If we return to Cairns we would totally book this tour again!
Greatly to see the reef!
Jennifer D,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Friendly crew that was very helpful and professional. The food was good and the 1st snorkeling site was amazing!! It was a wonderful experience.
Amazing experience at the Barrier Reefs
Prakash Y,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I took the tour with my family of 8 and we had a wonderful snorkelling and diving experience with the crew. The crew had safety at the top of every activity and this gave us more confidence to enjoy the reefs with our younger kids who were between 8 and 11 years old. Special shoutout to Mike who was our intro to diving instructor. He made my dive into the reefs a very enjoyable and safe experience. Overall we all had an enjoyable time and would definitely book with them again when i come to Cairns…thank you guys!!!
It was an amazing...
William J,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an amazing experience. The reef was everything we could ever have hoped it would be. The staff was great especially the marine biologist, Phil Junior. We learned so much from him.
Fabulous new clean Seiff. Amazing boat with amazing crew
mrsmalibu,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome! I’ve always wanted to scuba dive, but never had a chance to get my Patti license however they let you go down in scuba gear holding onto a dive master and it was absolutely awesome! I now must get my dive lessons done because I have to do it again, it was like heaven underwater. And then the boat was amazing new clean, beautiful easy to move around shaded when I needed shade, but yet places to take the sun. It was easy on and off the boat for snorkeling and scuba. Now let’s talk about the amazing staff! I think that they must have some sort of comedic level of lessons cause so many and we’re so funny. Mike Marin biology hilarious and so knowledgeable to ask questions about what I saw. Eddie hilarious. Jinah was a sweetheart and so helpful with my mask, etc. Ash was a wonderful photographer that took amazing photos underwater to make my great barrier reef scuba and snorkel memorable for the rest of my life with fabulous photos. Oh did I mention I got steak for lunch I had two steaks. Yes I did too and they were delicious. I think there was other food, but that’s all I cared about. Oh and they gave you wine and cheese and laughter. I highly recommend this cruz and taking the chance and trying scuba.
The whole day was amazing...
Joyce R,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The whole day was amazing from start to finish. The staff were so friendly, easy to organise great and allocated seating made travelling easy with kids. The food was delicious and there was plenty of it. The snorkelling was fun with enough time at both locations. Helicopter ride was great and all the safety briefings for the day were given with laughs.. my husband had his birthday on board and the whole boat and staff sung to him so it was very memorable
Lovely crew, great food,...
Sarah P,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Lovely crew, great food, great experience. Got to see lots of fish and felt like the team had thought of everything!
Perfect Time & Crew
Sean H,
Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The boat/ship was clean, newer than others I saw. The crew was magnificent and made the experience great! Truly a bucket list PERFECT bucket list experience! We had an amazing time!
The day was perfect all...
Bron F,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The day was perfect all staff were amazing they explained everything through out the day and the food was great had the best day snorkelling it was just fantastic
Super friendly and...
Charlotte R,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Super friendly and experienced Evolution staff!! Felt safe and at ease at all times, would definitely recommend if on holiday in cairns/surrounds.
From A$265.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Down Under Cruise and Dive