Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy the most customer-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour aboard a fast travelling sleek, luxury catamaran from Cairns! Snorkel and dive 2 very different and unique Great Barrier Reef Sites. "Wonder Wall" on the outer edge Upolu Reef and Upolu Cay reef area - an aquarium style coral garden with the most beautiful clear blue azure waters. Spend six hours (more than any other reef tour) to snorkel or scuba dive (see options below) these Marine Park protected areas. Absolutely no rush in the day. Enjoy complimentary Glass- Bottom Boat tour and Adventure Drift Snorkel tours with your onboard marine naturalist. This cruise is limited to 75 guests, ensuring quality customer service and passenger comfort.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A maximum of 75 people ensures a unique and personalized experience
The order in which the snorkeling and dive sites are visited may changes as it is dependent on the conditions on the day
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 or taking medication as some conditions/medication preclude you from diving
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 To Expect
Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom
After check-in board the vessel, grab a coffee, a Danish pastry, fresh fruit & settle in. After just over an hour we arrive at our first Great Barrier Reef destination - the beautiful "Wonder Wall " on the outer edge of Upolu reef. Snorkel, SCUBA (extra) this stunning Great Barrier Reef site teaming with fish and marine life. Experience an informative complimentary Glass Bottom Boat & Adventure Drift Snorkel tour with our very attentive guides. After a morning of activities enjoy a large scrumptious lunch as we cruise to Upolu Cay. Snorkel this "coral garden" tropical oasis - look out for turtles & sting rays! When conditions allow you can even land on this glistening white coral Cay! Enjoy six hours of snorkelling, relaxing between these 2 uniquely different reef sites. After a magical day we return to Cairns serving fresh fruit, cheese and crackers and cake arriving back in Cairns by around 4.15 pm . We are thrilled to now have you as part of our ever growing Ocean Freedom family!
Great Barrier Reef
Our Marine Guides will enthrall you on a reef and marine life discovery on an a highly informative and engaging Adventure Snorkel Tour and Glass Bottom Boat Tour at our two unique Upolu Reef sites - "Wonder Wall" on the Outer Edge Upolu Reef and our "Aquarium" coral garden reef site amongst the beautiful shallow, azure coloured waters of Upolu Cay Reef. These sites are in Marine Park highly protected zones where no fishing is allowed, hence the abundance of fish and marine life. Come and find your favourite Hollywood Nemo character! With 6 hrs of actual un-rushed reef time you have plenty of time to do both complimentary activities and continue exploring yourself under the guidance of our attentive crew!
What‘s Included
Tea and coffee throughout the day
Luxury fast stylish catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef
Wetsuits or lycra suits (depending on season)
Large smorgasbord lunch with seafood
Platters of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers
Freshwater showers
Environment Management Charge (EMC) and port fees
Snorkeling instruction and in-water crew assistance if required
Six full hours on the Great Barrier Reef with stops at two uniquely different reef locations
Snorkeling tour with a marine naturalist in a highly protected Marine Park zone of the GBR
Snorkeling equipment (snorkel, marks, flippers, and buoyancy vests)
Guided interpretative Adventure Drift Snorkel Tour on Great Barrier Reef site
Informative Glass Bottom Boat Tour On Great Barrier Reef site
Confectionery, Soft Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Only Pre-book diving if no medical conditions/taking medication - some may preclude you from diving
OPTIONAL Diving : x1 or x2 cert dives / x1 or x2 Intro dives
Options
Tour + Two Certified Dives
Two Certified Dives: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Tour + One Certified Dive
One Certified Dive: 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.
Snorkel Family Pack (2ad+2ch)
Snorkel only Family Pack: Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Cruise Family Pack from Cairns including snorkeling (2 adults + 2 children 4- 14 years)
Tour + Two Introductory Dives
Two Introductory Dives: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Snorkel Tour
Snorkel only: Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Cruise from Cairns including snorkeling
Reviews
1,861 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Great Barrier Reef experience with Ocean Freedom Crew
441anusha,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I am highly recommending Ocean Freedom Team for your next experience to the Great Barrier Reef. This amazing young team led by Ryan were knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating and hospitable. This note is for people who want to snorkel or dive but has anxiety or fear. With this team I can assure you that you can overcome the fear you have and explore and experience the amazing sea world. Ollie and Daniel helped me to beat the anxiety I had. They basically gave me the opportunity to hold on to the floating ring whenever I needed to and snorkel these beautiful sea. The cruise lunch was more than I expected and then followed by snacks which was a surprise. They also do provide fruits for breakfast. This is all included in the price they charged. Coming from the US, it was surprising to feel that there were no tip jars or requests for tips. At the end of the trip, all the crew members lined up to bid us goodbye. And I know they had couple of hours of cleaning to do when we left the boat and then go off duty. Just simply amazing. Thank you Ocean Freedom crew for giving my daughter, I and the rest of the 73 in the boat an unforgettable experience. Wishing you a very successful year 2026!
Impressive crew and experience!
AMANDA C,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Impressive! An amazing experience, run by a professional crew. We had not snorkelled before and the crew walked everyone through it. 121 and group assistance was on offer for those who needed it and everyone were kept safe. Divers and snorkellers were soon briefed, kitted out and experiencing the reef.
Fantastic experience. Can definitely be recommended!
269pernillel,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip. Can definitely be recommended! Really friendly and welcoming crew. They were talented and professional. Very service-oriented and good at informing and telling about the animal and plant kingdom on the reef. In addition, delicious food and snacks in several rounds and in abundant quantities.
Couldn't imagine a better way to experience Great Barrier Reef, which is clearly due to the fantastic team aboard!
flaske123,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with diving tours around Great Barrier Reef. Luke, our diving instructor, was incredibly service-minded, patient with all levels of Open Water divers, and created a fantastic atmosphere on the trip. The entire team on the boat was in super mood, and made sure everyone was feeling good, got enough to eat and was aware of activities - as well as informing about the discovery of exciting animals. Huge recommendation here from us!
Greatest reef tour in Cairns
Tobias L,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The instructors and staff were amazing. They took us to some truly wonderful spots on the reef and gave us plenty of time to explore the area with snorkels. They did a great job keeping everyone safe and making sure everyone had a great time!
Highly recommend, would do again
Donna B,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The fabulous crew hosted a fun outing, ensuring we saw sea life (turtles, clown fish, giant clams, and even a sting ray) and were kept safe the entire day. From kids to adults and first time snorklers to experienced divers - everyone enjoyed themselves onboard the Ocean Freedom!
Snorkelling and scuba experience
Sushmitha D,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What an incredible experience with the crew! They were extremely cooperative and always responded to our questions on the boat with a warm smile. The team gave us a wonderful welcome and handled the crowd effortlessly thanks to their excellent planning and management skills. I highly recommend this team for snorkelling and scuba diving activities—we enjoyed both! Their enthusiasm and professionalism truly stood out.
Friendly staff, great vibes
H4781EXrachelh,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience! Staff were very professional and fun loving to keep the atmosphere lively on board. Staff towed several families on our group who couldn’t swim. We saw sea turtles and a wide array of other fish. Such a memorable day!
Super day on the great barrier reef
BobsPassport,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic day on the Great Barrier Reef. We did snorkelling only which was so fun. The staff were kind and knowledgeable taking their time to make sure your snorkel was set up right before you got in the water. We both felt safe and comfortable with the staff who did their best to show any sea life. We were lucky enough to see multiple turtles which made the experience even better. The glass bottom tour was an awesome addition. As was getting to snorkel in two different sites. The day didn’t feel rushed or overcrowded. Amazing day, we will be recommending this tour to our family and friends.
Highly recommend to try scuba diving and it will give you clear views of coral and fish same like the film
Lin Z,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very energetic crew for instructing snorkeling and scuba diving as learner, so I get really great experience. That is a new achievement and journey in my holiday. The scene is the same as the movie with fish and coral
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Operated by Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours