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‘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
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!
Options
Tour + Two Introductory Dives
Two Introductory Dives: 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 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 + One Introductory Dive
One Introductory Dive: 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.
Snorkel Tour
Snorkel only: Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Cruise from Cairns including snorkeling
Reviews
1,804 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The tour is fantastic,...
Hongbing D,
Nov 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00The tour is fantastic, definitely worth doing! We had both glass bottom boat tour that is great and informative, and also amazing snorkeling experience. It is my first time snorkeling, I am not a strong swimmer, they gave me personal attention, The staff Archie (hope this is correct spelling) guided me through the entire snorkeling in the sea, showed me the magnificent underwater coral, numerous colorful fishes, clams and more. With Archie’s guidance, I feel very safe and was able to enjoy the view of Great Barrier Reef! Thank you very very much Archie. I highly recommend this tour!
Experience of a lifetime
Jack C,
Nov 4, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Unbelievable experience with the Great Barrier Reef! I’ve never scuba dived before so decided to do the introductory dive here, I started off very shaky trying to get under the water but they were very patient with me and I managed to complete the dive which was for me an experience of a life time. It was very cool seeing the reef and turtles whilst snorkeling and the food was a good spread. All crew were very nice and helpful and I would highly recommend this tour!
From the moment we...
Jared T,
Nov 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00From the moment we boarded until the final farewell, our entire Great Barrier Reef excursion exceeded our highest expectations! The Ocean Freedom staff were helpful, friendly, incredibly knowledgeable and full of enthusiastic energy. The pace and logistics were flawlessly managed, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves without feeling rushed or waiting around. The scenery and itinerary were absolutely stunning; each stop was unique and exciting. We appreciated that the group size remained relatively small, which made the tour feel a bit more personalized and relaxing rather than chaotic. The boat was comfortable and clean, and all included elements (meals/snacks/entrances) were exactly as described; no surprises or fine print. In short: if you’re looking for a top-notch excursion with professional service, genuine local flavor, and a stress-free schedule, this is it. We will remember this day for a long time and wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting the area. Five stars without hesitation!
I am a novice snorkeling...
Catherine P,
Nov 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00I am a novice snorkeling and was nervous about this experience. All of the crew members were very accommodating and supportive and made sure that I felt safe and comfortable in the water. They kept following up with me to see if there was anything that I needed. They were super nice and kind to me.
Highly recommend - favourite tour in cairns!
Kei K,
Nov 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was the first time I went to the great barrier reef and it was so amazing! I did an introductory dive and snorkelling and it was nothing short of spectacular! I saw turtles, various types of fish 🐠 🐟, and coral 🪸 I was a bit anxious about my first time to scuba dive but the staff were so understanding and welcoming. I felt really comfortable and excited for this experience:) Thank you all for an amazing experience!
A fab day out on the reef
keith k,
Nov 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00A very well organised trip to the reef. Plenty of staff and they were more than helpful and caring to everybody’s needs. The maximum on the boat was around 70 people. Which I would say is about right. More people would mean more people snorkelling in the reef. There was an opportunity for beginners, more accomplished snorkellers and accomplished divers. Tuition was provided for those less able also support to hold on to a flotation ring if need be. Food on the boat was good and plenty. We had two stops one and a half hours on both. Then a further stop on Green reef for an hour. So plenty of opportunity just snorkelling That was also a half hour opportunity a number of times during the day to go on the glass bottom boat which was lovely. We would highly recommend this company and feel that they got a whole day just right.
Really nice and must have...
Mahesh,
Oct 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00Really nice and must have experience with very friendly crew always supporting & motivating you all along the way before, during & after the dive
Amazing experience, very worth going!!
H2412GKbeac,
Oct 28, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00The crew are AMAZING, they are funny, kind and looked after every single person on board so well. They learnt everyone’s names, checked in individually on us and made it such a great experience! It was very safe even for the people who weren’t great swimmers. Safety was definitely a priority and they ran a very smooth operation. The food was amazing and there were so many options throughout the entire day! I was very impressed. Thank you!!
Apart from lunch, everything else was perfect.
Valentina B,
Oct 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00Crew is very helpfull, and even if you don't know how to swim or are not comfortable in water you can go snorkel and even dive bcs they will help you.
They have everything you...
Ganael D,
Oct 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00They have everything you need, gear, food, knowledge. Did two dives and a snorkeling dive. Great diving spot, saw white tip shark, big clams, turtles, clown fish and anemones, eel, stingrays, chromis, and all sorts of corals and fishes.
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Operated by Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours