Zoom Helicopters 30 Minute Reef Scenic - Inner Reef Explorer

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A 30-minute helicopter flight from Cairns Airport out to the inner Great Barrier Reef, over Green Island and Arlington Reef and around the tiny sand island of Vlasoff Cay, then back along the rainforest coast. It covers about 75 km at 500 to 1,000 feet, low enough to pick out turtles and rays in the water.

Days

30 minutes

Age

All ages; under 2 on a parent's lap

Group size

Shared flight

Start / finish

Cairns Airport / Cairns Airport

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Helicopter from Cairns Airport

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Zoom Helicopters 30 Minute Reef Scenic - Inner Reef Explorer

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Included experiences

False Cape — fly past Second World War remains on the cape
Green Island — see the coral cay and its rainforest from above
Arlington Reef — look for turtles, sharks and rays
Vlasoff Cay — circle a tiny sand island on the reef
Upolu Cay — fly over on the way back to Cairns

Zoom Helicopters 30 Minute Reef Scenic - Inner Reef Explorer

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN AND TAKE-OFF

Meet at the Zoom Helicopters base in the general aviation area at Cairns Airport at least 20 minutes before take-off. You and your bag are weighed, your pilot runs through the safety briefing, and life jackets go on for the time over water. Then the helicopter lifts off and swings over Cairns and Trinity Inlet, the mangrove-lined harbour where the city began as a port in 1876.

FALSE CAPE AND OUT TO GREEN ISLAND

The flight follows the coast past False Cape, where the remains of Second World War defences still sit on the hillside, with Cape Grafton, named by James Cook in 1770, and Mission Bay alongside. From the cape you head out to the inner edge of the Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed since 1981, and Green Island, a coral sand island about 6,000 years old with its own patch of rainforest, named after Charles Green, the astronomer on Cook's Endeavour.

ARLINGTON REEF AND VLASOFF CAY

Turning north, you track along the western side of Arlington Reef, one of the largest reefs in the northern Marine Park. Your pilot watches the water for turtles, sharks and rays and moves in for a closer look when something shows. Then comes a loop around Vlasoff Cay, a sand island in the middle of the reef that shrinks to a few square metres at high tide, before the helicopter turns west over Upolu Cay, where reef day boats anchor for snorkelling.

BACK ALONG THE COAST

On the run home the North Queensland coast stretches out ahead, backed by the rainforest slopes of the Great Dividing Range, which runs some 3,500 km down the east of Australia. The whole flight covers about 75 km at 500 to 1,000 feet, and you land back at the airport half an hour after leaving.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Zoom Helicopters, Building 21, Bush Pilots Avenue, General Aviation, Cairns Airport (Aeroglen). Transfers are not included, so make your own way there; spare bags can be left at the office.
Departure time: Set when you book. Check in at least 20 minutes before your flight for weighing and the safety briefing.
Duration: 30 minutes in the air, about 75 km, at 500 to 1,000 feet. Allow an hour with check-in.
Minimum age: No minimum. Under-2s fly on a parent's lap with an infant belt (one per helicopter); from age 2 every child needs their own seat, and children up to 13 must fly with an adult. Prams, capsules and child seats cannot go in the helicopter.
Please note: Every passenger and their bag is weighed at check-in, so give accurate weights when you book. The heaviest a single seat can take is 130 kg, and being more than 10% over the weight you gave can mean extra charges, less luggage or not flying. Each flight needs at least two passengers, and the pilot sets seating for balance. Pregnant passengers fly at their own discretion. If you need help getting in, say so when you book, as staff cannot lift passengers.

What to bring

Sunglasses and sunscreen
Camera
One small soft bag per person at most

What is included

30-minute scenic helicopter flight from Cairns Airport
Pilot commentary
Safety briefing and life jacket
Fuel surcharge

Not included

Transfers to and from the airport
Landing on the reef or a cay (this flight stays in the air)

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 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)

An amazing 30 minute flight with the reef clear right beneath our feet. The pilot was skilled and explained everything, and Phoebe's service was thoughtful too.

quinn lyu Verified· Travelled 29th July 2026

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