Fish Tales Charters Cairns Reef Fishing Share Charter

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A full day of reef fishing from Cairns into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, for nannygai, coral trout, cobia, mackerel and more. A share charter of no more than 5 people on the 6.5 metre boat Dont Know, with lunch, bait and heavy reef gear supplied.

Days

About 8.5 hours

Group size

Up to 5 on a shared boat

Start / finish

Cairns Marlin Marina / Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Cairns Marlin Marina
Cairns Marlin Marina, around 3pm

Return

Cairns Marlin Marina, around 3pm

Transport

6.5 metre fishing boat

Meals

Lunch included

Route

Map of Fish Tales Charters Cairns Reef Fishing Share Charter

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Included experiences

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park — bottom fishing over reefs and wrecks near Cairns
Live bait — caught at the start of the day
Target fish — nannygai, coral trout, cobia and mackerel

Fish Tales Charters Cairns Reef Fishing Share Charter

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY START AT THE MARINA

Meet your guide Darryl at 6:30am at Finger D, berth 2 in the Cairns Marlin Marina, the harbour that made Cairns famous in the 1960s as the base for giant black marlin fishing. Your boat is called Dont Know, a 6.5 metre Northwind built in Cairns for small groups, with padded seats, a carpeted deck, a sun shade and a live-bait tank. No more than five people share her. If there's a fish on your bucket list, tell the guide when you book and he'll try to put you on it.

OUT TO THE REEF

The day may start with catching live bait close to town, then it's a short run out into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, created in 1975 and now covering about 344,000 square kilometres, an area bigger than Victoria. Off Cairns the park is scattered with wrecks, reefs and islands, and up to 1,400 kinds of fish are known on the reef. The guide moves between several spots during the day, chosen for the tide, the weather, the current and the fish you're after.

BOTTOM BOUNCING

Most fishing is bottom bouncing: a baited hook with a heavy sinker dropped straight to the sea floor, then lifted and dropped as the boat drifts. It's simple, and it works. You use heavy reef gear, PENN 560 Slammer reels on 15 to 20 kg rods with braid, because reef fish head straight back for the coral once hooked. Small- and large-mouth nannygai, coral trout, cobia, Spanish and school mackerel, red and longnose emperor, trevally and cod all turn up. Coral trout start life as females and can later turn male, and the bright red ones are a prize on any reef day.

LUNCH AND HOME

Lunch is served on board between drops, and the esky with ice keeps your catch cold. By about 3pm you're back at the marina, with the Pier and the Esplanade a short walk away.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Cairns Marlin Marina, Finger D, berth 2, in front of the Pier Shopping Centre. Parking is under the Pier Shopping Centre.
Departure time: 6:30am.
Finishes: Back at the marina at about 3pm.
Suits: Beginners to keen anglers. It is a share charter, with up to 5 people on the boat.
Please note: For a few days in October and November each year, coral reef fish such as coral trout, cod, emperor and tropical snapper are closed to keeping. Your booking is reconfirmed the evening before, and lost rods and reels have to be replaced.

What to bring

Long-sleeved cotton shirt and wide-brim hat
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Camera
A few cans of beer if you like (cans only, in moderation)
Your own rod and reel if you prefer them

What is included

Top quality reef rods and reels
All bait, live and dead, and tackle
Lunch
Cold bottled water
Esky with ice
An experienced local fishing guide

Not included

Fuel levy of $40 per person, charged by the operator on reef trips
Reef tax (Environmental Management Charge) of $8.50 per person, paid to the Marine Park Authority

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

An unreal day of deep sea fishing on the reef with Darryl as skipper. He knows the reef inside out, put us straight onto the fish and is a real crack-up, so there were laughs all day. We landed 11 solid fish with action the whole way through.

Matt Little Verified· Travelled 24th December 2025

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(5/5)

A great trip out to the reef with Darryl where everyone got onto good fish. I was last to hook up, but he kept moving spots until I landed a red emperor and a large mouth nannygai. One of the best days on the water I've had.

Matt Brewer Verified· Travelled 21st October 2022

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