Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tours

The outer reef starts well offshore from Cairns and Port Douglas, so a snorkel day is mostly about the boat that gets you there and how long it lets you stay. We compared six trips, from a sailing catamaran with lunch to a half-day fast boat and a cheap Green Island day. Each one comes with its price and its catch.

  • Reef trips run all yearThe calmer, clearer weeks tend to come late in the year, roughly September to November
  • Stinger season, roughly November to MayBoats lend lycra suits against jellyfish; wear one, it also stops sunburn

In a hurry? Our top pick is Passions of Paradise's sailing catamaran: ~$189 a person for a full day at two outer reef sites, lunch on board. It holds 4.8 on GetYourGuide across 3,900+ reviews, and 4.9 on Viator. Book it here.

Book on GetYourGuide Book on Viator

Compare all 6 tours

If you only have a minute

Which Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour should you book?

Picture a friend landing in Cairns for a week, asking which reef boat to take. Over a flat white on the Esplanade, this is roughly what we would say.

For most people, the best Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour is the Passions of Paradise catamaran from Cairns, from ~$189. It carries thousands of reviews at 4.8 and up on both booking sites, stops at two outer reef sites and feeds you a proper lunch. Expect company, though, since it is a big boat on a popular run.

Want more hours in the water? Ocean Freedom spends about six hours at the reef for ~$198, with a coral cay as the second stop. Wavelength in Port Douglas sends marine biologists into the water with you at ~$226, and Pure Snorkelling does the outer reef in a half day for ~$144.

On a tight budget or with small children, Great Adventures' Green Island day starts at ~$87. Staying in the Whitsundays instead? Iconic Whitsunday pairs Bait Reef with Whitehaven Beach. Check what each trip really costs and why you wear a stinger suit, then read the small print we pulled out.

Our pick

The reef day we would book: Passions of Paradise

It has the deepest review record of the six and a day that suits first-timers and strong swimmers alike. The trade-off is the crowd: this is a large catamaran, not a small-group boat.

Guests relaxing on the forward deck of a sailing catamaran under its mast on open blue water Our pick

Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Sailing Catamaran, Passions of Paradise

★★★★★ 4.8 from 3,900+ reviews on GetYourGuide · 4.9 from 2,700+ on Viator

You check in between 7:00 and 7:45 am at the Passions of Paradise desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street in Cairns. The catamaran leaves at 8:00 am, with tea or coffee waiting on board. Light snacks come round during the day.

The boat heads for two outer reef locations, and you snorkel at each, or pay for an optional dive. Between the stops a chef-prepared lunch goes out, with tropical fruit. A bar sells drinks for cash or card if you want something stronger than water.

The operator holds Eco Tourism and Climate Leader certification, and the crew run the snorkel briefings. The whole day takes about 9 hours, so plan nothing big for the evening.

Duration
About 9 hours, back in the afternoon
On the water
A large catamaran with sails
Reef stops
Two outer reef locations
Route
Cairns out to the outer Great Barrier Reef
Departure
Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns; check in 7:00 to 7:45 am
On board
Lunch, snacks, tea and coffee; paid bar
Limits
Not wheelchair accessible; some medical conditions rule out diving
Cancellation
Usually free up to 24 hours before; check your listing
Price per person from ~$189 Catamaran · two reefs · lunch
GetYourGuide Viator

Live availability and prices on GetYourGuide

Powered by GetYourGuide

How the day runs, step by step

This is the order the listings give. Wind and sea state can change the sites and the timing.

At the Reef Fleet Terminal

  • Check in at the Passions of Paradise desk from 7:00 am
  • Board, with tea or coffee on arrival
  • Depart Cairns at 8:00 am for the outer reef

Out on the outer reef

  • First reef site: snorkel briefing, suits and gear, into the water
  • Lunch on board, then the move to the second site
  • Second snorkel, then the sail back to Cairns, about 9 hours after the start

What the price covers

The fare pays for the boat, both reef stops and the food. Drinks at the bar, dives and the ride from your hotel cost extra.

Included
  • Two outer reef stops with snorkel gear
  • Chef-prepared lunch and tropical fruit
  • Tea, coffee and light snacks
Not included
  • Hotel transfers (A$25 Cairns city, A$45 Northern Beaches)
  • Drinks from the bar
  • Optional dives

Between us, before you go

Take a seasickness tablet before the boat leaves the marina, not once you feel it. A few Viator reviewers mention a windy day with queasy passengers, and the crossing to the outer reef is not short. How to handle the ride out has the rest.

Grab a stinger suit at the first stop even in winter; it keeps you warmer and saves your back from the sun. On a busy day, get in the water early while the reef is quiet. Stinger suits explained.

Why it beats the other Cairns boats

Evidence and balance. No other trip here has so many reviews at this level on both sites, and the day mixes two reef sites with a real meal at a middle price. Outer reef or Green Island explains why the outer reef is worth the longer ride.

What you give up is intimacy. A small-group boat like Wavelength puts a biologist next to you in the water, and that is something a big catamaran cannot match.

Who we would not send on it

Travelers who want the most hours on the reef, who will be happier on Ocean Freedom. Anyone with only a morning or an afternoon free, since Pure Snorkelling's half day fits better. And families with toddlers, who may prefer the beach and short crossing of Green Island.

Book it if

You want one full outer reef day with a safe pair of hands, a decent lunch and two different sites. It suits first-time snorkelers and confident swimmers alike, plus divers who want to try a dive without committing a whole trip to it.

Skip it if

Ready for the reef?

The trip is on GetYourGuide (4.8 from 3,900+ reviews) and on Viator (4.9 from 2,700+). Compare both before you pay, since the two sites showed different prices for the same day when we read them.

GetYourGuide Viator

The year and the day

When to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and how a day works

Every boat on this page heads for the same reef system. The real choices are how far out you go, how long you stay and how you get there.

Style · the outer reef

Open water, bigger coral, a longer ride

Passions of Paradise, Ocean Freedom, Wavelength, Pure Snorkelling, Iconic Whitsunday

5–9 hout to the reef, one to three sites, then back to port

The day is built around reef time in deeper, clearer water. Full days stop at two sites with lunch; the half day does one longer swim. The crossing is where the sea makes itself felt.

Style · an island on the inner reef

A beach, a short crossing, turtles nearby

Great Adventures, Green Island

5–9 hhalf or full day on a coral cay close to Cairns

You snorkel from the beach or take a glass bottom boat, then spend the rest of the time on sand and in the rainforest. Easy for kids and nervous swimmers, but it is not the outer reef.

Snorkel conditions off Cairns through the year

  • Our rough view of calm, clear water
  1. Jan29°C sea84 °F

    Hot, wet, stinger suits on

  2. Feb29°C sea84 °F

    The wettest weeks, cyclones possible

  3. Mar28°C sea82 °F

    Rain still about, warm water

  4. Apr27°C sea81 °F

    The wet season eases, Easter boats fill

  5. May26°C sea79 °F

    Drier days, the trade winds pick up

  6. Jun24°C sea75 °F

    Cooler air, a choppier crossing at times

  7. Jul23°C sea73 °F

    Clear skies, the coolest water

  8. Aug23°C sea73 °F

    Dry and sunny, winds still about

  9. Sep24°C sea75 °F

    Winds often ease, water clears

  10. Oct25°C sea77 °F

    Often the calmest crossings of the year

  11. Nov27°C sea81 °F

    Warm and settled, stinger season begins

  12. Dec28°C sea82 °F

    Holiday crowds, the rains return

Sea temperatures are rough averages off Cairns. The bars show how likely we think a calm, clear reef day is, from the usual weather patterns; they are our opinion, not a forecast, and boats go out all year when the sea allows. Highlighted months are the ones we would pick. When to go, and when to skip.

How each trip is spent

  • Check-in and the crossing
  • At the reef or on the island
  • Longer option or listing

Total hours come from the listings; the split between the ride and the time at the reef is our rough estimate and changes with the sea. Ocean Freedom lists 8.5 hours on GetYourGuide and 9 on Viator; Green Island runs from a half day to a full day.

  1. Check-inMost Cairns boats leave from the Reef Fleet Terminal or Marlin Marina next door, early in the morning. Port Douglas and Airlie Beach have their own marinas. Port Douglas or Cairns.
  2. The crossingThe boat runs out to the reef while the crew hands out suits, fins and masks and gives the safety talk. This is the part that tests a queasy stomach. Coping with the ride out.
  3. In the waterCrews watch from the boat and guides swim with groups. Flotation vests and noodles help anyone unsure in open water. If you can't swim well.
  4. Back to portFull-day boats serve lunch between sites, and the last snorkel ends mid-afternoon. Rinse off, drink water, and expect to sleep well. What to pack for the day.

On a tight budget? The Green Island day at ~$87 gets you snorkeling off a beach with turtles often about, at less than half the price of an outer reef trip.

How to choose

How to pick the right reef boat

The reef is one huge system, and every boat here reaches a good piece of it. What differs is the distance, the time in the water and who looks after you.

Outer or inner reef

Five trips go to the outer reef. Green Island sits on the inner reef, closer to Cairns, with a beach and calmer shallows. What the difference means in the water.

Time at the reef

Ocean Freedom lists about six hours at the reef, Pure Snorkelling up to two hours of snorkeling. Full days stop twice with lunch in between. Hours and prices together.

Who swims with you

Wavelength lists marine-biologist guided snorkels, and Pure Snorkelling starts with a marine-life talk by marine biologists. The big boats have crew guides. Port Douglas or Cairns.

Budget

From ~$87 for Green Island to ~$229 for the Whitsundays reef and beach day, with transfers and dives extra on some. Every price in one table.

Where you stay

Four trips leave Cairns, one leaves Port Douglas, about an hour north, and one leaves Airlie Beach, a long way south. The Whitsundays option.

Rough water

Trade winds can make the crossing bumpy, and trips get moved when the sea is too rough. Refund or new date depends on the listing. What happens on the day.

Everything else to do around Cairns

The 6 tours

Six ways out to the reef, side by side

We read the Great Barrier Reef snorkel listings on both booking sites and kept one trip of each kind. Every card gives the price and the length next to the tour company's name, plus the catch and a button for each site that sells it.

The Passions of Paradise sailing catamaran with red hulls under sail on open blue sea Our pick

Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Sailing Catamaran, Passions of Paradise

The one we would book for a first reef day.

About 9 hours from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns on a large catamaran. You snorkel at two outer reef locations, or add a dive, and a chef-prepared lunch with tropical fruit comes between them. Tea, coffee and snacks are included; the bar is not.

  • Rating4.8 from 3,900+ on GetYourGuide, 4.9 from 2,700+ on Viator
  • DurationAbout 9 hours
  • Tour companyPassions of Paradise
  • CancellationUsually free up to 24 hours before
  • StrengthsTwo reef sites; a real lunch; the most reviews here
  • Ideal forFirst-timers who want a full outer reef day

Good to know: A big boat on a popular run, and hotel transfers cost extra (A$25 from Cairns city). Some reviewers felt queasy on windy days. Why the outer reef.

~$189per person
GetYourGuide Viator
The Ocean Freedom catamaran speeding across blue water with guests on the upper deck Most reef time

Outer Reef and Coral Cay Snorkel Cruise, Ocean Freedom

Six hours at the reef, with prawns at lunch.

A fast catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal spends about six hours at two quite different spots: an outer reef wall and Upolu Cay, a sandy coral cay. The crew lead a guided drift snorkel, and lunch is a smorgasbord with smoked salmon and prawns. The reef charge and port fees are included.

  • Rating4.8 from 1,600+ on GetYourGuide, 2,000+ reviews on Viator
  • Duration8.5 hours on GetYourGuide, 9 on Viator
  • Tour companyOcean Freedom (Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom)
  • CancellationFree up to 24 hours before on Viator
  • StrengthsThe longest reef time; a coral cay; fees included
  • Ideal forKeen snorkelers who want hours in the water

Good to know: The priciest of the Cairns trips and a long day. Dives cost extra, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. What the extra money buys.

~$198per person
GetYourGuide Viator
Split view of a white reef boat on the surface above a wide bed of hard coral Marine biologists

Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise from Port Douglas, Wavelength

Snorkel only, with a scientist in the water.

Boarding is at 8:10 am at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas. Wavelength runs small groups to snorkel sites it calls exclusive, and marine biologists guide the snorkels. There is no diving at all; the whole day is built around people with a mask on.

  • Rating4.9 from 900+ on GetYourGuide
  • DurationAbout 8 hours
  • Tour companyWavelength Reef Cruises
  • CancellationCheck the listing for your date
  • StrengthsThe top score here; small groups; biologist-guided snorkels
  • Ideal forCurious snorkelers staying in Port Douglas

Good to know: Port Douglas is about an hour's drive north of Cairns, and the trip is sold on GetYourGuide only. No dives on board. Port Douglas or Cairns.

~$226per person
GetYourGuide
A snorkeler swimming just behind a green sea turtle in clear blue water Half day

All-Inclusive Half-Day Outer Reef Snorkeling, Pure Snorkelling

The outer reef by lunchtime, with the evening free.

You check in at 11:00 am at Pure Snorkelling's office on D Finger, Marlin Marina. A fast boat runs out to the outer reef for up to two hours of guided snorkeling, after a marine-life talk by marine biologists. Snacks, suits and hotel transfers (on Viator) are in the price.

  • Rating4.9 from 600+ on GetYourGuide, 4.9 from 400+ on Viator
  • DurationAbout 5 hours
  • Tour companyPure Snorkelling
  • CancellationCheck the listing for your date
  • StrengthsOuter reef for less; a short day; snorkel-focused
  • Ideal forTravelers with half a day, or who sleep badly on boats

Good to know: Snacks rather than lunch, groups of up to 40, and reviewers mention a bumpy ride out. Not recommended under 6 or with back problems. A reef day with children.

~$144per person
GetYourGuide Viator
Green Island, a low wooded coral cay ringed by pale shallows, seen across open water Lowest price

Green Island Half or Full Day Cruise, Great Adventures

A beach day on a reef island, turtles often nearby.

A fast catamaran takes you from Cairns to Green Island for a half or full day. You pick snorkel gear or a glass bottom boat, then mix the water with the beach, a rainforest walk and an island pool for Great Adventures guests. A marine biologist gives a presentation on the island.

  • Rating4.4 from 2,000+ on GetYourGuide
  • Duration5 to 9 hours, by option
  • Tour companyGreat Adventures (Quicksilver Group)
  • CancellationCheck the listing for your date
  • StrengthsLowest price; a short crossing; good for kids
  • Ideal forFamilies, beginners and the budget-minded

Good to know: An inner reef island, not the outer reef, and the lowest score of the six. The island gets busy in the middle of the day. Outer reef or Green Island.

~$87per person
GetYourGuide Viator
Swirls of white sand and turquoise water at Hill Inlet seen from the air Reef and beach

Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach Tour, Iconic Whitsunday

Bait Reef in the morning, white sand after.

An 8-hour day from the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach on a jet speedboat. You snorkel in the lagoon at Bait Reef on the outer reef, then cross to Whitehaven Beach. A short bushwalk climbs to the Hill Inlet lookout over the swirling sand.

  • Rating4.7 from 300+ on GetYourGuide
  • DurationAbout 8 hours
  • Tour companyIconic Whitsunday Adventures
  • CancellationCheck the listing for your date
  • StrengthsOuter reef and Whitehaven in one day
  • Ideal forTravelers based in Airlie Beach

Good to know: Airlie Beach sits over 600 km (370 miles) down the coast from Cairns, so this is no day out from Cairns. A fast open boat, and the beach shares the day. The Whitsundays day.

~$229per person
GetYourGuide

Honest note: the GetYourGuide and Viator buttons are affiliate links. Booking through them sends us a small commission and costs you nothing extra. It never decides which tour we recommend.

Before you go

Eight things about reef trips that no listing puts in big letters

None of these sits at the top of a booking page. Each one can decide whether your day ends with a turtle on your camera or a long, green-faced ride back to the marina.

What you should know

  1. Take the tablet before you board. Motion-sickness tablets work best before the boat moves. Sit low and in the middle, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Coping with the crossing.
  2. Wear the stinger suit. From roughly November to May, box jellyfish and Irukandji are about in tropical Queensland waters. The lycra suits the boats lend cover most of your skin. Why it matters.
  3. The same trip, two prices. For our top two Cairns boats, Viator listed the lower fare on the day we compared. Check both buttons before you pay. Every price compared.
  4. Transfers are not always in. Passions of Paradise adds A$25 for a Cairns city pickup and A$45 for the Northern Beaches. Pure Snorkelling includes hotel transfers on Viator. Where the boats leave from.
  5. Non-swimmers can still go. Ask for a flotation vest or a noodle and tell the crew before you get in. Green Island adds a glass bottom boat for anyone who would rather stay dry. Ways in for non-swimmers.
  6. Sunscreen washes onto the coral. Pick a reef-safe one and let it soak in before you swim, or rely on the suit. Hats blow off fast boats, so bring one with a strap. What to bring.
  7. Book early in your stay. Strong wind can move or cancel a trip. A spare day at the end of your stay gives you a second chance. When to go.
  8. Diving changes your flight plans. If you add a dive, avoid flying straight afterward; dive crews will tell you how long to wait. Snorkeling has no such limit. Planning the day with kids.

Everything in one table

Six reef snorkel tours, catch included

The six tours side by side. Each row sets the strength of a tour against its catch.

Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →

Tour Ideal for Price Length Boat, food and drink Tour company and rating Strength and catch Book
Passions of Paradise catamaran (our pick) A first full reef day ~$189per person 9 h Large catamaran; lunch, snacks, paid bar Passions of Paradise
4.8 on GetYourGuide		 Two reef sites, a real lunch. A crowded boat; transfers extra.
GetYourGuideViator
Ocean Freedom reef and cay The most hours in the water ~$198per person 8.5–9 h Fast catamaran; smorgasbord lunch Ocean Freedom
4.8 on GetYourGuide		 About six hours at two sites. The highest Cairns price.
GetYourGuideViator
Wavelength from Port Douglas Small groups and reef science ~$226per person 8 h Snorkel-only boat; check the listing for meals Wavelength Reef Cruises
4.9 on GetYourGuide		 Biologist-guided snorkels. Only from Port Douglas; no dives.
GetYourGuide
Pure Snorkelling half day The outer reef in half a day ~$144per person 5 h Fast boat; snacks Pure Snorkelling
4.9 on GetYourGuide		 Outer reef for less. About two hours in the water; a bumpy ride.
GetYourGuideViator
Green Island day Families and tight budgets ~$87per person 5–9 h Fast catamaran; island cafés Great Adventures
4.4 on GetYourGuide		 Beach, turtles, short crossing. Not the outer reef; busy at midday.
GetYourGuideViator
Iconic Whitsunday reef and beach Airlie Beach stays ~$229per person 8 h Jet speedboat; check the listing for food Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
4.7 on GetYourGuide		 Bait Reef and Whitehaven together. Far from Cairns; less reef time.
GetYourGuide

All prices are per-person "from" rates in US dollars, and they shift often, so the booking page has the final say. The Book buttons are affiliate links that help keep this guide free, and your price stays the same.

Who went

Reviews from travelers who swam with the turtles

Snorkelers who crossed on a glassy morning and some who rode out a choppy one, on what won them over and what they would do differently.

★★★★★Sailing catamaran, 2 reefs

I had never snorkeled outside a hotel pool, and I was nervous on the ride out. The crew gave the briefing slowly, found me a suit that fitted and a noodle to hold, and one of them swam beside me for the first ten minutes at the first reef. After that I forgot to be scared. Lunch between the two sites was better than I expected, with lots of fruit. Nine hours is long, so we slept well that night.

SHSophie H. · Lyon, FranceCalm water
★★★★★Sailing catamaran, 2 reefs

Two reef sites, a good lunch, a crew that clearly loves the job. Check in early, the terminal gets busy.

DWDan W. · Auckland, New ZealandCalm water
★★★★☆Sailing catamaran, 2 reefs

A great day in the water, but it is a big boat and it was full. The wind came up on the way out and quite a few people were sick, so take the tablet before you leave the marina, not after. The second site was calmer and that was where we saw the most fish.

MBMarta B. · Kraków, PolandChoppy water
★★★★★Sailing catamaran, 2 reefs

Paid the A$25 transfer from our Cairns hotel. Two easy swims and plenty of lunch.

RPRaj P. · Toronto, CanadaCalm water
★★★★★Outer reef and coral cay

We chose this one for the hours, and it delivered. The first stop was a reef wall that drops away into blue, and the guided drift snorkel let the current do the work. Then Upolu Cay, a strip of sand in the middle of nowhere, where the water was shallow enough for my husband, who is not a strong swimmer. The smorgasbord lunch with prawns and smoked salmon was the best food we had all week. It costs a bit more than the others, and I would pay it again.

LKLena K. · Hamburg, GermanyCalm water
★★★★★Outer reef and coral cay

Six hours at the reef went fast. Drift snorkel was the highlight.

TOTom O. · Dublin, IrelandCalm water
★★★★☆Outer reef and coral cay

The crew were kind and the cay was beautiful. The fast catamaran bounced a lot on a windy morning and I felt unwell until we stopped. Once I was in the water I was fine. Sit downstairs in the middle if the sea is rough.

ANAiko N. · Osaka, JapanChoppy water
★★★★★Port Douglas, biologists

We drove up from Cairns and stayed two nights in Port Douglas just for this, and I am glad we did. The marine biologist in the water with our small group kept pointing things out that I would have swum straight past, a cleaner station, a giant clam, a sea cucumber she turned over gently and put back. No divers splashing about, just people with masks. It was the quietest, most interesting reef day of the three we did on this trip.

GFGrace F. · Melbourne, AustraliaCalm water
★★★★★Port Douglas, biologists

Small group, snorkel only, a biologist in the water. Board at 8:10 am; the early start pays off.

MJMike J. · Denver, USACalm water
★★★★★Port Douglas, biologists

My daughter is twelve and wants to study marine biology now. The guides answered every question she had on the way back, and nobody made her feel silly for asking them.

EVEva V. · Utrecht, NetherlandsCalm water
★★★★★Half day, outer reef

We only had one free afternoon in Cairns and this fitted perfectly. Check-in at eleven, a talk about the animals before we got in, then close to two hours in the water with a guide. I saw my first turtle, which the guide spotted from a long way off. The ride out was bumpy on a fast boat, so no big breakfast. Back in time for dinner on the Esplanade, tired and very happy with how we spent the day.

CBChloe B. · Brighton, UKChoppy water
★★★★★Half day, outer reef

Half the price of a full day and still the outer reef. Suits and snacks included.

PSPedro S. · Lisbon, PortugalCalm water
★★★★★Green Island, budget

With a four-year-old and a seven-year-old, Green Island was right for us. Short boat ride, a beach where the little one could paddle while my son and I snorkeled off the sand, and the glass bottom boat for my mum, who does not swim. We saw two turtles near the jetty. The island pool saved the afternoon when the kids were tired of salt water. Book the full day; the half day would have felt rushed.

HLHannah L. · Chicago, USACalm water
★★★★☆Green Island, budget

Easy and cheap, and the turtles were real. It gets crowded around midday and the coral near the beach is not what you see on the outer reef. Good for a first look, not for a keen snorkeler.

BKBen K. · Cape Town, South AfricaCalm water
★★★★☆Whitsundays, reef and beach

Bait Reef in the morning and Whitehaven in the afternoon, and both in one day. I wanted longer in the water, though. The jet boat ride is fast and wet, hold on to your hat. The lookout over Hill Inlet is the photo everyone wants, and it is a short walk.

IRIsabel R. · Madrid, SpainCalm water
★★★★★Whitsundays, reef and beach

Lagoon snorkel, white sand, a speedboat ride I did not expect to enjoy this much.

NANoah A. · SingaporeCalm water

Back from the reef?

Help the next traveler choose

How was the crossing, what did you see in the water, and was the lunch any good? The turtles and the queasy stomachs both help someone else decide.

Stars out of five
The water that day

At least 40 characters, 40 to go

Mask and fins ready

Book Passions of Paradise for your reef day

If you have one day to give to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, we would book the Passions of Paradise catamaran. Two outer reef sites, a proper lunch and a crew that has looked after thousands of first-time snorkelers.

Book a day early in your stay so wind has room to move it. Bring a seasickness tablet, a hat with a strap and a reef-safe sunscreen.

~$189

per person · about 9 hours · from the Reef Fleet Terminal

GetYourGuide Viator
  • ✓ Two outer reef locations
  • ✓ Chef-prepared lunch on board
  • ✓ Snorkel gear included, dives optional
  • ✓ 4.8 from 3,900+ reviews

Good to know

What the reef is, and what you are looking at

Five minutes of reading makes the first look through a mask much easier to make sense of.

The Great Barrier Reef is not one reef but thousands of separate reefs and islands strung along the Queensland coast. From Cairns and Port Douglas the outer edge is closer to the mainland than it is further south, which is why so many reef boats leave from here.

01Inner reef and outer reef

Islands like Green Island sit on the inner reef, a short ride from town. The outer reefs lie further out in open water, where it is usually clearer and the coral walls drop deeper. How the two compare.

02What you see first

Usually fish before coral: schools of small reef fish around the boat, parrotfish nibbling at the reef. Then the shapes of the coral itself, branching, plate and boulder. Patience at the surface often brings bigger visitors.

03The turtles and the big wrasse

Green sea turtles graze in the shallows around Green Island and many outer reef sites. The humphead or Maori wrasse, a fish as long as a child, often hangs around reef boats. Neither turns up on order.

The moment most people remember is the first time they stop kicking, float still, and the reef carries on as if they were not there.

04Why the suits

Tropical Queensland waters carry box jellyfish and the tiny Irukandji, mostly from about November to May. Boats hand out lycra stinger suits, and crews carry vinegar. Stinger season explained.

05Look, don't touch

The reef is a marine park, and coral is a living animal that breaks easily. Float flat, keep your fins off the bottom, and stand only on sand. A vest or noodle makes that easier for anyone nervous. Snorkeling as a non-swimmer.

06Why the wind decides

South-east trade winds blow for much of the year, and a strong day makes the crossing rough and the water cloudier. Operators move or cancel when the sea is too high. How the crossing feels and what to pack are worth a read first.

6Tours compared on this page

~6 hLongest reef time listed, on Ocean Freedom

23–29 °CRough sea temperature range off Cairns

3Departure towns: Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach

Traveling with children? Our guide A reef day with children sets out the age limits and the easiest trips.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions about Great Barrier Reef snorkel tours

Fourteen questions we hear again and again, with the full answer.

What do reef snorkel trips cost?

Prices on this page run from ~$87 per person for Green Island. Pure Snorkelling's half day costs ~$144, Passions of Paradise ~$189, Ocean Freedom ~$198, Wavelength ~$226 and the Whitsundays reef and beach day ~$229. Every price and extra is in our cost guide.

Which Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour should I pick?

For most visitors to Cairns, Passions of Paradise, for its two outer reef sites, its lunch and its 4.8 from 3,900+ reviews. Keen snorkelers who want the most water time should look at Ocean Freedom, and small-group fans at Wavelength in Port Douglas.

When is the best time to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef?

Boats run all year. In our view the calmest, clearest days tend to come from about September to November, before the wet season. Winter brings cool, clear skies but stronger trade winds. When to go, and when to skip.

Is the outer reef better than Green Island?

For coral and bigger fish, usually yes: the water is more open and often clearer. Green Island wins on price, a short crossing and a beach for children. Outer reef or Green Island weighs the two.

Can I snorkel if I can't swim?

Often, yes, with a flotation vest or a noodle and a word to the crew before you get in. You still need to be calm floating face down. Green Island's glass bottom boat is an option for anyone who would rather stay dry. Ways in for non-swimmers.

Do I need a stinger suit?

From roughly November to May, yes; it is the main protection against jellyfish stings. Outside those months it still keeps off the sun and keeps you warmer. The boats lend them. Stinger suits and jellyfish.

How long are the trips?

Five hours for Pure Snorkelling's half day, 8 hours for Wavelength and the Whitsundays tour, 8.5 to 9 hours for Ocean Freedom and about 9 hours for Passions of Paradise. Green Island runs from 5 to 9 hours depending on the option.

Where do the boats leave from?

In Cairns, Passions of Paradise and Ocean Freedom check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Pure Snorkelling at D Finger in Marlin Marina. Wavelength leaves Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas, and Iconic Whitsunday the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. Port Douglas or Cairns.

Is hotel pickup included?

Sometimes. Pure Snorkelling lists hotel transfers on Viator, and the Green Island listing on Viator includes pickup. Passions of Paradise sells transfers separately (A$25 in Cairns city, A$45 on the Northern Beaches). Check the listing for the others.

Is lunch included?

On the full days, yes. Passions of Paradise serves a chef-prepared lunch and Ocean Freedom a smorgasbord with prawns. Pure Snorkelling offers snacks, and Green Island has cafés on the island. For Wavelength and the Whitsundays day, check the listing.

Can children come?

Yes, on most trips. Pure Snorkelling is not recommended for children under 6, and Green Island is the easiest day with small kids thanks to the beach and short ride. A reef day with children.

Which trip is best if I get seasick?

The short crossing to Green Island is the gentlest. On the outer reef trips, a large catamaran rides steadier than a small fast boat. Take a tablet before boarding and sit low in the middle. Seasickness on the crossing.

Can I dive instead of snorkeling?

On two of the six. Passions of Paradise and Ocean Freedom sell optional dives on board at extra cost, and some medical conditions rule diving out. Wavelength is a snorkel-only boat. If you dive, leave a gap before your flight home; the dive crew will tell you how long.

Can I cancel for free?

Usually up to 24 hours before, but confirm it on your listing at checkout. If the operator calls off a trip for weather, you are offered a refund or a new date, depending on the listing's policy.

Read before you travel

Guides to a day on the reef

Ten questions that keep coming up, each with the long answer instead of the short one.