How To See The Great Barrier Reef In Australia

Alison Condon

July 1st, 2024

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10 minute read

There are so many ways to uncover the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, from boat trips and pontoon days to scenic flights and helicopter tours.

The Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for more than 2,300km, is the largest coral reef system in the world and home to all sorts of vibrant marine life. Whether you’re a seasoned diver eager to explore the hidden depths of the World Heritage site, or a casual traveller hoping to spy some like dolphins, turtles, whales, or sharks, there’s a tour that will get you out to the famous Australian reef on your terms!

Where is the Great Barrier Reef?

First thing’s first: If you want to see the Reef, you’re going to need to know how to get there! The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea. Comprising of almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands, the closest major city to the Great Barrier Reef is Cairns. But there are plenty of gateways to the Reef to choose from.

How to get to the Great Barrier Reef

There are a handful of locations along the East Coast of Australia that will grant you access to the Great Barrier Reef. Choosing the right spot for you depends on what sort of experience you’re looking for. Do you want a serene trip to the less crowded Reef spots, or are you seeking more action and excitement? Do you want to fly high and gaze down at the stunning Reef from above, or dive to new depths through vibrant coral and marine life? Are you hoping to explore the world wonder on a budget or do you want to splash out on a more upscale encounter?

The most popular destinations to set out to the Great Barrier Reef from include Cairns, the Whitsundays, and Port Douglas. While smaller, more secluded spots with excellent access to beautiful, less crowded spots on the Reef include Mission Beach, Magnetic Island, Townsville, and Yeppoon.

Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Tours

Set off on a comfortable catamaran with a crew of instructors who will guide you through introductory or certified dives, or get you geared up for a snorkel. Either way, you’ll get to see stunning coral and marine life up close, learn lots from attentive and knowledgeable crew members, enjoy great food and refreshments in between Reef sites, and tick a once-in-a-lifetime experience off your bucket list! Here are some of our top picks!

Catamaran Tours From Cairns

Evolution Reef Cruise

Explore two spectacular reef sites on this affordable catamaran day tour. Go scuba diving and snorkelling, learn about unique marine life living beneath the ocean's surface, and chill out any of the vessel's three storeys. When you're finished observing the Great Barrier Reef, you'll be treated to an authentic Aussie BBQ lunch and a complimentary glass of wine!

Reef Experience

This all-inclusive day tour to the Outer Great Barrier Reef is one of the most affordable in Cairns. Not only will you get to visit two exceptional Great Barrier Reef sites and spend up to six hours on the water, but you'll get to enjoy a marine biology presentation, a glass bottom boat tour, and a BBQ lunch to feed your appetites after a long day.

Catamaran Tour from Port Douglas

Silversonic

Leaving from Port Douglas, Silversonic is a speedy, comfortable catamaran that whisks guests out to the incomparable Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. The two-storey vessel spends five hours out on the Reef across three different sites. Take introductory dives, certified dives, or go snorkelling before enjoying a hot and cold tropical lunch and washing off with hot fresh water showers.

Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tours

If you want to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, but you’re also interested in experiencing some authentic sailing, why not combine the two? With a Great Barrier Reef sailing tour, expect to spend your day sailing through the beautiful blue Coral Sea before taking a dive and exploring the playground that lies beneath the surface? Set off from Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, or Cairns for a full day or just a few hours and enjoy a luxury sailing experience, then uncover some of the most exciting spots on the Reef. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Sailing Tours from Cairns

Passions of Paradise

One of the most popular sailing tours of the Great Barrier Reef is the one and only Passions of Paradise. Offering guests a chance to snorkel or dive at some of the best sites on the Reef on board a sailing catamaran. Enjoy a free guided snorkel tour, a full buffet lunch from the boat's onboard Chef, morning and afternoon tea, and hot showers once you're out of the water. 

Ocean Free

Enjoy a day of sailing around Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Free's one day sailing tour. Scuba, snorkel, and swim around Green island and Pinnacle Reef as part of a group of up to 25 guests - guaranteeing a more personal and exclusive touch to your tour. Enjoy a tropical lunch as well as morning and afternoon tea and a glass of wine upon your return to Cairns - all while soaking up an authentic sailing experience.

Sailing Tour from Airlie Beach

MiLady Day Sail

Set sail from Airlie Beach on MiLady for a day exploring the Whitsunday Islands and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. With this adults only day trip you'll get plenty of time to see Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet before taking a snorkel on the Reef. All the while, you'll get a chance to learn the ropes of sailing and indulge in a delicious lunch, as well as morning and afternoon tea.

Great Barrier Reef Pontoons

There are three pontoons situated in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, designed especially for snorkelling, diving and chilling out among some of the most gorgeous sites along the Coral Sea. After cruising out to one of the Great Barrier Reef pontoons, you’ll be treated to facilities like spacious sun decks, an underwater viewing chamber, glass bottom boats, hot showers, changing facilities, and delicious meals and refreshments. 

Pontoon Tours from Cairns

Quicksilver Outer Reef Pontoon

Get picked up from your accommodation in Cairns or Port Douglas before setting off on a cruise to Quicksilver's Outer Reef Pontoon. Snorkel, scuba dive, and observe marine live from a semi-submersible boat. Or head down to the underwater observatory to see the Great Barrier Reef from another perspective! Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before taking a seat for the fish feeding show. If you want to add some extra excitement to your trip, why not include an optional scenic helicopter flight or a helmet ocean walker experience!

Sunlover day trip to Moore Reef 

Hop aboard the Sunlover catamaran from Cairns and cruise out to the Moore Reef pontoon for a day of snorkelling and fun in the sun. Not only is the pontoon kitted out with glass-bottom boat tours, an underwater observatory and an enclosed ocean pool, but it also boasts a giant spiralling waterslide! 

Pontoon Tours from Airlie Beach

Cruise Whitsundays: Great Barrier Reef Tour from Airlie Beach

Set off from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island and spend a day on on the Outer Great Barrier Reef with Cruise Whitsundays. From the Hardy Reef pontoon, enjoy scuba diving, guided snorkelling, and an underwater observatory. Perfect for both intro and certified divers, the pontoon comes with delicious catering, sun loungers on the top deck, and all the snorkelling and scuba gear you'll need for a day on the Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards

For those looking to dedicate some extra time to the ultimate Great Barrier Reef diving experience, a liveaboard trip is the best way to go. Spend anywhere from two to seven nights at sea with passionate diving experts and explore some of the best spots on the Reef with some of the best divers in the game. Scuba, snorkel, set out on glass bottom boats, indulge in delicious meals, and even challenge yourself to a night dive! Sound appealing? Here are some of our favourites.

Liveaboard Tours from Cairns

Reef Encounter

Live on the Great Barrier Reef and learn all about diving on board Reef Encounter. Leaving from Cairns, choose from a 3D/2N tour or a 4D/3N tour depending on how many dives and snorkels you want to enjoy! When you're not diving, learn all about the reef with Reef Encounter's resident marine biologist, set off on a glass bottom boat tour, and enjoy chef-made meals.

Pro Dive

Set off on a 3D/2N liveaboard trip with Pro Dive and enjoy a whopping 11 dives - including two night dives - across 19 exclusive sites on the Reef. Get transferred from your accommodation in Cairns City and Northern Beaches and move into a double or twin cabin for two nights. When you're not busy diving - with all equipment provided, bask in the sunshine on one of two large decks, enjoy delicious meals, or set off on a snorkel. Divers who are already certified will have the opportunity to complete their Padi Advanced Open Water course while on board.

OceanQuest

Spend three days and two nights on Ocean Quest's Liveaboard trip with Divers Den! Enjoy up to 11 snorkels or dives, including night dives, and get a chance to complete PADI courses on board so you can return to land with a certification. Kick back and relax in spacious rooms, or out on the deck, enjoy a meal or a drink from the onboard bar, before returning to land and being transferred back to your Cairns accommodation.

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights

Not interested in getting in the water? No problem! Why not take to the skies and admire the Great Barrier Reef from above with a scenic flight? Tear through the air in a small plane or helicopter and gaze down at the magical Reef - you might even catch a glimpse of some whales or sharks!

If you fly from the Whitsundays, you’ll be lucky enough to take in views of the islands and the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach, as well as the famous Heart Reef. Or else, set off from Cairns and enjoy aerial views of the Outer Reef, its surrounding islands, and maybe even the iconic Daintree Rainforest while you’re at it!

Scenic Flights from Cairns

Zoom Helicopters

Be one of just three guests on an exclusive helicopter tour over the Great Barrier Reef! Set off from Cairns Airport and enjoy 30 minutes of dreamy views, overlooking Green Island, Upolu Cays, Vlasoff, and Arlington Reef. Keep your eyes peeled for sharks, whales and rays from your high vantage point.

Daintree Air Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

Fly over the Great Barrier Reef for a full 40 minutes, onboard one of the most affordable scenic flights on the market. Get a bird's eye view of up to 140km of Outer Reef and all of the marine life that lives within it. With a maximum of seven guests per flight, every seat is a window seat on board!

Scenic Flights from Airlie Beach

Ocean Rafting Scenic Flight to Heart Reef

Fly over the beautiful 74 Whitsunday Islands and see landmarks like Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet from above! Shortly afterwards, your pilot will fly out out to the famous Heart Reef where you could be lucky enough to spot whales and sharks! Get a door to door courtesy bus transfer from Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Airport before setting off on your flight, where you're guaranteed a window seat. Ocean Rafting's scenic flight from Airlie Beach departs 6 times per day, so there is ample opportunity to fit this tour into your itinerary!

However you decide to explore the Great Barrier Reef, our friendly travel experts are available to help you book the perfect visit.

Planning to go beyond the Reef? We’ve got tours and itineraries available all over the East Coast of Australia.