Discover the Great Barrier Reef | Cairns Tours

Discover the Great Barrier Reef

By James Dixon | 31st October 2016

When it comes to planning your holiday in the North, Cairns tours are your one stop shop, especially for reef trips. They are allied with several companies that take you out to see this natural wonder of the world situated right on our doorstep. Three of these companies are Great Adventures, Big Cat and Reef Magic Cruises. Each of these companies has their own unique experiences so you are sure to find something to fit your needs. For years Cairns Tours have been servicing locals and tourists and they have built a well earned reputation as experts in their field.

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Reef Magic Cruises have exclusive access to an outer edge of the Barrier Reef. This World Heritage listed location has superior water clarity, 500 species of coral and 1,500 species of fish making the Barrier Reef one of the most bio-diverse regions on the planet.

Booking a Reef Magic Cruise through Cairns Torus allows you to enjoy a fast, smooth, stable catamaran ride out to the Marine World Reef Activity platform. Less travel time means more reef time. Because this is a World Heritage listed area there are restricted numbers on the Reef Magic Cruises allowing for intimate groups and 1 crew member for every 11 guests.

They cater to all activity levels so even if you cannot swim or don’t want to get wet, there are plenty of options like  the air-conditioned semi-submersible reef viewer or a  glass bottom boat.There is walk in access swimming and world class scuba diving options, with no experience needed. Reef Magic Cruises even have a marine biologist on hand to guide snorkelers as they make their way back to the platform. Also there is a fish feeding that can be viewed while snorkelling or from the underwater observatory.

The activity platform also boasts the only reef based Massage therapist to help you relax and truly enjoy your visit. There is also a sun deck and you can book scenic helicopter rides through Cairns Tours that give a bird’s eye view of the reef and crystal clear waters.

Here are what some of the Reef Magic Cruises guest had to say:

“A day to remember. The facilities were great for a family. Staff was amazing- very friendly. Despite bad weather at the start of the day we still had a great time. The helicopter back from the pontoon was well worth the money as well.” (sds. Newcastle)

“This is the second time we have chosen Reef Magic for the outer reef experience. Service was friendly and personable. We would recommend the snorkel safari, where you get dropped off further out, and drift back towards the platform with a marine biologist to explain stuff. Lots of options available for customers, like the sea bobs, helmet dive, scuba, glass bottom boat, chopper rides. Recommended.  ” (Derek T.  Bega, Australia September 2016)

Great Adventures offers trips on Modern, fast , air-conditioned catamarans out to a spacious activity platform on the outer Barrier Reef and trips to Green Island. If you choose you can spend up to 7 hours in a tropic island paradise covered in rainforest and surrounded by white beaches.  Aside from snorkelling and glass bottom boat rides the island itself offers many luxuries and experiences such as and inland pool, unique rainforest flora, para sailing and a range of restaurants and café style lunch options. Credited with advanced Ecotourism certification, Great Adventures strive to protect the reef and island environment. All activities are conducted with this in mind.

If you choose to take a day trip to the outer barrier reef you will have accesses to a variety of activities for all skill levels. There is a sun deck on the platform and air-conditioned semi-submersible as well as an underwater observatory for those who are not confident swimmers or do not want to get wet.  A buffet lunch is available on the platform and for those more adventurous guests there are Scuba-Doo underwater scooters and scenic helicopter rides. Either way you are guaranteed to have a great adventure.

Book with Cairns Tours and you can enjoy yourself as much as these people did.

“Unforgettable experience! What a day!! Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef was on the bucket list and it did not disappoint! This company really know what they are doing!” (mike s. September 2016)

“Charles on the snorkelling boat was awesome in helping, guiding and encouraging my son to check out places on the reef for unique fish and turtles. My son had an opportunity to see a reef shark as well. Thanks for making our trip to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef extraordinary!” ( ManjuEeshn. Ashburn Viginia. August 2016,)

Big Cat have a 35 meter, modern, comfortable, air-conditioned catamaran  or the Reef Rocket to take you over to beautiful Green Island.  Emerald green rainforest surrounded by white sandy beaches make it obvious to see how this tropical island on the reef got its name. Coral viewing tours in the warm waters of this coral cay are well worth the trip from Cairns that lasts just over an hour.  Friendly staff are there to help you organise your activities to make sure you make the most of your stay.  There are unique flora waiting to be discovered in the rainforest walk and you can take a glass bottom boat tour or snorkel off the gleaming white shoreline.

There is a huge variety of sea life to encounter from colourful tropical fish to reef sharks and even sea turtles.  Some tours provide a buffet lunch or you can dine at one of the many restaurants and café style eateries on the island.  If you prefer something a little slower paced you can always do what comes naturally on a tropical island and enjoy a relaxing day on the beach before taking the Big Cat or the Reef Rocket back to Cairns.

“Amazing staff and Experience! Me and wife went for snorkelling it was superb, mesmerising. (sla4575. Ipswich, Australia August 2016)

“Great experience! This was value for money. We did both snorkelling and the glass bottom boat tour and the kids loved the GBB! Maybe we got lucky, but we saw heaps of fish and even a beautiful sea turtle.” (Tour Guest August 2016)

Contact Cairns Tours to choose which of these wonderful options is best for you.