Cruise options: Full-day outer reef cruises from Cairns with pontoon-based experiences, including snorkeling, guided activities, and optional upgrades like scuba diving or scenic flights.
Route & duration: Travel to Moore Reef (outer Great Barrier Reef) with ~5 hours spent at a fixed activity pontoon for reef exploration.
Boat & seating: High-speed catamarans with indoor air-conditioned lounges and open decks; spacious pontoons with shaded areas and activity zones.
Boarding point: Departs from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal; plan to arrive 20–30 minutes before departure for check-in.
When to book: Peak seasons and weekends fill up quickly; book early for pontoon access and premium add-ons like helicopter flights.
Good to know: Ideal for all levels—non-swimmers can enjoy semi-submarine tours and underwater observatories, while swimmers can snorkel or upgrade to dive.
Best upgrade: Add a scenic helicopter flight for unforgettable aerial views of the reef.
Find your best Reef Magic cruise match here
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Reef Magic: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise with Pontoon Activities and Lunch
Check in at the marina and board a high-speed catamaran for a comfortable journey to Moore Reef.
Spacious reef pontoon experience
Relax on a large activity platform with shaded seating, sun decks, and easy water access for all activity levels.
Snorkeling and marine encounters
Explore vibrant coral gardens and tropical fish with included snorkeling gear and optional guided tours.
Non-swimmer-friendly activities
Enjoy reef views via a semi-submersible tour or underwater observatory without getting into the water.
Optional upgrades for deeper exploration
Choose scuba diving or a scenic helicopter flight for a more immersive reef experience.
Things to know before booking a Reef Magic Cruise
Booking window & availability: Reef cruises operate year-round. Peak season (June–October) and school holidays sell out 5–7 days in advance, especially scuba and helicopter upgrades.
Cruise types & inclusions: All Reef Magic tours are full-day experiences (~7–9 hours) with ~5 hours at the reef. Variants differ by add-ons like scuba diving or helicopter flights.
Route & reef location: These cruises visit Moore Reef, part of the outer Great Barrier Reef, known for clear water, diverse coral, and fewer crowds than inner reef sites.
Snorkeling vs diving: Snorkeling is included and beginner-friendly. Scuba diving requires a medical questionnaire; introductory dives are available for first-timers.
Boat & pontoon setup: You travel by catamaran and spend most of your time on a fixed reef pontoon with shaded seating, decks, and activity zones.
Day vs weather conditions: Visibility is best on calm, sunny days. Cruises operate in most weather, but strong winds may affect water clarity and comfort.
Family suitability: This is one of the most family-friendly reef cruises, with shallow snorkel areas, lifeguards, and activities for non-swimmers.
Boarding & timing: Departs from Cairns around 9am; check-in closes ~30 minutes before departure. Return is typically late afternoon (~5pm).
What you’ll see on your Reef Magic Cruise
Moore Reef coral gardens
Vibrant coral formations with excellent visibility, ideal for snorkeling and diving directly from the pontoon.
Your Reef Magic Cruise boarding point explained
Plan your Reef Magic Cruise
Tips & guidelines
Upgrade to a helicopter flight: Reef Magic’s heli add-ons offer unmatched aerial views of Moore Reef—book early as slots are limited.
Snorkel during your first session: Water visibility is usually best earlier in the day before activity levels increase.
Use the pontoon as your base: Beginners should stay within the marked snorkel зоны around the platform where conditions are calmer and supervised.
Plan your activities smartly: Space out snorkeling, semi-sub tours, and observatory visits to avoid peak crowd times.
Carry a light layer: The catamaran ride to the outer reef can be breezy, especially on the upper deck.
Choose reef-safe sunscreen: Protect the coral ecosystem while you explore—standard sunscreens can harm marine life.
Travel light: Storage is limited onboard; bring only essentials like a towel, swimwear, and a small day bag.
Frequently asked questions about Reef Magic cruises
It’s a full-day experience lasting around 7–9 hours, including ~5 hours at Moore Reef.
Yes, but scuba diving and helicopter upgrades often sell out in advance.
Snorkeling is included and surface-level, while scuba diving lets you explore deeper reef areas with an instructor.
Yes, they offer one of the most comprehensive reef experiences with activities for both swimmers and non-swimmers.
Absolutely—semi-sub tours and underwater observatories provide great reef views without entering the water.
Catamaran seating is generally first-come-first-served; the pontoon has ample open seating.
Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jacket.
Yes, a buffet lunch is included in most Reef Magic cruise options.
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Address: Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City, QLD, Australia | Find on maps
Getting there:
By bus: Get off at Cairns City Bus Station and walk 5–7 minutes towards the marina along Spence Street
By taxi/car: 5-minute drive from Cairns CBD; drop-off available at the terminal entrance, with paid parking options nearby
On foot: 5-10 minute walk from most central hotels and the Esplanade area
Famous for: Main departure hub for Great Barrier Reef cruises, located along the Cairns marina waterfront.
Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure
Carry a digital or printed ticket with your ID
Boarding is quick and guided by staff
Seating on the catamaran is open/free seating
Life jackets and safety briefing provided
Operating hours: Full-day tours run from approximately 8am to around 4:30pm.
Check-in: Registration begins near 7:30am at the departure point.
Last departure: Final boat leaves around 4:30 PM to ensure timely return.
Best time of day to go: Morning departures offer calmer seas and optimal underwater visibility.
Best season or month to visit: Dry season months from May to October generally provide ideal reef conditions.
Tip: Keep an eye out for the world's largest coral reef, which can be best observed from the spacious sundeck.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Certain medical conditions like asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure, or specific medications may exclude individuals from diving.
Safety is a priority, so the diving experience is restricted for children under 12 years.
A medical questionnaire must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian for divers under 18 years.
After diving, intervals of 12-24 hours are recommended prior to flying depending on the depths of dives and accrued dive time.
Helicopters for scenic flights have maximum weight limits to ensure safety. Here’s a quick guide: 3-seat: 240 kg (529 lbs), 4-seat: 320 kg (705 lbs), and 6-seat: 490 kg (1,080 lbs).
Glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tour with commentary
Fish feeding and Great Barrier Reef marine biology presentation
Sundeck, fresh water showers, and changing rooms
Underwater reef viewing observatory
Infants’ safety swimming enclosure
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Pocket-friendly full-day island escape with snorkelling, reef viewing, and lunch for an easy yet immersive reef adventure.
Everything you get: Return ferry transfers from Cairns, over 5 hours on Fitzroy Island, full snorkelling gear, a glass-bottom boat tour with expert commentary, a buffet lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant, and free time for rainforest walks or beach lounging.
Why choose this: It’s the most convenient way to tick off reef snorkelling, guided reef viewing, and a resort-style lunch in one value-packed itinerary.
Inclusions
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Full-day tour to the Great Barrier Reef & Fitzroy Island with ferry transfers from Cairns
Snorkel gear including mask, fins, Lycra suit, and flotation vest
Guided glass-bottom boat tour
Tropical lunch box with vegan, halal, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available (menu here)
Up to 4.5 hours for island self-exploration
8:45 to 9:45am: Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal at Sunlover's desk
10am: Boarding closes
10:15am: Depart Cairns Marina
4.5 hours to experience Fitzroy Island
3:30pm: Depart Fitzroy Island
4:30pm: Arrive at Cairns Marina
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Full‑day cruise with island and reef access, pontoon activities, and lunch, perfect forfamilies and nature lovers.
Everything you get: Premium catamaran ride to Moore Reef Pontoon with guided snorkelling, a 30m spiral waterslide, a glass‑bottom boat tour, a buffet lunch, and access to multiple activities.
Upgrades: Add a guided snorkel safari, Turtle Rehabilitation Centre tour, or Seawalker helmet dive for a customized experience.
Why choose this: See two reef locations in one day, with spacious, family‑friendly pontoon access and engaging marine presentations.
Inclusions
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Full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island from Cairns
Snorkeling equipment and expert guidance at Moore Reef
Premium buffet lunch with vegan, halal, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available (menu here)
Onboard amenities: Air-conditioned lounges, sun deck, Sunlover waterslide, freshwater showers, change rooms, licensed bar, and snorkel assistance station
Access to reef platform activities: semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours, underwater observatory, and marine presentation with fish feeding
Self-guided walk on Fitzroy Island National Park trails
1-hour Snorkel Safari (if option selected)
Seawalker helmet dive (if option selected)
Turtle Rehabilitation Center talk (if option selected)
Onboard bar available (additional drinks at own cost)
7 to 7:30am: Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal at Sunlover's desk
7:45am: Boarding closes
8am: Depart Cairns
9:30am: Arrive at Moore Reef Pontoon
12pm: Depart Moore Reef Pontoon
12:45pm: Arrive at Fitzroy Island,
12:45pm to 1:45pm: Lunch
2.5 hours of island time
3:30pm: Depart Fitzroy Island
4:30pm: Arrive at Cairns Marlin Marina
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Family-friendly reef adventurewith fun water attractions and interactive marine experiences.
Everything you get: Fast catamaran to Moore Reef pontoon, guided snorkeling, glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory, 30m spiral waterslide, buffet lunch, and marine life touch-tank displays.
Upgrades: Enhance your adventure with activities such as introductory scuba diving, the Seawalker helmet dive.
Why choose this: The unbeatable combination of waterslide action, a variety of pontoon activities, and affordability, making it perfect for a fun‑filled family day out.
Inclusions
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Full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
Access to Sunlover Moore Reef pontoon with 4 hours to spend
Snorkeling equipment and expert guidance
Buffet lunch with vegan, halal, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available (menu here)
1-hour Snorkel Safari (if option selected)
Seawalker helmet dive (if option selected)
Access to Sunlover waterslide & sun deck
Semi-submersible tour
Glass bottom boat tour
Marine naturalist & fish feeding presentation
Underwater observatory
Onboard bar available (drinks at own cost)
8:45am to 9:45am: Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal at Sunlover's desk
10:15am: Depart Cairns
4 Hours Reef time
4pm: Depart Fitzroy Island
5:30pm: Arrive at Cairns Marlin Marina
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Sightseeing Cruises
Cairns to Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise with Pontoon Activities and Lunch by Reef Magic
Tip: Keep an eye out for the world's largest coral reef, which can be best observed from the spacious sundeck.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Certain medical conditions like asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure, or specific medications may exclude individuals from diving.
Safety is a priority, so the diving experience is restricted for children under 12 years.
A medical questionnaire must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian for divers under 18 years.
After diving, intervals of 12-24 hours are recommended prior to flying depending on the depths of dives and accrued dive time.
Helicopters for scenic flights have maximum weight limits to ensure safety. Here’s a quick guide: 3-seat: 240 kg (529 lbs), 4-seat: 320 kg (705 lbs), and 6-seat: 490 kg (1,080 lbs).
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now, pay later
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
8 hr. - 9 hr.
Guided tour
Pickup available
Meals included
Day Trips
Sunlover: Cairns to Fitzroy Island Full-Day Cruise with Snorkel, Glass Bottom Boat Tour & Lunch
Pocket-friendly full-day island escape with snorkelling, reef viewing, and lunch for an easy yet immersive reef adventure.
Everything you get: Return ferry transfers from Cairns, over 5 hours on Fitzroy Island, full snorkelling gear, a glass-bottom boat tour with expert commentary, a buffet lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant, and free time for rainforest walks or beach lounging.
Why choose this: It’s the most convenient way to tick off reef snorkelling, guided reef viewing, and a resort-style lunch in one value-packed itinerary.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now, pay later
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
8 hr. 30 min.
Guided tour
Transfers available
Pickup available
Day Trips
Cairns to Fitzroy Island and Moore Reef Full-Day Cruise with Buffet Lunch by Sunlover
Full‑day cruise with island and reef access, pontoon activities, and lunch, perfect forfamilies and nature lovers.
Everything you get: Premium catamaran ride to Moore Reef Pontoon with guided snorkelling, a 30m spiral waterslide, a glass‑bottom boat tour, a buffet lunch, and access to multiple activities.
Upgrades: Add a guided snorkel safari, Turtle Rehabilitation Centre tour, or Seawalker helmet dive for a customized experience.
Why choose this: See two reef locations in one day, with spacious, family‑friendly pontoon access and engaging marine presentations.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now, pay later
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
9 hr. 30 min.
Guided tour
Meals included
Day Trips
Cairns to Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise with Pontoon Activities and Lunch by Sunlover
Family-friendly reef adventurewith fun water attractions and interactive marine experiences.
Everything you get: Fast catamaran to Moore Reef pontoon, guided snorkeling, glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory, 30m spiral waterslide, buffet lunch, and marine life touch-tank displays.
Upgrades: Enhance your adventure with activities such as introductory scuba diving, the Seawalker helmet dive.
Why choose this: The unbeatable combination of waterslide action, a variety of pontoon activities, and affordability, making it perfect for a fun‑filled family day out.
