Passions of Paradise Full Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour + 2 Certified Dives

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A full day on the outer Great Barrier Reef for certified divers, with two dives included, aboard a spacious sailing catamaran with Passions of Paradise, an eco-certified Cairns operator locally owned for more than 35 years.

Days

9 hours

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns
Departs 8:00am, check-in from 7:00am

Return

Departs 8:00am, check-in from 7:00am

Transport

Sailing catamaran from Cairns; hotel transfers extra

Meals

Buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Passions of Paradise Full Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour + 2 Certified Dives

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Included experiences

Outer Great Barrier Reef — 2 certified dives
Outer Great Barrier Reef — snorkelling
Guided snorkelling tour
Marine naturalist talk on the way back

Passions of Paradise Full Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour + 2 Certified Dives

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal on Marlin Marina from 7am, and at 8am the 25-metre catamaran slips out of Trinity Inlet into Trinity Bay, which Captain Cook named in June 1770 because he sailed into it on Trinity Sunday. Morning tea comes round as the mainland ranges fall away behind you. The run out to the edge of the reef takes about two hours, so claim a spot on the upper deck, or stretch out on the netted trampoline at the bow and watch the water turn from green to deep blue.

LATE MORNING TO MID-AFTERNOON: TWO OUTER REEF SITES

The Great Barrier Reef runs about 2,300 km down the Queensland coast and has been World Heritage-listed since 1981. Your skipper picks two outer reef sites each day to suit the wind and swell, from the boat's own moorings, which include Hastings Reef to the north and Milln Reef and Flynn Reef to the east of Cairns. Out here the water is clearer than near the coast, and the coral grows in bommies and gardens close enough to the surface to see well with a snorkel. Two certified dives are included across the day's two reef sites, so bring proof of your certification. Between dives you can snorkel or join the free guided snorkel tour.

YOUR TWO CERTIFIED DIVES AND LUNCH ON BOARD

Divers ride the boat's glass-bottom dive tender out to each dive site, so you get a look at the reef through the floor on the way. Your dive leader picks the sites on the day to suit the conditions, and dive gear is on board. Look for giant clams, which can live for more than 100 years, parrotfish crunching coral, and green turtles cruising along the edge of the reef. Lunch is a hot and cold buffet served on board between the two sites, then you move to the second reef for another swim. Having two sites means two quite different reefs in one day.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE NATURALIST TALK AND HOME

Afternoon tea is served on the sail home, and partway back the marine naturalist gives a lively 30-minute talk on the coral, fish and animals you have just seen, with time for your questions. It is the best moment to find out what that striped fish was. You arrive back at the Reef Fleet Terminal at about 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: Check in between 7:00am and 7:45am; departure is 8:00am from Cairns.
Suits: Certified divers; couples, families, groups and solo travellers.
Fitness: Moderate. Scuba diving in Queensland has strict medical requirements; conditions such as asthma, heart conditions, diabetes or the use of prescription medication may prevent you from diving.

What to bring

Proof of scuba diving certification
Swimwear
Towel
Sun protection
Travel comforts

What is included

2 certified dives (proof of certification required)
Snorkel and scuba equipment (wetsuits in winter, lycra suits in summer)
Snorkel guides
Hot and cold buffet lunch
Morning and afternoon tea
Tea, coffee and water
Marine naturalist talk
Prescription masks (limited availability)

Not included

Return hotel transfers — paid at check-in: Cairns City $25 per person, Northern Beaches $45 per person (to 31 March 2027); Cairns City $30 per person from 1 April 2027
Additional scuba dives
Snacks and drinks from the bar
Photography services on board

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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 1 review

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)

As a certified diver I wanted more information than most snorkel-focused reviews give. Divers are briefed separately and go in small groups of five with guides like Parker, first off the boat at both Hastings Reef sites, which were healthy and vibrant; bring warm clothes for between the dives.

Connor Newman Verified· Travelled 5th August 2026

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