The 15 Boat Trips in Cairns That Earn Their Price

Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in Cairns, Cairns Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Snorkeling and Diving, Snorkeling and Diving in Cairns, Tour Reviews

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,714 reviews · from $190Our pick

Review of Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef cruise, with two outer reef stops, snorkeling, optional scuba, lunch, and practical booking tips.

“I am an inexperienced snorkeler, so I was doubtful when I booked this cruise. My partner really wanted to do it though. I was pleasantly surprised. They had a guide in the water with a floater who took me around the great barrier reef so I could see all the best spots. I felt safe and didn’t have any anxiety.”

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From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

2.Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,567 reviews · 9 hours · from $190

Review of Passions of Paradise from Cairns, with two outer reef stops, snorkeling, scuba, lunch, marine guides, and practical booking advice.

“Fab, Crewe were amazing , so helpful, so friendly , so knowledgeable”

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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

3.Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,564 reviews · from $192Top rated

Review of Passions of Paradise, a full-day Cairns catamaran cruise with two reef stops, snorkeling, scuba, lunch, and marine talks.

“The crew were great, really informative and I felt confident with our guide Simon. We did a scuba taster session and enjoyed it so much, we paid for a 2nd one on the same trip. The reefs we visited were amazing and we got really close to them. There was loads of food provided, unfortunately I was too sea sick to eat anything but bread at lunch, but there were lots of fruit and snacks later.”

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River Cruise

4.River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,980 reviews · from $37

Cruise Port Douglas on calm Dickson Inlet waters, spot wild crocodiles, enjoy local stories, and share a drink and snacks for good value.

“Kids got to steer the boat. Interesting to hear about the area and history of Port Douglas. Staff helpful”

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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

5.Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,895 reviews · from $181

Review of Ocean Freedom’s Cairns reef cruise, with two snorkel sites, glass-bottom tour, seafood lunch, gear, and practical tips.

“The reef was a disappointment but that was because of the recent storm. The boat and crew were outstanding!”

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Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise

6.Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,663 reviews · from $25Best value

Cruise the Daintree River on a quiet solar boat, spotting crocodiles, birds, frogs, snakes, and fish with an expert local guide.

“Great experience travelling with family. Guide was well informed and toured the boat with good humour!”

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Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

7.Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,467 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $183

Review of Ocean Freedom’s Cairns reef cruise, with two snorkel sites, optional scuba, glass-bottom tours, lunch, costs, and practical tips.

“The staff were all amazing. You can tell they really enjoy their job. The nibbles they provided throughout the day and the lunch was really good. I expected it to be alot busier given it was peak season but was fortunate to book onto a tour that only had just over 30 people compared to the max 75 capacity”

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Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

8.Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,385 reviews · from $227

Review of Calypso’s Port Douglas reef cruise, with three snorkel sites, optional scuba, meals, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.

“The team were awesome and made sure we had all the gear and some idea of what we were doing. We got to see so much wildlife at all three spots which were all completely different from each other. A great day out, would 100% recommend”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

9.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,003 reviews · 8h 30m · from $279

Review of Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise with snorkeling, scuba, BBQ lunch, and a scenic helicopter flight over Hastings Reef.

“Lovely trip out to the great barrier reef. we thought the crew were very warm, entertaining and welcoming. they looked after everyone well. it was also very well-run so we didn't have to wait around for equipment at all. lunch and other snacks provided were tasty and plentiful. can't fault the tour at all! just be wary in wet season that some of the visibility of the reef is murky and high winds can cause the helicopter flight to be cancelled. we didn't get to experience it, sadly, so can't comment on that part of the trip.”

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1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise

10.1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 947 reviews · from $25

Cruise the Daintree River for crocodiles, birds, local stories, and rainforest views, with drinks included for a great-value hour in Far North Queensland.

“A beautiful experience getting to see the best of the river, learning the history and sighting beautiful birds, and crocodiles.. seeing some baby crocodiles and the kingfishers was a highlight”

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Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience

11.Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 830 reviews · from $211

Review of Sunlover’s Cairns reef cruise to Moore Reef, with snorkeling, glass-bottom tours, lunch, waterslide, costs, crowds, and practical tips.

“It was hard to know what else you could do if you did not choose to snorkel Most of the activities were based on snorkeling Also the buffet lunch was not very good And drinks were not included only free drink was water from sink extrRead more”

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Daintree, Cape Tribulation & River Cruise from Port Douglas

12.Daintree, Cape Tribulation & River Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · from $193

Review of the Daintree, Cape Tribulation and river cruise from Port Douglas, with wildlife, rainforest walks, lunch, swimming and practical tips.

“it was a great day excellent Tour Guide Andrea he made the whole Day a Great experience He,s People skills are outstanding”

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Cairns: Fitzroy Island Ferry with Optional Lunch & Activity

13.Fitzroy Island Ferry with Optional Lunch & Activity

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 796 reviews · 8 hours · from $59

Review of the Fitzroy Island ferry from Cairns, with beach time, rainforest walks, snorkelling, lunch, and optional glass-bottom boat rides.

“Brilliant snorkelling - saw turtles and many Fish Great vegetarian boxed lunch”

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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

14.Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 782 reviews · from $233

Review of Quicksilver’s Port Douglas reef cruise, with snorkeling, semi-submersible viewing, lunch, optional scuba, and practical tips.

“Wonderful experience all round. Experienced staff from safety team, marine biologist, diving team through to staff caring for seasick passengers. Submersible experience was amazing and snorkeling from pontoon was fantastic too. Food had lots of variety and catered for all.”

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Port Douglas: Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

15.Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 711 reviews · 8 hours · from $210

Review of Wavelength’s Port Douglas Outer Reef snorkeling cruise, with three reef sites, marine biologists, meals, photos, and practical tips.

“Had an amazing day snorkelling with my husband and daughter. The crew were very knowledgeable and made us feel comfortable and safe at all times. Kate, our staff and marine biologist, taught us about the various corals and fish and how they help preserve the marine ecosystem. She instilled some great knowledge and an ability to better understand the threats and hopes for this beautiful place. The tour was great fun, educational and included pictures so we could all enjoy without pressure of having to take pictures to remember it all. Such a lovely day!! Thanks to all”

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