TNQ Writer
It’s safe to assume the Great Barrier Reef is on top of your Queensland to-do-list, but when a quick Google Search retrieves 38.3 million listings, we know it can feel a little overwhelming to choose where to start.
The Great Barrier Reef sits atop most Queensland itineraries and for good reason – with over 900 islands, over 600 coral species (three quarters of the world’s total), over 1,500 fish species, and around 3,000 individual reef systems to explore – it’s the holiday destination of every beach-lover’s dreams.
You’re not alone in wanting to go – the reef attracts over two million visitors each year. Considering the reef spans 344,400km2, it makes sense there’s more ways to discover it than with fins and a mask.
To help, we’ve taken the weight off your journey-planning shoulders and compiled a list of all the ways to enjoy the reef, from taking to the skies to diving headfirst into the salt water to floating at sea-level in a glass boat. We haven’t skipped a single scenic opportunity (and neither should you!).
Book those plane tickets to the north, slip slop slap, and bring along the travel buddies for these epic oceanic experiences just a hop, skip, and a splash from Cairns.
Above the waves, beneath the sunshine
Nautilus Aviation scenic flight
Nautilus Aviation scenic flight
Skydive Mission Beach
Skydive Mission Beach
Fitzroy Island Summit
Fitzroy Island Summit
To check one of the world’s natural wonders from your bucket list, simply set your GPS to Cairns, Mission Beach, Port Douglas, or Cape Tribulation for the best springboards to Great Barrier Reef discovery. In under an hour’s boat ride from Aussie mainland, find yourself face-to-face with an all-natural sea-life sanctuary.
Dreaming of a sky-high adventure? Take to the skies with Nautilus Aviation’s scenic flights for a dazzling bird’s eye view of the Great Barrier Reef. Launch from Cairns or Port Douglas or enjoy as an added experience to one of Nautilus Aviation’s partners’ dive and snorkel tours, for a double dose of adventure.
For a view worthy of the Insta-dump, take the Fitzroy Ferry 45 minutes from Cairns and lace up your boots for the Fitzroy Island summit hike. Put aside two and a half hours for this 3.5km circuit as you’ll want to soak up the Great Barrier Reef scenes at a few stops along the way.
There’s no better front row seat to the Great Barrier Reef than one that comes with a healthy serving of thrills. Soar above the water towed by a motorboat and parasail with Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Tours to experience the Coral Sea as seagulls do.
Want to fall in love with the reef? Choose the literal route and take off with Cairns Skydive and see it at 200km/h from just over four kilometres skyward. We believe if you’re going to fall out of a plane, it may as well be over the biggest reef on Earth.
On the waters, off the shore
Kayaking with turtle
Kayaking with turtle
Big cat green island reef cruises
Big cat green island reef cruises
Sailaway sunset cruise
Sailaway sunset cruise
Dive into the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater world without having to dry off afterwards. Venture out on a glass bottom boat with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises and experience vibrant marine life and bright coral reefs from the comfort of your seat. If you’re wanting a warmup experience to your deeper diving later on – this is the activity for you.
If you’re craving a bit more action, paddle out with Coral Sea Kayaking. For those wanting to keep the workout going strong, we hope you packed your sense of adventure alongside the protein shakes. Choose from three- or six-day reef trips where you’ll spend the days kayaking between islands, exploring rainforests, and snorkelling through the reef. Secure your kayak seat between July and September to up your chances of gliding alongside humpback whales.
If fuss-free laidback luxury is your idea of a perfect evening hop aboard Sailaway’s lavish sailboat from Port Douglas. If you’re boarding with a loved one, book the sunset sail for an extra sprinkle of romance over the Coral Reef with cotton candy skies and complimentary welcome champagne.
Into the reef, out of this world
Quicksilver semi submersible
Quicksilver semi submersible
Calypso Reef Cruises
Calypso Reef Cruises
Ocean Safari Cape Tribulation
Ocean Safari Cape Tribulation
Trade your flip flops for flippers and laid-back attitude for an adrenaline addiction on your next trip up north (don’t worry, there’s activities for the serenity seekers in here too).
Jump in the fast lane onboard a speedy inflatable boat with Ocean Safari. Offering experiences for small groups of 25 people max, this Great Barrier Reef day out is perfect for families and friends wanting a more intimate experience with the reef. Zipping across the waves in the inflatable boat is already an experience to remember within itself, but with the bonus of diving into two snorkelling sites along the way, Ocean Safari is bound to be a highlight of your trip.
If you’re ready to take the plunge into discovery, don your scuba mask and join Calypso Reef Cruises to explore three snorkelling and diving sites in one day trip. With freedom to swim and soak up snorkel scenery of each site at your own pace, this is the perfect option for you and your less (or more) adventurous friends.
Need to stay dry for the sunset sail in the evening? Quicksilver has you covered (literally) with their semisubmersible, a fantastic free addition to their pontoon reef trip. From the comfort of the vessel, one metre underwater, and with the help of expert commentary, you’ll be able to eye-spy reef sharks, turtles, and many of the Great Barrier Reef’s 1,500 species of fish from the other side of the glass.
Under the sea, above expectations
Reef Magic Underwater Observatory
Reef Magic Underwater Observatory
Divers Den
Divers Den
Sunlover Seawalker Helmet Dive
Sunlover Seawalker Helmet Dive
All aboard Reef Magic for front row seats of fish feeding displays accompanied by interactive commentary in the underwater observatory. Learn about the world’s largest coral reef system without getting your hair wet or spending an extra cent as this experience is included with the Reef Magic pontoon tour.
Ready to dive deeper? Divers Den offers the experience to get suited up and as face-to-face as possible with the underwater world’s coral and marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, reef fish, colourful coral, dugongs, and reef sharks for an unforgettable coastal experience. Whether you’re a pro setting out for a multi-day exploration, or are a first-time diver just starting to dip your toes below the surface, there are many options to step up your skills and have you mesmerised by the sea life at all levels of expertise.
Want to add a twist to the traditional reef dive? Sunlover invites you to try their Seawalker experience as an add on to their Great Barrier Reef activities list, all available from their pontoon. Put on a Seawalker helmet (picture an old-school diving helmet and you’re getting the picture) and stroll along the ocean floor, breathing and walking normally over three metres under water. For those with less swimming experience still wanting to make a splash in the Great Barrier Reef, the Seawalker experience is perfect – no swimming skills needed once on the platform.
Just out of reach from the beach, but just as good
Cairns Aquarium
Whether you’re too busy trekking through the tropics to make it to the reef or you’re on your way to the airport and need one last taste of the tropical ocean life, we have the perfect last stop for your itinerary.
Who said all the aqua adventures have to happen offshore? When you can’t make it to the reef, Cairns Aquarium can bring the reef to you with 10 of Tropical North Queensland’s ecosystems and 15,000 animals all under one spacious roof.
Have a little extra time on your side? Use it to hand feed your new Cownose Sting Ray friends on a guided behind-the-scenes aquarium tour. Get up close and personal with the best of the World Heritage-listed largest coral reef and ancient rainforest, just a convenient eight-minute drive from Cairns Airport
Plan your ultimate Great Barrier Reef trip
Ready to dip your toes in the Great Barrier Reef waters but not too sure where to start, or how far to wade in? Type A planners, we’ve got your back. Check out the table below to see a full summary of Great Barrier Reef’s travel experience providers and the many epic options they offer
