The Great Barrier Reef, best viewed from Cairns Australia is the planets largest living thing and home to an incredible diversity of animal life. There are a large number of trip vessels that leave from Cairns, depending on what you want to do.

Sunlover Cruises offers the shortest journey time, longest play time at the Great Barrier Reef. Once moored at their pontoon on Moore Reef, guests have over 4.5 hours to snorkel, take glass-bottom boat and/or semi-sub tours, enjoy a full hot and cold buffet lunch as well as afternoon tea on the journey back to Cairns. Full day trip$184/adult, $64/child or $424/family of 4.

Compass Cruises is Cairns cheapest cruise to the
Great Barrier Reef price is $40.00 plus $20.00 for levies, tour includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, afternoon tea, boomnetting, 2 spectacular reef locations Local Family Owned and Operated.

Vagabond Dive ‘N Sail is a 65′ sailing yacht designed for diving, sailing and entertaining for a maximum of 11 guests sailing out of Cairns. The cruise is two days and one night which is spent aboard the boat out on the reef.

Ocean Spirit have two catamarans – one that goes to Michaelmas Cay and one that goes to Upolu Cay. If you’re looking for an inexpensive snorkelling day tour, the Upolu Cay cruise is great value for money.
Michaelmas Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $176, Child (4-14yrs) – $97.50. Introductory dive: $95 (additional).
Upolu Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $116, Child (4-14yrs) – $75.50. Introductory dive: $7 (additional).

Great Adventures offers a range of advanced ecotourism certified cruises cruising daily from Cairns to Green Island and the Outer Barrier reef. Guests stopping at Green Island can spend up to 7 hours on the island and choose from 3 departures each day. Guests can also combine a 2 hour visit to Green Island with a half day at Great Adventures’ spacious pontoon at the Great reef. The Great Barrierreef trip include snorkelling, semi-submersible trips, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and reef interpretation. Diving, Scuba-doo scooter and helicopter tours are optional extras.
Green Island Cruises: Prices from Adult – $75, Child (4-14yrs) $34.50. Introductory dive: $135 (additional).
Great Barrier Reef Cruises: Prices from Adult – $196, Child (4-14yrs) – $95. Introductory dive: $138 (additional). Family Fares available for all cruises.

Silverswift is an ultra modern custom-designed dive and snorkel catamaran. She goes to three reef sites daily at either Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe Reefs from Cairns. This cruise caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silverswift is the only dive vessel in Cairns that has a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Port Douglas is Silversonic)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $182, Child (4-14yrs) – $160. With Introductory dive: $223

Ocean Quest This is a live aboard vessel that can best be decribed an a floating 4 star hotel. she is incredebly comfortable. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three sites a day. There are daily transfers to and from the boat every day so that means you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you like. A great boat for both divers and snorkelling .