Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join Divers Den for an unforgettable day trip to the Great Barrier Reef, around 90 minutes from Cairns. Explore two exclusive reef sites on the Norman, Saxon, or Hastings reefs, where you’ll encounter vibrant corals, with frequent sightings of turtles, stingrays, and more. Whether you're snorkelling, trying an introductory dive, or enjoying certified dives, AquaQuest, our modern vessel, offers comfort and convenience with a spacious deck, easy water access, and state-of-the-art equipment. Relax on sun decks, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, and freshen up with hot showers as you create unforgettable memories on the reef.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
No minimum age, child rate is 4 - 14 years
Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of customer on cruise ship
Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive
Please bring hat, towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and credit or debit card
It is required by Queensland law that you must wait at least 24 hours after diving before going to altitude or flying – there is no guarantee that following these recommendations will prevent decompression sickness. All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some medical conditions can pose a hazard during diving, and it is recommended that individuals with these conditions undergo evaluation by a physician, as they may be unable to dive.
Tours are subject to the risks and perils of scuba diving in changeable conditions in an open water environment. The operator reserves the right, for customer safety and/ or the safety of our crew or other scuba divers, to prevent any customer’s participation in scuba diving if they are deemed physically or medically unfit to do so or in their sole discretion. The operator does not refund for failed dive medical questionnaires.
No compensation is offered if you should be unable to complete all offered dives
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns with Divers Den. Whether you’re snorkelling, a first-time diver, or certified, you'll enjoy an unforgettable day. Discover the outer Great Barrier Reef, just a 90-minute boat trip from Cairns. Spend up to five hours exploring two stunning dive sites carefully selected from our exclusive moorings on the Norman, Saxon, and Hastings reefs. Encounter diverse marine life, from vibrant corals to curious Nemo's, turtles, stingrays, and majestic Maori Wrasse. AquaQuest, is purpose-built for diving and snorkelling, featuring a spacious dive deck and a sunken platform for easy water access. Choose safe and enjoyable snorkelling, introductory dives with comprehensive pre-dive instruction, or certified diving with options for three spectacular dives. Enjoy the comfort of large sun decks, air-conditioned indoor spaces, and hot freshwater showers throughout your day on the Great Barrier Reef. After a morning of exploration, savour a generous buffet lunch with a variety of hot and cold dishes, salads, rolls, and tropical fruits to recharge for the afternoon adventures.
What‘s Included
Use of Wetsuits/Lycra Suits
Fresh hot showers
Tropical buffet lunch
All snorkel/dive equipment
Morning Tea & Afternoon Tea
Digital camera hire & professional photo purchase (subject to availability)
Bar facilities including snacks
Guided Diving
Options
1 Introductory Dive
Book this if you are not certified and want to try a dive, Medical may be required
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the easiest way to discover the Great Barrier Reef, it is as simple as breathing. If you have never snorkeled before, don't worry, a briefing is held on board
2 Certified Dives
Add the GBR to the list of places you've dived at! Book 2 Dives if you are certified diver (cert card required)
Reviews
1,324 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun tour
Lynn p,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Provided everything you needed. Friendly and helpful staff. Plenty of food and beverages. Provided pictures for purchase or cameras for rent.
Great tour!
Sofia S,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience to see the Great Barrier Reef with the family. The entire staff at Divers Den made us all feel safe and took the time to show us the various fish and corals we saw while snorkeling.
Great crew, amazing dives
Joel B,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Bucket list adventure to dive the GBR! Great staff and crew with Diver’s Den. Nanako led two of my 3 dives. Great guide and sweet, humble person. I didn’t get to see as much sea wildlife as I’d hoped, but did see a turtle and a white tip shark along with dozens of fish of all size, shapes and colors. The coral was fantastic! Colorful, amazing diversity. I highly recommend Divers Den for your scuba trip in the Great Barrier Reef
Very nice
Jessica P,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A very orderly and very pleasant experience. The crew took good care of the participants whether you were going snorkeling or diving with tubes. It was served a good lunch, fm and em snacks/fika.
This was such a well...
COLETTE H,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a well organised tour. The staff were fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly and took the time to have a chat with the guests. Clean boat with access to have a hot shower. Staff provided sunscreen and alway refilling cold water. Food was tasty and so much of it. The boat was very roomy with access to 3 levels which gave the option for aircon, shaded areas and sun. Would highly recommend this tour.
Outstanding water adventure
Jack K,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A wonderful experience with very good team members getting everyone on the boat ready for our dive/snorkle adventure. Safety a priority, relatable to everyone involved, friendly and knowledgeable. Able to deal with all ages and abilities, would recommend this to everyone.
Feedback Regarding One‑Day Dive Trip on Aqua Quest – 12 January 2026
19zoranr,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We joined the Aqua Quest one‑day dive trip on 12 January 2026. The crew were friendly and worked hard throughout the day, but the overall experience felt rushed and not up to the safety standards we expected for certified divers. The boat was very full, with snorkelers, intro divers, and certified divers all sharing the same space, which made the dive deck crowded. The trip out to the reef was rough, and many passengers became seasick early on. Seasickness medication was only mentioned during the briefing, by which time most people stayed seated to listen rather than leave to get tablets. Once we reached the first site, divers were moved into the water quickly. There was no proper buddy check, and no site‑specific briefing about currents, direction, or the plan for the dive. Visibility was extremely poor, and at one point extra weight was added to my BCD without my knowledge, which affected trim and comfort. Surface intervals between dives were very short, leaving little time to recover or adjust equipment. The second and third dives followed a similar pattern, with limited preparation time and a generally rushed pace. On the final dive, my buddy pair was unexpectedly split at the end of the dive without explanation, which added to the confusion. The crew were doing their best under challenging conditions, and we appreciate their effort. However, the combination of rough seas, overcrowding, short intervals, and limited briefings made the day feel disorganized and below the level of structure and safety we’ve experienced on other dive trips. I hope the operator reviews some of these procedures to improve comfort and safety for future divers.
What disability !!..... awsome, brilliant experience
Tebbs59,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, I'm a novice diver and a stroke survivor, that means my left arm and leg dont communicate with my brain very well and this creates challenges. My dive guide Sarah from Canada was the perfect host. Despite some difficulties she gave me the confidence to dive and we were rewarded by a spectacular interaction with a turtle. All I had to do was breathe and fin. She effortlessly dragged me round with her and I experienced an amazing dive. The dive crew suited me up helped me in and out of the water and made my day complete. As a registered disabled person, my trip could not have gone better. Great team great crew , highly recommended.
Great Barrier Reef liveaboard
Roving54441902870,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00There were too many divers. 45 divers dropping in one dive site at a time. Very difficult getting in the water. You have to climb up and down a set of steps with your gear on to enter and exit the water from the swim platform. We are 75 years old and experienced divers. To have a guide was an additional $20.00 per person per dive. Probably the worst experience of our diving careers.
Recent trip
denisecJ6646YI,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Trip was fine. The crew was attentive and the equipment was good - clean and in good condition. We went on a completely full trip (80 people) which was just a few too many. Tough to get a seat and too many people circling a small snorkeling area. The first place we stopped was underwhelming at best with very little coral or fish to see. The second stop was better but, unfortunately, the bleaching and other eco effects are very evident. Lunch was pretty good - even the fussy eaters were able to find something but pack your own drinks as they are not provided and are quite expensive.
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