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 + One Certified Dive
One Certified 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.
Snorkel Tour
Snorkel only: Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Cruise from Cairns including snorkeling
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.
Tour + One Introductory Dive
One Introductory Dive: Some medical conditions and medication may preclude you from diving. Please contact supplier.
Reviews
1,899 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A review from my mom, Lily:
Megan J,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Going on the Ocean Freedom to the Great Barrier Reef was such a lifelong dream! The entire crew were absolutely incredible! Big shout to Ben our captain, Shea, Blair and Tee! The attention to detail by this crew granted us a memorable experience! My husband and daughter are snorkelers and I planned on staying dry on the boat but with the encouragement of Ben and Tee I had a lovely time snorkeling too! Tee was so patient, attentive and informative as she took me out snorkeling. Not once did I feel nervous which says a lot for this apprehensive swimmer/snorkeler! Tee was so attentive and made sure that I was enjoying myself and often kept close to my family for shared moments! Blair gave us additional time on the glass bottom boat when our first go was cut short by a passenger feeling seasick. Again, the attentiveness of this crew made our trip most enjoyable! Thank you for the great service! I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef with excellent care!
All the crew were...
hyohyeon k,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00All the crew were professional, fun, and super friendly. I can’t swim at all, and it was my first time swimming in the ocean too, so I was honestly really nervous at first. But the crew looked after me so well, and it ended up being such an amazing experience. During both snorkelling and scuba diving, they always checked on me and made sure I was okay. They never rushed me, and everything was done based on how I was feeling. I struggled a lot at the beginning when I tried scuba diving, but Oliver was incredibly patient and stayed with me for a long time until I finally felt comfortable. I’m truly so grateful to him. If I ever come back to Cairns, I’ll 100% join Ocean Freedom again! If you want underwater photos, definitely come prepared! I wasn’t ready, so I missed the chance to take any photos underwater, kinda regret it
Great experience!
Jessica S,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The trip was amazing! All staff were informative, friendly and educational. We had some fun trips with staff and by ourselves. I would recommend and return!
Great Reef snorkling disappointing
974iwonag,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Pluses: friendly staff and well organized tour. Decent food and good boat Minuses: the spots for snorkling / diving very poor. If you have comparison with any average diving/ snorkling spot in the past you will be disappointed. Not much to see: few claims, nemo, a turtle and few other fish. Coral really bad, grey, not appealing and not much of it overall. Any snorkling in Egypt at the resorts even was far better than this one I dont want to believe Great Reef offers only that. I think the spots are badly chosen If you are for a swim: all good. If you want to experience diverse marine life: not the place
There is no better excursion to the Great Barrier Reef than this one!
Alan W,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We’ve been on dozens of scuba/snorkel tours around the world and this is one of the best! Of course the Great Barrier Reef is amazing, but this team’s knowledge, friendliness is second to none. They are truly superb!
GBR Trip
O3573TOkevino,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ocean freedom is simply the gold standard for GBR snorkeling and drive tours. Of course the reef was fantastic the difference is the people, you can tell this is a family run business with the care they take from start to finish. Their attn to detail for our safety all the while making it fun as only the Aussie’s can. Btw our Skipper Blair was outstanding
Great family trip, would highly recommend!
409nenadg,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great team, great trip. The weather wasn't the best, but the team did their absolute best to make our day. They were supportive, offered a good laugh and educated us on the ecosystem.
Absolutely worth every penny!
724lydiab,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the Ocean Free Tour today. It was absolutely fantastic! Like really worth the money, from start to finish every part was really well thought through and quality. We had the option to snorkel or dive, we had a fabulous lunch provided with snacks throughout the day like cheese and biscuits/cake/ fresh fruit platters. The team were SO accommodating and extremely knowledgable. We would highly recommend Ocean Free in Cairns. We were all super impressed.
It is a 5 Star tour....
LI Y,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a 5 Star tour. Small group, very friendly crew members, great food, wonderful snorkelling experience.
Super friendly and...
Caroline B,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super friendly and helpful staff. I did two intro scuba dives and still had plenty of time for snorkeling.
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Operated by Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours