Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Dive, snorkel and sail the Great Barrier Reef with an award-winning company with 30 years’ experience operating personalized day tours to the Great Barrier Reef. The 80-foot catamaran sails from Cairns to two unique locations where you can choose to dive or snorkel with colorful fish, turtles and an amazing array of coral. With a choice of 27 outer Great Barrier Reef destinations your friendly crew can select the location best suited to the weather offering you the best possible Great Barrier Reef experience on a luxury purpose built catamaran!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please bring swim wear, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat!
Check in will commence at 7.00am at the Reef Fleet Terminal and closes at 7:45am for an 8am departure
Please note: prescription medication and certain medical conditions, both past and present, will preclude you from scuba diving in Queensland without a Queensland Dive Medical. These conditions include, but are not limited to, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, lung problems, ear problems, high or low blood pressure, current cough, cold or flu, chronic sinus conditions, fainting or seizures, plus the use of prescription medication including those used for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Please contact us directly to discuss your suitability for diving.
The minimum age for scuba diving in Queensland is 12 years
Scuba Diving in Queensland; prescription medication and certain medical conditions, both past and present, will preclude you from scuba diving in Queensland without a Queensland Dive Medical. These conditions include, but are not limited to, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, lung problems, ear problems, high or low blood pressure, current cough, cold or flu, chronic sinus conditions, fainting or seizures, plus the use of prescription medication including those used for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Scuba divers must allow 18 hours between their last dive and a flight. You cannot participate in scuba diving if you plan to travel by air within 24 hours of your trip. This includes participating in sky diving activities.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Complimentary Snorkel tour, tuition, and marine naturalist presentation
Winter Wet Suits/Summer Sun Suits/Prescription Masks/Snorkeling Equipment Available
Visit two exclusive Outer Reef locations for snorkeling and exploration
Cruise aboard a stylish, modern high-speed catamaran
All marine park fees and levies
Indulge in a hot and cold chef-prepared buffet lunch onboard
Enjoy tea/coffee on arrival, plus light snacks served during the day
Soft drinks and alcohol available at the bar (cash and credit cards accepted)
Return transfers; Cairns City $25p/p. Cairns Northern Beaches $40p/p - Must be booked in advance
Carbon offset - Offset your carbon foot print for only $1p/p
What To Expect
Great Barrier Reef
Passions of Paradise have access to over 26 destinations on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Each day you will visit 2 of these locations chosen for their suitability to the weather conditions. Snorkel or dive with our experienced crew and view an underwater world teeming with marine life and spectacular coral reefs.
Options
Cruise and Snorkel
Snorkel: Includes all snorkeling equipment and guided snorkel tour. No experience Required!
One Certified Dive
One Certified Dive: Includes one certified dive
Certification Required : Proof of scuba diving certification is required prior to undertaking the experience
One Introductory Dive
One Introductory Dive (12yrs+): One introductory dive - minimum age 12.
MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS: Prescription medication & certain medical conditions will preclude you from scuba diving without a Queensland Dive Medical.
Eco Discovery Snorkel Tour
Eco Discovery Snorkel Tour: Guided snorkel tour with Marine Biologist to discover the Coral Nurture Program and Eye on the Reef Research.
Reviews
2,511 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sailing to the Great Barrier Reef
john m,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience sailing and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. Crew was informative and fun, with their goal of keeping everyone safe. Excellent lunch and drinks along the way. A must if you are in Cains AUS. Booking with Viator was easy with excellent communication.
Best Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns!
C8887IErichardo,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great Experience, would highly recommend! Crew was amazing, always willing to help and consistently went above and beyond.
Best Day Ever!
296gregf,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are so glad we booked our tour with Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef by Catamaran. It was a fantastic experience, and even the weather was perfect. It was one of the best snorkeling experiences so far. Since it was the beginning of stinger (very small sometimes lethal jellyfish) season, we were provided with stinger suits (we had no issues by the way). The staff provided detailed safety instructions and assigned specific guides to participants who needed assistance in the water. One of those guides was ADENA. Adena took a small group of those (including my wife) who identified themselves are not very strong swimmers and stayed with them the whole time. I snorkeled nearby them and observed Adena in action. It was like having a private tour. The boat Captain was professional and provided a smooth ride. Even the food prepared by one of the staff members was very good. Also, a shout out to PHOEBE, who made several organizational announcements and directions to participants. She was kind and had incredible energy that kept the experience fun. I highly recommend this company for a trip to the barrier reef!
Best lunch on the reef!
543deann,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Epic day trip out to Milln Reef. The visibility was 30+ and the boat had a great atmosphere without feeling overcrowded. Went for the diving, but would go back again for the lunch! Passions are one of the few providers that still have an on board chef and the inclusive lunch was amazing. November is a great month to go, and we’ll be seeing you guys again soon!
Unforgettable day with Passions of Paradise
gracegS8522ZF,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most amazing day out with Passions of Paradise! From the moment we got on board, the crew were so welcoming and friendly — you could tell they really love what they do. Everything was super well-organized but still relaxed, which made the whole day feel easy and fun. The reef sites were absolutely stunning! Unreal visibility, tons of colourful coral, turtles, and so many fish. The dive guides were awesome and pointed out things we would’ve totally missed. Even the gear was great and everything felt really safe and professional. If you’re thinking about visiting the Great Barrier Reef, Passions of Paradise is 100% the way to go.
Amazing experience
355bethd,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing experience. Crew were informative. Safety of the passengers was paramount with detailed health questionnaires, multiple head counts and plenty of guides in the water for those who needed a little assistance or were less confident. Special thanks to Adina who was our water guide, she was great and helpful. The boat itself was comfortable with plenty of snacks and large choices for lunch. The marine information talk at the end helped bring everything together and clarified some things about the reef and it's care / conservation (learned about bleached reefs - fascinating). Would definitely recommend.
Wonderful but careless about recycling
Maureen M,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Visiting the Great Barrier Reef has been on my bucket list for years. This was a wonderful trip. The crew was fantastic, especially Ben. They were friendly, helpful and answered my many questions about the reef! Food was good and plentiful. My only concern is watching the number of cans go into the garbage with all the food scraps as opposed to separating out the cans the compost. The biologist who gave the informative talk spoke about everyone doing their part to help preserve our natural world so it seemed odd that the simple act of recycling cans wasn't in play.
Scuba Diving.
graydonh422,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful Staff and Crew..Been out about 9 times and will go again.So friendly and compassionate.Do yourself a favour and go with Passions.
Fantastic experience!
Joseph M,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience, get to see plenty of fish and coral - just like out of finding nemo! Staff are very friendly and the lunch was excellent! Marine biologist talk on the way back to shore was also very insightful. Great trip which is worth every penny!
Safe, fun, professionally-outstanding trip of a lifetime!
laurieharrison1,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have been on SCUBA and snorkel trips many, many times. Never have I experienced such a professional, well-organized, fun and attentive staff! Everyone had every detail taken care of: Simon made sure that I had a mask that would not fog (he pointed out why my personal one did!) and that it would adjust for my eyesight, Libby assured that my traveling companion had eyes on at all times as they needed some extra care. The event was well-timed and ensured we were all hydrated and fed (with healthy and yummy food and fresh fruit!) throughout the day. I simply cannot say enough about how well done this tour is. Thank you for a truly memorable trip of a lifetime!
From A$269.00
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Operated by Passions of Paradise