Private Tour
Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Gold Class VIP Lounge Package
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Be our VIP’s for the day! Cruise to the Outer Reef onboard superyacht, Evolution, with access to your own private Gold Class lounge for the day with lots of inclusions. Dial up the luxury with VIP access to the exclusive Gold Class Lounge, located on the second level a luxury catamaran for the day.
Enjoy all the benefits of a large, stable, fully equipped catamaran with the feel and service level of a private charter but at a fraction of the cost.
Complete with dedicated concierge service and a range of value adds, the Gold Class lounge delivers an unparalleled experience for couples, honeymooners, multi-generational families, small groups of friends (up to 8 guests), or anyone seeking a premium Great Barrier Reef experience without the high-end price tag. This lounge is unique to Cairns and one of a kind.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Semi-Submersible Tour for each guest (weather permitting)
Cruise onboard the fastest, most luxurious catamaran visiting two exclusive outer reef locations
Mini-bar with complimentary snacks (chocolates, chips etc.)
BBQ lunch prepared onboard with fresh fish, prawns, steak, salads (Veg, GF, DF & Vegan options)
Private coffee machine with coffee and tea amenities
5 hours reef time with an included guided snorkel tour
Exclusive access for up to 8 guests to the GOLD CLASS luxury lounge located on the second level
Personal flotation aids - life jackets and noodles
$20 Admin/Fuel Levy
A glass of wine, cheese and biscuits on return journey
Dedicated concierge service for the day
Complimentary lycra/sun suit and towel hire
$20 per person onboard credit to use how you wish
Scuba Diving - optional add-on up to 3 Introductory or Certified Dives - contact reservations
Discounted Helicopter Flights - optional add-ons, contact reservations POA
Return Transfers - optional add-on, contact reservations
What To Expect
Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal between 7.15am - 7.45am. Once checked in, you can make your way down to the boat, Evolution. Be greeted by your dedicated concierge for the day, who will show you to your private VIP lounge and provide you with masks and snorkel. Enjoy arrival tea, coffee and muffins before departure as well as your own private tea and coffee machine and complimentary snacks. Complimentary towel hire and sunscreen are provided in your room as well.
Evolution departs Cairns at 8 am. You will have a private safety briefing from your concierge team member for the day inside your private lounge. After your safety briefing, cruise for 1 hour and 30 minutes, before you arrive at the first reef location. This will either be Saxon Reef or Norman Reef based on weather conditions and water clarity, to ensure the best experience for all activities. Enjoy snorkelling the Outer Reef. Included in the Gold Class package, you can experience snorkelling with one of our guides. They can show you all the best spots and marine life! Dial up the adventure and add a scuba dive (additional costs apply).
Options
Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Gold Class VIP Lounge Package
Reviews
58 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Well worth it!
Gareth W,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A wonderful experience and I would highly recommend the Gold Class upgrade. The catamaran holds around 130 people but the VIP treatment means you get your own private air conditioned room away from the crowd to relax in complete privacy. Soft sofas, well-stocked fridge, coffee machine and a tv to use. The staff make sure you skip the queues for everything and are superb. We enjoyed a private marine tour with Taylah and she was so friendly and knowledgable. Food was great - it’s the same as the rest of the guests receive but again the staff make sure you get the fresh cooked steaks. They even brought up some cheesecakes for afternoon tea on the way home for us. We couldn’t have hoped for better treatment and it really made our day so special.
Rarely experienced such crap
susisorglos111,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We booked with this Enterprise because we didn't want to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, but we booked the "semi-submersible coral viewing tour" next to the private Gold Class Lounge. Only when checking in at the counter in the morning did it say on a small sign that this option is not available due to maintenance work. And our private concierge on board then announced it to us personally! So we were more or less bored during the day because there were two stops for snorkeling and we had nothing, absolutely nothing to do. Since we reject all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty on ethical and moral grounds and live vegan lives, we were also announced in this way with regard to catering on board. Nobody was interested in that, obviously, as we could be offered NOTHING except two mini bags of chips! Milk chocolate bars, chips with powder from dead chickens or chips with sour cream extract from milk. Rarely have we seen services in this price range respond to a request for zero comma zero. Lunch was on the level of a youth hostel and the smell of fish dominated the entire area. If the Enterprise had contacted us beforehand with the information that the semi-submersible tour could not take place, we could have cancelled. Instead, we wasted a whole day on nothing. Never again!!!!
DO the VIP experience!! It's so worth it.
Barrie M,
Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience was absolutely incredible. The staff and crew were fantastic to work with. The snorkel spots were also top notch. If you are going on this excursion, do yourself a favor and book the VIP experience. It's not much more and you get true VIP treatment, plus your own little sanctuary away from the crowds making it a very personal experience. HIGHLY recommend. Ash and Phil get extra kudos here too.
Absolutely wonderful day...
Kathryn R,
Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely wonderful day at the barrier reef, VIP upgrade definitely worth the extra, great crew, great boat.
Great family trip…loved VIP room.
G1490MEseanm,
Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip. Team was professional and efficient. Snorkeling was amazing and Indi was a wonderful host. Get the VIP room.
Great tour. Loved it all!
Anthony S,
May 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is hands down the best snorkel tour I have done. The guides we were setup with were Eddie and Sammy and they made the experience so wonderful. This was just a great day overall and the VIP treatment was everything I could have wanted. They tended to your every need while out on the reef.
Great day with Down Under
andrewwT2080NH,
Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous day at the Great Barrier Reef! All the crew are exceptional and look after everyone's needs whether you are in the VIP lounge or not. If you are snorkeling, the guided tour is well worth the extra (included in the VIP lounge package). Our guide Sammy was terrific and we learned so much both on the snorkeling tour and in the semi-submersible. You really can't go wrong with Down Under Cruise and Dive and if we ever have the chance, we'll do it again! Thanks again everyone! Andrew and Joan
A once in a lifetime day.
Jeremy Z,
Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a truly special experience that was worth the extra money to have the Gold Coast Lounge to ourselves. We felt welcomed and safe. My husband isn't a strong swimmer but Sammy gave us a one on one tour which helped him feel more comfortable. My on gripe is they had us leave the second reef 30 minutes earlier than they said they would.
Excellent trip, knowledgeable team and great service.
FH B,
Mar 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth every cent for the gold class experience. Fantastic service and the snorkel tour was amazing. Eddie and Phil Junior were brilliant- made our day extra special. The two snorkelling sites were the best I’ve ever seen. Like swimming in an aquarium!
Don’t hesitate to book this VIP tour!
853kristinal,
Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing Great Barrier Reef experience with Down Under Cruise & Drive. Very comfortable luxury VIP lounge. The staff went above and beyond for us. Extra thanks to Eddie and Sammy.
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