N
Recommended
Highly professional and friendly from start to finish. I recommend this operator.
40 minute Reef Scenic Flight
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 40 min
- Price from
- $414 / person
- Location
- Cairns and the Tropical North
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 84 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 6
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Zoom Helicopters
- Meeting point
- Turn off the Captain Cook Highway into the General Aviation entrance to Cairns Airport, turn right and you will find us opposite the Aviation Skills Centre on the left hand side of Bush Pilots Avenue.
Description
This 40-minute reef scenic helicopter flight is incredible. By extending the flight by another 10 minutes, we take in all the highlights of the 30-minute product, but extend the flight path out to the east, passing Green Island and tracking to the outer edge of Arlington Reef – one of the largest reefs in the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We traverse the very edge of the reef pushing toward the edge of the Australian continental shelf where the water clarity is unsurpassed, and the ocean floor drops away to over 1,000 feet. The additional time allows us to push further north past sandy Vlasoff Cay and on to the outer reaches of the Reef to immerse yourself in the colours and textures of the reef and clear blue waters. The massive North Queensland skies provide unforgettable backdrops for the keen photographer to capture once in a lifetime images. Our local pilot/guides provide commentary and insights into the reef and its abundance of marine inhabitants.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 9
- Adult (ages 3+)
- $414
In demand: 30 of the next 150 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Great Barrier Reef
A fabulous scenic helicopter flight. In forty minutes, we’ll go beyond the inner reef, to the outer regions of the Great Barrier Reef where the frequency of coral structures is outstanding. The additional time allows us to explore more widely, watching out for the incredible reef wildlife flourishing in this World Heritage listed icon.
What's included
Included
40 minute reef scenic flight
All Fees and Taxes
Informative, in-flight commentary
Not included
Unique, collectable 'Zoomy' Merchandise - optional
Personalised 'in-flight' video - optional
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
84 reviews
How it compares in Cairns & the Tropical North
- Rated higher than 85% of 141 reviewed tours in Cairns & the Tropical North
Excurgo comparison of 241 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight take?
40 minute Reef Scenic Flight lasts about 40 min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight cost?
Prices start at $414 per person for this Cairns and the Tropical North experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
Does 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight sell out?
It can: 30 of the next 150 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Turn off the Captain Cook Highway into the General Aviation entrance to Cairns Airport, turn right and you will find us opposite the Aviation Skills Centre on the left hand side of Bush Pilots Avenue. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 6 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 84 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Zoom Helicopters.
Reviews(84)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
J
Must do!
Great experience! Staff was professional, warm, and knowledgeable. Must doin Cairns! Close to town .
S
Happy we did it!
An excellent way to see the reef with an excellent pilot and welcoming assistant. Would not hesitate to recommend.
E
Helicopter reef tour
A must do when in Cairns!! Team was very welcoming and informative, complimentary drinks upon arrival to the office and went through the paperwork with us. We arrived early so we were able to take off a bit earlier. Our pilot was professional and educational, giving us lots of great information, as well as answered all our questions about the reef and surrounding areas, he engaged with us well and helped us identify animals and enlightened us to different touring (dive, snorkel ect) options of the reef. Weather was consistently changing but they still happily provided the flight and explained detours to ensure we weren’t impacted by the weather and prepared/talked us through the turbulence and the landing procedures. A 10/10 experience, all staff were very welcoming and friendly, complimentary drinks offered before and after flight and the helicopter was in great clean condition. We will definitely be back, thanks guys!
D
Great company to go with if wanting to see the Great Barrier Reef from a helicopter
Was initially booked for a 4pm flight but received a phone call to see if we wanted to attend a earlier time due to the potential for rain late in the afternoon and we were upgraded from a 30 min flight to a 40 min outer reef flight. It was our first time and the staff made it seamless. Was definitely worth the cost and highly recommend seeing the great barrier from the air!
S
Friendly professional...
Friendly professional staff. Well organised. Outstanding helicopters and pilots give great information during flight.
L
Must to do activity!
The pilot Hayleywas an excellent guide. Had fun, and enjoyed every bit of time. If you are in Cairns, it is a must to do. Thank you, team!
J
Great way to get...
Great way to get introduced to the great barrier reef. It was a beautiful day and only a 45 minute ride we saw an enormous amount from a great perspective.
R
Fabulous trip to the Reef
Great experience, staff very competent and welcoming, trip itself was excellent saw a lot of the reef, one not to miss when you are in Cairns.
G
Turquoise Waters at Their Best!🩵
My husband and I experienced one of our Bucket List trips ( Great Barrier Reef) thanks to Zoom Helicopters , or more accurately stated , because of the outstanding staff at Zoom. We were fortunate to have a picture perfect day at the reef and our incredible photos prove how wonderful this experience was . It was a very hot, humid day and I told Chris, managing the office that morning , that I would mention the fabulous AC we were greeted with !! Our “ cold” welcome was much appreciated ! After Chris gave us a wonderful safety briefing we we took off with Hayley as our outstanding pilot. Her enthusiasm and passion for the reef were delightful. Her professionalism and knowledge were equally outstanding. Our 40 minute flight “ flew” by so quickly but we saw much more than anticipated. The dolphins were spotted almost immediately, the variety of corals were evident as well AND those turquoise waters will be forever imprinted in our minds. Thank you for our priceless memories. This is an amazing company and we highly recommend experiencing the GBR via a Zoom Helicopter. PS Hayley , we so appreciated you giving us a hop back into town during your well deserved break. !! You not only represent this company but Australian people at their best. 🩵 The Fegleys Burke, VA USA
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from$414
4.9(84) Free cancellation