Cruise out, fly home: the best-value Great Barrier Reef day trip from Cairns
Spend the morning cruising out to the Outer Reef, then finish the day from the sky. This package includes everything in our full-day reef tour, including snorkelling and lunch. Or add an Introductory Scuba Dive or Certified Dive if you want to go deeper.
When your reef time is up, you’ll step aboard a luxury Nautilus Aviation helicopter for a scenic flight back to Cairns. You’ll see the colours of the reef and the Sand Cays from above, and it’s the view everyone ends up taking a hundred photos of. It’s a Great Barrier Reef tour with a helicopter flight, all in one day.
Departs: Daily
Depart by reef cruise: Check-in from 7:15 am to 7:45 am daily at the Reef Fleet Terminal, for an 8 am departure.
Return by scenic helicopter flight for bookings until 30 November 2026: 3:30pm arrival at Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Road, Cairns City 4870.
Return by scenic helicopter flight for bookings from 1 December 2026: Fly back from the reef, departing at 2:25pm, to the Cairns General Aviation departure lounge, arriving approximately 3 pm. A Nautilus Aviation van then takes you to Bus Bay 6, Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street, Cairns), arriving at approximately 3:30pm.
Transfers: Hotel transfers to the Reef Fleet Terminal can be arranged with reservations for an additional cost.
Experience the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns. Down Under Cruise and Dive has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Day Cruises in the World by Tripadvisor 2020, so you know you will be in GREAT hands! Whether you are a snorkeller, first-time scuba diver, certified diver or a non-swimmer, our Cairns Reef Tour has something for everyone.
Departing Cairns, the 35-metre superyacht Evolution takes only 90 minutes to reach the first outer reef location - one of the fastest Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tours. You will visit two exclusive outer reef locations with 4.5 hours of reef time to snorkel, relax and sunbathe on three deck levels.
Love to scuba dive? Add introductory or certified dives at checkout for even more adventure! We cater for beginner and PADI-certified divers and have a specialised dive deck for a comfortable entry into the water.
From Hastings Reef, you will board a luxury 6-seater helicopter where you will enjoy a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Reef and Sand Cays back to Cairns.
For bookings until 30 November 2026, your flight lands at Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Road, Cairns City. From 1 December 2026, your flight lands at the Cairns General Aviation departure lounge, and a Nautilus Aviation van takes you to Bus Bay 6 at the Reef Fleet Terminal. Hotel pickups are not available.
Take to the air from our helicopter pontoon at Hastings Reef and enjoy a spectacular scenic flight on board a 6-seater luxury aircraft from Nautilus Aviation. Experience the sheer size and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and truly appreciate one of the world's seven natural wonders. Sightings of manta rays, turtles and other marine life are not uncommon on the reef scenic flight and if you’re flying with us in the winter months there is even a chance of spotting whales.
7:30am Checkin at Reef Fleet Terminal
8:00am Evolution departs Marlin Marina, Cairns
11:30am 3 hours snorkelling at 1st reef location and BBQ Lunch
1:00pm Evolution arrives at 2nd reef location for you to enjoy up to 2 hours snorkelling
Bookings until 30 November 2026
2:45pm Depart reef on helicopter flight back to Cairns
3:30pm Arrive at Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Road, Cairns City
Bookings from 1 December 2026
2:25pm Depart reef on helicopter flight to Cairns General Aviation
3:00pm Van transfer to Bus Bay 6, Reef Fleet Terminal
3:30pm approx. arrival at Reef Fleet Terminal
Helicopter: 130kg weight restrictions apply for helicopter rides.
Diving: All divers must complete a Queensland Medical Questionnaire onboard. 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 read the important diving safety information prior to booking.
(07) 4052 8300