Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Day Tour with Diving from Cairns

• All snorkeling equipment, wetsuit, and Lycra suit
• Science laboratory where Marine Biologists presentations are held – the only one on the Great Barrier Reef
• Semi-Submersible tour, Glass Bottom Boat and Underwater Reef Viewing Observatory 
• Fish feeding
• Fish identification session with Marine Biologist
• Morning, afternoon tea, and refreshments
• Delicious chef-prepared buffet lunch
• 5 hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef
• One introductory scuba dive OR one certified scuba dive OR one helmet dive (depending on the option selected)

• Additional activities (heli flights, guided snorkel tours) (can be added once onboard)

Make your own way to the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, for check-in.

Check-in time is 8:15 am.

• Customer-requested cancellations made at least 6 days prior to travel will receive a refund of 95% of the total booking amount. The remaining 5% will be retained as a non-refundable administration and booking fee. Cancellations made within 5 days of travel will incur a 100% cancellation fee, including no-shows.
• Should supplier be required to cancel or the operation of the tour for any reason, including on the rare occasions due to inclement weather, an alternative date or itinerary will be offered to the passenger. If the alternative date or itinerary cannot be arranged or agreed upon, a full refund will be authorised. If the passenger accepts the alternative date or itinerary, no refunds will be issued.
• Tour itinerary may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
• Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
• Mobile Vouchers are accepted! – Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction

Your booking includes one underwater activity: one introductory scuba dive, one certified scuba dive or one helmet dive, depending on the option you select. Choose the introductory dive if you’re new to scuba, the certified dive if you already hold a recognised certification, or the helmet dive if you’d prefer a guided underwater walk without swimming or getting your head wet. Snorkelling, the semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and five hours at the reef are included with every option.

Absolutely. The introductory dive is designed for first-time divers, with equipment included and basic skills practised in shallow water before you head into the sheltered coral lagoon. Groups are kept small, normally with no more than four divers per instructor. The first dive lasts around 20–30 minutes and reaches a maximum depth of 12 metres, with most of the dive around 4–5 metres.

The helmet dive is the best fit for non-swimmers. It’s a guided underwater walking circuit, so you can see the reef and marine life up close without needing to swim or even get your head wet. If you’d rather stay completely dry, you can also enjoy the semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory during the day.

All three dive options have a minimum age of 12 years. Anyone under 18 needs permission from a parent or guardian. The helmet dive is available for guests aged 12–65. Every participant must also complete the relevant medical screening before taking part.

Yes. Everyone taking part in a scuba or helmet dive must complete an onboard medical questionnaire. If you answer yes to any of the screening questions, written medical clearance in English may be required. Heart or respiratory conditions, epilepsy, high blood pressure, diabetes and some medications can affect eligibility, so participation is confirmed after the completed screening and any required clearance have been reviewed.

You’ll have around five hours at the pontoon. Your selected dive time will be organised during the day, and an introductory dive normally takes around 20–30 minutes. That still leaves plenty of time to snorkel, enjoy the included reef-viewing activities, have lunch and relax on the sundeck before returning to Cairns.

The catamaran journey takes approximately 90 minutes each way. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take your usual preventative option around 30 minutes before departure. Ginger tablets and Travel-Calm are normally available onboard, but it’s a good idea to bring the option that already works well for you and follow the label or your pharmacist’s advice.

Yes. The optional 10-minute scenic flight can be enjoyed on the same day as your selected dive. Both activities are subject to availability and the day’s schedule.