Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the very outer Great Barrier Reef in luxury and style with Calypso. The custom designed vessel will take you to Agincourt or Opal Reef, both regarded as some of the most significant sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling is the easiest way to experience the reef or try an introductory dive, no experience required. For the advanced divers, certified diving is available. Let Calypso take you to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and explore the rich and diverse coral gardens.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Environmental Management Charge of $7.00 per person is included in the fare from 1st July 2023
Diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended. All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
Additional dives may be booked and paid for on board (subject to availability). Maximum of three dives in a day.
Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted to dive.
Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive
Children must be accompanied by an adult
If its raining on your day of travel, the tour will still go ahead. If Calypso cancels due to poor weather, mainly high winds, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Cancellation fees may apply if less than 24 hours notice is given prior to departure
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Experience the outer Great Barrier Reef by immersing yourself amongst the coral and marine life with snorkelling or introductory / certified scuba diving. During the day you will visit 3 spectacular sites on the Great Barrier Reef to see the diversity of this natural wonder. We want you to know we are taking the current health crisis very seriously and will always put your health and safety at the forefront of our operations. Calypso adheres to a COVID-19 Safe Plan.
What‘s Included
Professional Local guide
Buffet lunch
Afternoon Tea & Coffee/Tea
Guided snorkel tour (Use of Snorkelling equipment) and Interpretive reef talk
Soft drinks / chocolate bars
Transfers from Port Douglas accommodation
Transfers from Northern Beaches of Cairns
Options
Cruise & 1 Certified Dive
Cruise & 1 cert dive with a PADI dive master. All snorkel/dive equipment, morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea included. Certification cards are required.
Cruise & 1 Introductory Dive
Cruise & 1 intro dive. No experience required. All snorkel/dive equipment, morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea included. Minimum age for diving is 12 yrs
Cruise & Snorkelling Only
Cruise including snorkeling and all necessary equipment will be provided. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Reviews
1,412 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic day out
rileyalcorn12,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic experience and tried scuba diving as well. Loved it and felt safe and comfortable the whole time. Crew were lovely. Overall great day
Highly recommend.
K1929LIlisac,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time. Highly recommend this trip. The boat stopped in three uniquely different locations and we saw a ton of different corals and sea life. The crew were very helpful and provided a lot of great information about what we were seeing.
Amazing!
annedbauer,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Loved having a marine biologist onboard…Kate was great. They stopped at good snorkeling 🤿 locations & gave us plenty of time to snorkel.
Wow. Wonderful day. Highly recommended
Sandra T,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a wonderful day. I was nervous about going as a solo traveler. Concerned I would get left or have difficulty, the staff on calypso was wonderful and made me feel very safe and comfortable. We drive 1.5 hrs on a very rough journey to the opal reef. At the opal reef we snorkeled at 3 different sites. They have stinger suits with hood, and gloves for everyone since it is the end of stinger season. They have life jackets and noodles. The reef is very superficial and you simply need to float on the top of the water at the edge of the reef to see amazing fish, coral, etc. the last snorkel site I did the introductory scuba dive where I was taken out with a guide Roman. He was terrific and also a patient teacher and very reassuring and calming. He calmly taught me the in water skills (book work or way out). Then took me around the bottom of the reef. Although it was only about 10 feet down, it’s amazing how different the reef looked lower. It was a wonderful experience. I didn’t think they would leave me once I got on the boat as it’s a small group with not more than 85 people. They have multiple 2-4 wandering the ship counting before they leave. As for at each snorkeling site, they have a couple of spotters on the boat, a few staff in the water swimming around to ensure everyone is ok. Even a dingy boat hanging out to help distressed swimmers. It was a wonderful experience. The reef was beautiful, the staff was amazing, I felt quite safe and the only complaint was the rocky ride out to the reef which is common this time of the year. Take the anti sea sick meds they sell!
Calypso staff was excellent and reef was all you hoped for
Natalie N,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour on Calypso! Staff was excellent on the boat and in the water. Very safely conscious and attentive. Buffet lunch was plentiful. Turkey, roast beef, rolls and salad etc. 3 reef stops were perfectly clear on April 20th. We wore stinger suits which were comfortable. It was end of the stinger season. They covered us from head to ankle including our hands. Fins covered our feet. We snorkeled and the view of the reefs and fish were amazing. Colors of the fish were brilliant with a huge variety big and small many in schools. Coral was like a garden of neon flowers. All stunning. I would have preferred to dive but couldn't at that time. The snorkeling happily surpassed my expectations. The guides in the water were protective and informative pointing to things like moray eel and a giant clam along with an array of fish. The fish and coral were a rainbow of bright colors. On one of the reef stops, the guided tour talked about the sea life between snorkeling. On the way back we stopped to view Low Isle off Port Douglas. Steve Irwin was taken to Low Isle following the fatal stingray attack near by on September 4, 2006 and that is where he passed before a rescue helicopter got there. Very fun, educational experience. Bucket list checked!
Wood-fired socca on the side of the path en route to wolf tourette
Paradise31376805712,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I stopped by the roadside in Vence on my way to Tourette sur loup and discovered an outdoor restaurant, the Jojo pizza counter. The latter is located next to the M. DIY store. Woww, I ate a delicious socca (chickpea flour pancake) cooked on a wood fire in front of me. For a few euros, it is really an exquisite and local snack. You can eat there on tables outside the right label! The owner is very friendly. Ask for the pepper ++++ seasoning and you will take a second!
Amasing reef experience
jeanniner480,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We accompanied my parents for their first snorkel on the great barrier reef with our teenage boys. The crew was absolutely amazing. They assisted my parents & kept their eyes on my teenagers & brought them back when they went too far away. The site was private with vibrant coral. Stunning! The snorkel tour were very interesting.. The food was also great. Great trip & value for money..
Excellent. Highly recommended
CeciliaH G,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything was excellent! It started right on time; the crew was fabulous: efficient, sharp, helpful, and friendly making an environment friendly and vibrant. The boat was clean and well kept. The food was very pleasant and appropriate for a day on the ocean. And the reef was spectacular!!! Wonderful experience!!!! And the crew was knowledgeable & made us understand and respect de environment. A+++++++ Highly recommended
A magical day
S5669LZvaleriev,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A bucket list experience sailing to the outer reef & snorkelling at three sites with my 19yr old son on his birthday. The crew were incredibly friendly & knowledgeable from the moment we were greeted through to snorkelling tours, an onboard educational talk about all things coral & supporting those who were seasick. The morning & afternoon tea & lunch were delicious, healthy & generous. It’s clear the crew love making the day unforgettable, we recommend the Calypso team 150%. I don’t usually repeat experiences but I’d do this again in a heartbeat, the coral & fishes are indescribably beautiful.
Amazing outer barrier reef trip
tamzenbury,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved this trip. We went to 3 different locations at Opal reef, where we had up to an hour’s snorkelling at each location. Saw some lovely fish and coral, and I particularly enjoyed the guided (middle) snorkel, where the guide pointed some fish & coral out, and gave some facts. After each snorkel stop there was a rest with light snack/drink (morning & afternoon), and at lunchtime drinks, fruit and a roll with choice of meats/veggie fillings. Due to my high blood pressure I was concerned I may not be able to snorkel for long if too much effort was involved, but they instructed me to use a life jacket for my snorkels, which worked perfectly. They also recommended all snorkellers used pool noodles as 3 lots of hour long snorkels would be pretty tiring otherwise. Most people used the noodles. On the way back, they stopped by the low isles for photo opportunities and some info, and we were lucky enough to see a small species of shark (black tipped maybe?). There’s also a photographer onboard so you can buy a photo of you snorkelling. We had an amazing day, the boat had plenty of seating inside and out, and the team were great I would definitely recommend this Calypso outer barrier reef trip.
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