Ocean Free 25 guest Great Barrier Reef & visit Green Island Tour
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
With only a maximum of 25 passengers this makes our Great Barrier Reef & Green Island tour very guest focussed! .In fact we are the only sail, reef and tropical island experience in Cairns catering for such a low guest number . Swim, snorkel or dive straight off the boat onto an exclusive magnificent GBR site - no crowds. The boat is moored just 1Km off Green Island - a highly protected Marine Park zone. From Cairns, sail to this reef site and Green Island in style on a two-mast schooner and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board. After snorkelling off the boat take a tender transfer to explore the beauty of Green Island, see the rainforest or laze on the white sandy beaches.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A maximum of 25 people ensures a unique and personalized experience
Please note: All DIVERS will be required to complete a medical questionnaire on board prior to diving. Please only book the diving options if you have no medical conditions nor taking medication as some conditions/medication preclude you from diving
Tour requires you to be stable and mobile enough to move around a moving vessel and to transfer from main vessel onto tender and back
Guests come from many countries and many only have a small opportunity to visit the reef. The vessel will operate in all weather conditions (apart from gale force and severe weather warnings) and has extra procedures to make the day the best possible. If you are concerned about the weather, please visit www.bom.gov.au cairns coastal report - it will give you a 4 day forecast. 10-20 knots is a normal good day. Date of travel can be changed subject to availability and also full refund if cancelling with minimum 24hrs notice. Our vessels are open air with good boat movement so less likely to suffer seasickness than some other closed vessels however, if prone to motion sickness we recommend taking travel sickness tablets 20 minutes before boarding the vessel.
If intending to take part in diving all divers (whether certified or introductory diver) will be required to fill out a diving medical questionnaire on board. If diving is an important option for you, please advise if you have any medical issues (past or present) or taking any medications so we can advise if any QLD diving medical clearance is required. Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. It is imperative for your safety that you answer the questions on the form truthfully.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Large smorgasbord lunch with seafood
Fish Feed
Reef talk by a marine interpreter
Complimentary glass of wine on the return sail to Cairns
Environmental Management Charge / Port / Ram fees
Sailing cruise to Green Island & the Great Barrier Reef
Exclusive reef site
Snorkeling equipment (snorkel, marks, flippers, buoyancy vests)
Transfers to/from the schooner to Green Island
Coffee and/or Tea
Morning and Afternoon tea
Snorkeling tuition, tours and in-water crew assistance if required
Food and drinks, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Only Pre-book diving if no medical conditions/taking medication - some may preclude you from diving
Optional diving - x 1-2 Certified / x 1-2 Intro dives possible on day .10-12m depth .
What To Expect
These are the two most personal Great Barrier Reef tours in Cairns. Sail on Ocean Free - our 16M classical sailing schooner for this extremely personal Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Tour. Sail, snorkel , dive (optional extra) - reef and beach all in one day with only a small group of up to 25 guests - pure bliss!
Great Barrier Reef
Admire the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef on this very personal day tour .Ocean Free sails to its exclusive Great Barrier Reef mooring just 1 km off Green Island. Step straight off the boat and see a coral garden teeming with colourful reef-fish and marine life on this highly protected Marine Park zone of the Great Barrier Reef. Only our guests snorkel this site making it a very personal experience! Turtles and large schools of fish a common site amongst the coral "bommies" (outcrops) that rise form about 10-12M up to just under 1M under the surface making it an ideal area for great snorkelling Spend the morning snorkelling & / or SCUBA diving (optional extra) over an incredible reef system and view the most unique and colourful marine life under the guidance of our very attentive crew. Afterwards hop back on board your vessel for a scrumptious large smorgasbord lunch after which you can hop into the tender as the skipper takes you to Green Island beach - your 2nd site to explore!
Options
Tour + One Certified Dive
One Certified Dive: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Tour + Two Introductory Dives
Two Introductory Dives: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Tour + One Introductory Dive
One Introductory Dive: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Tour + Two Certified Dives
Two Certified Dives: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Tour Snorkelling
Green Island Sailing Cruise from Cairns including snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
Snorkel Family Pack (2ad+2ch)
Snorkel Only Family Pack: Green Island & Reef, Sailing Cruise Family Pack from Cairns including snorkeling (2 adults + 2 children 4- 14 years)
Reviews
643 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unique sailing and snorkeling experience
andreaslI7057YT,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic sailing tour with a super nice and experienced crew who can say a lot about the reef and its inhabitants. Anchorage is done on an exclusive reef section, so no other boats and tourists. Lunch and snacks were very delicious and rich (lots of seafood). Much emphasis was placed on safety and protection of the reef, but the fun was not neglected. We went snorkeling with black-pit reef sharks, an insanely beautiful experience. Recommend the tour with this crew to everyone.
A grand day out
helen f,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous experience Crew (Anna, Capt Mike, Archie & Oli) ran a really slick operation, working like demons and accommodating last minute requests, but always happy to chat with us & answer questions. Unfailingly cheerful & helpful. Weather conditions pretty much perfect & snorkelling visibility excellent. Incredible wildlife down there! Crew were attentive and encouraging giving extra attention to those of us who were a bit nervous. Safety is clearly the main priority, lots of safeguards in place. Lunch was fresh & good quality. Optional time on Green Island (a good break to be on land for a short time if the snorkelling makes you queasy) with 2 shuttle trips out from the boat & 2 returns giving flexibility. Couldn’t have been happier with the experience. The crew get that it’s important they get it right. Quote from Anna sums it up “We do this every day but for customers it’s often a once in a lifetime.” Thank you!
Great Day Sailing & Snorkeling
Richard S,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Skipper Mike and crew Storm & Paul were wonderful and we had a great day snorkeling and visiting Green Island.
Great day on the Reef
christinedH4525OJ,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic experience on Ocean Free. The crew were engaging, informative and friendly; the boat was lovely and comfortable, the food was very good. Snorkelled on the reef and at the jetty on Green Island, and saw lots of fish and a giant turtle. It was a beautiful day!
Excellent small group trip aboard a sailboat
David M,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fantastic trip aboard a sailboat with fewer than 20 people. The crew were fantastic! When we went snorkeling there were two crew with life rings in the water for safety reasons. The food was excellent and again, the crew was awesome.
Fantastic day - Must do
adrianaoZ725DV,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I don't normally write reviews,but I feel I have to as this experience was by far the best day the entire family had. Kids and adults enjoyed the smaller group experience on the smaller boat. Definitely a more personalised experience. Snorkeling site was great. Fantastic crew, fun and great energy. Couldn’t recommend this highly enough.
Top marks Ocean Free!
rahrah1,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic, fun, friendly and professional crew - loved the day and intro diving experience with such amazing team! Returning customer, wouldn't hesitate to come back! Thanks to Blair, Maddy and Luke for all your support, care and attention - felt secure and safe!!
The Best Barrier Reef Trip!
Dan G,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were after an experience which wasn't crowded with tourists and where first-time divers & non-confident swimmers were looked after, and Ocean Free was perfect! Anna, Kelly, Stormy & Matt brought energy, fun and personality - most importantly, they were super kind and made our first dive & snorkling experience unforgettable! We got close to so many types of fish, sharks, turtles, giant clams and corals along the reef - a truly amazing experience, thanks guys!
Wonderful excursion
FrankyHeidelberg,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this tour as a family. From the beginning to the end it was just fantastic. We snorkeled on the reef and saw a lot of fish...including reef sharks . There was then a trip to Green Island and if you liked, you could stay on board and continue snorkeling. The friendly crew and delicious food on board made it the perfect experience once again. A perfect day, we will come back! Thanks for everything❤️
The BEST experience!!
ashasutton,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The BEST thing we’ve ever done !! My partner and I had this on our bucket list and it exceeded our expectations by far. I was nervous about being in the water and I had never snorkelled before but Ollie was fantastic in the water and gave me a 121 introductory lesson in there and took me along whilst I held onto the ring as he pointed out great views under the water. We took it slow and he went at my pace the whole time. The food was excellent, we had snacks al morning and a great buffet lunch then fruit and cake and wine in the afternoon. Sarah and Daniel were also fabulous and our skipper Mike was unreal. Mike also let me feed the giant black fish and Sharks after lunch too (I was the only one who did this!) overall, the most fantastic experience and we couldn’t recommend this highly enough. We loved the personalised experience and would suggest doing this if you can! Take some travel sickness tablets if you are prone to this.
Related Experiences
Operated by Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours