Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise to 2 Reef Locations
Highlights & inclusions
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August 2026
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Highlighted reviews
Wonderful
The sun was timid on that day. But the cruise was fine. Couldn't complete my introductory dive...big boat lots of people...lesson was bit rush for slow learners. We tried like half time only of the allocated time....that was disappointing 😞
Amazing experience - a bit pricey when considering add one to a prepaid price
I loved basically every part of the whole experience. You get greeted by the amazing team of people, who take care of you during the whole day trip. It was my first time diving as well - they assured me everything is going to be alright, helped me with everything. You have all the food included, many options of it, the return drink, some snacks, equipment for snorkeling and diving. However, it's a pricey experience, even not considering the price you pay for just the experience. I mean that you have to pay for everything extra. Want a wetsuit if you are just snorkeling - $10, want your photos - up to $110, want to take photos with your phone, buy a waterproof pouch for $60 (it's around $10 in other places). Doesn't feel like much, but when you know that it's basically extra to what you already paid, it adds up to a lot. If not that, 5/5 stars experience and amazing team of people!
What you can expect
Explore the best of the Great Barrier Reef with this great value full-day cruise from Cairns, visiting two great Outer Reef sites. Cruise onboard a 35-metre luxury superyacht with three spacious decks and a friendly and professional crew.
See all the vivid, colourful, World Heritage beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, featuring 5 hours' worth of snorkelling or diving, it's a full-fledged Great Barrier Reef extravaganza. Choose to snorkel or dial up the adventure and scuba dive (no experience necessary!), all equipment included.
Guests of all ages, swimmers and non-swimmers can enjoy a magical day on the Great Barrier Reef. Relax on board the vessel and enjoy a freshly prepared barbecue lunch with fresh steak and seafood, a variety of salads and breads (special dietary requirements catered for too). You'll also be treated to a complimentary glass of wine, cheese and biscuits as you cruise back to Cairns.
Optional activities include semi-submersible tours, marine biologist tours and helicopter experiences (extra costs apply). Add these on with reservations before travel.
Join your friendly crew aboard a comfortable, modern and spacious vessel for an adventure that's as beautiful as it is educational - take in all the marine life, coral, fish and stunning colours at exclusive mooring locations hand-picked for their beauty.
Location
What you need to know
- Cruise in luxury to the Outer Reef in an air-conditioned catamaran - one of the newest in Cairns!
- Spend 5 hours at 2 outer Great Barrier Reef locations
- All water equipment provided and flotation devices
- Free lycra/sun-suit hire
- Arrival tea, coffee and mini muffins
- Glass of wine, cheese and biscuits on the return journey
- Experienced, professional dive instructors providing full diving and snorkelling tuition and safety briefings
- Delicious buffet BBQ lunch including fresh prawns, fish, steak, breads and a variety of salads (GF, DF, Vegan, and Vegetarian options available)
- Fuel and administration levy
- Hotel pick ups and drop offs (return transfers additional cost, please book and pay with the tour operator prior to travel)
- Scuba dive not included in Snorkel Only option
- 7:15am - 7:45am: Check-in, Reef Fleet Terminal
- 8.00am: Evolution departs Cairns
- 9.45am: Arrive at reef location 1, Norman or Saxon Reef for snorkelling and/or scuaba diving
- 11:30am: Enjoy a BBQ buffet lunch onboard
- 1:00pm: Evolution arrives at reef location 2, Hastings Reef, for snorkelling and/or scuaba diving
- 3:00pm: Evolution departs for Cairns, enjoy a glass of wine, cheese and biscuits
- 4:30pm: Evolution arrives back in Cairns (approximately)
- The optional extra activities can be booked with the tour operator before travel:
- Return transfers from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas
- Semi-Submersible Tour
- Guided snorkel tours with a Marine Biologist
- Scenic helicopter flight
- Introductory and certified scuba diving (please choose the scuba diving package). Additional dives can be booked with the tour operator before travel.
- Visit 2 outer reef locations
- Cruise onboard 35-meter luxury superyacht with 3 decks
- Locations vary depending on the day, however, they generally travel to one of the two outer reef locations in the morning (Norman Reef or Saxon Reef) then make their way to North Hastings Reef in the afternoon
- 5 hours of snorkelling
- Semi submersible boat tour (optional extra)
- BBQ lunch
- State of the art high speed vessel
- Spacious sundecks for sunbathing
- Large modern lounges to relax on
- Fully licensed bar onboard
- Check-in is from 7.15am - 7.45am at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Marlin Marina, Cairns. Please make your way to the Down Under Cruise and Dive counter.
- The boat, Evolution, departs at 8am and returns approximately 4.30pm.
- Check-in is from 7.15am - 7.45am at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Marlin Marina, Cairns. Please make your way to the Down Under Cruise and Dive counter.
- The boat, Evolution, departs at 8am
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Change of clothes
- Swimmers
- Towel
- Drink bottle
- Cash or Credit Card for additional purchases onboard from the bar
- Diving: 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 from a physician who 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 operator's Medical Questionnaire and Terms & Conditions before travel.
- Children under the age of 18 must be in the immediate company of a parent or legal guardian.
- 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 directly from the operator before travel.
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Please reconfirm your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking.
Recent reviews
Photo gallery
Wonderful
The sun was timid on that day. But the cruise was fine. Couldn't complete my introductory dive...big boat lots of people...lesson was bit rush for slow learners. We tried like half time only of the allocated time....that was disappointing 😞
Reply from Campermate AU Customer Support
Amazing experience - a bit pricey when considering add one to a prepaid price
I loved basically every part of the whole experience. You get greeted by the amazing team of people, who take care of you during the whole day trip. It was my first time diving as well - they assured me everything is going to be alright, helped me with everything. You have all the food included, many options of it, the return drink, some snacks, equipment for snorkeling and diving. However, it's a pricey experience, even not considering the price you pay for just the experience. I mean that you have to pay for everything extra. Want a wetsuit if you are just snorkeling - $10, want your photos - up to $110, want to take photos with your phone, buy a waterproof pouch for $60 (it's around $10 in other places). Doesn't feel like much, but when you know that it's basically extra to what you already paid, it adds up to a lot. If not that, 5/5 stars experience and amazing team of people!
Nice and funny in the barrier reef cruise with Evolution
The ride was a bit bumpy but the crew member helped my friend to recover from seasick and all went so good. We did 2 stops with plenty of time to snorkel. Food was good although there wasn't much variety of choices, but still the hole experience is 100% recommended.
