Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
On this 8-hour tour from Cairns, cruise out to an activity platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of exploring this natural wonder in different ways.
Reef Magic's location is selected for its water clarity, coral quality, and diversity of marine life, which you can see while snorkeling or taking a tour by glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel.
Learn about the wildlife from on-board marine biologists, and choose to participate in more activities, if you wish, like scuba diving or a helicopter ride (additional expense). All ages and swimming abilities are welcome. Buffet lunch is included as well as morning and afternoon tea.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please bring a swimsuit, hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cash or credit card for any on-board purchases
All diving is subject to the completion of an on-board medical questionnaire. Certain medical conditions (such as asthma, epilepsy, and high blood pressure) and medications may exclude individuals from diving. Minimum age to dive is 12 years with parent/guardian permission required for those under 18 years. Certified divers must produce their certification cards. After diving, intervals of 12-24 hours are recommended prior to flying in any type of aircraft dependent on depth of dives and total accrued dive time
Helicopter flights: Route flown and type of aircraft used are subject to weather, air traffic control, aircraft availability and, ultimately, the pilot's discretion. Maximum of 1 infant allowed per flight. Maximum combined passenger weight limits apply
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Depart Cairns on a fast catamaran, which provides a smooth 1.5-hour to the outer Great Barrier Reef. When you arrive at the pontoon, begin your exploration of the reef, a complex and diverse ecosystem home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 400 types of coral, 200 types of birds, and 20 types of reptiles. Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, go scuba diving with a certified dive or introductory session (no experience necessary), or join the on-board marine biologist for a guided snorkeling safari (diving and guided snorkeling at your own expense). Our marine biologists conduct a presentation in the only science lab on the reef. You can also enjoy a session with our marine biologist, who points out resident fish like "Wally," the Maori wrasse. You can even stay dry and view the marine life from the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass-bottom boat, or underwater observatory. Other optional activities (own expense) include a helmet dive for a scuba-style experience up to 3 m deep, or a scenic helicopter flight for an aerial adventure over the reef. Or, simply relax and enjoy the tropical weather on the sundeck.
What‘s Included
Hot/cold buffet lunch
Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, wetsuit/lycra)
Marine biologist presentations
Morning and afternoon tea (coffee, tea, filtered water)
Taxes and fees
Glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory access
Transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches
Optional scuba diving, helmet diving, and helicopter flights
Prescription snorkel/dive masks available for rental
Options
Cruise & Scenic Heli
10 minute Scenic Heli Flight: Departing from the Reef Magic platform, view the reef from above in this 10 minute scenic helicopter flight.
Cruise & Coral Gardens Snorkel
Coral Gardens Snorkel Tour: No snorkel experience required - great for beginners
Cruise & Introductory Diving
1 Introductory Dive: No experience necessary to go scuba diving from the Reef Magic pontoon Min age 12yrs
Cruise & Snorkelling
Cruise & Certified Diving
1 Certified Dive: Explore the Great Barrier Reef with a certified dive from the Reef Magic pontoon Min age 12yrs
Cruise & Snorkel Safari
Cruise & Snorkel Safari: Snorkel experience required for this option
Reviews
839 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Tour of a lifetime ! Visit the Great Barrier Reef !
805rosemariec,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience visiting the Great Barrier Reef . The crew was superb! Great glass bottom boat and submarine ride . Truly beautiful to see the reef and Angelina was a sweetheart . I was afraid of getting in the water and she helped and stayed with me ! Must go on this tour if you are in Australia !
Good Food and Snorkelling, but Disappointing Dive Briefing Experience
cybillm2022,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I joined a Reef Magic reef tour on Saturday, 6 December with two other Chinese friends. We are all certified divers and had planned to dive that day. The food on board was good, and the snorkelling experience was enjoyable. Most of the crew were friendly and helpful. However, the dive briefing led by one guide, Kimia, was uncomfortable. She abruptly asked another Chinese guest to put her phone away and then unnecessarily questioned her by asking, “Do you speak English?” Her tone felt dismissive. Throughout the briefing, her attitude toward Chinese guests was noticeably colder, while she was polite and friendly with white tourists. Although we have extensive diving experience, we were completing dive forms during parts of the briefing that covered very basic skills. The guide addressed us rudely, threatened that we would not be allowed to dive, and repeatedly questioned me about air-level hand signals, all of which I answered correctly, before rolling her eyes and continuing. We later observed her interacting warmly with white guests, which highlighted the contrast in treatment. In the end, we were unable to dive due to capacity issues. Overall, the tour itself was good, but this experience left us feeling uncomfortable and disappointed. I hope Reef Magic will review this matter seriously.
A Day to Remember Forever
Stephen D,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely awesome place, with a fabulous crew giving me an absolutely fantastic memory I will cherish forever. Not a great swimmer but the snorkel experience was unbelievable and spent almost all my time in the water. Special mention to Anna the snorkel supervisor who was a great help. I would definitely recommend them if you were planning to visit the Reef.
Perfect GBR experience!!!
SDteach126,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our best adventure tour in Australia. This is a must do excursion. The staff are super attentive and genuinely caring. We did the snorkeling safari and saw so many cool fish! And we also did the helicopter experience. This was an unforgetable once in a lifetime day!
Experience the GBR from above and below!! 5⭐️
glynnisv2014,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Book it and experience the reef from above and below. We did helicopter tour and then safari snorkeling tour. Both additional cost options with this day long excursion. Well worth it. Exceptional staff, great service and good lunch buffet. Highly recommend this experience!
Great Barrier Reef
Jody B,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Helicopter ride was good. Different way to see the reef. Our pilot kept us out a little longer because he spotted a shark. We were unable to do the glass bottom boat though because the timing didn’t work out so that was disappointing. The semi submersible sub was good and we could see a lot. It started to get really warm in there towards the end.
Perfectly organized adventure tour. Highly recommended!
L8738HRthomash,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful day on the reef. The organization is perfect just like the equipment. The pontoon is a great platform to take in the various activities. We were snorkeling, on the glass bottom boat and on tour with the semi-submarine: all fabulously beautiful experiences. The team around is super nice, highly motivated and makes the tour an unforgettable experience.
Fantastic Experience!
Paul S,,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The boat trip out to the pontoon & back was smooth & well organised & the pontoon too. Snorkelling equipment & the reef area were excellent. A highlight of our trip to Australia!
Wonderful adventure!
Terri H,,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fun and relaxing, friendly and knowledgeable staff! Entertaining all day, great food, well organized, on time schedules.
Perfect
martinjones1981act,,Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Beautiful reef, friendly and professional staff, excellent food, knowledgeable biologists guiding the snorkel. Couldn't fault it. We did the extra "Snorkel Safari" which was added cost but definitely worth the money. We also tried SunLover a few days ago but Reef Magic is better in every aspect (boat, platform, people, entertainment, reef, and food). Make sure you get there on time and read the ticket info. It leaves earlier in the morning than the others, and your boarding pass is emailed to you so you don't need to queue with the million others in Reef Cruise Terminal.
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