Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

We took our family for our first time snorkeling and it it was unforgetable. It was at the lowest winter season in Australia. On the day we went water was choppy and less calm than what we expected which made us a bit scared. So it was not a perfect time. However we felt that this might be one of the best experience of the tours we had taken so far. The crews were excellent, they were so patient, professional and attentive. They were very friendly and approachable. They checked in on everyone, gave clear safety tips and helped us feel totally secure in the water. Plenty of informations were given when we were on board before and after the snorkeling. They supported us during our entire time in the water, for someone who had never taken snorkeling before, they made sure you would still have good time. The underwater photographer was there to help take a good picture for us, something handy so we did not have to take a picture on our own cellphone camera which was difficult to do under water. Buffet lunch meals provided were simply excellent. We love the steak. Feels like the meals were high quality ones. We ate a lot after burning our energy during the snorkeling. Would recommend this tour to everyone visiting Cairns for the first time.

What an awesome time we had. The barrier reef was amazing, the staff on the boat were amazing too. Met some good people we sat next to. The instructions on the day were clear and precise, regarding our safety. I would recommend it to anyone who’s thinking of doing this excursion.

We had an amazing day out at the Great Barrier Reef. The water was a little choppy, and some people weren't feeling their best, but the crew had seasickness tablets available, which I would highly recommend if you're prone to motion sickness. As a bonus, we were lucky enough to spot a whale and her calf on the way out, which was an incredible experience! The catamaran was clean, well-maintained, and in excellent condition. The crew were fantastic—friendly, attentive, and always checking on everyone to make sure they were comfortable and enjoying themselves. There was plenty of food available, with options catering to different dietary requirements. Afternoon tea included crackers and cheese, which was a nice touch after a day in the water. The crew were very knowledgeable and did a great job keeping an eye on everyone both in the water and on the boat. We saw plenty of beautiful coral and a wide variety of fish, making for an unforgettable reef experience. The captain and crew take safety very seriously, so you can relax and enjoy the day knowing you're in good hands. One tip: bring a waterproof phone case or a GoPro if you have one. If you forget, they do have them available for purchase onboard. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef!

Staff were great and well organised tour. Snorkelling was an awesome experience and highly recommend.

One of the best excursions, the boat was very clean and new, everything very organized, the crew very pleasant and attentive, and the food was wonderful. An unforgettable experience

The day started by checking in at the Reef Fleet Terminal which was very quick and staff were very polite. Upon entry to the boat we were given our own designated seating area. All guests were checked in and had their snorkelling equipment impressively quickly and the boat set off by 08:30. The safety briefing was done with good humour and it was easy to feel safe and supported by the crew. Tea, coffee, water and some cakes, scones were available. We stopped for 5-10 minutes on the way to reef location 1 due to the captain spotting some humpback whales which was a stunning added bonus. The journey itself was quite smooth but there are sickness tablets and bags available if you were to feel unwell. Lunch was absolutely superb with freshly cooked steak, fish, salad and other items. Buffet style, very delicious. Water is available throughout as well as tea and coffee whenever the boat is stopped. You feel very safe in the water with a lookout on duty and multiple team members helping you out. There is also optional snorkel guides or towes back to the boat if you’re tired. Reef friendly sun cream is free and available, as well as floatations and life jackets if needed. All equipment is clean and in great condition. A few other groups did scuba dives or helicopter tours as well which looked great but we just did the two snorkelling sessions, which was enough to see so much of the coral reef and soo many different fish. The crew regularly checked numbers and made sure everyone was safe and ok. There was a complimentary glass of red or white wine, as well as cheese and crackers on the way back. All of that is without mentioning what everyone is actually there for which is the Great Barrier Reef. The two locations are stunning and genuinely absolute magic to see. I couldn’t recommend this tour company more. The crew are organised, supportive, funny and clearly know what it takes to make a great day out.

The crew was very organized, friendly and helpful. Safety and comfort of the passengers was their top concern. I would highly suggest to take sea sickness medication as myself and family members got sea sick. The crew was very kind and helpful as we muscled through it. Despite getting sea sick, we had a great trip on the Great Barrier Reef. They assigned seating which was great, we could keep our stuff at our assigned table. They also provided sunscreen which was nice. The snorkel gear was in great condition, they provide float noodles and life jackets if you want to snorkel with less effort. The food was good and they had plenty of it. Don’t forget a towel. We brought a change of dry clothes but didn’t need it. Highly recommend this excursion.

The platform boat was so nice and they had all the gear we needed for our comfort. The team was very friendly and knowledgeable. The meal was excellent too. Plus the opportunity for 2 different locations for snorkeling!!!

This was a well organised trip, great crew who were friendly and helpful. It was quite rainy and windy on the way out to the reef, resulting in a bumpy ride. Sea sickness tablets were available and necessary. Not being an experienced snorkeller I found the choppy conditions made it quite difficult to swim around and my time in the water was short. However the sun came out, lunch was great and the bar open. I would recommend this trip but I wish the weather had been better.

We went out to the reef on Down Under on July 30, 2026 on the Evolution. We have been going our with Down Under for over 25 years, and is our favorite operator in Cairns, I have been a long-time Intro-diver, but in 2025 I completed my Open-Water certification with Down Under. we had a great day on the reef - weather - crew - food and the denizens of the reef themselves. I did two dives with Indi, who has a wonderful disposition and is a very good diver to have join you for a guided dive. She knows the sites, and has a slow and relaxing style that is very relaxing. the crew and the ship, as usual, were excellent. Familiar faces like Phil, Eddie, Aaron, John, Indi, etc. just make the experience feel more personable and familiar. Thanks again for a great day, and looking forward to our next visit!