Great Adventures Moore Reef Pontoon Day Tour

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A day on the outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, with three hours on Great Adventures' platform at Moore Reef. Snorkel gear, lycra suit, the semi-sub and underwater observatory, a marine biologist's talks and a hot and cold buffet lunch are all in the fare, so it works for swimmers and non-swimmers alike.

Days

7 hours

Age

All ages; under-4s free

Group size

Shared catamaran cruise

Start / finish

Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal / Moore Reef platform / Cairns
Cairns, about 5:30pm

Return

Cairns, about 5:30pm

Transport

Return air-conditioned fast catamaran

Meals

Morning tea, buffet lunch and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Great Adventures Moore Reef Pontoon Day Tour

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Included experiences

Moore Reef — snorkel from the outer reef platform
Semi-submersible — coral tour without getting wet
Underwater observatory — reef talk with a marine biologist
Fish feeding — presentation with a marine biologist
Sundeck — hot and cold buffet lunch

Great Adventures Moore Reef Pontoon Day Tour

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Check in at the Great Adventures counter in the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront and board the air-conditioned fast catamaran mid-morning, with tea, coffee and cake before it leaves. The crossing heads out into open water, and the crew give a reef education presentation on the way. The boats are large and stable; free ginger tablets are handed out if the swell worries you.

MOORE REEF: SNORKEL FROM THE PLATFORM

Great Adventures' platform is moored at Moore Reef, on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, the 2,300 km system that has been World Heritage-listed since 1981. Out here the water is clearer and bluer than near the coast. You have up to three hours on a big, stable platform. Collect mask, snorkel, fins, a lycra suit and a buoyancy vest, take the first-timer tips from the crew, and step straight off into the coral, with lifeguard-trained staff watching the water. Prefer to go deeper? Scuba Doo, an introductory dive or a guided snorkel with a marine biologist can be added on the day.

STAYING DRY: SEMI-SUB AND OBSERVATORY

Between swims, ride the semi-submersible, which leaves the back of the platform about every half hour for a 25 minute glide over the coral with crew commentary. Walk down into the underwater observatory to watch fish, corals and giant clams through the windows, on your own or with a marine biologist's eco reef talk. A marine biologist also runs a fish feeding presentation, and lunch is a hot and cold buffet on the sundeck.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

Afternoon tea and coffee are on offer at the platform before the boat heads home, with cheese and biscuits for the run back. Want a last look from above? A scenic helicopter flight over the reef can be added on the day. You're back at the terminal in the late afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Great Adventures counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, where you collect boarding passes; boarding closes 30 minutes before departure. Parking is outside or undercover at the pier, and coach transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches hotels can be added for a fee.
Departure time: Departs Cairns at 10:30am and returns about 5:30pm.
Minimum age: All ages, including infants; children aged 3 and under travel free. Scuba diving and Scuba Doo are 12 and over.
Fitness: Getting onto the platform, into the observatory and onto the semi-sub involves steps, so some mobility is needed. Toilets are on the boat, not the platform. Snorkellers can use the buoyancy vests supplied.
Dietary needs: The buffet includes vegetarian dishes and labels its ingredients. Mention any other dietary needs when you book.
Please note: A fuel surcharge of $10 per adult and $5 per child is collected at check-in. Stingers can be about from November to April, and lycra suits are supplied. The boats are large and stable; ginger tablets are free and seasickness tablets are sold on board, best taken as soon as you board.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
Camera (drones not allowed)
Card or cash for drinks and extras

What is included

Return air-conditioned fast catamaran from Cairns
Morning tea, coffee and cake before departure
Up to 3 hours at the outer reef platform
Snorkel gear, lycra suit and buoyancy vest
Semi-submersible coral reef tour
Underwater observatory with a marine biologist's eco reef talk
Reef education and fish feeding presentations
Hot and cold buffet lunch
Afternoon tea and coffee at the platform; cheese and biscuits on the way home
Reef Environmental Management Charge

Not included

Fuel surcharge, paid at check-in: $10 per adult, $5 per child
Coach transfers from Cairns or Northern Beaches hotels (extra cost)
Optional extras: scuba diving, Scuba Doo, guided snorkel tour, helicopter flights
Drinks other than tea, coffee and water

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

4.5

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)

I went out to the outer reef pontoon and had an amazing day despite the weather. Maddie and Jacob lifted everyone's mood while people were seasick, and I felt safe snorkelling with the marine biologists and lifeguards around.

alen ford Verified· Travelled 18th December 2025

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(4/5)

A nice boat ride out to the outer reef. We didn't snorkel, so we stayed on the pontoon, and my sister couldn't manage the steep steps to the viewing deck or the semi-submersible, which was a shame. I enjoyed it, though I didn't see many kinds of fish.

Gaylene Verified· Travelled 12th September 2025

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