Then, consider the activities youd like to pursue. Cairns is a top choice for the best part of the Great Barrier Reef as its often the starting point for Great Barrier Reef tours. Snorkel and/or dive, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub, or just relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. Travel to 2 different locations on the reef to see more of this special place. Luxury options are common throughout, with the price tags to match. Mostly uninhabited, you dont go there for the bar scene or fine dining. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on Green Island & travel on Kuranda Skyrail, Email: Cairns snorkel tour includes a scenic helicopter flight, optional semi-submersible submarine boat tour - discover the Great Barrier Reef. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were Jen and Ted, former partners turned friends with a passion to inspire affordable travel. Not applicable with any other discount. Looking for tours on the Great Barrier Reef? This experience is showcased by Viator and has met our quality standards. Snorkelers and certified divers flock here to see the unparalleled array of marine life. Departing: Family fare: Maximum of 2 adults and 2 children of the same family. This means we get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for recommending a product we personally use, trust, and own. Head for Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Outer Reef and plunge into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef by snorkeling amongst its rich marine life. is also served at some restaurants. Required fields are marked *. Spot landmarks like Stoney Creek Falls, Green Island and Arlington Reef, and snap aerial photos of the Northern Beaches and Palm Cove. The cable car ride is 7.5 kilometers long, offeringa birds eye view of the dense, green rainforest as you sail gently over the tops of the trees. Our best selling half day Great Barrier Reef tour. Customize your visit to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns with your selection from three travel options with a choice of snorkeling, scuba diving, and a one-way or round-trip scenic helicopter tour. Does Applying for Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score? After traveling by catamaran to a pontoon moored on the reef, you can observe marine life on a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel; go snorkeling to spot sea turtles; get your hands wet in the touch pool; upgrade to include a Seawalker Helmet dive; or upgrade to include an introductory or certified scuba dive. Staying in a mid-range boat for a two-night Liveaboard trip will set you back around $400AUD per person including (basic) meals. Contact Us Youre closer to Papua New Guinea or Indonesia than you are to Sydney, and things are different here. Sometimes you can even score a thrifty relocation deal from one city to another you can read our complete guide on relocations here. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Green Island boasts a reef and rainforest where you can spend a half or full day before returning to Cairns via catamaran. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef with Indigenous Rangers who share their creation stories from the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Multiple tours and excursions provide the necessary equipment and helpful guides to instruct you on spending time near the reef. Not applicable with any other discount. You can compare many car rental sites at once using, Crocodile Spotting. Editors note: We had an unforgettable stay at Sanctuary Retreat in Mission Beach, halfway between Cairns and Townsville. Tour companies will handle transportation for you between attractions themselves. The worlds largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is an ideal destination for marine life enthusiasts and those who enjoy watersports. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Port Douglas is included. June through October is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Want to experience an unspoilt tropical rainforest, or prefer to relax with a cocktail on the beach? A gorgeous small town with friendly locals and comfortable hospitality, this popular day trip from Cairns has charming shops, restaurants, and markets to explore. Please check-in at the Great Adventures counters inside the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street in Cairns) 1 hour before your departure time. Below are a few activity options to pursue during a visit with your loved ones. Search tours and activities you can do from home. This tour includes pick-up from Cairns and Northern Beaches hotels. Be amazed by the tropical fish, coral, and possibly even turtles at the Low Isles Reef, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the second day, headfor Daintree Rainforest (also UNESCO-listed) to explore the world's oldest continuouslysurviving rainforest. A Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Combo Package Tour Deal. Youll experience broad range of botanical features, and unique scenery that will keep you fascinated despite the heat. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef or view it from a bit of a distance, this day trip to the outer reef has you covered. As mentioned at the start, the Great Barrier Reef has been put through hell recently due to climate change and environmental hazards. Save money by combining the Cairns region's three top activities in one 3-day tour. Nathan J. Thomas moved from New Zealand to Chengdu, China in 2014 without speaking a word of Mandarin. Tours can be browsed with real reviews and booked instantly on. Your email address will not be published. What time is the best to go to the Great Barrier Reef? See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. offers. The, 74 unspoilt islands lie between the mainland of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. Here, youll sleep under the stars on a permanent pontoon, providing a close encounter with the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the Great Barrier Reef with Google, Dolphins and Whales of the Great Barrier Reef. At the Daintree, you can have both. The best ways to experience Great Barrier Reef are: Things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North, Pier Marina, Pier Point Road, Cairns, Tropical North, 4870, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Tours & Tickets, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Tours & Tickets, Romantic Things to Do in Cairns and the Tropical North, Don't Miss These Must-Do Activities in Cairns and the Tropical North, How to Spend 3 Days in Cairns & the Tropical North, See more Virtual Experiences around the globe, Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience, Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns, Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Personal Luxury Snorkel & Dive Cruise, Cairns, Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas, Silverswift Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns, Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns by Luxury Catamaran, Great Barrier Reef Adventure from Cairns Inc Snorkel from Activity Platform, Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas, Full Day Reef Cruise Including 10 Minute Heli Scenic Flight: Get High Package, Option A: 2 1/4 hour Low Isles Reef Sprinter Snorkelling Tour, Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns, Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour from Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkeling Cruise from Cairns, Ocean Free Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise, Cairns 25 guests, Cruise out and Cruise return, plus 10 minute Scenic Flight, Ultimate Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest 45-minute Helicopter Tour, Great Barrier Reef 30-Minute Scenic Helicopter Tour from Cairns, Ocean Safari Great Barrier Reef Experience in Cape Tribulation, Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Palm Cove, 3-Day Best of Cairns Combo: The Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Kuranda, Full Day Snorkel In The Great Barrier Reef, Helicopter and Cruise Packages with Great Adventures. The seventh natural wonder of the world. Its the closest land and also houses an international airport, making it a convenient location to spend a few evenings. The Great Barrier Reef first began to grow about 18 million years ago. Departing: Search Skyscanner by entire month to find the cheapest dates to fly from your origin.Not including flights, I would say a realistic budget to enjoy the reef and the Cairns experience starts at $600AUD, though it is possible to spend a lot more! Ive visited twice. Seven years later on my second visit, the reef seemed to have changed. With many tour companies seeming to offer more or less than same thing at the same rates from first glance, a little extra time in planning and research can help you make the most of your time and budget. The capital of the far North, Cairns is a dynamic tourist town. Land on the beach, swim, walk to Hill Inlet. While the Great Barrier Reef is a highlight, Far North Queensland has many other activities and attractions that are certainly worth the extra time. The three main tourist hubs with a large variety of accommodation and tour options include The Whitsundays, Cairns and Port Douglas. These can also be useful to give you an idea of the type of person on each tour for example if youre a young group of friends, youre probably looking for a different atmosphere than a couple traveling on their 50th wedding anniversary! Pickup: A visit during these months allows you to escape the rainy jellyfish season, allowing for a more pleasant trip. From Cairns sail aboard a luxury catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling, diving and fun-filled island activities. Following that, you'll get the chance to soar over picturesque reef systems before returning to the boat. Take to the air in a scenic helicopter flight to Green Island, a 6,000-year-old coral cay located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, from Cairns. 8 years ago we ditched our jobs, sold everything & pursued a life outside the 9-5 bubble. Be mesmerised by coral teeming with colourful fish. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. The city of Cairns lies on the northern side of Queensland and is regarded as one of the top places to use as a home base when visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Goes to Green Island, travel by sail boat, max 25 ppl, onboard lunch, pastries, tea/coffee. You can also skip the cable car and railway entirely and just drive yourself to Kuranda Village. 3 or below. The stable reef activity platform is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. With a port decided, itinerary planned, and booked tours, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef becomes an exciting and low-stress getaway. Staying in a mid-range boat for a two-night Liveaboard trip will set you back around $400AUD per person including (basic) meals. Therailway was built over 120 years ago, winding through mountains and offering spectacular views of waterfalls and the Barron Gorge. Use. One of the most popular ways to explore Australia is with a Jucy car or campervan. There are 18 trips that go to Great Barrier Reef, with the most popular time to go being September, which has the most number of tours. You'll frequently see Jucy vans parked alongside beaches, with travellers gazing out at the sunset from their bedroom on wheels. Amazing Cairns 2 Day Reef and Island adventure. Often overlooked, Townsville is Cairns quieter cousin. Still, the reef is exquisite beyond. A buffet lunch is included, and the pontoon is equipped with showers. Theyre green, theyre scary, and theyre spectacular to watch in their native environment. Departing: Enjoy the best of both worlds on this exhilarating 45-minute helicopter flight, crossing both land and sea. offers tours during the day as well as spectacular, fiery nighttime performances. Have a choice of options for exploring Green Island, spending time in the water around the magnificent coral reefs, walking in the rain forest, or lazing on the white sandy beaches. Goes to Green Island, catamaran tour, glass bottomed boats, upgrade options for lunch and semi-submarine tours. Discover the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef from all angles on this action-packed tour. The weather is truly tropical, with high humidity, cyclones and typhoons. After spending six months studying the language, he traveled the country before moving to Poland in 2015. Private hotel accommodation is likely to set you back at least $70/night for even the most basic, though Townsville can offer cheaper options. When staying in rural areas, be discerning about what you buy and take your rubbish away with you. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. A thumping nightlife and eclectic dining scene contrasts with the general wildness of the town its worth a couple of days. After a convenient pickup at your hotel, board a sturdy ocean safari vessel and head for the cape. Enjoy unforgettable views of Australias Great Barrier Reef as you fly over the UNESCO-listed natural wonder in a helicopter. But it is perhaps best known for the connecting Skyrail Cable Car and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Find all the best 7 day adventures heading to Great Barrier Reef, stopping at places like Cairns and Port Douglas. Listed fares in Australian dollars include Goods and Services Tax. Practice responsible tourism and be conscious of your footprint on the delicate environment that you are enjoying. Includesmorning and afternoon tea, as well as abuffet lunch. Marvel at the Daintree Rainforesta UNESCO World Heritage sitefrom the water. Prices start from $46 AUD per adult. You stay in private huts in the middle of the rainforest upon a steep hill, surrounded by nature, and delicious food at the restaurant. UNIQUE! Select from one of our great value Hot Deal reef tours and then take a look at our Combo Package Tour deals and our Hot Deal Adrenaline tours and save. Reach the Barrier Reef and explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. As mentioned at the start, the Great Barrier Reef has been put through hell recently due to climate change and environmental hazards. The Great Barrier Reef is normally accessed from Cairns, a vibrant tourist city on the far north tip of Queensland. Locals Offers And of course, never step on coral or attempt to touch sea life of any kind for your own safety as well as theirs! This difference in habitat can account for the vast array of marine life which calls the Great Barrier Reef their home. Money for drinks, souvenirs and optional activities. The Great Barrier Reef is not one continuous reef, but made up of over 2900 reefs and 900 islands. Perhaps it was just reality failing to live up to memory, but I had read extensively about changes in sea temperature caused by climate change leading to massive death of coral. The largest coral reef on Earth: 344,400 square kilometres of fish of all colors, playful sea turtles, giant clams, swaying anemones, darting eels, sea snarks and reef sharks. The first time in 2010, I drifted in my snorkel and fins and watched from a safe distance as a giant sea turtle feasted serenely on a transparent jellyfish. The reef doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Marine Park that provides many activities for visitors and locals. If youre averse to tour groups, it can make a cheaper and gentler waypoint to the reef, and theres plenty of good snorkelling around. Most offer 24 hour free cancellation and allow you to show confirmation on your mobile device, no printer required. These are typically posted last minute (usually posted 2 weeks or less in advance). The raw budget experience of a one day trip out to the reef and back, with no extras and providing your own equipment, can be done for around $100AUD. Aboriginal bush tucker (fancy a kangaroo stack or crocodile carpaccio?) All Rights Reserved. This unique activity takes you on a two-day, one-night excursion to Reefworld. And yet, even the most caring conservationists will tell you thats not a reason not to go. If hiring a car, companies like Ace and Avis can offer deals as low as $20 AUD per day. This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees. A Port Douglas Outer Barrier Reef trip ideal for divers, snorkellers, and non-swimmers, with everything on offer for an amazing day on the reef. Then enjoy a close experience of the coral reef by choosing to snorkel or enroll in an optional scuba diving course (additional expense). Holding the hand of an instructor, I tentatively attempted a night dive, and swam shoulder to shoulder with dozens of sleek white sharks in the eerie darkness. Begin by exploring the underwater world of theUNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef with an included introductory dive. We learned travel doesn't have to be pricey, and created this blog to prove it. Costs for this vary greatly depending on the length of time, the level of comfort, and the amount of activities you plan to participate in. Normal fare applies for additional children. Holding the hand of an instructor, I tentatively attempted a night dive, and swam shoulder to shoulder with dozens of sleek white sharks in the eerie darkness. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a top destination for many people. Prices valid to 31 March. A thumping nightlife and eclectic dining scene contrasts with the general wildness of the town its worth a couple of days. Its a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the worlds most famous reef! See All Tour Operators in Great Barrier Reef, Islands of New England (Providence, RI to Cape Cod, MA). Whitehaven Beach Scenic Helicopter Tour, our signature helicopter product. The raw budget experience of a one day trip out to the reef and back, with no extras and providing your own equipment, can be done for around $100AUD. Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this full-day catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. The cheapest accommodation options are camping, youth hostel dorms, and. info@barrierreefaustralia.com, Address: There are many ways to enjoy spending time at the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose between different options for this experience based on your snorkeling or diving levels. For detailed information on availability check the booking form or contact us. Scheduling one of the many available Great Barrier Reef tours provides an incredible opportunity for exploring the reef up-close. Use Skyscanner and search by entire month to see the cheapest dates and options to fly. Go deeper with an introductory or certified scuba dive, and savor a delicious buffet lunch midday. The reef proper lies a long way from the shore. Sail out to Bait Reef, enjoying the views along the way. Tours leave from Cairns, as well the most developed rainforest town, Port Arthur. Mostly uninhabited, you dont go there for the bar scene or fine dining. Some of the boats along the harbour also sell seafood, including the exotic Moreton Bay Bug, a tasty but surreal looking crustacean. Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Palm Cove. There is no top option between diving and snorkeling; its up to your preference. Take an Adventure Snorkel & Glass Bottom Boat Tour through the highly protected no-fishing zone sites in the Marine Park. So large in fact that it is visible from the moon! Due to Covid 19 we are now virtual. Whether you are an experienced snorkeler and diver, a novice or even a non-swimmer there are tours available so that everyone can witness the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Youll also have to factor in accomodation in Cairns or another gateway city (search, Look beyond the rating and read a few of the actual reviews. Words do it no justice. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off from Cairns. The terrifying, ancient Cassowary birds still stalk the bushes, and in the water youre taught to be weary of crocodiles, jellyfish and venomous seashells, but the natural beauty more than compensates for the danger. Treat yourself to a taste of luxury and experience eco-tourism at its best. Seafood was the culinary highlight of my trips to Cairns! Introductory and certified scuba dives are available, and expert guides are on hand to provide instruction and point out highlights of the underwater world. Climb aboard a 35 meter superyacht in Cairns and set sail for the open sea. If, like me, your main goal in hitting the Far North is to experience the Great Barrier reef, but you have time and budget to experience a bit of the region as well, heres a sample itinerary for you: Options are available to suit most budgets. What's the best way to experience Great Barrier Reef? To do it justice, youll need to go out on a boat. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch, with additional beverages available for purchase. See Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach on our number 1 most popular Whitsundays scenic flight. Free diving, Free glass bottom boat, Free breakfast, lunch, Wine, cheese and more. Youre closer to Papua New Guinea or Indonesia than you are to Sydney, and things are different here. A variety of cruises, sails, snorkelling trips, and more can be booked on GetYourGuide and Viator for as little as $59 AUD. You'll get free use of the provided snorkeling gear so you don't have to bring your own. The Reef HQ aquarium and Museum of Tropical Queensland make good educational antidotes to the hedonism of nearby Cairns (by Australian standards!). 74 unspoilt islands lie between the mainland of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. You'll be taken to two different snorkeling spots where you'll be amazed by the colors and variety of the tropical sea life. Airlie Beach. Great value $$$ saving Combo! In 2016, Nathan returned to China and lived in Shanghai for over a year. If coming from overseas, youll most likely have to transit through Queenslands capital, Brisbane, a whopping 1,700 kilometers away! Many Great Barrier Reef tour packages offer one or the other as an option. Enjoy the expertise of the superb crew, in addition to buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and a glass of wine as you cruise back to Cairns. The Great Barrier Reef is a world recognised must see icon and if you can book a Hot Deal Great Barrier Reef tour then the experience is that much richer. Find tickets & tours worldwide. Fly to the outer reef on a helicopter, enjoying the sea views from above and seeing the reef from a unique perspective. A buffet lunch plus morning and afternoon tea on the catamaran are included. Along the esplanade many fine restaurants compete with for the tourist dollar, and will set you back at least $30 AUD for a decent meal, easily twice this if youre drinking as well. Choose from a guided snorkeling, scuba diving or Ocean Walker Helmet diving tour, or admire the magnificent corals on a semi-submersible submarine (extra costs apply). 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