Reef Experience - Outer Barrier Reef Tour

Reef Experience offers an all inclusive day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Your experience commences with comfortable air-conditioned bus transfer from Cairns City based accommodation where you are transferred to the Marlin Marinas for boarding by the vessel's friendly crew.

On boarding you will enjoy the ‘chef prepared’ fresh breakfast with time to enjoy a quick cup of tea, coffee or Milo (available free of charge all day whilst the vessel is not moving) before departure. At 8:00am the vessel will depart from the Marlin Jetty to cruise out to the crystal clear, warm waters of the Outer Barrier Reef. The vessel’s Captain will decide as to which of the spectacular Outer Barrier Reef Locations you’ll visit for the day! Your day will include two Outer Barrier Reef sites from Norman, Saxon, Hastings and Breaking Patches locations.

During the cruising time out to location guests will learn some wonderful reef information from the vessels onboard Marine Biologist. The briefing includes a Reef Presentation and of course there is a safety briefing, a snorkel briefing and a dive briefing along the way.

Your day will include a Glass Bottom Boat tour with Marine Biologist, this is a great way to see fish and coral without getting wet. Of course you will want to snorkel. Wetsuit and flotation aids are included in the price of the trip and you will enjoy up to 6 hours at the Great Barrier Reef!

Your Reef Experience day tour will also include a free Introductory Dive / or Certified Dive (if you hold an Open Water Dive License) in the Adult Fares for interested persons. Introductory Diving requires no previous experience but participants will need to fill in and pass a Medical Questionnaire given to you by the Dive Instructor onboard the boat. If you do not meet the medical criteria to safely participate in the diving or do not have any interest in diving, then of course you can enjoy the option of a guided snorkeling tour which is offered to passengers in lieu of diving!

The vessels onboard Tropical Buffet lunch selection includes marinated chicken, ham, lasagna (both meat and vegetarian options), garden fresh salad varieties including green cos salad, potato salad and pasta salad. Lunch is prepared fresh onboard each and every day whilst Reef Experience is on its way to the Great Barrier Reef! After lunch you will cruise to a new location on the Great Barrier Reef before getting back into the water for more snorkelling and diving.

On departure from the Great Barrier Reef back to Cairns it's time to hold on and enjoy the ride!  Remember to keep an eye out for dolphins as they surf along-side the boat most days! Sit back, relax or socialize with new friends with a cold drink from the bar, on the large and spacious sundeck. You can view the day’s video and watch the sun go down on one of the seven natural wonders of the world as you enjoy complimentary wine, cheese & tropical fruits.

You will arrive back in Cairns at approximately 4:30pm and you will be transferred at the end of the day you will be transferred back to accommodation.

This tour includes everything down to the last detail including all Cairns City Accommodation transfers.

Reef Experience also offers guests the option to upgrade to the 'Top Deck Deluxe Option' which offers a personal valet assigned to you for the day, an A la Carte Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea, Plunger Tea and Coffee, Personal Dive and / or Snorkel Guide for the day, Australian Sparkling Wine on the return journey home, a Top Deck Club gift and access to the vessel’s exclusive Top Deck area.

• 7:30am Boarding at Marlin Jetty for a BBQ breakfast
• 8.00am Departure from Marlin Jetty, Cairns at Dolphin Speed
• 9:30am Reef video presentation, Snorkel & Scuba Dive procedures, Reef Safety orientation
• 10:30am to 1:30pm Arrive at Hastings Reef: Snorkel & Scuba Dive Demonstration, Glass Bottom Boat, Introductory & Certified Scuba Diving
• 1:45pm Glass Bottom Boat, swimming & snorkelling, then lunch
• 2:00pm Arrive at Breaking Patches. The option to enjoy Introductory & Certified Scuba Diving & Snorkelling 
• 4:30pm: Return Marlin Jetty, Cairns

Please Note: Locations & itinerary subject to may be subject to change at any time due to weather conditions

• BBQ breakfast on boarding.
• 6 hours on the reef at two spectacular Outer Barrier Reef locations
• A guided snorkel, introductory dive or certified dive*
• Glass bottom boat tour and commentary
• Smorgasbord hot & cold lunch
• Morning tea & coffee
• Wine & cheese/fruit platter on return
• All equipment & wetsuit hire
• Limited numbers to ensure personalized service
• Return coach transfers from Cairns City based accommodation
• All Government Reef Taxes & Fuel Levies

Please Note: Introductory Diving is available to Introductory Divers on successful completion of a Dive Medical Questionnaire. Some medical conditions or medications may prevent you from scuba diving unless a current Queensland Diving Medical Certificate can be shown to the Dive Instructor. For example: heart disease, asthma, epilepsy or diabetes can preclude safe diving.

Certified Divers will be asked to provide proof of their qualification in the form of a Dive License or Divers Logbook to the Dive Instructor on the day. For assistance with lost cards, please contact us and we will endeavour to verify your diver rating prior to travelling. We reserve the right to refuse a Certified Dive to anyone who cannot prove their certification.

• Adult AU$205.00
• Child (4 - 11 years of age) AU$125.00
• Family Package (2 adults & 2 children 4 – 11 years of age) AU$535.00

Important Booking Notes:  On making a reservation please use Comments Box in Booking Form to advise us if you require return coach transfers from Cairns City or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation or prefer to make own way to Cairns Marinas to self check-in. Please also advise of diving requirements and any special dietary considerations so that we can ensure that your requirements are met.

Government Reef Tax Cruise fares and charges are inclusive of GST, Environmental Management Charges & Port Taxes

Please Note: This tour is operating on Christmas Day, the 25th of December, 2021 with the following surcharge:

For Reef Experience on Christmas Day 25th December 2023 a surcharge of $100.00 is applicable per passenger

The price for Reef Experience Outer Barrier Reef Tour on Christmas Day ONLY will be:

• Adult $305.00
• Child (4 - 11 yeards of age) AU$225.00
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children 4 – 11 years of age) $935.00

Important Booking Notes:  On making a reservation please use Comments Box in Booking Form to advise us if you require return coach transfers from Cairns City or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation or prefer to make own way to Cairns Marinas to self check-in. Please also advise of diving requirements and any special dietary considerations so that we can ensure that your requirements are met.

Government Reef Tax Cruise fares and charges are inclusive of GST, Environmental Management Charges & Port Taxes
Additional Dives - Valid 01 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023

• 2nd Introductory Dive AU$65.00
• 2nd Certified Dive AU$55.00

Please Note: Cruise includes 1 Free Introductory Dive or 1 Free Certified Dive in rates - Optional Diving rates are for passengers wanting to upgrade to do an additional (second) Certified or Introductory Dive
Coach Transfers from Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation - Valid 01 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023

• Return Accommodation Transfer from Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation AU$25.00 per person

Please Note: Cruise rates include return coach tranfers from Cairns City based accommodation but are available as an Optional Extra at additional cost from Cairns Northern Beaches based accommodation 

Terms & Conditions
Diving is available to Introductory Divers on successful completion of a Dive Medical Questionnaire. Some medical conditions or medications may prevent you from scuba diving unless a current Queensland Diving Medical Certificate can be shown to the Dive Instructor. For example: heart disease, asthma, epilepsy or diabetes can preclude safe diving.

Certified Divers will be asked to provide proof of their qualification in the form of a Dive License or Divers Logbook to the Dive Instructor on the day. For assistance with lost cards, please contact us and we will endeavour to verify your diver rating prior to travelling. We reserve the right to refuse a Certified Dive to anyone who cannot prove their certification

Reef Experience Reef Tour - Valid 01 Apr 2023 to 31 Mar 2024

• Adult AU$225.00
• Child (4 – 11 years of age) AU$145.00
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 – 11 years of age) AU$595.00

Important Booking Notes:  On making a reservation please use Comments Box in Booking Form to advise us if you require return coach transfers from Cairns City or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation or prefer to make own way to Cairns Marinas to self check-in. Please also advise of diving requirements and any special dietary considerations so that we can ensure that your requirements are met.

Government Reef Tax Cruise fares and charges are inclusive of GST, Environmental Management Charges & Port Taxes

Please Note: This tour is operating on Christmas Day, the 25th of December, 2023 with the following surcharge:

For Reef Experience on Christmas Day 25th December 2023 a surcharge of $100.00 is applicable per passenger

The price for Reef Experience Outer Barrier Reef Tour on Christmas Day ONLY will be:

• Adult $325.00
• Child (4 - 11 yeards of age) AU$245.00
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 – 11 years of age) $995.00

Important Booking Notes:  On making a reservation please use Comments Box in Booking Form to advise us if you require return coach transfers from Cairns City or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation or prefer to make own way to Cairns Marinas to self check-in. Please also advise of diving requirements and any special dietary considerations so that we can ensure that your requirements are met.

Government Reef Tax Cruise fares and charges are inclusive of GST, Environmental Management Charges & Port Taxes

Please Note: This tour operates on ALL Queensland Public Holidays with the following surcharge:

For Reef Experience on ALL Queensland Public Holidays a surcharge of $50.00 is applicable per passenger

The price for Reef Experience Outer Barrier Reef Tour on ALL Queensland Public Holidays will be:

• Adult $275.00
• Child (4 - 11 yeards of age) AU$195.00
• Family Package (2 Adults + 2 Children 4 – 11 years of age) $795.00

Important Booking Notes:  On making a reservation please use Comments Box in Booking Form to advise us if you require return coach transfers from Cairns City or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation or prefer to make own way to Cairns Marinas to self check-in. Please also advise of diving requirements and any special dietary considerations so that we can ensure that your requirements are met.

Government Reef Tax Cruise fares and charges are inclusive of GST, Environmental Management Charges & Port Taxes

Queensland Public Holiday Dates:

• 07th, 08th, 09th & 10th of April 2023 - Easter Weekend
• 25th of April 2023 - Anzac Day
• 01st of May 2023 - Labour Day
• 21st of July 2023 - Cairns Show Day
• 02nd of October 2023 - King's Birthday
• 26th of December 2023 - Boxing Day
• 01st of January 2024 - New Years Day
• 26th of January  2024 - Australia Day

Additional Dives - Valid 01 Apr 2023 to 31 Mar 2024

• 2nd Introductory Dive AU$70.00
• 2nd Certified Dive AU$60.00

Please Note: Cruise includes 1 Free Introductory Dive or 1 Free Certified Dive in rates - Optional Diving rates are for passengers wanting to upgrade to do an additional (second) Certified or Introductory Dive
Coach Transfers from Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation - Valid 01 Apr 2023 to 31 Mar 2024

• Return Accommodation Transfer from Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation AU$35.00 per person

Please Note: Cruise rates include return coach tranfers from Cairns City based accommodation but are available as an Optional Extra at additional cost from Cairns Northern Beaches based accommodation

Terms & Conditions
Diving is available to Introductory Divers on successful completion of a Dive Medical Questionnaire. Some medical conditions or medications may prevent you from scuba diving unless a current Queensland Diving Medical Certificate can be shown to the Dive Instructor. For example: heart disease, asthma, epilepsy or diabetes can preclude safe diving.

Certified Divers will be asked to provide proof of their qualification in the form of a Dive License or Divers Logbook to the Dive Instructor on the day. For assistance with lost cards, please contact us and we will endeavour to verify your diver rating prior to travelling. We reserve the right to refuse a Certified Dive to anyone who cannot prove their certification.