Great Barrier Reef Pontoon with Helicopter Flight 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
• 10 mins scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef

• Additional activities (diving, 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

No. You’ll cruise from Cairns to the Reef Magic pontoon and return by catamaran. The included helicopter experience is a 10-minute scenic loop that takes off from the pontoon during your reef day, so you can see the Great Barrier Reef from both the water and the air without changing your return journey.

You’ll have around five hours at the Reef Magic pontoon. Boarding in Cairns normally runs from 8:15 am to 8:45 am, with the catamaran departing at 9:00 am and returning at approximately 5:00 pm. Your helicopter and other activity times will be organised by the crew on the day, leaving plenty of time to snorkel, enjoy the included reef-viewing activities and relax over lunch.

Absolutely. You can stay dry and still enjoy the reef from the semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory, then take in the wider reef from your included helicopter flight. There’s also a spacious sundeck where you can relax between activities. If you’d like to try snorkelling, flotation aids are available and the crew can help you get comfortable.

Your day includes snorkelling equipment and instruction, flotation aids, wetsuit and Lycra suit use, semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours, the underwater observatory, marine biology presentations, fish feeding, a hot and cold buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, tea, coffee and drinking water. You can also use the pontoon’s sundeck, freshwater showers and changing rooms. Guided snorkel tours, scuba diving, helmet diving, hotel transfers and personal purchases cost extra.

Yes. Accurate passenger weights must be supplied when booking because the aircraft has combined weight and balance limits, with final seating and operation determined by the helicopter operator and pilot. Children aged 3–14 require their own seat and pay the applicable helicopter fare. One infant aged 0–2 may travel on a guardian’s lap per helicopter if declared at booking and approved by the pilot. A minimum of two passengers is normally required for the flight to operate.

Helicopter flights depend on suitable weather, aircraft availability, air traffic control and the pilot’s decision. If the helicopter operator cancels your pre-booked flight, the cancelled activity will be refunded. The reef cruise may still operate as planned, so you can continue enjoying the pontoon and included marine activities.

The catamaran journey takes approximately 90 minutes each way. If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking your usual preventative measures 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 included 10-minute scenic flight can be enjoyed on the same day as an introductory or certified dive. Diving is subject to availability, medical requirements and the day’s activity schedule.