Customers can cancel their trip up to 18 hours before travel for a full refund (2pm the day prior to travel) or up to 24 hours prior to day 1 for Multi-Day Package Bookings. If you cancel within the 18-hour period (or 24-hour period for packages) before travel, no refund will be issued. Rebooking fees of $50 also apply.
In the instance that your preferred date of travel is cancelled by us, we will rebook you on the next available date we are departing at no additional cost to you. For more information on booking changes and other options contact our Reservations team via email: reservations@downunderdive.com.au or phone: 07 4052 8300.
Please consider the weather and wind strength before booking. The operator reserves the right to cancel the tour, change vessel type, or arrange an alternative carrier in the event of bad weather or mechanical problems. No refunds for voluntary uncompleted dives. Check the sea breeze report here.
Bookings via third-party agents: If you booked through a third-party travel agent, please contact your agent directly regarding your refund or rebooking request first. Please read the agent's Terms & Conditions carefully before booking with a third party as their specific Terms and Conditions are out of our control and may differ from our Terms and Conditions.
All divers must complete a Queensland Medical Questionnaire.
Certified divers must show an internationally recognised scuba card.
The minimum age for Introductory divers and dive courses: 12+ years and Certified divers: 10+ years.
Please keep in mind that all divers are required to complete a medical questionnaire. In our commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 65 years (or 45 years for PADI dive courses) must have medical clearance from a physician who confirms they are Fit To Dive. This can be provided by your own GP before you leave for your holiday.
Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and ANY prescription medications will require a letter or email from a doctor clearing you to dive. This clearance must state your full name, the doctor's name and practice and the clearance to dive for the specific medications/condition. Please review our Dive Course Medical Questionnaire and Terms & Conditions before travel.
The purpose of this Medical Declaration is to find out if you should be examined by a physician before participating in recreational diving. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means there is a pre-existing condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of a physician.
Scuba diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body spaces must be normal and healthy. Please review our Introductory and Certified Diver Medical Declaration prior to travel.
In the interests of safety, we recommend no flying within 24 hours of the last dive (helicopter flights are ok). You will not be allowed to dive until you are declared medically fit to dive. For advice please contact our office directly.
Please consider weather and wind strength before booking Semi-Submarine tours and Helicopter scenic flights are weather-permitting activities. 130kg Helicopter flight weight restrictions apply.
Book online or contact our friendly reservations team by phone: 07 4052 8300 or email: reservations@downunderdive.com.au
Passengers are required to check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns.
Check-in: from 7.15am - 7.45am
Evolution departs: 8.00am
Evolution returns: 4.30pm approximately
There are a few different car parking options near Reef Fleet Terminal. View here.
Yes, our Great Barrier Reef Tour operates daily. The only days we do not operate are Christmas Day and New Years Day.
We operate a full day outer reef cruise, departing at 8am and returning approximately 4.30pm. We do not operate a half-day cruise only option.
We have a half-day option which includes a helicopter flight. This is our Fly/Cruise package. Please see more information about this package here: https://downundercruiseanddive.com.au/product.php?id=40
The rain in Cairns tends to stick to the mountains. Cairns is located in the wet tropics and attracts fairly high rainfall. However, as our reef is 40 km offshore, the clouds don’t collect, and the rain tends to stay away. When you wake up in the morning in Cairns and it’s raining… do not panic! It will usually be fine on the outer reef locations. Check the sea breeze report here.
Down Under Cruise and Dive has been a locally owned and operated company for over 30 years! We have been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards and one of the Best Of Queensland Tourism Operators year on year. In 2020 and 2024, we were awarded one of the Best Sailing and Day Cruises in the World by Tripadvisor/Viator which is only awarded to 1% of operators in the world!
Our luxury superyacht, Evolution, departs Cairns offering a fast, comfortable, and affordable cruise, with five hours spent visiting two spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef destinations. This luxury, modern vessel provides a superior ride in all weather conditions, and exclusive protected reef locations. Professional, friendly, and attentive staff ensure a safe and enjoyable fun-filled experience.
We have one boat called Evolution, and we love her! When Evolution launched in 2016, she was named Ausmarine Best Tourist and Dive Boat in Australia. Evolution is a 35-metre three-level custom-designed and built catamaran. The saloons are air-conditioned providing comfort for your day tour on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. With the largest specialised dive decks, you will have ample room to enter the water for all of your reef activities.
We have 12 exclusive moorings at six reef locations. Locations are chosen each day based on weather conditions and water clarity to ensure the best experience for all activities. Generally, we travel to one of our two outer reef locations in the morning (Norman Reef or Saxon Reef) then make our way to North Hastings Reef in the afternoon to conduct Helicopter Flights and our Semi-Submersible tour.
With over 5 hours at the reef, there's plenty of time between dives for snorkelling and relaxation. Evolution is our award-winning, Australian-built luxury reef superyacht. With 3 massive spacious decks to lounge around and innovative drop-down water entry platforms, you'll have space and time to prepare for the experience of a lifetime. Learning to dive or snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef!
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the perfect place to stay when you want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is the closest city so you reduce your travel time and spend more time at the reef.
The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is from April to November, but honestly, the answer is whenever you can really! Temperatures around the GBR don’t usually drop below 26°C. In November, the mass spawning of corals is a sight to see snorkelling and scuba diving. Once a year after the full moon in November/December, the corals release eggs and sperm into the water creating multi-coloured underwater snowfall making this an unforgettable natural experience!
Generally, from April to November, you’ll experience fewer crowds and less rainfall, which can mean increased water clarity, and fewer people around and you’ll see more specials and discounts on Cairns reef tours.
We normally advise our customers to book at least 3 days before the date of travel to secure a spot. However, please note that June, July, August and December/January school holidays are very popular travel periods, therefore it’s advisable to book as soon as you’ve decided to travel, that way your spot is secured for your Great Barrier Reef tour.
We have a Locals Discounted Rate at certain times throughout the year. This is for direct bookings only. Please check out our Local Deals page for all the latest specials! This applies to all locals with 48 postcodes.
Reef (snorkel), Rainforest and Outback Tours:
Child age for Scuba Diving:
Packages with Skyrail/Kuranda:
Passengers under the age of 18 years old, must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
Our wetsuits are Scubapro wetsuits with 3mm thickness. They are shorts with short sleeves (i.e. not full-length). Wetsuits are included for Introductory and Certified Scuba Divers. These are an additional $10 per person onboard for snorkelers.
Lyrca/sun-suits are included for all passengers at no extra cost. The sizes range from XXS to XXL.
We have fins to fit kids to adults up to size 13. We also have opened-heeled fins to fit any larger-sized feet over size 13. We have fins to fit everyone!
For lunch, we provide a delicious Aussie BBQ lunch including prawns, fish, steak, vegetarian options, vegan options and tropical salads. We can cater to guests with vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free diets - you must advise reservations of your special dietary requirement at least 48 hours before travel. View the lunch menu here.
VEGAN MEAL: on a request basis. Please advise reservations at the time of booking or at least 48 hours before travel so that we can cater this additional meal for you. If you are vegan, we also recommend you bring some of your personal snacks for the morning and afternoon tea so that you feel full and satisfied.
Yes, we accept VISA, Mastercard and AMEX. We do accept cash onboard but prefer Eftpos to avoid any contamination with money handling.
Yes, you can book on the day but this is strictly subject to availability. We recommend pre-booking during the busy seasons or giving us a call to find out availability before travel. You can call reservations from 6.30 am, and you will need to be at the Reef Fleet Terminal at 7.15 am for check-in.
Evolution is surveyed to take 300 passengers but we limit our numbers to a maximum of 150-180 passengers. We are fortunate to have one of the largest reef vessels in Cairns. Evolution has three floors and is considerably spacious with multiple outdoor deck spaces as well.
Yes, upon boarding you will meet crew who will assign you a seat for the day. You are required to sit in your allocated seating for the safety briefings upon departure. But once you have your seating location, you are free to move about the vessel and sit anywhere!
Our crew are English speaking. We also have German, Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin) on some days.
Yes, our Reef Day Tour is perfect for families! We have a discounted rate for families of 2 Adults and 2 Children (4 -16 years). Infants (0-3 years) are free of charge. Have an additional child? Add your extra child for only $80! Book your family package on our Reef Cruise page.
Need your own private space? We have got you covered! Unique to Down Under Cruise and Dive, our Gold Class Lounge on the second level of Evolution can be privately booked for up to 8 guests. This is great for families who want the extra space just for themselves! It's air-conditioned, has a personal fridge and snacks, dedicated concierge service for the day, comfy lounges, plus all the included reef activities! Check out our Gold Class Lounge Package here.
Minimum age for Introductory divers and dive courses: 12+ years and Certified divers: 10+ years. Please keep in mind that all divers are required to complete a Medical Questionnaire. In our commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 65 years (or 45 years for PADI dive courses) must have a medical clearance with a physician the confirms they are Fit To Dive. This can be provided by your own GP before you leave for your holiday.
All introductory divers will be accompanied by a PADI qualified dive instructor for the entire duration of the dive. Your instructor will provide you with ongoing instructions for your safety and point out marine life.
If you are a certified diver, you will not be accompanied in the water by a dive instructor. If you would like a guided dive, we have these available for $10 per dive. You can pre-book this or purchase onboard on the day. During busy periods, we recommend pre-booking with our reservations team before travel.
During your introductory scuba dive, you will learn the basic skills required to dive down to a depth of up to 12 metres while accompanied by one of our experienced PADI qualified dive instructors. The scuba dive experience lasts up to 20 minutes giving you time to feel comfortable and begin to enjoy your first dive on the Great Barrier Reef.
Introductory dives are for those who are not certified or who have never dived before. A certified dive means you hold a certified diving qualification and are competent to dive in a group guided by a Dive Master.
All divers must complete a Queensland Medical Questionnaire.
Certified divers must show an internationally recognised scuba card.
Minimum age for Introductory divers and dive courses: 12+ years and Certified divers: 10+ years.
Please keep in mind that all divers are required to complete a medical questionnaire. In our commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 65 years (or 45 years for PADI dive courses) must have a medical clearance with a physician the confirms they are Fit To Dive. This can be provided by your own GP before you leave for your holiday.
Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and/or prescription medication may prevent some people from diving. Please review our Introductory and Certified Diver Medical Declaration prior to travel. The purpose of this Medical Declaration is to find out if you should be examined by a physician before participating in recreational diving. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means there is a pre-existing condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of a physician.
Scuba diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body spaces must be normal and healthy. Please review our Introductory and Certified Diver Medical Declaration prior to travel.
In the interests of safety, we recommend no flying within 24hours of the last dive.
For advice please contact our office directly on 07 4052 8300.
No, we do not.
Due to safety reasons, women who are pregnant are not allowed to scuba dive. However, pregnant women are allowed to snorkel. We have flotation devices available and snorkel supervisors in the water and on the lookout for any assistance.
Besides the obvious that the Advanced Dive Course is the next level above the beginner Open Water Learn to Dive Course, you may still be wondering how the Advanced Open Water Course differs from the PADI Open Water Diver Course and what new things you will learn and experience.
The Open Water Dive Course is an entry-level course in the world of Scuba Diving. It teaches you the essential knowledge and practical skills to explore the underwater world.
The Advanced Open Water Dive Course is a great way to continue your scuba journey, discover new interests and develop your scuba diving ability. You will sample different specialities to see what interests you most. You will also dive deeper during the Advanced Course, between 18-30 metres (60-100ft) depending on your age.
Yes, for safety reasons there is a 130kg weight restriction that applies for helicopter rides.
The helicopter flights are 6-seaters the majority of the time. However, there are unique circumstances where the helicopters may have 4 or 7 seats. The standard helicopters are 6 seats.
The helicopter flights are 6-seaters the majority of the time, so not everyone will get a window seat. Seating arrangements are made based on weight requirements of passengers per helicopter.
The 10-minute scenic helicopter flight departs from our second Great Barrier Reef Tour site, Hastings Reef. Our team will take you over to the private helicopter pontoon. After boarding, you will fly over Hastings Reef and the nearby surrounds for 10-minutes before arriving back onto the pontoon. You will then re-board Evolution for the afternoon. View more information and book our Reef Cruise and Helicopter Flight here.
If you’re prone to seasickness, it’s advisable to take something before you go. Check with a chemist. As Evolution is a catamaran, it’s more stable in rough weather than monohulls. We do sell seasickness pills on board the boat, but please remember, tablets are a preventative, not a cure, so take them before we depart.
Bring what you would for a day at the beach; swimwear, towel, hat, sunscreen, change of clothes, and credit card for additional purchases on the boat.
You must wear something underneath your stinger suit. This needs to be something you can get wet like your swimmers/bikini/bathers. You will not be allowed to wear your wet lycra sun-suit inside Evolution's saloons. Once you are finished in the water, you will need to remove your lycra sun-suit before making your way inside the saloon area. Please keep your swimming costume on though! You can't enter the saloon naked so it would be a good idea to be wearing something underneath ;)
Yes, you can. However, we have everything on board that you need for snorkelling and scuba diving so this is not required.
We have everything you need onboard and is included in the price. We do not offer discounts if you bring your own equipment. You are welcome to bring your own fins and mask if you prefer!
Yes, we do. You can hire prescription masks free of charge, however, we do ask for a $50 deposit which is refundable upon return. Simply ask our crew as we're heading out to the reef and we'll fit the right lenses to your mask. The prescription masks available are -3 to -7.
As we are located in a tropical destination, the water temperature is pleasant all year round. Average temperatures throughout the year are December-February 29C (84F), March-May 25C (77F), June-August 22C (72F), September-November 25C (77F).
Multi-Day Tours and Packages do not need to be booked on consecutive days. As we are operating different days for different tours, they may not be able to be consecutive either!
If you are choosing a tour with a 4WD component and can book this online, please choose your first day as the 4WD tour. Once booked, please contact our reservations team by phone 07 4052 8300 or email reservations@downunderdive.com.au to book your preferred days of travel for your other tours.
If your tour includes Skyrail, please contact us to book this in: reservations@downunderdive.com.au.
No, we don’t visit an island or pontoon as we have a beautiful 3 story luxury catamaran that is moored on the outer reef while you enjoy the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef.
The reef boat ride will take about 90 minutes to reach the Outer Reef Location. Our Reef Day Trip will depart Cairns at 8am, arriving at the first reef location by approximately 9.30/9.45am. Evolution is one of the fastest boat trips to the Outer Reef giving you 5 hours of snorkelling and scuba diving at 2 Outer Reef Sites. The boat returns to Cairns at approximately 4.30pm.
While every effort has been made to be inclusive, due to the nature of the operation and unpredictability of weather and sea state, it is often unsafe to cater to all accessibility differences. Due to this we ask anyone who may require alternate access or special consideration to contact our reservations team directly to discuss the specifics of their needs. We want to share the Great Barrier Reef with everyone and will endeavour to make it possible for all. You can contact our Reservations by email: reservations@downunderdive.com.au or phone: 07 4052 8300.
Yes, we do! Photographs taken throughout the day are available for viewing & purchase on the way home. You can also hire digital underwater cameras onboard with an SD card for an additional fee.
Please note that due to reduced staff, we may not have a photographer onboard the day you wish to travel. Please keep this in mind when booking your tour and speak with reservations. If there is not a photographer on board, hiring an underwater digital camera is a fantastic idea to capture your underwater memories!
Merchandise can be purchased from our office (287 Draper Street, Parramatta Park - approximately 10 minutes drive from the Reef Fleet Terminal) or onboard the boat (please see bar staff). During the year we sell a variety of merchandise including t-shirts, jumpers, Great Barrier Reef postcards etc.
Yes, we do have a designated smoking section, please see the crew on the day. You will be allowed to smoke when the boat is moving.
Rarely. The only reason we would cancel a tour would be for the safety and comfort of our guests. We will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule or offer a full refund. We thank you for your understanding.
Despite what you hear and read the reef is not dead, it's not dying, it's resilient, it's healthy and we've made great strides forward in the last few years. The health quality of the reef has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years with climate change impacting coral life. As a reef tour operator for over 30 years, it is our utmost priority to protect the heartbeat of our iconic region and this major part of our ancient ecosystem.
There is still lots of coral to see! Not only do we love to show off the natural beauty of the reef, but we also love to educate our visitors on the abundance of marine life that they’re seeing daily on our tours. Our team of dedicated Marine Biologists are actively engaged in conservation work on the Great Barrier Reef and share information throughout the day tour on the reef ecosystem including how it came to be and how we can work together to protect the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – supports about 40,000 jobs in the region – stretches 1,430 miles, extending south from the northeastern tip of Queensland down to just north of Bundaberg. It includes 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays, 1,625 types of fish, and much more. Remember, when you are talking about something as large as the Great Barrier Reef, you are talking about something bigger than the United Kingdom.
Every year corals engage in one of nature’s greatest spectacles, their mass reproduction during a November full moon. Fertilized eggs (larvae) travel on ocean currents for days or weeks in search of a new home (New Coral Growth).
The reefs that Down Under Cruise & Dive travel to are the far offshore reefs and are bathed in oceanic water from the Coral Sea rather than the currents that flow past inner Cairns reefs. Indeed, access to deep—and often cooling—ocean water helps moderate temperature extremes in these outer reefs, which also reduces the risk of bleaching.
The Great Barrier Reef already has had more than 30 per cent of its area under protection from fishing, and many of its other individual reefs are important for tourism, fish habitats, and cultural benefits providing abundant marine life: tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks, rays and other underwater creatures. The government has committed more than Aus$2.0 billion (US$1.5 billion) to protect the reef over the next decade with the update highlighting progress on land management practices to prevent sediment runoff, which helps spawn the coral-eating starfish.
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(07) 4052 8300