Half Day Great Barrier Reef Adventure
Highlights & inclusions
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August 2026
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Highlighted reviews
I have done a few different trips out to the Great Barrier Reef, and Reef Adventures is definitely one of my favourites 😍 the full day trip was amazing with clear view to the coral. The crew were awesome and very informative 👏.
I really liked having our own meal packs, for me I normally I don't get to eat much on other boats as I'm normally last back on the boat which means most people have started seconds before I start. This was the first trip I actually got to eat properly, thanks guys. If you've never been and not sure how you will go in the boat just take a garlic tablet and enjoy a day of snorkeling with the 2 great locations. I'll definitely be back 😀.
Can’t recommend more!
Epic team with Gabriella, Bradley and Renae your guaranteed a great time. We saw a turtle, shark, and so many beautiful reef fishies and things. The perfect amount of time on the reef. Would book again
What you can expect
Dive into an unforgettable family-friendly adventure with a high-speed journey to the pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef, departing from Cairns. Onboard our brand-new, purpose-built vessel, designed for speed and comfort, you’ll reach exclusive reef sites like Briggs, Sudbury, and Moore in just one hour. With a maximum of 35 passengers, this intimate tour ensures a personalized and crowd-free experience, perfect for families looking to create lifelong memories together.
Once at the reef, enjoy over 2 hours of snorkeling guided by friendly experts who cater to all experience levels, ensuring everyone feels confident and safe in the water. Marvel at vibrant coral gardens, spot dazzling tropical fish, and immerse yourself in the magic of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Kids will love spotting marine life, and adults can soak in the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Location
What you need to know
- Snorkeling equipment including seasonal wetsuits/stinger suits
- Prescription masks
- Marine life presentation
- High speed transfer to the reef
- Over 2 hours of snorkeling an exclusive reef location
- Fresh, locally sourced afternoon snacks
- Hotel transfers
- Soft drinks/alcohol from the bar
- Complimentary 30-minute Marine Life Presentation begins at 10.30am at the Pure Snorkelling Pontoon office on D Finger at the Cairns Marlin Marina
- Check in starts at 11:00am and closes at 11.30am.
- The boat departs at 12pm sharp.
- 12:30 PM: Departure from Cairns. Settle in as we leave Marlin Marina and cruise towards the Great
- Barrier Reef. We'll go through a brief safety briefing before we "blast off" towards adventure!
- 1:30 - 2:45 PM - Arrive at the reef - Snorkel time! Our crew will introduce you to the site, sharing highlights and what to watch out for under the sea.
- 2:45 - 3:00 PM: Snack Time & Marine Biology Chat. After snorkelling, we’ll have a quick hydration break and enjoy a mini marine biology presentation from our onboard expert.
- 3:00 - 4:15 PM: More Snorkelling! Take in more incredible sights underwater with up to 1 hour of snorkel time.
- 4:15 PM: Return to Vessel. We'll call everyone back on board, sign you in, and do a final headcount. Now it's time to open up the bar for some cheeky drink purchases for the ride home
- 5:30 PM: Arrival Back in Cairns
- Complimentary 30-minute Marine Life Presentation begins at 10.30am at the Pure Snorkelling Pontoon office on D Finger at the Cairns Marlin Marina.
- Check in starts at 11:00am and closes at 11.30am.
- The boat departs at 12pm sharp.
- This experience takes place in D Finger, Marlin Parade, Cairns Marina, Cairns City 4870
- This experience departs from D Finger, Marlin Parade, Cairns Marina, Cairns City, QLD 4870.
- Swimmers
- Towel
- Suncream, hat, sunnies etc..
- Card for onboard purchases from the bar
- Not suitable for people who cannot swim
- Unsuitable for those with any medical or mobility issues, including pregnancy as it can be a bumpy ride
- Not suitable for children under 6 years of age
- 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
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
Recent reviews
I had such a beautiful experience exploring the Great Barrier Reef, truly unforgettable.
From start to finish, everything was amazing.A very special thank you to Lily, Maddy, and Jo. All three were incredibly kind, professional, and made the whole experience feel safe and enjoyable. I especially want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Jo. She was an absolute angel in the water, guiding me throughout the snorkeling. Even though I’ve snorkeled before, I had two past experiences when I was younger where I actually drowned, so getting into the ocean can sometimes trigger anxiety for me. When I started feeling overwhelmed, Maddy was so gentle and calming while helping me enter the water, and Jo stayed by my side the entire time, making sure I felt safe and supported. Her patience and kindness meant so much to me. Lily also made the tour so special, keeping everything fun and making sure we got to see beautiful marine life as promised.I’m deeply grateful to all three of them for their care, patience, and warmth. This is an experience I will never forget and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. Thank you again 🤍
Once in a lifetime experience! Couldn’t be happier that we chose this family owned, amazing company to see the Great Barrier Reef.
We did a full day trip, got to see 2 different reefs, and the staff were all exceptionally helpful and informative. Hailey and Eleanor were the best snorkel guides, I felt safe and taken care of in their hands. Gus was an immaculate captain and it was such a pleasure to meet Danny and see how much love he puts into his business! I am gluten intolerant and they accommodated my dietary restrictions:) I love that we got so many great photos from our trip as well!!! Very memorable part of my time here in Cairns.
A Fabulous Day had by all. We had a great day spent with the team Rene, Hayley and Frankie on the Maverick boat.
The ladies were great fun and fantastic at their jobs. The ladies have lots of knowledge of the reef and the sea animals. The half day tour was perfect. I loved the idea of the staff taking pictures of the day and adding them to the Facebook page. I love that it’s not an extra cost. Really appreciated. On arrival the staff get you to sign a waiver and you get given your suits to put on. I suggest wearing your swimmers under your clothes , makes for an easy transition into your suit. I would also suggest wearing a pair of thongs 🩴 or sandals and not joggers. Then off to the boat which is situated right out the back doors , right on the water. Once on board there is a brief, then off out to the reef. Whilst travelling out to the reef the ladies arranged our flippers and snorkels. On arrival to the reef , there is a safety talk making sure everyone is feeling safe and comfortable. Then the fun begins. Out into the water for our Adventure. It’s a guided tour with lots of explaining on what to look for and what you can see. The guide takes photos of all the interesting things you see and pictures of you and your group. The only thing I think that could improve was the snack. Maybe just one or two more small treats would be good , maybe something savoury. Also loved that Frankie suggested some other local activities and food options at the end of the day. I think this shows that you support other local businesses in the area. It was also very helpful to us people that are not local to the area.
