Reef Magic Pontoon + Diving Options

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A day at the Reef Magic pontoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, 90 minutes from Cairns on a fast, stable motor catamaran, with five hours on the reef and diving options.

Days

Full day, 8am to 5pm

Age

Diving from 12

Group size

Shared reef boat

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns
Cairns, around 5pm

Return

Cairns, around 5pm

Transport

90-minute fast motor catamaran from Cairns; no hotel transfers

Meals

Morning and afternoon tea, hot and cold buffet lunch

Route

Map of Reef Magic Pontoon + Diving Options

View map

Included experiences

Reef Magic pontoon — diving options and snorkelling
Outer Great Barrier Reef — semi-submersible tour
Glass bottom boat tour
Underwater observatory
Fish feeding and identification with a marine biologist

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Your day starts at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street, where boarding opens at 8:15am. Cairns was founded in 1876 as a port for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, and today it is the main gateway to the reef. The fast, stable catamaran leaves Marlin Jetty at 9am for the 90-minute run to the outer reef. On the way a marine biologist gives a talk on how the Great Barrier Reef works. It stretches some 2,300 km and was listed as World Heritage in 1981. Divers get their briefing on board, so have your certification card ready if you are already qualified.

LATE MORNING: THE REEF MAGIC PONTOON

The catamaran ties up at the Reef Magic pontoon on Moore Reef, about 45 km east of Cairns. The platform is 45 by 22 metres, runs on three wind turbines and 12 solar panels, and sits over reef from 1 to 25 metres deep. You have about five hours here. Grab your mask, fins and a wetsuit or lycra suit from the crew, then slip into the water straight off the platform. Less confident swimmers have a shallow coral lagoon with floating rest stations. Want to stay dry? The glass-bottom boat goes out first, at about 10:45am, and the semi-submersible takes you over the coral with a guide talking you through what passes the windows.

UNDER THE WATER: YOUR DIVE

This is the trip for anyone who wants to breathe underwater on Moore Reef. First-timers need no experience: the instructor takes no more than four divers at a time, practises the skills in a shallow, sheltered moon pool, then leads a dive of 20 to 30 minutes in the coral lagoon, mostly at 4 to 5 metres and never deeper than 12. A second dive goes further, because the skills are already done. Certified divers can do up to three dives in the day at sites chosen for the weather, with drift, wall and channel dives, swim-throughs, small caves and drop-offs. The minimum age for any dive is 12.

AFTERNOON: LUNCH AND THE OBSERVATORY

Lunch is a hot and cold buffet at noon, with vegetarian dishes, made by Ochre, the Cairns restaurant behind the catering. At about 1pm the marine biologist runs the fish feeding and identification session at the underwater observatory, a room below the waterline where the reef's fish come right up to the glass. Watch for parrotfish, which crunch coral with their beak-like teeth and turn it into fine white sand. There is a sundeck for drying off, with freshwater showers and changing rooms.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

The boat pulls away from the pontoon at about 3:30pm. Afternoon tea comes out on the run back across the Coral Sea, and you step off at the Cairns waterfront at about 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Boarding from 8:15am, final boarding 8:45am.
Departure time: 9:00am from Marlin Jetty.
Finishes: Back in Cairns around 5:00pm.
Minimum age: 12 years for diving.
Please note: German and French speaking crew are available to help international visitors.

What to bring

Swimwear
Towel
Hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen
Change of clothes
Credit card for extra purchases

What is included

All snorkelling equipment, including flotation devices in adult and child sizes
Marine biology talk on the way to the reef
Semi-submersible tours with interactive commentary
Glass bottom boat tours with interactive commentary
Fish feeding and identification session with our marine biologist
Underwater observatory
Use of the sundeck, freshwater showers and changing rooms
Morning and afternoon tea plus a full hot and cold buffet lunch with vegetarian options
Tea, coffee and drinking water throughout the day
Reference materials on the reef

Not included

Transfers from hotels

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 7 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 excellent day with attentive staff, great facilities and a fresh buffet lunch. I did a scuba dive with Lou Lou, and although I'm certified without much experience, she made me feel completely comfortable. The highlight was a blacktip reef shark.

Michelle Smith Verified· Travelled 5th June 2026

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(5/5)

I had an amazing dive with instructor Hyejeong. She was skilled, energetic and attentive, and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable underwater.

Veronica Tian Verified· Travelled 4th January 2026

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(5/5)

We took our eight-week-old baby, who loved watching huge fish from the underwater observatory. There was plenty of space on the pontoon. Thanks to Kimia for guiding my breathtaking dive and Nico for organising the dives.

Patrick Burke Verified· Travelled 29th October 2025

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(5/5)

A new and heartwarming scuba experience. The safety briefing came with Chinese notes, and a Chinese-speaking instructor patiently helped and then led our group. We learnt each skill slowly in the water before seeing huge fish arm in arm. Great buffet, and the didgeridoo on the way back was a treat.

Zedward张 Verified· Travelled 19th October 2025

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(5/5)

A great trip where I snorkelled with my family and did two dives. My skills were rusty, but Perrine took her time to reassure me. The submarine and food were good too.

Mischa de Gier Verified· Travelled 23rd August 2025

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(5/5)

Our day at the Moore Reef pontoon was magical. When my booked activity wasn't available, they offered me a first intro dive with a briefing just for me, and my instructor was patient and focused on safety. My kids loved snorkelling, and my wife enjoyed the glass-bottom boat and observatory.

Dan Lovejoy Verified· Travelled 2nd August 2025

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