What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Don’t be a cruise casualty

  Steven B,,Jan 21, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  1.00

  We booked this excursion because it advertised that it was a seven hour excursion with a meeting time of 7:30am. Doing the math, that would have the tour ending at 2:30pm , plenty of time to get back to our ship with a 4:15 pm onboard deadline. Well, we checked in the evening before to verify timelines and the cruise operator was nowhere to be found. However the operator in the booth next to it told us that the tour ended around 5:00 pm and that it would be likely that we would miss the boarding deadline which would force as to get to Sydney on our own expense. I called Viator to either cancel or find another tour that might work with our schedule. They said that they would talk to the tour operator and would get back to us. We heard nothing back until the next morning around 8:00 am . The night previous we decided to book the ship’s version of the tour which picked us up at the ship which eliminated the tendering and shuttle service we would need on top of the time we would be dropped in Cairs. This tour was twice the cost but we weren’t going home without being able to see the GBR. The tour company and Viator after the fact would not refund since we booked another tour off the ship. Pretty lame excuse when they provide no information on how long their tour really takes and how it would impact cruisers. A little information about this would have gone a long way from preventing the loss of dollars we had to incur. Cruisers - be vary cautious purchasing a non-cruise ship excursion for Cairns.

• Poor charter

  bradhP3014BO,,Jan 19, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  1 extra star for it’s only positive: still not worth it! Pros- only later trip 10:30 going out of terminal to outer reef. Cons- First day: I am a PADI scuba instructor on the states and I was set up with a dive master and a beginner while I awaited for him to complete a “re demonstration of skills” normally taught by an instructor like myself for a fully flooded face mask and a partially flooded face mask. Instead we waited an extended amount of time for him to complete her re demonstration on a platform under a pontoon. On the reef we were continually being bogged down as the DM Vinnie pulled her afloat on top of the corals by her scuba tank the entire time. I complained to Eve the manager who seamed to be the only one that cared at the company who refunded 1 tank for the poorly planned mixup due to “lack of instructors” Day 2: we booked a trip back to reef as Eve recognized that it was not a good matchup up to old and new divers to only find that they booked us to green island not back to outer reef. I then met Shannon “the not so helpful manager” whom stated the trip to outer reef was full. Unprepared, unplanned, and not consistent for the nature of a dive company, I have not made up my mind for the next step in my complaint process as Shannon seamed not helpful.

  

• Well Worth it !

  kele c,,Nov 24, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  This is our 2nd adventure out to the Green Island and the Outer Banks Pontoon and it just doesn't dispoint. Last year it was just us, this time we brought four more friends! Efficient and professional, they run a tip top ship excursion. Everything is provided for you, just bring your sunblock and towel. Lots to do on the pontoon and the lunch had a lot of variety.

  

  

  

  

  

• Great Barrier Reef pontoon

  Lesley W,,Oct 27, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Amazing trip to outer reef pontoon via Green Head. Perfect weather calm and no wind. Not too many people snorkeling on top of each other. Lunch great

• Fun trip to see the Great Barrier Reef

  Jeff B,,Oct 26, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Very good crew on this excursion! Loved the Great Barrier Reef. We were not going to be back in time to board our ship due to a time change for boarding. We took the helicopter ride that was offered on the excursion itself and loved it!! Flew over the Reef and got back to Cairns in plenty of time.

• Despite being a cloudy...

  Ian k,,Oct 8, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Despite being a cloudy day the water was warm and we thoroughly enjoyed our day on the Reef. Well organised nad would do again.

• Catering was poor...

  Ferida M,,Aug 21, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  2.00

  Catering was poor quality. The underwater observatory was crammed and hardly saw anything. The only experience I enjoyed was the skoobydoo and it was not included in the package. I had to pay $185 extra for that.

• Highly recommend Viator for anyone planning their next adventure — reliable, organized, and truly customer-focused.

  Sarina M,,Jul 16, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  I appreciate how professional and responsive the team was throughout our communication. It really made a difference during a stressful situation.

• An overall highly disappointing experience

  v34962,,May 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  I booked a trip with Great Adventures, pro driver Cairns to the outer reef. I am a scuba diver, certified instructor in the CMAS system with over 300 dives and having myself guided and led numerous divers underwater. I have dived internationally in numerous locations including tropical, temperature and cold water locations. I had never done the great reef and needless to say my expectations were high. whereas I have nothing to say about the overall organisation of the tour (Very professional) and the friendliness of the staff, my driving experience was poor at best. First, driving the great reef is a money making machine. The companies are not so much about the experience than they seem to be about the number of people who pay. In short, I did three dives. 40 minutes (not a minute more) each. My first five included 10 minutes of sand time when I could see coral on the side. My dive guide later justified this was due to current, a poor excuse given the relatively weak prevailing current. However, the second and third dive were a little better. But all dives were about quickly zooming past reefs rather than taking time to observe... And especially being back after exactly 40 minutes. Second, European divers be aware. This is the typical PADI run business, where much of the recommendations make no sense. You turn back at 120 bars when you are less than 15m deep on average for said security reasons, but at the same time- if you are low on air, the security brief says the guide will wave you bye bye and you surface on your own and make your way to the ship so that others let enjoy the rest of their sprint experience. Not that it would matter, since most of us surfaced with 100 bars or more. Under water, you are solo if you did not come with a buddy. Being an instructor, I do not mind as I have a good idea of what to do if something goes wrong. For the less experienced diver, this may be somewhat distressing. No DSMBs used to surface, but you do have one without a rope you can inflate at the surface... (What is the sense in that, except if you have surfaced half a km full the boat). Third, I did not have my own gear with me so was forced to take the full gear package... I did post the full price, but for what gear? A half battered half wetsuit, regs that are rubbish ( luckily dives are not deep) and flippers that could barely be named as such (I hope you like useless effort)? The whole experience was hurry, hurry, hurry, We're here to make money. Thanks for your cash, well take some pictures of you underwater holding a ridiculous reef sign, pay some more money, and so long. In short, beginners will likely find the experience great. For experienced divers ( especially those averse to PADI / SSI training), I would normally say avoid. But since there doesn't seem to be that many other options to dive the outer reef, at know what you have paid for. For me that had high expectations, it was an overall highly disappointing experience. I much more recommend Polynesia for a tropical experience, and besides, the reef is in a much greater health

• Great company

  Justin P,,Apr 21, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  The organization and crew were fantastic. They were very attentive to each guest. It was a great day.

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