Tour Details

Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns

From: £120.89

Duration: 9 hours

Category: Cruises & Sailing

Explore the Great Barrier Reef aboard a sleek, luxury catamaran on this snorkel and dive cruise from Cairns! Spend six hours on the Great Barrier Reef at two different snorkel and dive sites. Cruise in style on the comfortable catamaran before taking a glass- bottom boat tour to Upolu Cay with your onboard marine naturalist, where you can either snorkel or scuba dive (see options below). Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran before heading to Upolu Reef to continue snorkeling or diving, and take a guided snorkeling tour! This cruise is limited to 75 guests, ensuring quality customer service and passenger comfort.

Your Great Barrier Reef adventure begins with check-in at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Once on board the luxury 65-foot (20-meter) catamaran, enjoy coffee, tea, fruit and muffins prior to departure.

As you cruise to Upolu Cay, relax in the air-conditioned interior deck or on the outdoor sundeck. The crew will provide a safety briefing, and if you choose the introductory or certified scuba diving option, you’ll also fill out your paperwork.

Your first stop is Upolu Cay, a naturally formed coral cay situated 19 miles (30 km) from Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. The cay's protected shallow waters make it the perfect location to explore the reef, for both snorkelers and scuba divers. Drop anchor and take a glass-bottom boat tour from the catamaran to Upolu Cay. Then jump in the stunning turquoise water for your snorkeling adventure or your introductory or certified dive among an array of coral, reef fish, and starfish.

After working up an appetite, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board while cruising from Upolu Cay to Upolu Reef. Feast on smoked salmon, chilled prawns, cold chicken and other meats, accompanied by salad and fresh bread.

You’ll soon arrive at the amazing dive and snorkel site known as the ‘Wonder Wall,’ located on the outer edge of Upolu Reef. Rising 46 feet (14 meters) from the ocean floor, the ‘Wonder Wall’ plateaus just below the water's surface, making it a perfect spot for both snorkelers and divers. Be amazed by the many different types of hard and soft coral, giant clams, turtles and reef fish of all shapes and sizes. Learn more about the reef on an informative drift snorkel tour with a marine naturalist.

After a full six hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef, cruise back to Cairns as the crew serves a selection of tropical fruit, cheese, crackers and a decadent cake platter.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

40%

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

60%

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

80%

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

100%

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

40%

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

60%

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

80%

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

100%

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

25%

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

50%

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

75%

For those who like to travel in comfort

100%

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon