Great Barrier Reef Full Day Adventure
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Beyond the Whitsundays, your destination is Reefworld, our multilevel reef facility permanently moored 39 nautical miles from shore at spectacular Hardy Reef. Snorkel, swim, dive and explore – an undersea encounter with this amazing ecosystem is unforgettable.
Or if you’d rather stay dry, experience the reef from our underwater observatory or take a ride in a semi-submarine. After a sumptuous buffet lunch, you’ll have more time to explore before you head back to shore with lifelong memories of this epic Australian icon.
Your day includes:
- Scenic return cruise through the Whitsundays to the outer reef
- 4 hours at Hardy Reef
- Snorkelling with all gear provided, including wetsuits and stinger suits
- Access to underwater observatory
- Semi-submarine guided tour
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Optional activities (own expense): guided snorkelling safaris and scuba diving
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
All diving activities permit adults aged 16 years and over.
Nearest airports: Fly into Proserpine airport also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport (40 miles from Airlie Beach) or fly into Hamilton Island Airport
Please bring swimsuit, towel, protective clothing from the sun including a hat and sunblock, light jacket or sweater during the cooler months, money or credit card for optional purchases, your camera and sense of fun!
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the departure time
Please advise dietary requirements
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Cruise Whitsundays
The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the great wonders of the natural world and a “must-see” for any visitor to the region. Formed millions of years ago, this colorful living reef continues to grow and flourish just off the coast from the Whitsundays. Hundreds of different types of fish and hard and soft coral thrive in the sheltered lagoon. Travel aboard a high-speed catamaran to an innovative reef pontoon featuring an interactive underwater viewing chamber, semi-submersible and a spacious sun-deck to lounge on. Discover the underwater wonderland of one of the region’s most acclaimed outer Great Barrier Reef sites. The colorful corals and abundance of marine life will blow you away as you enjoy sheltered snorkeling and diving all year round. Whether you are a first timer or an experienced diver, our fully certified instructors will ensure you have unforgettable dive memories. Diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef is an experience not to be missed! Morning and afternoon tea, and a sumptuous lunch are provided by award winning restaurants from Airlie Beach, taking care to base the menu on seasonality and the best produce available.
Whitsunday Islands
The Great Barrier Reef is truly one of the great wonders of the natural world and a “must-see” for any visitor to the region. Formed millions of years ago, this colorful living reef continues to grow and flourish just off the coast from the Whitsundays. Hundreds of different types of fish and hard and soft coral thrive in the sheltered lagoon. Travel aboard a high-speed catamaran to an innovative reef pontoon featuring an interactive underwater viewing chamber, semi-submersible and a spacious sun-deck to lounge on. Discover the underwater wonderland of one of the region’s most acclaimed outer Great Barrier Reef sites. The colorful corals and abundance of marine life will blow you away as you enjoy sheltered snorkeling and diving all year round. Whether you are a first timer or an experienced diver, our fully certified instructors will ensure you have unforgettable dive memories. Diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef is an experience not to be missed! Morning and afternoon tea, and a sumptuous lunch are provided by award winning restaurants from Airlie Beach, taking care to base the menu on seasonality and the best produce available.
What‘s Included
Up to 4 hours on the pontoon
Environmental Management Charge (Reef tax)
Snorkelling with all gear provided, including wetsuits and stinger suits
Semi-submersible coral viewing with reef appreciation talk
Scenic return cruise through the Whitsundays to the outer reef
Access to underwater observatory
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Guided snorkel tours with Reef Interpreters (payable direct)
Introductory or certified dives (payable direct)
Scenic Helicopter Flights over world-famous Heart Reef (payable direct)
Photography, video or DVD of daily activities (payable direct)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (payable direct)
Options
Great Barrier Reef Adventures Promo (departing Daydream Island)
Great Barrier Reef Adventures Promo (ex Port of Airlie)
Airlie Beach
Departs Port of Airlie at 8am -- you must check-in at least 30-minutes prior. Returns to Port of Airlie at approximately 6:10pm
Starting point:
24 The Cv Rd, Airlie Beach QLD 4802, Australia
Daydream Island
Departs Daydream Island at 7.30am and returns at approximately 6.00pm
Starting point:
Daydream Island, Queensland, Australia
Reviews
584 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel
Tessa,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The journey starts early from Port Airlie, stopping at Hamilton to collect additional travellers. There is a controlled snorkel area which limits how much of the reef and marine life you will encounter. Paying an additional $85 for a guided snorkel or $170 for scuba dive will give you an extra service of 30min outside the standard swim zone to glimpse a wider range of sea creatures and reef, including the reef cliffs where most marine life congregate to. I chose the snorkel as couldn’t comprehend the value for money for the scuba based on the limited time, appreciated that it allowed me to see several fish including clown fish and others which I can’t remember the name of which were not found in the controlled zone. The experience also includes a submersible boat which goes out into the wider reef, allowing you to capture some other species also, ran every hour and went for approx 20mins; a great option for those who choose not to swim. One thing to note upon reaching the pontoon there are only chairs, tables and stools for cruise travelers to enjoy. The seabeds are for those who have booked overnight stays and are off limits.
Must do!!
Minkang K,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an excellent trip. I was concerned with the strong winds (appx. 20kts) but it was very pleasant at the ReefWorld area. The pontoon was well equipped with well-maintained snorkeling gears. The diving and snorkelling instructors were friendly and highly professional so made the experience very pleasant. 10 out of 10!!
Worth the trip. Take a...
Ann W,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth the trip. Take a towel and enjoy the days activities. The helicopter flight is well worth the money as well
Great
Fernand B,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful tour with great help getting ready with scuba diving training as well as equipment. The guides helping in the water were very helpful and patient.
Awesome experience, boat...
Obed A,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience, boat ride could feel a little rough once you leave the whitsundays but still very doable. Crew was helpful and the scuba and snorkeling was worthy.
A Day on the Reef
Greg M,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Friendly staff. On time departure and return. Rough seas meant many were sea sick. Staff did their best to help and remove vomit bags. Nice options to add on during trip out to sea. Helicopter and scuba options Photography done by staff but no proof options were presented to buy a photo. Maybe some customers were shown photos on portable tablets and some were skipped.
Great day. Chilled and relaxed
Beryl M,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous day. Lots of people but plenty of room on board. The food was delicious with plenty of choice and tea and coffee on tap all day. Did not want to snorkel , but went on the glass bottom boat and sub. Delivered safely back to land on time.
5 star tour with a 10 star crew!!!!!
travelgirl556566,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00WOW!!! this is one of those days you replay in your head for weeks after! From the moment we got on board, the crew just set the tone. Super friendly, easy to talk to, and you could tell they genuinely love what they do, Each team member was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the reef but also genuinely passionate about sharing that knowledge with the guests. The Captain ( i think his name was Damien?) was really friendly and informative. Once you get to the actual reef you will be blown away!!! The colours are unreal. There is so much to do out there, Snorkel, Scuba Dive, Semi Sub(recommend!) underwater observatory. the best part? Lunch is a buffet and is served for like 3 hours, so you can do all the activities and not worry about missing lunch! Thanks for such a great day!! BIG thanks to the crew, they really made the day extra extra special
Disappointed
229juliac,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The staff were amazing, the boat was great and the food exceptional. Unfortunately the current was way too strong for husband and myself (60) to have a successful snorkel. We were instructed to swim straight out from the pontoon in the roped off areas so that we could get over the reef. We found it impossible and there were so many people getting in the water at once that people were forced into us and over the top of us. My husband got a cut to his face from someone landing on top of his mask. We had to be satisfied with the underwater observatory. For us it was a lot of money and time spent to not see anything. If you are not confident swimming in currents then I would probably not recommend his trip.
Terrible experience and unsafe for beginners
sheep in sydney,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00This company deleted my google review. It goes to show their dishonesty and lack of integrity. Their snorkeling trip is unsafe. Pls don’t sign up with this company. I’m a seasoned snorkeller and noticed the following: 1. Communication on where people should snorkel and return was extremely poor. 2. All the tourists were snorkelling in the wrong area. There was no communication of how strong the currents were which was actually unsuitable for regular tourists. I could see people were struggling 3. This company is all about making money with payment required for guided safari snorkel, leaving those who didn’t paid to their own devise. I’ve been to much better tours where guides were in charge of each small group and ensure people can hang on to the life saving float or ring if they struggle 4. it’s extremely stupid to horn at people and scream at them for snorkeling in the wrong area because they don’t know who you are horning and yelling at. This also causes people panic and anxiety. At the very least throw a ring at them so they can hang on to it and pull them in when the currents are so strong 5. You said your ropes were meant for people to hang on to but they ended up disrupting their snorkel gear and people didn’t know they had to go over it or under to get to the reefs . They ended up being more of an issue 6. All in all it made for a very unpleasant experience. I feel sorry for everyone. This is a total rip off 7. When I ask some of your staff questions they were disengaged. Only the women and couple of guys were helpful. Before we entered the water the instructions were so poor 8. The snorkeling area didn’t have much to look at
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Operated by Cruise Whitsundays