How to access the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns

Jump on board the Passions of Paradise catamaran for a day of sailing between the best dive and snorkel sites on the Great Barrier Reef.

Wind in your hair, views out front – dive into this natural wonder knowing that you’re not leaving a big footprint. Passions of Paradise is an eco-certified operator, working with the Australian Rainforest Foundation to offset carbon emissions and replant trees in the Daintree Rainforest. You’ll also get to see reef research in action, as the team completes reef health surveys as part of the Eye on the Reef program. 

For a truly boutique-style, personalised reef experience, consider Ocean Free Sail and Ocean Freedom Cruise - two tours run by a husband and wife duo for near on 25 years. Exploring sites such as Green Island, and Upolu Cay in the outer edge of the reef, you'll also learn about the coral nurturing and surveying projects the team is involved in.

Take an Indigenous reef tour  

Step back into the reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous sea rangers on a day tour to two outer reef sites: Moore Reef and Flynn Reef.

Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel’s Indigenous team will recount the Dreamtime stories of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Gunggandji, Mandingalbay and Yirrganydji people to help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of this diverse ecosystem. You’ll also have five hours of water time to snorkel over coral gardens, jump in a glass bottom boat ride or take an introductory or certified dive.

Once you return to the marina, there are many other Indigenous tour experiences waiting for you in Cairns.

Rest your sea legs

If your sea legs won’t last the whole day on a boat, opt for a reef trip that visits a pontoon so you have a stable home base in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.

Sunlover Reef Cruises offers fantastic family-friendly reef tours that suits all ages and abilities. Departing daily from Cairns, the eco-certified tours will transport you to the state of-the art Moore Reef Marine Base for a day of exploring the abundance of colourful coral, fascinating fish, turtles and more.

There’ll be plenty of thrilling trips down the only waterslide on the reef, with four hours to explore the underwater wonderland. Pull on a snorkel and dive in, take a glass bottom boat tour or semi-submersible tour, participate in fish feeding, marvel at the underwater observatory or get hands-on with touchtalk presentations from marine experts.

There’s also the option to scuba dive, helmet dive, take a guided snorkel tour, or scenic helicopter flight from the pontoon.

Get on island time 

One of the best ways to access the reef from Cairns is to visit the reef-fringing islands.

The only cay surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, Green Island National Park is home to spectacular reef beauty – as well as a resort if you want to escape and rejuvenate for a few days on island time. Sure you can lounge on the palm-fringed beach, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Wander the Green Island Boardwalk to meet the local wildlife, swim, snorkel and kayak the crystal clear reef waters, join a guided nature walk or visit the crocodile habitat.

Or book with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises to experience an action-packed day trip with island exploration, snorkelling, diving, helmet diving and other water activities.

To visit a turtle rehabilitation centre and one of Australia’s best beaches, head to Fitzroy Island. Overlooking the Great Barrier Reef, this is a family friendly island gateway to explore the region. One dive beneath the water will bring you face to face with the locals: angelfish, parrotfish, sea anemones, alongside brilliantly hued coral, clams and starfish. Soak up the sun on Nudey Beach, rent a kayak or let someone else do the work on a glass bottom boat trip.

See it from the air (and your own private sand cay)

To really appreciate the grandeur of the Great Barrier Reef, jump on board a scenic helicopter flight.

Nautilus Aviation offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Fly over the coral-studded sea before landing on your own piece of paradise in the heart of the reef: Vlasoff Cay. Kick back on the pure white sand with sparkling in hand and a gourmet picnic, snorkel straight off the cay and soak in the seclusion. Different tour options also offer reef and rainforest day packages, HeliFish tours and even the chance to take control and fly the helicopter yourself.

You can also take to the sky with HeliTours. Their tours range from a short and scenic 30 minute tour of the Great Barrier Reef, to a Heli Pub Tour through the Atherton Tablelands, or flying out to spend the day on remote Lizard Island.

Dive beneath the surface

If you scuba dive – or want to get certified – Cairns is your gateway to explore the outer reef from beneath the surface.

Learn to dive in Cairns with Pro Dive Cairns or Divers Den. Both offer PADI dive certification, day trips, as well as liveaboard boats to complete your training. For a more intimate experience, try smaller, local operators like Down Under Cruise and Dive.

For serious divers, Cairns is the place to jump on a liveaboard and make the most of your front row seat to the reef. Pro Dive Cairns offers a range of options with its three-day, two-night outer reef liveaboard where you’ll participate in nine day-dives and two night dives. Dive in style, and sleep in style with Mike Ball Dive’s 3, 4 and 7 night excursions to the world-famous Ribbon Reefs. The trips include a low-level reef flight and dive sites include Cod Hole and Steve’s Bommie.

For the adventure of a lifetime, join a research expedition and swim with dwarf minke whales, or check out the trips offered by Spirit of Freedom and Coral Sea Dreaming.

Indulge in eco-luxury on Lizard Island

If your mantra is dive by day, degustation by night, make your way to Lizard Island.

Accessible via flights from Cairns, this remote island proves that eco-conscious travelling doesn’t mean you’ll be back to basics. Here, your Great Barrier Reef experience comes with Chefs Hat level dining, day spa, and pristine beaches you’ll have all to yourself.

And when you’re not out exploring the reef, visit the island resort’s research centre to get an insider peak at current research projects and reef education. Over 100 projects are conducted here annually.

Enrol in school

There’s more to the reef than meets the eye, so get hands on with the Reef Teach team to learn more about this natural wonder, the wildlife that live here, and ways we’re working to protect it.

Attend evening Reef Teach Talks or sign up for the Reef Naturalist program that offers 1–4 day trips to dive in the deep end, and participate in research and conservation activities along the reef. You can even make a difference with internship opportunities available where you’ll spend 2-4 weeks under the guidance of the marine biologists.

Sleep on the reef

For a front row seat to a private after-dark reef experience, spend the night sleeping under the stars on the Moore Reef Marine Base with Sunlover by Starlight.

26 nautical miles off the coast of Cairns, your lullaby is the calming sounds of the Great Barrier Reef and your alarm clock is awaking to sunrise over the Coral Sea.

Discover the hidden gems of the Great Barrier Reef 

Not many have heard of The Frankland Islands, so consider it one of our best kept secrets. This cluster of National Park islands off the coast of Cairns is virtually untouched. And it’s home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs and marine life, including whales, dugongs, turtles and manta rays.

For the ultimate off-the-beaten-track adventure, book a day trip with Frankland Islands Reef Cruises. They’re the only operator with a licence to take visitors to the Frankland Islands, in order to minimise the tourist footprint.  

See it from the city 

Experience the reef without leaving the mainland at Cairns Aquarium.

Here you can travel through ten North Queensland ecosystems, from the ancient rainforest to the reef – without getting wet. See unique and rare species up close, learn at daily talks and presentations, and get hands-on the marine and terrestrial touch tanks. For something different, visit after dark on an ecologist guided night tour to witness the nocturnal creatures and Coral Sea predators awaken. 

Getting ready to plan your reef holiday? You can also access the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, Townsville, The Whitsundays and explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef too.