Sail to the Great Barrier on our amazing Catamaran: Swim with thousands of fish, soak up the Aussie sun and explore vividly colourful reefs full of life!
We'll visit 2 incredble reefs with up to 4 hours in the water. You choose freely between snorkelling, diving, or just relaxing on our bownets. We also offer introductory diving.
Days
- 1 day
Group size
- Max 20
Start / finish
- Cairns / Cairns
Return
- See itinerary for details
Transport
- A sailing catamaran out of Cairns, owner operated and capped at 20 passengers. There are bow nets to lie in between sites.
Meals
- A fresh fruit platter when you board, a tropical buffet lunch, and a glass of wine with cheese and fruit. Tea and coffee are complimentary.
Route
Included experiences
- Upolu Reef — a sheltered lagoon at the very edge of the outer reef
- Two reef sites, weather permitting, with plenty of time in the water at each
- A guided snorkel at the first site, with reef education from the crew
- Giant clams, turtles, sea stars and reef fish in warm, clear, protected water
- PADI scuba demonstrations for first timers and a skills update for certified divers
- Introductory or certified scuba dives — bookable on the day at extra cost
- All snorkel equipment and safety tuition, with help for less confident swimmers
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
4.9
Based on 913 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 913 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the crew for their friendliness, professionalism and attentiveness, with particular appreciation for how staff support nervous or inexperienced swimmers and divers, often going beyond basic instruction to ensure everyone feels safe and has an enjoyable experience. The small group size—limited to around 20 passengers—stands out as the defining feature that sets this tour apart, enabling personal service, uncrowded reef access and the opportunity to get to know both crew and fellow travellers. The main caveat is that the journey to the reef takes approximately two hours each way, which some travellers found lengthy, particularly when sea conditions were rough or caused seasickness, though others appreciated the relaxed pace and sailing experience. Food and refreshments including morning tea, lunch, afternoon snacks and complimentary wine are included and generally described as good quality, and the reef sites themselves consistently deliver abundant marine life with regular sightings of turtles, sharks, stingrays and colourful fish.
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.
A lovely small-scale trip run by a local operator, with good food, a comfortable boat and a really helpful team. The best part was having one of the crew in the water with us, pointing out fish and coral and lending a hand.
Look no further for a reef trip. The guides are outstanding, the gear is in great condition, and it's a small local business — my family loved the day aboard the catamaran.
Going at the end of August there were only two other guests aboard, so it felt almost like a private trip. Flor and Mikaela were warm and full of knowledge; Flor talked us through our first ever scuba dive so calmly and patiently that it was a pleasure, and the crew's passion for the ocean and its wildlife added to the whole thing. The boat is smaller than the other reef vessels we saw, so the run out and back takes longer, but we'd take that intimate feel over speed any day.
“Incredible and intentional experience!”
We deliberately picked a smaller boat instead of one of the big vessels, and it was the right call — we got to know Mikayla, Florencia and Julian as well as the only other family on board. The crew were hands-on and we felt safe and well prepared the whole time, with the onboard toilet and the lovely food as welcome extras. For a full day out it was well worth what we paid, and I'd point anyone wanting to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef towards it.
Only 15 of us were aboard, which meant our own patch of reef and a friendly mood, with everyone happily chatting through the day. The trip out is slower than on the bigger vessels, but we liked having time to watch the coastline, look for whales and dolphins and sit in the sun, and it uses far less fuel. Paul and the crew clearly wanted everyone safe and happy and were clear about how to protect the reef; we saw whales, dolphins, a turtle, a huge wrasse, clownfish, a stingray and plenty of small colourful fish, the gear was in great shape, the food was delicious and the below-deck toilet was roomy enough to change in.
A great day out, and a fair price for something this exclusive. The staff were warm and funny, the group was small and the snorkelling spots were lovely, with sharks, turtles and plenty of fish to see.
What a day out, and one we'd love to repeat. The service was outstanding, with real patience and generosity as our four kids got used to snorkelling, and the small, personal group came with a tasty lunch, snacks and drinks. We visited two gorgeous parts of the reef and won't forget it.
Thanks to Flo and Istvan for a great day at Upolu Reef. The staff were friendly, professional and clear in their explanations, and with a cap on numbers it made an ideal first visit to the Great Barrier Reef. I skipped the discover scuba dive, but those on board who did it got about one instructor per couple for just $80 more, which is superb value, and the sites they pick within Upolu vary by day and are lovely.
A small family-run business taking out little groups, with a crew who are friendly, funny and know their subject.
We spent a wonderful family day out with a kind, attentive crew who were set on making it memorable. The small numbers and the human-sized sailing boat let us explore in peace, with a snorkelling guide happy to help us spot everything below the surface. Thank you for an unforgettable day, and we'd recommend it warmly.
“Wonderful experience”
A lovely day out at the reef with beautiful scenery and a great team looking after us. I'd recommend it without hesitation.
We had such a good day on this trip. The staff were friendly and helpful and looked after us well, even when we got sick, and they knew their subject, too. The stretch of reef they visit is beautiful.
An amazing day. We were looked after beautifully from the minute we stepped aboard and nothing we asked for was a problem. Every staff member knew their stuff, and the snorkelling and diving were once-in-a-lifetime.
A cracking day with Paul and the crew, and I'd happily recommend them for a trip out to the reef. Service was great and they knew their subject; the boat caps at 20 and we only had 13 guests with three excellent crew, and they're just good people.
Great from beginning to end. The skipper and crew knew their subject, were welcoming and very funny, and made sure everyone had a good day; being on a smaller boat made it all feel far more personal. The food surprised us too — fresh, tasty and plentiful right through — and in the water we spotted a ray, an eel, a blue starfish and plenty besides.
A brilliant day. We saw a reef shark, a stingray and a puffer fish, and the crew were friendly and helpful the whole way through.
We had a wonderful day out on the reef with Paul and his crew, spoiled from beginning to end with lovely food, drinks and breathtaking views. The snorkelling was unforgettable and I'd book again without a second thought.
“Awesome trip”
A really good trip — we snorkelled two separate spots on the outer reef, with scuba available as an option. Snacks, lunch and yet more snacks were all provided, and the crew knew their stuff and kept a close eye on everyone.
A great day out, with a crew on board who were attentive and helpful and made sure everyone enjoyed themselves.
A fantastic snorkelling trip out to the reef with just 14 people aboard, four of them from our own party. All four crew were personable and knew their subject, and we enjoyed talking with them on the run out and back; Mikayla captained beautifully while Julian, Nina and Flo guided us underwater. The weather could not have been better and the day went well beyond our expectations, from breakfast through lunch to the snack and celebratory drink at the end, with various dietary needs taken into account.
I'm very glad I chose the small-boat option for this dive trip. The crew were welcoming, put everyone at ease and stayed professional throughout, and the little catamaran was a joy, a proper sailing experience quite unlike the more commercial boats I've seen elsewhere. Luke was a calm, knowledgeable dive guide and, after a long break from diving, I finished the day much more confident, having seen some amazing wildlife; a relaxed, personal way to see the reef.
The communication before the trip was excellent, with detailed answers to every question about diving and conditions. The crew were extremely friendly and we enjoyed the whole day, so if you want something more personal than the huge boats packed with tourists, I'd recommend this one.
“Great day out.”
A terrific day out. The staff were friendly and helpful and my 13-year-old daughter loved the whole thing, and having everything included in the price kept it simple and stress-free. Worth choosing if you'd rather a smaller group and a more intimate trip.
“One of the best tours”
Great day on the reef. Friendly professional crew. Will do another trip with these guys for sure.
“Fantastic day on the reef!”
A fantastic day with great diving, an extremely friendly crew and excellent service throughout.
“Do it.”
Such an amazing day on the water, the smaller boat size means you get a more personal experience on the reef. The team of Michaela, Luke and Julian were super friendly and informative and made the trip amazing. The snorkelling, food, staff and vibes were all excellent!
“Amazing trip!”
Definitely would recommend. I’ve planned and done many activities around Queensland but I must say this tops everything!! Fortunately the weather was good and I got to the best experience of my life!! Please don’t back out when you are scared! The guys are amazing and they’ll literally be there to save you!! Just go and get that experience!!
“Amazing!”
Fantastic day at the reef. Love the smaller group size that allowed personalised support from the crew. Super friendly team.
“Recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing and beautiful experie”
Genuinely so much fun. I really enjoyed the relaxed feel of the tour- you could go in and out of the water as much as you would like which was nice. It was also great that the guide was there in the water with us, however we were allowed to venture off and explore the reef, not having to stick right next to him. I loved the amount of food options that we had for lunch and throughout the day. The boat was very nice as well- clean and lots of places to catch some rays.
“Gunnar C”
The small size of this boat made this trip so personable. The three crew members were professional and so friendly, particularly Luke who is a Cairns local. I have to say, the snorkeling was the best I've ever done in Cairns or Port. Incredible coral and so many different species of reef fish all together. It felt like magic. All open air, no aircon-you're on a catamaran! It really felt like our own chartered boat. Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks guys. We'll be back!
“Excellent day trip to the reef!!”
Staff were friendly, fun, professional and safety conscious. Snorkelling was great, lunch was lovely, small group size - highly recommend!
“Fabulous Experience with Personalized Attention”
We booked a family dive/snorkel trip for my retirement-60th birthday trip. About 4 months before our trip my adult son with high functioning autism had a grand mal seizure (no prior history and it was incredibly scary) and received an Epilepsy diagnosis. He is a great swimmer and was really looking forward to the trip so with doctor clearance we contacted reef day trippers but were understandable apprehensive about the trip. The team could not have been more kind and professional. My son was given a life jacket, held onto a life ring and was given a customized reef tour that was the highlight of our trip. In addition, they were able to find my husbands original PADI certification and re-certify him and he and my other sons did an intro dive. A larger boat might be fancier and have more bells and whistles but we were given customized individual attention and they met the individualized needs of each person on the boat. There is an expression Go big or go home, but in this case going smaller is better. Thank you!
“Recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing and beautiful experie”
Genuinely so much fun. I really enjoyed the relaxed feel of the tour- you could go in and out of the water as much as you would like which was nice. It was also great that the guide was there in the water with us, however we were allowed to venture off and explore the reef, not having to stick right next to him. I loved the amount of food options that we had for lunch and throughout the day. The boat was very nice as well- clean and lots of places to catch some rays.
“Best trip to the reef!!”
We had an amazing day. It was my first time diving and everything was explained really clearly, which made it so much more enjoyable, and the snorkelling was excellent. The team were friendly and funny and made it a 10 out of 10 day.
“Excellent trip especially for the apprehensive snorkeller”
A good day out with a helpful, fun team, clear instructions and all the kit supplied. I'm not a confident swimmer but I could hold onto the ring and keep up with the snorkel tour; lunch and the afternoon snack were lovely, with soft drinks and beer to buy on top — and fair enough, once you've had a drink your snorkelling is over. The card machine wasn't working that day, which caught out people who'd expected to pay by Apple Pay, and the crew became noticeably less friendly after that, which put a bit of a dampener on an otherwise great day.
I booked through GetYourGuide and was honestly a bit overwhelmed by the sheer choice of Great Barrier Reef trips, so I went with this one because it cost slightly less while offering the same thing — and I'm completely happy with that choice. Great boat, not too many people, and genuinely lovely staff. I'd only paid for snorkelling but you can add an intro scuba dive on the day for a fair price, which I couldn't resist; Luke took great care of us and the guides explained plenty and showed us a lot underwater, both snorkelling and diving.
The best trip of my entire stay in Australia. The guides were lovely and told us so much about the marine life, which was fascinating, the food was good quality and delicious, and the catamaran and its equipment were modern and clean. Alongside the snorkelling there was a scuba dive for A$80, and although deep water normally frightens me, Luke's detailed briefing made it enjoyable and truly unforgettable — well worth it if you'd rather not join an overcrowded trip.
“Beautiful reefs”
A nice small group, a great crew and gorgeous reefs — my favourite thing I've done in Australia so far. Highly recommended.
A wonderful snorkelling and intro-dive day. It's a smaller catamaran with plenty of covered space to get out of the sun or rain, there's a toilet and a water dispenser on board, and soft drinks at $3 and beer at $6 can be bought. For the dive we went down as a linked group of four for about 40 minutes and even saw a reef shark; great crew, tasty food and a lovely atmosphere, and I'd book it again any time.
“Awesome way to end 2025”
What a way to finish 2025. We couldn't have asked for better weather, and the crew were highly skilled and professional as well as friendly. The small group makes it far more personal and you get talking to people you'd never meet on the big boats — it felt like a day out with mates, and there was plenty of room to stretch out.
A fantastic day out. The skipper and his team knew their subject, were funny, and made sure we had the best time possible, and we liked having a smaller group on the boat. The food through the day was surprisingly good as well.
A fantastic trip I'd happily recommend. The crew helped us out all day, the food on board was great, and we had lots of snorkelling time at two different parts of the reef. I'd choose it again, mainly because you're in a small group.
“The Great Barrier Reef on the Reef Day Tripper”
My wife and I went out with the Reef day tripper yesterday and had a fantastic day. The boat, the crew and reef location for snorkelling was a perfect day out. The lunch and snacks were great and to round the day off we had champagne, cheese, biscuits and fresh fruit. Luke our guide for the snorkelling was very patient especially with the the not so confident snorkelers in the water, he stayed with you,
The reef was beautiful and it was like being in a fish tank with all the fish. The skipper Mikyla and Jamie the other diver was amazing too.
“Highly recommend! You Will Enjoy This Tour!”
Amazing experience! Paul and his team were great. It was like swimming in an aquarium. We saw white tipped reef sharks, starfish, rays and plenty of fish. The boat and service was really great. Highly recommend booking with this company.
“Wonderful”
Paul, Julian, and Luke were a great crew, and the small group was such a great, personal, and intimate way to share the reef with people! We had a fabulous time at both spots and really enjoyed the slow stroll out and into Cairns that gave us time to enjoy all the beautiful views and conversations!
“A great day out without the crowds”
A lovely personal experience on the reef with operators that truly care for and respect the reef. I saw more fish and live coral than I expected. I’m 62 and a good swimmer but found the current at this particular reef very strong so it was tiring trying to swim against it all the time.
“Wonderful Days at the Reef”
Real nice Tour, with cool spots and good food. Like it very much. My hole family was fascinated about the tour with a small group of tourists.
“Best experience ever!”
Last weekend, I went on a last minute trip to Cairns for a re-set. Being out on the reef with these guys definitely allowed for a much needed detox. The last time I attempted to dive was in Mexico in 2016 and I panicked and couldn’t stay under. I explained all of this to the crew and when Julian took me down, he was incredibly calm and patient as I adjusted to once again being under water. I very nearly surfaced, but Julian re-assured me and we took it slow. He gave me the confidence to go on a second dive and I’m looking forward to diving more frequently after my 9 year hiatus! Thanks to you all!
“Highly recommend!!!”
Great day with the Reefdaytripper team, they were welcoming, they took care of us and our well-being. I recommend this experience with this team because we are in a small group and the staff remains attentive to us. Thank you again for making us dream during this day.
“Wonderful trip”
Awesome time! Very friendly staff that provide a personable experience. Saw a LOT of amazing critters. Very nice for those who love soft corals. We also got to see a decent amount of very large hard coral colonies and some coral species I have yet to see here after having snorkeled out of cairns a few times before. If you are looking for a small group tour on the reef, these guys and gals are really great. 10/10 would go back with them
“Awesome day”
Great day in spite of rough waters. The crew was amazing, and the food was good. Very safety conciouse, boat was well equipped and gear was on good shape
While in Cairns I did two reef trips, snorkelling only on both: this one, capped at 20 people, and a later one carrying 95. This is the one I'd recommend — the small numbers meant we got to know each other and the guides, who took real care over showing us how to use the gear and picking out things to look at underwater. They knew both of the reef sites well, made us feel at ease in the water and looked after us on deck too, and I'd happily go out with them again.
“Perfect day!!”
Super fun time. Lots of time on the reef. The small group size was amazing as all the guides knew us by name. Also do the intro dive, it was so fun to get another perspective on the reef and I felt very safe despite never having scuba dived before! Would highly recommended
“Amazing”
Beautiful experience, highly recommended! The crew was professional and super attentive. I will return one day in the future.
“Unforgettable reef adventure with great crew, minor hiccups”
The captain and female instructor were excellent and very professional. One of the male instructors was less personable and gave me the wrong wetsuit size twice without apologizing. The trip offers a lot to see, but the travel time to and from the reef felt quite long. I recommend bringing motion sickness tablets, as they aren’t available onboard. I appreciated the crew accommodating my request to bring my own lunch and keeping it cold. Despite the hiccups, it was an unforgettable experience, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do it.
“Sail and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef”
Paul and the team really looked after us well and a great trip - intimate trip with a total of 20 guests, great snorkelling and highly recommended
“Do this trip!!”
Do not do another snorkeling event other than this one! Mikaela and Luke were the best! We were very lucky to have a small group which made it feel very special. 12/10 recommend.
“Fantastic Experience!”
Amazing experience! Michaela and team were great, very friendly and professional. Was a small group. It was like swimming in an aquarium. The boat and service was really great. Highly recommend booking with this company.
“What a Great Day ”
Great time on the reef with these guys! As a solo traveler I met a lot of other great people aboard. Since it's a bit of a slower season right now, there were only 10 of us on board! The staff knew us by name, the reef conditions were awesome, weather was great, and vibes were vibin'! Thanks to the Reef Daytripper team for making it a great day out there
“Fantastic Experience”
We had a wonderful day today. Perfect weather, perfect water and amazing crew. Thank you Skipper Paul and your 2 side kicks Julian and Luke for looking after us so well and making our day full of new memories. PS. We were very impressed with the boys. What a well oiled crew you have. Thank you again. We will be spreading the word for sure. So so highly recommend this team for helping create a day to remember. Roz
“Fantastic Experience!”
Crew were brilliant, a small size group meant it wasnt cahos in the water and the food provided was brilliant
“Great Day on the Reef”
We had a great snorkling trip. Friendly crew who explained things very well. The provided all we needed, including wetsuits and made it simple. We visited two areas saw lots of fish, a turtle, shark, coral...plenty of variety of marine life big and small.
The captain and 2 crew were very attentive to each person on board helping as much or as little as needed.
My wife and I would definitely recommend.
“Excellent”
Fantastic! I had a great day, the small group experience is ideal for discovering the Great Barrier Reef! We visited two different sites, saw among other things a whale and 2 turtles! Our guides as well as our captain were simply perfect! The meal and drinks included were good. I highly recommend!
“ I really love everything here!!!”
I would definitely recommend this cruise for anyone looking for a good day out on the reef. As a solo traveller, (F, 32), the 20 person capacity was perfect to feel comfortable and relaxed, and have a chat. The staff went above and beyond to make the day memorable & a special shout out to scuba Luke for his hospitality. 10/10 would recommend
“Fantastic Experience”
Reef Daytripper helped us to experience the beautiful Great Barrier Reef as it should be. A small boat which takes just 15 guests, but with plenty of space for everyone. Took us to excellent spots on the reef for snorkelling. Excellent personalised service by the crew, especially Luke, who took great care in providing for the special needs of one of our group members. Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits were all good quality and newish. Lunch was great. Excellent experience!!!
“Highly recommend!”
I booked this trip by accident and i’m so glad I did. The trip was capped at 20 people which was perfect. We were comfortable, there was ample food amongst us and we weren’t swimming on top of one another. The crew were friendly, knowledgable and ensured we didn’t have to lift a finger. We were shown some amazing things along the reef. 10/10 recommend this trip.
Fantastic. A superb day out, and the small group is ideal for getting to know the Great Barrier Reef. We visited two different sites and saw a whale and two turtles among other things, our guides and the skipper were simply perfect, and the included meal and drinks were good.
“Personal and relaxing”
The crew did a great job answering all our questions and making sure everyone was happy; the skipper even helped me out with my leaky mask so that I could go scuba diving (which I highly recommend you do if you get the chance, especially first-timers)! The talk about the marine life was so informative and really interesting, with laminated sheets handed around so you could look at all the wildlife you were about to see on the reef. Saw so many different fish and corals, and the giant clams were especially awesome. We even had a swim-by from a substantially sized shark while we were all on the boat! Really nice, small group of people on this trip—got chatting with folks from all over. Excellent experience for a first visit to the reef.
“Family trip to Cairns!”
Our day was amazing with snorkeling the great barrier reef. We were the only people on the boat and the food, made vegan for us, was delicious!
“Fantastic Experience! this Is Unvelivable!!”
We are return customers and plan on sailing again with Reef Daytripper
“Professional but friendly crew, good boat, nice spot, an overall”
Very professional and relaxed crew. Good boat, good choice of reef location especially for beginners new to snorkelling or scuba diving. We were lucky with the weather too, not that this factors into the service as such. Plenty of snorkelling/swimming time, you never feel rushed.
“Great Crew”
Great staff, great personal experience, captain Paul was very well knowledgeable of the area stop to see a huge turtle.
“boat goes fast”
O yeah, some water, sails, bit of linen white shirts, Richard Gere in the 80s, mate. Cool wind, boat goes fast, yeah nah yeah nah yeah, you know how it is. Some good ol’ aussie old mate adventures, proper stuff. Could do it again maybe. Wind in the hair, vibes were there, but like, what’s the deal, is it fun. I reckon yeah. Why not, give it a crack.
“Diving and snorkelling”
Was totally awesome! Did snorkelling in the morning and scuba diving in the afternoon. With Mikayla at the wheel Luke and Sandie as the crew we were in great hands. I was a little freaking out at first Abt diving but Sandie patiently and expertly guided me thru the whole thing step by step giving me an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
“Fantastic”
Fantastic trip with a superb crew, can recommend it highly enough. If you are looking for a trip this is max 20 people so the crew can certainly give you lots of attention
“This place Is Incredible!!!”
Absolutely brilliant! Had my first intro dive which was worth every penny, they really helped you through it and you saw so amazing parts of the reef, even saw a huge turtle. Having only 9 visitors on the boat and 4 staff just made it feel so personal and you really got to know them. So kind, chatty, knowledgable, and just brill!
“Highly recommend! You Will Enjoy This Tour!”
The Reef Daytripper was an unreal experience! From the boat to the crew everything was professional yet fun and enjoyable! Special mention to Mikaela who skippered the boat and was full of knowledge about the reef and made us all feel safe! Also Tomas who guided me one on one for my first scuba dive, so professional and constantly checking in! An amazing and unforgettable experience if you want to experience the reef without the crowds and enjoy something a little more intimate!
“Reef Trip”
Fabulous day on the reef thanks to Bee & Julian, who couldn't have been more helpful. They took us to two different reefs with a delicious lunch in between. Thanks to Bee during her guided snorkel tours, we saw many things we'd otherwise have missed including a whitetip shark, green turtle and giant clam. Top tip - pack a warm jumper as the water is currently really cold and make sure you ride the nets on the journey back to shore!
“Perfection from start to finish!”
What an awesome trip to the Great Barrier Reef with an awesome crew! Lunch was simple but filling and you can go for seconds, cheese nuts n crackers pair with champagne !!! Cheers! You have it all! Plus it’s privately owned so you get better service because we are the select few not 100 patrons on board.
“Excellent for people who find this kind of thing particularly ch”
A great day, with members of the party one having sand issues and another deep water issues, Luke gave them a great tour on the safety ring. A second tour was too much for the deep water one but the boy with the sand issues went out on the second one without his mum. Amazing they only made it waste deep at Fitzroy island.
“Highly recommend!!!!!”
I was completely happy with everything. The team was very friendly, attentive, professional, and fun. They catered to all our needs and made sure we had a perfect day. The boat was cozy and there were the perfect amount of people to keep it relaxed. The food and drinks were great, and the reef experience with snorkelling and scuba diving was incredible.
“Highly recommend! You Will Enjoy This Tour!”
Definitely an experience that I would recommend without thinking about it. A crew of 10 in every way, very friendly and make you want to come back on board the next day. If you are looking for a quieter and less crowded experience this is the place for you. The rest of the fleets that leave from Cairns are the typical crowded boat where you don't have a minute to enjoy the great barrier reef by yourself, nothing to do with this boat. It only remains for me to thank each and every one of the crew for this day.
“Recommend !!”
A great day for anyone who wants to skip the crowds and have a more down-to-earth trip. The crew were endlessly helpful, made us feel comfortable in the water, and either guided us around the reef or let us explore with a buddy, and they explained everything clearly from the day's schedule to snorkel safety with plenty of humour and thoughtfulness. Reef sightings are always unpredictable, but we were treated to a couple of green turtles, giant clams, clownfish and lots of other fish and coral; my only hiccup was the confirmation email listing the Reef Fleet Terminal as the meeting point when we actually boarded at the end of finger C in the Marlin Marina. That confusion aside, as a solo female traveller it was a relaxing, lovely day and the rest of it more than made up for it.
A fantastic day out. I was a bit nervous beforehand, but the team made me feel safe and I had a great time — we saw sharks, turtles and everything you'd hope for on a day at the reef.
“Amazing Tour! Great Experience! ”
What an awesome way to spend a day! The team was prepared, knowledgeable and so much fun! All equipment (snorkel and diving) was well maintained and provided. And some easy breakfast snacks and lunch meals were provided throughout the day too....there was even champagne provided on the way back into Cairns to end off a wonderful day. I highly recommend the Reef Daytripper team. The group size is small and easier to access the reefs, joining in on a guided snorkel tour is enjoyable and you see so much reef life. And when you're tired you can just head back to the boat and rest catamaran style!! I also recommend the team themselves as they are professional but easygoing! I'll definitely be back! The experience was wonderful!
“Just perfect!”
Good trip, the boat crew are friendly, organised and very experienced and you feel in very good hands. I would advise wearing swimmers and taking a change of clothes and a towel as you get very wet on the boat!
“Fantastic Tour! Great day!”
Definitely an experience that I would recommend without thinking about it. A crew of 10 in every way, very friendly and make you want to come back on board the next day. If you are looking for a quieter and less crowded experience this is the place for you. The rest of the fleets that leave from Cairns are the typical crowded boat where you don't have a minute to enjoy the great barrier reef by yourself, nothing to do with this boat. It only remains for me to thank each and every one of the crew for this day.
“Fantastic Tour! `”
Really nice experience! We traveled in a small group, which gave us more space for snorkeling. The team was super friendly. Big thanks to Luke for showing us the best spots on the reef!
“Fantastic Tour! Lovely Day!”
This was by far the best snorkeling experience of my life. To see sharks, giant clam shells, beautiful fish and coral - was incredible. However, the staff only added to my wonderful experience. Truly worth going.
“Fantastic Tour!”
My wife and I had an amazing trip today to the Great Barrier Reef it was a very small group with only 6 passengers and 3 crew. The crew Sophie, Luke, and captain Makayla were incredibly helpful, kind, accommodating, insightful, and accommodating. They allowed me to sign up for an intro-dive last minute while we were underway and I had a 1 on 1 lesson for my first ever dive with Sophie, she worked with me and guided me even though I had some issues quite a bit were brought on by fear and by the end of it even though she basically dragged me through the water on a tour through the reef because I was still struggling to orientate myself, it turned out to be a ton of fun!
“Fantastic Tour! Lovely Day!”
Fun trip! Prescription snorkel masks and stinger suits were provided. Small group sizes. On the day of our tour the weather was a little choppy, but the crew were very patient and caring, allowing those who were nervous to hang on to a life ring attached by rope to the guide. Saw lots of fish, giant clams, and a turtle! However, it was clear that some of the crew disliked another crew member, and were treating her quite disrespectfully in front of the passengers. Also, though warning us to not touch the coral, the guide led us over some very shallow parts of the reef, making contact inevitable.
“Amazing Tour! Great Experience!”
Amazing experience, crew 100%. Really nice snorkeling tour and the provided good quality food and snacks. I would 100% recommended also for the « small group » excursion concept.
“Great Experience!!!”
Excellent excursion!! Instructor Julian a genius explaining everything to dive. He gave me a lot of security, and speaking Spanish was a great help. Everyone in the crew very friendly, rich food and the dream landscape, being few people makes everything simpler and faster, we were 11 tourists. Super recommended!
“Amazing Tour! Great Experience!”
A lovely day on the reef with brs diving. Small group on a smaller boat which meant that there was an opportunity to get to know the group. It created a familiar atmosphere on board. The crew was both knowledgeable and informative about what to expect about the activity.
“Amazing Tour! Great Experience!”
This is exactly the trip you should go on if either a first- timer or someone who has snorkeled since a child. The crew is friendly and knowledgeable. Despite being 66 years old with no previous experience, I felt very secure. The scenery is spectacular and you can either swim around on your own or latch on to a life ring for your tour. Thank you so much!
“Amazing Tour! Great Experience!”
The trip was an interesting experience with the snorkeling being the real highlight. The crew were helpful. The food could have been better and handing out cheese and fruit into the hand could have been better organized. Overall hygiene on board is a bit of concern!!
“Sail and Snorkel”
A good experience, two hours out to sea partly under sail to dive a colourful reef with plenty of marine life, and the crew were professional, helpful and very safety-conscious. The boat isn't especially comfortable if you're older, though that's no great complaint; I would say it's a fun day if you've snorkelled before, but not one for poor swimmers or anyone prone to seasickness. One booking warning: I didn't notice I was on the US Tripadvisor/Viator site rather than the Australian one and paid nearly A$100 more than I should have, and Viator's customer service had no interest in refunding the difference.
“Great experience”
Great experience travelling 2hrs out to sea while motoring and under sail to dive on a colorful reef with plenty of marine life.
“magical experience”
Would recommend to everybody!! Loved every second was a magical experience. Crew were brilliant as was the atmosphere. Crew were also very knowledgable on areas of the reef with great wildlife. Loved it.
“awesome”
What an awesome trip! sure ill go back!
“Perfect day”
A perfect day, and we were very well looked after by a friendly and capable crew. The catamaran had loads of space to move around, we felt safe and secure at all times in and out of the water, and the food on board was lovely. I can't see how it could be improved.
“Beautiful snorkeling trip on a sailing catamaran”
A nice small-group snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef on a sailing catamaran, with three crew including the captain for 14 passengers, all of whom did an excellent job. Nobody got in the water until we'd had thorough briefings on the boat and the snorkel and dive gear, and we snorkelled about 1.5 hours in the morning and roughly an hour in the afternoon, always with a guide and staying together as a group — ideal for me travelling alone, though others might have wanted more freedom. There were tastings through the day and a glass of wine with appetisers at the end; the only letdown was the reef sections themselves, which fell short of what we'd expected, whether because of the climate or constant boat traffic.
“The best day!”
Hey we had a lovely time with captain mikhaila, dive instructor Luke and Julian.
“Fun day to see great barrier reef”
A fun way to explore great barrier reef. We used a catamaran boat, the crews were super helpful and informative. Luke and Thomas as our diving/snorkling master guided us very well.
The lunch and snack/fruits which were provided are delicious enough for us who were hungry from activity
“Day trip is absolutely worth it!”
A great day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef on a catamaran with a small group of no more than 20, with good guidance, clear explanation and a good lunch. Just factor in around five hours of sailing there and back.
“enjoyable”
The Reef Daytripper was an unreal experience! From the boat to the crew everything was professional yet fun and enjoyable! Special mention to Mikaela who skippered the boat and was full of knowledge about the reef and made us all feel safe! Also Tomas who guided me one on one for my first scuba dive, so professional and constantly checking in! An amazing and unforgettable experience if you want to experience the reef without the crowds and enjoy something a little more intimate!
“Great experience!!”
This trip was so much fun! Two snorkeling spots with plenty of wildlife and delicious food at lunch. The crew was extremely kind, and always gave clear, easy to understand instructions, which made the whole day enjoyable. Would recommend this trip with the Reef Daytripper crew to everyone!
“Great tour”
Booked with Reef Daytripper based on other reviews. As a group of 4, we had an excellent day visiting the outer reef. The boat is a catamaran and there were 17 in the group on the day we went, hence it felt perfect in terms of numbers. Diving costs (140aud for 2 dives we felt were good value). Crew were very professional and friendly, safety is taken very seriously (important for us when diving). The diving & snorkelling on the reef was excellent, we visited 2 reefs and were surprised how healthy the coral appeared and the abundance of marine life. Unfortunately for us we didn’t see our favourite underwater fish - sharks and manta rays - maybe next time! We would highly recommend this operator.
“Solo”
Crew were very welcoming and personal. A perfect snorkeling trip for a solo, middle aged traveler. 5 star. Would do it again!
“Great Day Out”
Perfect day. Small group (only 17 people) plus 3 crew. Safety was excellent. Friendly service. Visited 2 outer reef spots. Have snorkelled a lot and wasn't disappointed. We were lucky with the weather. Snacks on arrival and in the arvo. Lunch was simple but fresh. Can buy alcohol on board but cannot enter the water after drinking. Would definitely recommend
“Great barrier reef trip”
Our trip to the Great Barrier Reef was good. The staff were helpful when asked, but more interested in talking to the younger females on board rather than the other passengers.
We were a bit disappointed with the barrier reef snorkelling as was very similar to Fiji/Rarotonga/Samoa.
“Great experience”
We had a lovely day on the Reef Daytripper. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. The snorkeling was a ton of fun and we saw some beautiful fish, coral, turtles, and a small nurse shark. My only recommendation would be to have them post the pickup point is on Finger D in the marina since that was a little unclear from the webpage instructions.
“Amazing!! 10/10!”
If you're looking for a fun and caring service, you've found it! They are very attentive to every detail, since the boarding until we left the boat. The fact the tour can hold up to 20 people makes a huge difference as well. Everything was perfect and the Great Barrier Reef was wonderful (the snorkeling instructor also goes with you through the barrier reef pointing the sea animals like turtles, dolphins, sharks etc). The crew is very friendly too. I was travelling solo and they made me feel very welcomed, always talking to me and making the whole tour way more fun. I highly recommend it!
“Great tour”
Highly recommended!!
“Great once in a lifetime experience!”
Took our motion sickness pills as we got on the boat. The boat ride was rough and the waves were crazy high, bit it was an adventure. We got to see whales up close even before we started snorkeling! The water was rough but as soon as you looked under the water it was a whole different, beautiful scene. There were so many fish of all colors and sizes, the reef was so alive. We saw a green sea turtle and floated right next to it as it surfaced. Soup after was perfect because it was cold and breezy. Lunch was great!
“enjoyed”
i enjoyed the whole experience. Great people, great snorkelling, great crew, great day.
“Small Group and Heaps of Fun - Highly Recommend”
Absolutely incredible reef tour. Small group makes it authentic and fun. Guides were fantastic and we were given heaps of snorkel time. Bonus: we saw three turtles!
“Fantastic experience”
Fantastic experience, great guides, yummy food. The small number of people made it comfortable. We could ask questions and chat. Lovely day!
“great experience!”
Great trip! Nice boat, small numbers, crew were great. Lots of time in the water in 2 separate places. Highly recommend!
“The guided snorkel and personal interaction made a WORLD of diff”
We chose a smaller Owner/Operator and are so glad we did. It was a smaller group (15) and we had two guides in the water with us helping. As my wife and daughter are a bit worried about the sea, our guides Tuey and Julian were amazing. Tuey made sure we found Nemo the clown fish as well! We also saw many many other fish. But the big advantage was how comfortable they made my wife and daughter in the ocean. It made the whole snorkel amazing.
“Best small group snorkeling”
Crew was super helpful and informative, and the snorkeling was excellent. Dive instructor was very patient with my son, who ended up having an amazing first dive. What sets this apart is probably that the group was less than 20 people. The other boats all seemed to have several hundred people.
“Smaller is better”
A great choice if you prefer small groups — 20 maximum, and only 13 of us on the day. Two 90-minute snorkels felt like just the right amount, and it suits everyone from first-timers to experienced divers. Friendly crew and nice food.
“Fantastic day out”
Amazing day out. Great boat, fantastic crew, great food. Even though the weather made for rough seas and I normally get sea sick- the captain steered in such a way that I didn’t get sick at all. Very informative with the snorkeling. Definitely do the snorkeling tour
“Don’t miss it!”
This was by far the best trip. Staff had plenty of time to help anyone else but needed it. It really did feel personal. There was heaps of food. Thanks everyone.
“Amazing day!”
Loved it! The snorkeling and scuba Diving was so good and the crew was amazing. Loved that it was a small group. I would 100% recommend!
“A great day, with a crew who enjoy their jobs.”
A great day out. I enjoyed the snorkelling. My wife has never snorkelled before and doesn’t like putting her head in the water, although she is a good swimmer. She was happy just to sit on the boat. The skipper gently encouraged her along with one of the scuba instructed, to give it a try. She is so glad that she did, thank you for that.
“Day well spent”
Most amazing experience. These guys were amazing. The best Crew we could have asked for. They were friendly, professional and always looking after everyone. Very impressive. We managed to see pretty much every fish in Nemo including turtles and a reef shark. Thanks again guys you all rock. If you want to have a unforgettable experience go with these guys.
“Family Fun at the Great Barrier Reef”
What an awesome trip. I loved the intimacy of the smaller tour. Much more personal attention. The crew and the diving and snorkeling guides were great. Overall, a memorable experience.
“Green Island Ferry & Snorkelling Reef Safari”
Took the Big Green Cat over to Green Island and went on the Glass Bottom boat… a must! Also upgraded to the Reef Safari which was snorkelling further out on the reef via a boat with a guide from a Marine Biologist, Glenn - fantastic and would do this every day if I could - saw so much and snorkelled for over an hour in a small group. WOW
Green Island itself is rather tired and would benefit with an update of facilities, and investment
“Perfection”
Hands down the best snorkelling trip I have been on. The reef is full of life which mirrors the crew onboard. All of the staff were excellent, great humour and expert knowledge. I didn’t scuba dive, but have done once before. The safety briefing for the dive was so comprehensive I wish I had these instructors for my previous one! A particular highlight was the small group (max20) compared to larger trips (120). This made the experience much more personal, each crew member made genuine conversations with us onboard. Thanks to everyone for the brilliant day out, would recommend to anyone coming to Cairns. Slán go fóill, we will be back!
“Great choice - book now!”
Brilliant tour. Great crew, incredible coral, and relaxed happy holiday vibes. You won’t find better. We’ll be back!!
“Excellent trip to the Great Barrier Reef!”
Excellent boattrip with a small number of guests (max 20) and 4 crew-members. The crew-members did an amazing job giving us a wonderfull day at the reef with guided snorkle tours and guided scuba diving. The service was high, and the catering onboard was really nice. We did the tour with our 2 kids (8 and 13 years of age), and we can definitely recommend it.
“A great, affordable sailing excursion with friends!”
An absolute blast of an excursion. The weather was a little uncooperative, but we had no problem sailing out and back. Overall great food, drink, and snorkeling service. Worth it!
“Great reef experience”
I picked this tour given the smaller numbers, and glad I did.
There were 8 of us in total on the day, making it a more intimate experience.
I found the crew to be friendly and answered any questions that we had.
On both reef sights we visited, a crew member came out to snorkel with us and pointed out things of interest, we have otherwise missed. We were lucky enough to see some large rays, lots on fish and I even spotted a reef shark swim past.
My 14 year old daughter did a dive for the first time and had an instructor to herself, due to low interest in diving. She was very well looked after and absolutely loved the experience, stating it is the highlight of her holiday.
If you want to beat the crowds and travel at a more leisurely pace, this is definitely a tour to consider!
“Get away from crowds, and sail with Day Tripper”
Great crew, small group and fun experience.
The reef was beautiful, and we would go back again for sure. Food was good and crew was very knowledgeable.
“ Had a great day, thank you!”
We chose this day trip as you can avoid all the commercial crowds (as it’s a max of 20 people) and they take you to a different reef and not to the touristy one. Also we chose them because it’s the most eco friendly reef tour operating in the region and that was important to us. Friendly crew, safe, and experienced. Safety was their number one priority. They have dive/snorkel instructors that will go out with you snorkelling and show you all the wonderful wildlife there on the guided snorkel tours (or you can swim by yourself). We saw nemo, lots of colourful fish, giant clams, starfish, and a 2.5m reef shark, which swam away. Felt completely safe for the whole thing with instructor. Very nice lunch with veg and meat options. It was pouring down with rain in Cairns, but was super sunny and clear out in the reef so don’t let that put you off. Also was able to get some amazing shots with the drone. (Need permission from skipper) overall I would recommend this family run tour company to friends and family.
“Don’t miss it!”
Beautiful day in the barrier reef, amazing guide for snorkeling all around the corals and reef wildlife (an Australian guy)
Small group so even better and compared to the other companies they make a good price.
Only negative note is an Argentinian guy that was part of the crew who has been a little too much sarcastic and treated us a bit disrespectfully (didn’t like that).
All the rest was good.
Even good food during the lunch stop
“Comprehensive tour!”
Amazing day trip with reef daytripper. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Kit provided was spot on and the reef we went to was so quiet away from other boats. Highly recommend.
“Very satisfying”
I went on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with this company with a group of friends. The behavior of the staff, especially the instructors, was very friendly and professional. The boat - catamaran was older, not completely clean and smelled in the areas around the entrance to the toilet. The biggest problem on the ship was its captain. It was about a young lady, basically a teenager around twenty-five years old, who behaved arrogantly and contemptuously from the beginning. After the first dive, he accused his wife of touching a turtle in the sea, which was not true, and the instructor, who swam 0.5 m from her, could easily testify, it did not happen. We got into a heated argument when I accused her of unprofessionalism and lying. However, I did not receive the requested apology until the end of the cruise. My wife, who used to dive actively, was prevented from entering the sea again. My wife and I are 65 years old. We have traveled to many places in the world, we do not consider ourselves to be quarrelsome, rather very tolerant people, but this experience spoiled the whole first week of our first residence in Australia. Unfortunately, due to this fact, we do not recommend this company, presented by this pseudo captain, for a trip by sea.
“Perfect”
We wanted a sailing trip to the Great Barrier Reef away from the mass-market tours, and this was exactly it. We were thrilled with the friendly crew, the atmosphere and the feel of being on a sailing catamaran — everything was as advertised and better, and very genuine. The briefings were careful, everything was provided, and crucially there was shade for fair-skinned people like us; for the snorkelling we were given stinger suits, which are good in the water and cut down sun exposure too. A real hit for us. — Lutz and Judith
We were after a sailing trip to the Great Barrier Reef away from the mass-market tours, which had nearly put us off booking anything at all, and the friendly crew, the atmosphere and the feel of a sailing catamaran completely won us over. Everything was as advertised and then some, thoroughly authentic, the briefing was careful and nothing was missing — above all the chance of shade for fair-skinned people like us. For snorkelling we were given stinger suits, which are comfortable to swim in and also cut sun exposure in the water; a real bullseye for us, and thank you to the crew and the operator.
Brilliant. A wonderful crew, fantastic coral and an easy-going, low-fuss holiday feel. These are the only people I'd book with next time.
A great experience. The crew were friendly and really knowledgeable about the reef and all the interesting things to look for. Highly recommended.
“The trip in Cairns”
An amazing trip with the best crew. I'd recommend it and would happily do it again.
“Experience of a life time”
Of everything we did in Cairns, this was easily the best. The crew were amazing — really friendly and professional — and they took us to two spots, with turtles and a shark at the second along with all the other fish and sea life. Friends of ours went with a bigger group and didn't enjoy it nearly as much, so the smaller group is definitely the way to go. We'll be back to look for that turtle again.
“an amazing adventure on the Great Barrier Reef.”
An amazing day with a professional crew who looked after us exceptionally well — it felt like a family outing. A fantastic experience I'd highly recommend.
“Simply fantastic!!”
We travelled up from Melbourne specially for this after reading the reviews, and weren't disappointed. Safety comes first on the boat and the crew make sure everyone knows what to expect, but they do it with a sense of humour. We had two snorkels out on the reef with a crew member towing an orange life ring that stayed visible, so you always knew which way to head. The food was first class, and a small party of 20 was lovely.
A perfect day with a great team and a very good meal on the trip. The snorkelling is well supervised and the spots they take you to are incredible — I'd recommend it 100%.
A great trip out with these guys. Everyone was very well looked after, and we saw a good deal of the reef.
“An experience of a life time”
Amazing from start to finish. The crew were friendly, helpful and informative, and the food on board was fresh, tasty and plentiful. We got two snorkels totalling about two hours, with the option to scuba dive instead, and visibility was so good we saw the reef at its best — a couple of small sharks, turtles, masses of fish and some bumphead parrotfish that were enormous. Nice to see a part of the reef I'd never heard of, the other guests that day were a good bunch, and the maximum of 20 per trip is the perfect size. My friend and I couldn't recommend it more.
“Do not miss this opportunity!!”
The crew were magnificent and I felt genuinely cared for from the first welcome right through to getting off the boat. I saw far more underwater life than I'd ever expected — not to be missed.
I had the best possible day on this trip. We snorkelled at two different spots and saw turtles, a stingray and lots of colourful fish, but it was the wonderful crew who made the day what it was.
“Great experience!! 5⭐️”
An absolutely great day. The crew were cool and everyone on board was nice, we had lots of time for snorkelling and diving, and the lunch was good with plenty for everyone.
“Great snorkelling day as a couple!”
My partner and I had a great day snorkelling with Reef Daytripper, spending about three hours in the water across two reef locations where we were lucky enough to see reef sharks, stingrays and even a turtle. Both snorkels were guided by a crew member, which helped us make the most of each session, and while the journey is around 90 minutes each way it's a good chance to relax and take in the views of Cairns and beyond. Lunch is on the light side but a nice touch, and the glass of wine with cheese and crackers to finish the trip was very welcome. Choose this company if you want a relaxed, informative and fun day on the Great Barrier Reef.
An awesome day out with this crew — friendly, funny and always ready to lend a hand. The morning tea, the lunch and the afternoon tea were lovely as well. Thanks to Mikaela, Luke, Julian and Istvan for a great day.
“Great boat trip and snorkelling on The Great Barrier Reef”
The crew were warm, well-informed and very supportive of everyone. My adult daughter is a confident swimmer and diver while I'm a very poor swimmer who needed a lot of practical help to snorkel, and we both had a fabulous day and saw plenty of marine life. Snorkelling and diving are the focus of the day, but the food was nice too and there was a sociable side to it.
The snorkelling was unbelievable, the reef itself was great and the team were excellent.
An incredible day with this crew. They're well prepared and very good at putting you at ease, and although the weather wasn't ideal we still had an outstanding time snorkelling and scuba diving.
“Best way to see the Great Barrier Reef!”
An incredible trip I'd highly recommend. It's a small boat, so you get personal attention, and the crew are fantastic at taking care of everything — I was even able to add an afternoon dive once we were on board. The best way to see the Great Barrier Reef.
“Thanks for a great day!”
A fantastic way to see the reef — a small group, a good boat with plenty of room, and a friendly, accommodating crew. There was none of the hustle or queueing I saw elsewhere in the marina as we walked to our boat and stepped straight on, which I imagine goes on all day if you're on a big boat with a big group. There was plenty of good food, and we had two sessions of about 90 minutes snorkelling, or 30 minutes if you chose to dive — entirely up to you. I'm really pleased I picked Reef Daytripper.
“Great day on the reef on catamaran!!!”
My partner and I did this day trip because we wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef on a smaller boat with fewer people, and it worked out perfectly — just 17 of us plus the crew. The captain and crew were very attentive, we snorkelled at two locations and sailed on the way back, and the boat was comfortable and uncrowded at an affordable price.
“Absolutely value for money”
We were lucky to be in a small group with an amazing, friendly crew, and the food was great with plenty of it. Luke, Julian and Michaila took care of us and briefed us on how to look after the reef, and as I wasn't confident going off alone Luke guided me around the best spots so I got the most out of the snorkelling. Nothing but praise from me.
“A great experience, would recommend!”
Friendly staff, lovely food, and the reef looked healthy and full of life — plenty of tropical fish, giant clams and even a few types of reef shark, which was a treat. The smaller boat is perfect if you want something more personal and intimate. Highly recommended.
Five stars for the crew, the food and the friendliness, and they could not have been more helpful. My husband and I got three hours of chaperoned snorkelling, so what more could we ask for? Luke, Julian and Michaela were tops, and I'd recommend this company.
Our daughter had been earlier in the year and recommended it to us, and we loved it — the smaller group meant we could experience the reef without the crowds. The crew were great and the food was enjoyable too. We'd recommend it.
“Great trip on the reef”
We had a great day on the reef, both scuba diving and snorkelling. The crew were lovely and very helpful, including with those who weren't confident swimmers, and we could upgrade on the day to add a scuba dive. We saw lots of colourful fish and marine life, and there was a good buffet lunch and snacks with wine included.
An amazing snorkelling trip on the Great Barrier Reef. The catamaran-style sailing and motor boat was in excellent condition, and the friendly crew ran through the safety procedures, how to use the gear and what we'd be seeing, and took time to chat with and get to know everyone. Food was included, with a very good lunch plus snacks and drinks through the day, the spots we visited were beautiful, and I'd go with them again if I ever make it back to Cairns.
A lovely day out on a beautiful stretch of reef, with a friendly, accommodating crew. Well worth it, so thanks to Paul and the team.
“Great way to visit the reef”
A great crew who looked after everyone on board, and our teenage kids had a brilliant time snorkelling and diving.
“Amazing trip and staff!”
The staff were lovely, outgoing and very helpful, and the boat ride itself was fun and beautiful. The catamaran is small, but it suits the number of people on the trip, and the food was good with more than enough to go round. The reef spots were beautiful, and the crew knew each one in detail, right down to where particular animals were likely to be.
You couldn't ask for better value for money. We had a great time and every one of the staff was friendly, attentive and polite.
“Great day!”
An amazing day. The staff were welcoming and really knew their stuff, the food was great and everything we needed was provided. We enjoyed the small group size and being on a sailing boat. Highly recommended.
An amazing Great Barrier Reef trip with this lot. All the staff were fun and friendly, the meal was good, and the snorkelling on the reef is superb, with the added bonus that you simply jump off the back of the boat. Scuba diving is offered too, though we stuck to snorkelling; well worth it if you want a small, intimate group.
A great day. The staff were very friendly and knew their subject, and a smaller boat is a good way to see the reef. A nice lunch was provided.
“A wonderful day”
An unforgettable day on the coral reef, with incredible depths where we saw turtles, sharks and even clownfish.
“Barriera corallina, che spettacolo!”
A very well organised trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. The staff are well prepared and explain everything you need to spend the day safely at two fantastic spots on the outer reef. We saw lots of fish and colour, helped along by a great snorkelling guide — thanks to Sophie and the whole team.
I've been out to the reef many times, but this was our first small-group trip and it's the only way I'd do it now. Very personable, friendly and professional, with great service, food and guides.
We had an awesome time. The small group really does make a difference and the guides were considerate and friendly, and of course the sites themselves are amazing.
An amazing crew and a very personal experience. They look after you properly, both on deck and in the water, and it felt safe as well as fun.
A fantastic day out with the crew, even though conditions turned a bit hairy on the way home. They run a very professional operation and I'll happily head out with them again on my next trip to Cairns.
We booked their reef experience day trip and would recommend it to anyone. The crew were great, the intro to scuba was a highlight, and at the second site we did another intro dive plus a snorkel guided by a marine biologist; the food was excellent and even with overcast skies and choppy water we had a fabulous day, seeing turtles, a reef shark and all kinds of coral and fish. Seasickness usually gets me, but the tablets they had available did the job.
A great experience, and the small group is the key to it. Thanks, I had a brilliant time.
“A must do when in Cairns”
The boat is old but in very good order, and the crew were young, experienced and attentive to everyone on board, with all the safety procedures properly followed. Starting the day with coffee and pastries, then a nice buffet lunch and a glass of wine with fresh fruit on the way back, was great, and I was very impressed with the in-water guides — finding Nemo and Dory was a bonus. A day I'll remember for a long time and one I'd recommend to anyone.
“Brilliant”
I did this trip in November 2022 and it was absolutely fantastic — better than the bigger boats I've also been on. The crew looked after you, the food was excellent and I couldn't fault any of it. Out on the reef we saw fish by the dozen; choose this trip and you won't go wrong.
“Great day out!”
A great day out with the kids. The crew were great and attentive, the guided snorkelling tour was our highlight, and the food was very good too.
“Reef adventure”
A great day on the water with a small group of people — the only way to do it. It was a bit windy with big waves, but that only added to the adventure. The crew were amazing and attentive, and the snorkel guides were happy to explain everything; we saw turtles, masses of fish, starfish, sea cucumbers and coral, plus a bonus whale that breached three times on our way back in.
A fantastic day with this boat and crew, and a great option if you'd prefer a more personal approach to the big ships that carry 100-plus passengers. The snorkelling spots were excellent and the dive instructor was wonderfully patient and helpful, so I'd recommend booking with them.
“Wonderful Day.”
A well-maintained, comfortable boat captained by a very competent, multi-talented skipper with her international crew of dive masters and instructors, who prepare passengers for an introductory dive or a guided snorkel on request. The water was choppy and visibility less than ideal on our day, and as this isn't the outer reef the diversity and abundance of coral isn't obvious, but nature still delivered something beautiful — intermittent sunshine, warm wind and water, an attentive captain and crew, and a surprise guest in a very tired brown booby that a sympathetic crew member gently put back on the dinghy when it was too weak to fly off. Good conversation and plenty of healthy snacks before and after lunch, with wine and cheese on the return trip, made it enjoyable and worth recommending. Even so, I found the Great Barrier Reef shows more of its beauty on an overnight trip further out than the fringing reef at Upolu Cay.
“A great day”
A great day out with a very conscientious team. Unlike the huge snorkelling trips, our little catamaran had just nine guests, so it felt like a private boat, and food and drinks were offered at various points through the day. Sadly it was a little windy and visibility wasn't great, but it was still worthwhile; because the sea was rough they offered pool noodles and the two instructors in the water with us towed a life ring you could hold onto if you wanted. A very nice, memorable day — my one warning is that it can get quite rough out there, and three of our group who hadn't taken anything were really seasick.
“Recommended way to see the reef”
A very knowledgeable, skilled crew with a good sense of fun. The dive instructors gave experienced people tips to improve their snorkelling while also helping non-swimmers, and they put a lot of trust in strong swimmers, which is great for seeing as much wildlife as possible. The owner, who was only there for boarding, was a bit of a downer — he refused to let us board while we stood in the rain, then had me leave my gear where the tarp was leaking so it got wet — but the atmosphere lifted once he'd gone. Seasickness tablets are essential on a small boat for a long trip. Lunch was great, and the wildlife was amazing: squid, a friendly shark, stingrays, turtles, beautiful shells and many kinds of fish. I definitely liked the small group size — the best way to see the reef.
“Unique adventure”
A small-group tour with a friendly, experienced international crew, and we saw beautiful marine life on two snorkels. There was ample good food at lunch and we were lucky with the weather. I would have liked some proper sailing, but apparently the motor had to be used the whole way.
“Fantastic day out.”
Very well organised with a friendly crew, and the small group makes it a really enjoyable day. I had a fantastic time, and the coral and marine life were amazing.
“An amazing day”
We had a perfect time — the small sailboat and limited numbers, about 15 of us, make it far more enjoyable, and we had our own diving and snorkelling spots with no other boats around. The boat was quite spacious, so you could sit out the front in the sun or stay inside away from the spray, and the food was excellent with plenty for seconds. Big thanks to the friendly, welcoming crew, Mikayla, Sofia, Julian and especially Justine, who took us on a lovely scuba dive — our first — and snorkelling among masses of fish; all four were there whenever needed and made sure everyone had a good time on board and in the water. Great value and very good service, and I'd come back myself.
“Give me some fin...”
A great day sailing out to the reef despite rough water. The crew were friendly and knowledgeable and guided us around to the best spots, and noodles were offered to anyone wanting minimum swimming and maximum viewing, which suited my lazy streak perfectly. I'd try to go in the warmer months next time, as a cold wind and wet bodies left us all shivering over lunch. The highlight was getting up close with a turtle.
A really enjoyable trip with a top-notch crew. The journey out to the barrier does drag if the weather isn't with you, but once you arrive you're swimming in the middle of the coral and it's magnificent — I'd suggest taking the diving option, which brings you closer to the coral with the instructors looking after you well, and the meal on the boat was genuinely excellent. One caution: only go if you don't suffer from seasickness, because the sea is not calm.
“Amazing trip”
An amazing trip and I'd strongly recommend these guys. Our guided snorkelling instructor was Julian, whose guidance was excellent; he took us to two reefs, both beautiful and full of different marine life. Do remember seasickness tablets, as the ride can get a bit bumpy.
I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to explore the Great Barrier Reef. With roughly 15 passengers in our case, the crew could give each person more attention, the snorkelling and the dive both stayed with me, and Justine was a superb instructor for our very first dive. The crew were friendly and helpful throughout and the food was good.
“Brilliant way to see the Great Barrier Reef and for…”
I'd highly recommend this for anyone wanting to explore the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns. I'd had a really bad experience with a different company a few years ago and was wary of booking again, but this trip had a smaller group and a friendly crew who clearly knew what they were doing. We chose to scuba dive, my boyfriend's first time, and he felt very at ease after the crew's PADI-certified intro with a picture book, which was informative. The food was great and being offered cheese and a glass of wine on the way back was a nice touch; my only suggestion is that we didn't get much information about the reef and its marine life, which I'd have liked.
My son and I went out with this company today and had a great time. The crew knew their subject, the weather was kind and the snorkelling was fantastic — we spotted sharks, a turtle, clownfish, other fish besides and plenty of colourful coral. Sophie, who guided us on the day, was a pleasure to talk to, and I'd recommend this trip if you want a small boat and a personal experience.
The crew worked hard and were friendly, and made this a memorable trip out to the reef even though the sun never came out.
We had a truly brilliant Great Barrier Reef trip with this operator. Justine is a wonderful scuba instructor whose knowledge and experience come through in the way she guides. We loved our day and would happily dive with her again.
A great day out I couldn't recommend more highly. The staff and captain were friendly and helpful, and being a smaller boat the trip felt much more personal and relaxed — we got to talk and hang out with all the crew at different points. We saw a moray eel, a sea turtle and so many different tropical fish and coral. I've been on one of the larger boats before, but this felt like being out with friends and was worth every cent.
“Superb experience”
A superb experience. The crew were really helpful and friendly, there was a great atmosphere on board and the snorkelling guidance was professional. We had fun both diving and sailing out to the reef, and I'd completely recommend a trip with them.
“Great snorkelling, plenty of food.”
My partner and I did this reef cruise with my parents and had great snorkelling at both stops on Upolu Reef, with plenty of time to explore. The crew were very friendly and helpful, and the catamaran was just the right size for a small group. Lunch was filling, though I'd take serviettes as none were provided with it, and wear something quick-drying since you can get wet when the sea is rough.
“Rough but wonderful day at sea”
I loved this trip, and both the crew and the snorkel gear were top notch — I saw all the fish and sea life, and thankfully no jellyfish. That said, it isn't for the faint-hearted: strong swimmers only, not one I'd suggest for children or anyone with mobility issues, and take seasickness medication before you go. They offer on-the-spot dive certification for $70 and have one GoPro to rent for $55. The ocean is very rough, and the first stop is a two-hour run from the marina, where you get 1.5 hours to snorkel in a compulsory full-body stinger suit that's provided but hard to get into — like a damp, very thick swimsuit covering you head to toe, and with my shoulder problems a struggle to get on and off for the boat's toilet. Then there's a hearty lunch, with vegetarian options and gluten-free if you ask in advance; my husband liked the BBQ chicken legs. The boat sails an hour further north over lunch to the second stop, where you get about 45 minutes in the water, and then it's a fast, very bouncy three-hour ride back with no lounging on the nets, plus a round of snacks and a celebratory wine toast. All up we were out from 7:30 to 17:30.
“lovey day, fish well fed ;))”
A fantastic day — I should have listened to my friends and taken seasickness tablets, but luckily Michaela looked after me. Book this day out, you won't regret it. I'll be back in 2024, and I owe Michaela a drink.
Fantastic — a nice boat with a small group, and the staff were genuinely helpful and nice, taking you to the good spots on the reef. There are extra floaties so you can catch your breath now and then. I've done another tour with 90 people and this one was far better; just make sure you take a travel sickness pill before you board.
“Magic”
An amazing day out. All the staff were very nice and helpful, and we saw a big turtle and a shark.
“Amazing crew food and boat loved it”
The crew were amazing and ran the day well, with lots of food and plenty of accommodating of everyone's needs, and the reef they took us to was really cool — we saw lots of fish, turtles and sharks. The boat is small, but that made it much nicer as we ended up talking to everyone, and lying in the nets was a great way to experience the ocean differently. Paul took us out for a tour and we saw a lot and learned plenty about the reef, and the food was excellent all round.
“Great Barrier Reef Experience”
A great experience. The crew were awesome and made sure everyone had a good time in a safe environment, explaining everything needed in detail. With only 17 of us it was neither a big crowd nor a big boat. Highly recommended.
“Phenomenal”
The crew were amazing and caring. I went snorkelling while five months pregnant and they made me feel extremely safe for the whole day trip.
A highly recommended experience. There were 17 of us and four staff, and still plenty of space on the boat. The included guided snorkels were excellent — we saw a turtle, reef sharks, Nemo and plenty of other creatures — and we also tried scuba diving for the first time, with guides so knowledgeable that the whole thing felt safe and easy. Thanks for an amazing day on the reef.
“Pleasant reef trip”
Our day out with Reef Daytripper was a great one. The weather wasn't the best, but the crew made a great day of it anyway — with good weather I'd have given it six stars. The only room for improvement is the lunch: it was nice enough, but some of the salads weren't the best. We'd still do it again regardless.
A beautiful, kind crew with plenty of knowledge. The snorkel guides were really welcoming, made us all feel safe and gave us an awesome experience of the reef, and they were great at spotting marine life so everyone got to see something special. The food, made by the talented captain, was amazing too. The one thing I'd like to see in future is only reef-safe sunscreen used by guests and crew — small gestures like that make a difference and help educate people.
“fulfilling a dream”
What impressed me most was the crew: they didn't give up on anyone and were very helpful in the water.
“Brilliant!”
A fantastically fun and very well organised trip. The crew were great — safe, good at explaining things, very patient with new snorkellers, and they guided you round the reef pointing out what they spotted, including some friendly sharks. Briefings on safety were thorough and easy to follow, sting suits were compulsory with no exceptions, and they stopped people diving who didn't have the right paperwork rather than turning a blind eye. The food was good, with gluten-free and vegetarian catered for, and most amazingly they had prescription goggles that were better than my own glasses. It's a small catamaran with only 18 of us, which was great — everyone was chatting and friendly and it felt like a team, and we all agreed a big boat wouldn't have been as good. A fabulous day out; my only suggestion is that the crew talk a bit slower and louder during the briefings, as one of them was hard to hear.
We had a lovely day out on the reef. The crew were welcoming, funny and helpful, and kept everyone entertained, and we saw plenty of beautiful reef life: clownfish, turtles, fish in every colour and size, and even a harmless shark. The food was well made and we'd go again, so thank you Mikaela, Sam and Gabriel.
We'd done a lot of research before picking a reef trip and this one went well past what we'd hoped for. With 18 of us aboard we got proper one-on-one attention and plenty of insight into the reef's marine life, plus a lovely lunch with wine once we were out of the water. I was nervous about snorkelling for medical reasons and Sam looked after me beautifully in the water; he, Michaela and Gabrielle were all superb, and we saw turtles, a huge clam and no end of fish.
My husband and I had just qualified as scuba divers and wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef, and this was the perfect trip for it; we loved the motor-sail journey out and appreciated the smaller group. The crew, Michaela, Julien, Sam and Gabriel, were incredible and all great teachers, and we were especially grateful to Gabriel and Sam, who took us on our dives. Nothing felt rushed, the guides were good at pointing out wildlife and we even saw a shark, so if you're new to scuba or want to try it for the first time this is the one; the snorkellers looked like they were enjoying theirs too.
“Amazing reef snorkel! Staff is GREAT!”
The forecast was windy and grey but we got sunshine and flat water instead, and the reef itself was everything we'd hoped. Captain Mikayla, Julian and Gabriel looked after us brilliantly across two nearby sites; Gabe guided the first snorkel and pointed out a green turtle, a reef shark, rays, giant clams, a sea cucumber and endless fish, and at the second we went off by ourselves and ended up floating in the middle of hundreds of them. Lunch was cold meats, chicken legs, salads and bread, and the two-hour run home came with wine, fruit and cheese and crackers - the best thing we did in Cairns.
A 7:30am departure in torrential rain had us ringing to check the trip was even running, but the three young crew met us cheerfully, ran the safety briefing on the way out and put on coffee and pastries. This boat takes two hours to reach the reef and it was a rough ride - take the seasickness tablets; with 13 of us aboard the covered area was comfortable, though a full 20 would be tight. Stinger suits and fins were fitted before the first snorkel, and the two in-water guides helped everyone in and handed out pool noodles, but 2-3ft of swell and a strong current made it genuinely hard work and the water was murky, so we only saw a fair variety of fish rather than anything special. Lunch was generous - cold meats, potato and pasta salads, leaves, chicken legs, bread, with free water and cans at $2 - and the second site was shallower and clearer so we saw much more. The long trip back brought wine, fresh fruit and then cheese and biscuits in calmer water; the crew were excellent, friendly and clearly safety-minded, and on a sunny, calmer day this would be a wonderful trip. We'd happily go again in better weather.
“Great trip with a smaller group to fairly private locations.”
I specifically wanted a small-group snorkel trip with good sites and no pontoon, and that is exactly what this was, with around 13 of us aboard. Everyone snorkelled at the first stop, either independently or alongside a crew member who shared some great facts and was clearly passionate about the reef; at the second stop I did the introductory scuba dive and, as the only one, had the instructor to myself. The captain (I think also the owner) and crew were friendly, and the group was a nice mix of families, couples and solo travellers.
“Successful snorkel day”
A really good snorkelling trip - the crew could not have been friendlier, the reef sites were excellent and free of crowds, and the boat was clean and clearly well looked after.
“Highly recommend”
I'd happily recommend this one: it was a well-run operation with a crew who were both entertaining and knowledgeable, all the gear was included, the food was very good and the diving was superb.
“A perfect day- Beautiful scenery, friendly, fun and…”
A fantastic day, with a guided snorkel led by people who clearly know how to snorkel and dive. All three crew were welcoming, good fun and full of information, and they kept the food and drinks coming all day. A wonderful experience.
“Just great!”
I had a brilliant time. The boat is sizeable but it still feels intimate, so you end up chatting to the crew and your fellow travellers, and the owner is aboard himself making sure the service is good. Everything is included, the crew are lovely and funny, and the instructors keep an eye on you the whole time you're snorkelling or diving.
“Fun and exciting”
A really laid-back day with a team who knew their stuff. I tried diving for the first time, felt completely safe doing it, and loved every minute.
Beautifully run, with a friendly, helpful and genuinely fun crew, a small group, a lovely boat and great food. The cruise out to the reef sites was very relaxed and the snorkelling was superb. The weather wasn't ideal but we still had a great day and would recommend it without hesitation.
“Great day”
What a day - the water was gorgeous and the crew were lovely. We saw turtles, a stingray, a shark and plenty of fish.
A really great day out. We picked this trip specifically because it caps passengers at 20, and it gave us a lovely personalised experience. We'd book with them again.
“Awesome day trip on the ocean”
I'd definitely recommend this one. Travelling on my own, I loved that the group was small enough to actually get talking to the other passengers. The guides were extremely friendly and gave me a lot of help when I was struggling with the snorkel and dive gear, and the food and snacks were good too.
“It was amazing!”
This trip was superb. You snorkel two different reef sites, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, about an hour and a half each. I also tried scuba diving for the first time and had the instructor with me the whole way, so I felt completely safe. The crew were wonderful and I'd absolutely recommend it.
A brilliant day trip. The crew were lovely, the group was small so the mood was great, and the food was excellent. We came away with wonderful memories of what's down there - recommended a thousand times over.
“Best reef tour around!”
A wonderful day on the reef. Micheala, Julian and Gabriel were terrific - full of knowledge and happy to help with anything. The reef sites were gorgeous, I did my first real scuba dive, and the food and drinks were excellent too. Small groups make all the difference when you actually want to enjoy the reef. Ten out of ten.
A very nice trip with a friendly, caring crew: about 15 of us and three crew, so the atmosphere was warm and people were talking to each other and to the crew from early on. They clearly knew exactly what they were doing and kept us informed about the trip, the reef and the stories behind it, and we had two stops long enough to snorkel properly without harming anything, with all the gear provided, some guests choosing to dive, and a guide minding the group and showing us interesting spots and details. Lunch, snacks, fresh fruit and drinks kept coming, and the bigger, crowded-looking boats nearby overtook us on the way back to harbour, but they didn't really win, because we were relaxed and enjoying the slower ride.
“DO IT ! SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE”
Lovely day out - the staff were really friendly and attentive. We snorkelled and they told us all sorts of interesting things about the fish. I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.
A wonderful day with a small group and three excellent crew. We saw a lot of reef and plenty of fish, and the guided snorkelling was the highlight.
“Very nice excursion to the Great Barrier Reef”
An excellent day out on the Great Barrier Reef. The crew were lovely - attentive and easy company - and the boat's size means you get a small-group day on a beautiful catamaran, which was precisely what we wanted for somewhere this special. We snorkelled two different sites and saw the reef's fish and corals, and breakfast, lunch and the afternoon snack aboard were all very good. We felt well looked after and are delighted we picked this trip. A wholehearted recommendation.
Fewer passengers made for a better day. The weather was lovely, the staff were friendly and the snorkelling and diving briefings were clear, so everything ran smoothly. It is a long boat ride out to the reef, but that's to be expected - and the snorkelling sites were beautiful.
“Book this trip!”
A great day on the reef with the Reef Daytripper team, who were welcoming and full of knowledge. It was our first time snorkelling and it lived up to everything we'd hoped. The small group meant we could chat with the crew and the other guests. Thanks to Michaela, Sharee, Gabriel and Julian - thoroughly recommended.
“Exceeded our expectations”
It was a terrific experience from the moment we stepped aboard. The crew were great and the captain clearly knew the reef; we felt safe and got to snorkel two different spots. Lunch was good, the snacks were spot on, and the stinger suits were a welcome extra. Well worth both the time and the money.
We really enjoyed our day out on the reef. The skipper was excellent and very professional, offered good insight into the reef and kept everything running smoothly, and the dive masters were great too.
“Totally worth it!”
Lovely crew and well worth doing. They took us to spots where we could see the underwater world properly, and kept a careful watch on everyone out there - travelling as a family with a 12-year-old, we felt entirely safe. We loved the snorkelling and came away much more confident about it. One tip: flag any dietary requirements when you book, because there are no alternatives once you're at sea. We forgot to ask for vegetarian food and it could have been awkward, though it worked out fine.
“Amazing day trip”
A great trip and good value. The crew made us feel very welcome and the smaller group made it much more personal. We were well looked after, with a good lunch and snacks, and having the snorkel guides nearby meant we felt safe in the water. We saw loads of wildlife - a turtle, clownfish, a shark and lots of starfish. I'd done a bigger, more commercial reef trip before and much preferred this one.
“Recommend this trip”
Nicely organised and a great crew, and the 20-passenger cap was a real plus. There are endless reef trips to choose from; we went with this one and had no regrets. Other operators might visit more interesting stretches of reef, but this was plenty for us.
“Nice team, small group, beautiful locations.”
Good crew and a small group. The boat is slower than the ones the bigger operators run, but in exchange you get a far more personal day. I'd recommend it.
“Highly recommend Reef Daytripper”
Some tours stay with you because they could be better; a rare few stay with you because they were faultless, and this reef day with Reef Daytripper was firmly in the second camp - book it as soon as you can. The crew made the day: extremely professional, engaging, attentive and caring, and they set an example on looking after the environment that the passengers all felt. The boat struck us as spotless and comfortable, and having travelled and toured widely we know the difference a good guide makes - this crew were safe, accommodating and put everyone at ease. The equipment was first rate, the guided snorkel was a bonus we hadn't expected, and we'd never have imagined such colour and variety of sea life. Recommended without reservation. Stewart & Tammy
A small, personal trip out to beautiful reef locations, with plenty of tropical fish and turtles.
“A fantastic experience”
A wonderful day at the reef with a small team who genuinely work at making your day as good as it can be. That included the scuba diving - I was apprehensive at the start but they settled me quickly and supported me at every stage. I'd recommend Reef Daytripper to anyone.
A great crew, and all the staff were friendly and welcoming. Even if you're not a confident swimmer they'll help you have a good experience and see the creatures of the reef, and I'd love to join this trip again next time I'm in Cairns.
“Great day on Great Barrier Reef”
Captain Paul and his crew were friendly, helpful and full of knowledge, which made for a perfect day's snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. With only about 15 guests aboard it was a relaxed day with good food and plenty of personal attention from the crew. Couldn't have been better.
“Best trip for scuba and snorkelling”
A brilliant day out on the reef. The smaller passenger numbers really appealed and the crew were very experienced. If you want something more personal, I'd recommend it highly.
We had a good time - the reef was beautiful and we even caught sight of a shark while snorkelling. Lunch was a tasty buffet with barbecued chicken and pasta salads. The boat is slow, about two hours out to the reef; the views are good but you do get a little bored partway, and something to do on the run would help. My real gripe was the second snorkel, where the current was so strong that swimming was a struggle - once they saw that, I think they should have moved somewhere else, because it spoiled the enjoyment. Even so, we got two to three hours in the water overall plus a good meal, so I'd still recommend it.
“Great trip to the reef”
A great trip - this was my second time and I'd go again. The crew are lovely and go well beyond what's asked; it was my aunt's first time snorkelling and they were patient and extremely helpful with her.
“Great Experience by the Reef”
Good value for the money. With no more than 20 guests you get a lovely day out at the reef and the chance to get to know the other passengers. We also spotted a reef shark and a turtle. Recommended without reservation.
“The best snorkeling experience ever.”
I really enjoyed this trip - the best snorkelling I've done. The staff were very helpful. Recommended.
“One of the best reef tours we've been on”
The guided snorkel was excellent - the staff know their stuff and keep it all very relaxed, with lots of instruction and plenty of patience. Take a GoPro so you can relive it afterwards. If you want to try scuba, the instructors are great and dive alongside you. Highly recommended.
“Amazing Day”
We did the full-day snorkelling trip with a group of friends and it was terrific. The reef was even more impressive than we'd expected, the food was excellent and the staff were wonderful. We'd recommend it and would happily do it again.
It was our first time snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and this operator completely won us over: we'd intended to go with a larger company a friend had recommended, but they were full on our date, which was lucky for us. With 13 guests and three crew the small numbers made it feel exclusive, the food on board was very good and vegetarian-friendly, and the snorkelling spots were superb. Our highlights were a reef shark, a turtle and a Nemo, and the crew were thoroughly likeable and led anyone who wanted it through the water.
Our day with Reef Daytrippers was terrific. The staff were kind, friendly and patient, the scuba and snorkel briefings were very clear, and they kept an eye on everyone all day, which made us feel safe. They spent a lot of time with me and stayed calm and encouraging when the fish made me too frightened to swim. Lunch was good and the boat was clean and roomy enough for the group. We'd recommend them without hesitation.
“Sensational.”
A great adventure with a wonderful crew - Sharee especially, who was brilliant at building confidence in the kids and in those of us who were less sure in the water. Lovely reef sites and excellent value.
An outstanding small-group day on the reef. The staff were knowledgeable, the atmosphere relaxed, and the boat was small and comfortable - none of the commercial crowds or those huge metal platforms. Good food and time to enjoy both the sunshine and the water.
An excellent day out, with a very friendly, helpful crew and great food. We were lucky enough to get amazing weather, and with a smallish group of 15 we felt properly cared for and well informed. Our adult children did an introductory dive which was the high point of their time in Cairns, especially thanks to Julian, a terrific instructor.
“One of the best”
A wonderful adventure on the reef - friendly, informative and relaxing, and one of our favourite reef experiences.
Thanks to Paul and Makayla for a fun day out. The snorkelling was great, the staff were friendly and knowledgeable, it was all very relaxed and the catering was generous.
“Tropical Penguins OMG”
A great day at the reef. The crew were helpful and full of information, and Captain Paul was genuinely warm without a hint of being over the top. We snorkelled two spots and both were superb, with all sorts of fish and an enormous turtle. The highlight, though, was the tropical penguin spotting with crew member 'Scarlett Johansson'.
It turned out far better than I'd expected. Neither my boyfriend nor I swim well, but the skippers stayed with us and even towed us along on a life buoy when the water got choppy — a shout out to skipper Ish, who was with us in the water. We felt a bit seasick after snorkelling and they looked after us brilliantly, warm soup included; the small group made it feel personal rather than like being just a number.
“A great experience at the reef”
I enjoyed my snorkelling trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. The three crew explained what to expect and gave us good advice, and we visited two reef sites with up to an hour and a half at each - one crew member in the water with the snorkellers, one watching from the boat and one with the scuba divers. Their support was excellent: at the second site I'd run out of enthusiasm for swimming and they kindly towed me over to the reef on a lifebuoy. Food and drinks were included throughout - hot drinks and pastries in the morning, a varied lunch, then cheese, crackers, fruit and even wine on the way back to Cairns. I've given four rather than five only because of how long the journey takes each way; that said, this is one of the cheaper reef snorkelling options, and a quicker crossing means paying for a bigger, faster boat or starting closer to the reef.
“Very safe and comfortable”
Everyone was warm and welcoming from the moment we stepped aboard, and the instructions were clear and orderly so we were never left wondering what came next. Safety came first and we were looked after superbly; the two guides were excellent and really knew their subject, and although we aren't confident in the water they made us feel secure. There was plenty of snorkelling time and the food was delicious - my personal highlight was the hot soup handed out after the first snorkel, very welcome when you come out a bit chilled. If you'd rather avoid crowds and want individual attention, this is the trip. A lovely day.
“A day I in the reef”
I liked the small group, and the snorkelling was great with plenty of time set aside for it and all the gear provided. The food was delicious and the crew were friendly and helpful. A great day out at the reef - highly recommended.
Great value, and we loved that there weren't many people on the boat. Our only regret is that we didn't snorkel.
“One of the best!!!!!”
If you're still scrolling to decide, stop and book this one. For the price you get breakfast, a barbecue lunch, a cheese and fruit platter and more besides. I was very unsure about snorkelling since I can't swim, but Caleb (however it's spelt) held my hand and guided me the whole way, staying patient even while I screamed. I'll be recommending them to all my friends and family.
An outstanding experience all round. The introductory scuba dive I did was superb — thanks for such a good day out on the reef.
“Amazing day trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef”
Paul and his crew were professional, with clear instructions that left us feeling safe both on the boat and while snorkelling. The wetsuits and masks were good quality and the boat suited our small group of 17 well. The included food and drinks were fresh and delicious. If I'd change one thing, I'd want more information about the sites we visited - there wasn't much one-to-one time with the crew, though that's understandable given how much they had to do. We'd recommend this day trip.
“Family snorkeling trip with teenagers”
A full day, 7.45am to 4.15pm, snorkelling at Upolo Cay on the outer reef. The crew were friendly, informative and careful about everyone's safety both aboard and in the water, and all the snorkel gear and wetsuits are provided, along with a delicious healthy lunch and afternoon tea. There was a big swell while we snorkelled but visibility was around 10m and we saw a lovely range of coral, tropical fish and turtles. Noodles were handed out and the guides carried a flotation ring, but if you're bringing children make sure they're happy swimming in deep, choppy open water. It was rough, particularly on the way home, though travel sickness tablets sorted me out. Highly recommended.
“Perfect way to see the reef.”
Fantastic from beginning to end. The crew were lovely and knew the reef inside out, and they were thoughtful and caring when it turned choppy and a few people felt unwell. The food aboard was very nice. I was secretly anxious about snorkelling and, without my even telling them, they made me feel safe and self-assured. Having just 13 guests aboard was great - it felt almost private. I'd recommend these guys highly; it was a fabulous day.
“Great snorkeling trip”
A lovely crew who worked hard, excellent snorkelling, helpful throughout, guided snorkel tours if you want one, and very good food.
This was a fantastic day snorkelling the reef with Reef Daytripper. The crew behaved professionally, helped wherever they could and gave us plenty of information and local tips. Between us we spotted sea turtles, giant clams, clownfish, starfish, an octopus and black tip sharks, and a good deal more. The food was good and there was lots of it, and they looked after the people on board who were feeling seasick. I'll be passing their name on to friends.
Wonderful. The crew are capable and easy-going, and thoroughly good company. There's only room for about 15 or 16 passengers plus crew, and being in such a small group makes the whole thing far more enjoyable. We even saw plenty of whales. Strongly recommended.
“Excellent, loved it!”
The staff on board were so friendly - they towed my daughter around the reef with the life ring in choppy conditions without a word of complaint. The food was excellent and they were flexible about our time in the water. Thanks to everyone for a great trip; I'd recommend them to anyone heading to Cairns.
“Bucket List Experience”
Seeing the reef with such good guides was wonderful. The corals and fish were beautifully varied, and the giant clams and electric-blue starfish were a joy, along with everything else down there. We were also lucky enough to see whales, thanks to the skipper's sharp eye. At my age I don't know whether I'll get to do this again, so I feel very fortunate to have made the trip.
“Awesom experience”
These people know what they're doing. A wonderful day out, with friendly staff, good food and an excellent experience all round.
“Relaxing day on the reef”
A lovely, relaxed day. The staff were friendly and really knew the reef, the spots we stopped at were great, and they were good at pointing out where to head. The small group made it an enjoyable day too.
“An Indulgent day in the Great Barrier Reef”
Every part of the day was excellent. The team were friendly, helpful and caring, working flat out to keep everyone on the sailing boat comfortable and happy. The food was outstanding: hot coffee and pastries in the morning, then lunch with fresh bread, lettuce, cold meats and pasta, and later local fresh fruit with blue vein, camembert and cheddar and crackers. The snorkelling was beautiful with the crew's help, and the wetsuits they provide kept us warm in the water. Thank you for a day full of joy and laughter.
“My first day on the Great Barrier Reef.”
A few things to know about me first: I don't want to be one of more than ten people, I don't want to be a number, I don't like being ordered about, and I want something personal, calm and respectful. In Cairns during the July school holidays that's a tall order, so I chose Reef Daytripper because it's an ordinary-sized sailing catamaran - I wanted the wind, rain and spray, and I expected to be cold, since this is a reef out in the open ocean. I struck gold: the weather was perfect, and with no wind in the morning the boat motored out. Mikyla the skipper and the crew were superb and couldn't do enough for you. I did two dives with an instructor, not out of any necessity but because one is part of the crew. There were about 16 aboard, including a woman with a broken leg and two girls of five or six, and everything was handled with individual care and no fuss. It felt like my own private trip - very memorable, and I'd recommend a day with this team. One note: on a sailing boat the weather matters, so check it.
“Amazing service, meals and crew”
The crew and the service were wonderful - on those alone it would be five stars. The weather, through no fault of theirs, was dreadful and the sea very choppy, which made the two and a half hours out to the outer reef and back sheer misery, but the crew stayed cheerful and sailed carefully the whole time. The reef itself is still as short on life and colour as I found it more than six years ago, which is sad - the two tourist-free years haven't brought it back as much as I'd hoped. The meals on board were exceptional.
“Paul and crew were great! Overall fantastic experience we…”
A wonderful day snorkelling on the reef. Having done plenty of full-day snorkel trips in other parts of the world, I'd say this was a good one but strictly for adults and strong swimmers - the water was rough, the current strong and the swims long, which I personally loved. Snorkels, fins, wetsuits and float noodles are all supplied, but I'd still steer children, and anyone unsure in the water, away from this one. Paul and the crew were welcoming and helpful. In the morning there were muffins or pastries with tea and coffee; it was freezing in the wind after the first snorkel, so the hot pumpkin soup handed out as we climbed back aboard was very welcome. Lunch, served between the two snorkel sites, was cold meats - chicken, salami, ham - with potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw and bread, and in the afternoon they brought out fresh fruit, cheese and biscuits plus a glass of wine or a beer. The one downside was the journey home: this boat is slower than most, so it's a long run, and ours was in rough seas. Take something for seasickness and pack dry clothes and a jumper, because the wind on the way back can be bitter. A fantastic day overall.
“Really really great!”
An absolutely wonderful day on a lovely little boat with a fantastic crew who really know - and love - the reef and the area. Lunch was superb. I can't recommend this tour highly enough.
I'd thoroughly recommend this company and this cruise. The weather wasn't in our favour, but that's nobody's fault, and the crew were so friendly, warm and knowledgeable that it stopped mattering. The small numbers made for a really pleasant day talking to the crew and our fellow passengers, and we were beautifully looked after - definitely the trip to take if you want to escape the crowds. They even put the sail up, and despite the swell the snorkelling spots were superb. I couldn't recommend them more.
A really lovely experience and a very good day - friendly, professional crew and a boat on a sensible, human scale. A great crew and a wonderful day. Thank you - I'd recommend it.
“Small group such fun.”
A wonderful day out on the reef. Travelling solo, I chose this smaller trip hoping it would feel more personal and let me meet other travellers, and it was the right call - 15 of us of all ages, and everyone was chatting over coffee and cake before long. The safety briefing and instruction all happened on the way out, so there was no hanging around once we reached the reef; we went straight in. The snorkelling was fantastic, with plenty to see and never a moment of feeling unsafe, and we had lots of time in the water before a good lunch on board. Then on to the second site with plenty of time to explore again. The ride home, sitting in the nets on the bow, was great fun. A full day's activity and worth every cent - thanks to the Reef Daytripper team for a magical day.
“It was great!”
A great day at the reef, with a small group and good snorkelling and diving spots. Completely carefree. Highly recommend.
An amazing day out on the reef. The staff were really lovely and the whole day ran smoothly. I was very nervous about diving as it had been so long since my last dive, but they made me feel comfortable and safe, so I'd definitely recommend it.
“Daytripper Fun”
We loved this trip. Paul, Micaela and Baptiste ran it beautifully and were very accommodating. Our group was small and it rained most of the way out and back, but happily it stayed dry at both reefs, which were full of colour and fish. We did a scuba dive as well and saw a whole range of fish plus a turtle, and we were lucky enough to have dolphins swimming alongside the boat for a while - a real treat. Going with the smaller boat was the right choice; it felt intimate, there was plenty of laughter and everybody got talking. My daughter is vegan and they'd put together a vegan platter just for her, which we really appreciated. Thanks, we'll be back.
Big commercial cruises aren't our thing, so The Reef Daytripper suited us perfectly - smaller than the usual cruise boats but with room for 20 in a relaxed, casual way. Paul and his crew are very experienced, funny and accommodating. Spotting a sea turtle was the high point, and as my daughter put it, it was the best day ever. Thanks to Paul, Micaela and Baptiste - they looked after us well.
This is the trip to pick if the big commercial cruises don't appeal. It's small but with room enough for 20, the mood is relaxed and casual, and Paul and the crew took very good care of us. I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.
We booked the full-day sailing trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, and it was our first go at snorkelling. The crew - Michaela, Juliano and Babtiste - were wonderful and went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. The food was excellent too, with morning tea, lunch and then cheese, fruit and a drink later on. Only 15 passengers were aboard, which was a good size. Thank you for a memorable day - highly recommended.
A great crew and a lovely day out. Thanks to Bruno for being so professional on our dive, it was much appreciated.
“Great experience and eco-friendly”
Three things stood out for me on this tour: the friendly, knowledgeable staff, how much sea life there was at the reef, and the motorised sailing boat itself.
“WOW! Reef Daytripper Rock!!!”
As returning customers we can't fault Reef Daytripper - Mikaela skippered, the deck crew were terrific, and although it was choppy with a little rain the day was still superb, with morning tea, a good lunch and plenty of afternoon refreshments. Covid forced us to move our booking several times over two years and Paul's team refunded us immediately each time. Professional, informative and strong on safety - five stars.
A nice small operator with friendly staff and a good lunch. The snorkelling spot was great and it was easy to switch across to scuba, and it's refreshing not to be on one of the big commercial boats.
We chose this one for the small group and there were 15 of us plus four crew, which felt like the right number - it was cramped inside once the rain came. Skipper Michaela was interesting on her own diving adventures and sitting up front on the way out was fun, but the first snorkel site was rough with strong currents, the coral looked colourless with few fish, and the most experienced deckhand spoke to some passengers so rudely it soured the day. Lunch of chicken, salads and bread was fine and the afternoon fruit, cheese and cask wine were welcome - I'd still recommend it, but take something for seasickness and think twice with young children.
“Magic output”
A really enjoyable trip with a lively, friendly team, and a bonus for us was that the boss speaks French and one of the guides, Baptiste, is French too. It was all well organised, we snorkelled at two sites, and the meal was substantial. It gave us a fantastic last day in Cairns - I'd recommend them without hesitation.
“Snorkel, cruise, lunch n wine n snacks but no sailing”
Beautiful conditions - sunny with a flat sea - and two snorkel stops on reefs close together, roughly two and a half hours each way, about ninety minutes in the water at each site and half an hour for lunch. The boat is older but well kept, the gear decent if not new, and the crew friendly and professional; food was adequate rather than beautifully presented, and a couple of people paid extra to dive and rated it. At $148 each on special it was the best value I found in Cairns, though the sails never came out, which I did miss.
“Very personalised, Mikaela and the crew were awesome.”
Lovely day on a small boat licensed for 20 - there were only five of us, so there was heaps of room and the service felt personal. Mikaela and the crew were excellent. My one gripe was the beer on the run home: $4, but only XXXX Gold, no Great Northern.
“Lovely outing”
The crew were excellent and very professional, and the reef itself was a wonderful thing to see. All the equipment was in good condition. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
We're heading home from the reef now after a great day all round: the snorkelling and the diving were both excellent, and so was the introductory dive. Every member of staff on board was friendly and well informed, we saw a lot of fish and some amazing coral, and lunch was decent. I'd recommend them highly; our last reef day was on a crowded pontoon and this beat it easily.
“Great Day on the reef”
We enjoyed every minute aboard the Reef Daytripper - the safety briefing was clearly explained and the snorkel and dive gear was all in great shape. We stopped at two reef sites with no pontoon crowds, and two crew came into the water with a life ring for anyone nervous or not a strong swimmer, taking a couple of uneasy people straight back to the boat. With only 16 of us, helpful staff throughout and decent food, we'd recommend them highly.
“Unreal”
Brilliant day out on 21/2. The staff were friendly, the food was good, and the reef went well beyond anything I'd imagined.
“Great family experience”
A great day on the reef with the Reef Daytripper crew, who were friendly and full of knowledge - with only 15 aboard it felt personal. Lunch was good: cold meats, chicken nibbles, pasta and green salads, with soft drinks available to buy. A lovely family day out, thanks guys.
A really enjoyable day - every one of the staff was friendly and happy to help. The food they served was good too.
“The best”
Snorkelling here was like dropping into a tropical aquarium, with turtle after turtle plus all sorts of fish and coral. The friendly crew kept everyone feeling safe and at ease. Set aside the whole day, because you'll be having far too good a time to rush - I'd recommend it a thousand times over.
If you're thinking about it, just do it. The staff were friendly and made us all feel welcome and keen to get out among the magnificent reef and its wildlife — an incredible day and just what we needed. Thanks team, I'll always recommend it.
We had a wonderful day. The guides knew their subject, were clearly passionate and were lovely with it, the food was great and so was the reef. We'd happily do it all again.
“A fabulous day and great value for money.”
Just what we'd hoped for - a well planned, smoothly run trip with a friendly, very professional crew who knew the reef well. The group was small enough that passengers got chatting with each other, and lunch was delicious. A fabulous day and excellent value.
“Great day ou”
We prefer smaller tours to the big-bus feeling, and this suited our family of five perfectly - 14 guests plus crew aboard the day we went. The crew were great, the lunch fresh and tasty, and both reef positions were spot on; they also looked after a couple of less confident swimmers really well. The price compares well against the bigger reef boats, so we'd recommend it to anyone, especially families with children.
“Great Barrier Reef Sailing”
A bucket-list day, and an excellent one - the crew were wonderful. We'd recommend it highly.
“Great barrier reef dive”
Terrific day - the crew were friendly, helpful and very patient with me while I got used to the scuba gear, and without their persistence I'd have given up on the idea. The dive itself turned out to be superb. Good price too, with a free glass of wine on the sail home to Cairns, and they catered for vegans, which suited us.
“Where's my Buccaneers”
Good day out with a lively woman captain and her loyal crew, who kept a straight face when tourists called fins flippers or were happy just hanging off the back of the boat. A few more jokes or a jig on the two-hour run out wouldn't have gone amiss - only kidding. I couldn't work out how to get the photos, having tried the Facebook page and the website, until I came to write this review, and then they were emailed through; thanks for the effort.
“Awesome great barrier reef tour”
It was a lovely sunny day and our trip out to the Great Barrier Reef was great, in a small group of no more than about 20. We saw turtles and clownfish, which was very cool. Thanks for a great tour.
Paul, Mikaela and Israel all went out of their way to make our Great Barrier Reef trip special, and it really was a dream come true for us. Mikaela was patient and encouraging through my scuba session, and I can't thank the whole team enough.
“Great day out. Highly recommend.”
A very professionally run trip with a young, enthusiastic crew drawn from all over the world; they clearly got on well together and engaged with the guests. The boat takes only a small number so it feels intimate, which we much preferred to being a number in a big group. We're young sixty-somethings and happy to trade a bit of comfort, though in ten years we'd want a proper seat for a nine-hour day - no complaints, a wonderful experience.
We did the full-day snorkelling trip and the crew were wonderful - warm, patient, snorkelling with my son and even letting him lend a hand around the boat. With just six guests it felt like a private charter. It's a smaller sailing boat so it takes over two hours each way, which is long, but it was lovely to simply relax and be out on the ocean.
“Amazing personalised experience, small boat and amazing crew!”
A brilliant trip - the boat is small, so you're not lost among a crowd the way you are on the larger vessels. The Finnish skipper and her two crew were attentive to everyone, and they happily guided us to the best bits of the two reef sites we visited, both full of coral and fish. Lunch was generous, drinks on board cost very little, and we can't wait to go out with them again.
We got to some really lovely parts of the reef, and the crew were welcoming, happy to chat and glad to answer every question. The catamaran was great, especially sitting in the nets up front, and the lunch, complimentary wine, cheese and fruit were all delicious. The snorkel gear was top quality and staff served the food themselves as a Covid precaution.
My friend and I had a brilliant day with Paul and his crew, and felt safe and looked after the whole time. They took us to some beautiful stretches of reef and we learned a lot from them out there. We'd happily book with them again next visit.
There were only 6 of us aboard with 3 crew, and Paul ran the trip anyway despite the low numbers, which made for a far more personal day than the big boats we'd done before. We decided on a scuba dive at the last minute and they were patient with my nerves. Lunch was pasta, potato salad and cold meats, with a cold glass of wine and cheese on the way home, and we saw an enormous amount of marine life.
As a solo traveller I wanted a friendly small group and that's exactly what I got - I made friends with the couples on board and never felt like one of a hundred. Paul the owner skippered our day with a dry, quick wit and good local knowledge, while Mikayla and Julian guided us for hours in the water, towing less confident swimmers on life rings and pointing out giant clams and starfish; we saw a reef shark, a turtle and several rays on a reef teeming with life. The food was filling with room for seconds, a cold beer on the sail home rounded things off, and do bring a GoPro or hire theirs - just don't bring a banana.
I went with Reef Day Tripper for the smaller group and I'm very glad I did; the day was well organised and well staffed. The three crew - Mikayla, Julian and Kaitlin - were superb and deserve real credit for how professional and friendly they were. I'd choose the same company again, because I like the way they run things.
My wife and I had a really good day out on the reef with a friendly crew who knew their stuff.
“Totally relaxed way to see the reef in a more casual setting”
A fabulous day, and the small number of people made it all wonderfully relaxed - we lay about on the nets sailing out and chatted with the others. The weather was perfect, the crew were great and the water was beautifully clear. My partner and I snorkelled and had lunch, then happily watched the marine life from above, jumping in now and then to cool off, and the lunch and the snack on the way back were both lovely.
“Literally the best day of my life”
We had the best day - the crew were incredible and the boat is lovely and run with the environment in mind. A beautiful experience from beginning to end.
“Fantastic day on the outer reef”
A fantastic day out on the outer reef alongside the Daytripper crew, all of them friendly and well informed about the reef. Julian the dive instructor was excellent - patient, professional, and he made me feel safe and comfortable on my very first dive. Highly recommended.
“Excellent experience!!”
A really lovely trip. I was frightened about diving for the first time and at first thought I couldn't do it, but Julian the instructor helped me a great deal and got me past the fear. Once I did it, it was amazing - I'd recommend it completely.
I've done a few of the bigger boats but preferred this smaller, more personal one, with 10 passengers and around four or five crew, and Jan was great to chat to. The reefs we visited were decent, though which ones you get seems to depend on the day; we saw a turtle, a small reef shark of about two feet, a stingray and plenty of fish. Lunch was great and the staff were all wonderful.
We snorkelled all day at two different spots, with the choice of following a guide or heading off on our own. My advice is to stick with the guide, because that group saw reef sharks and turtles while we went alone and missed them. The woman skippering wasn't especially warm, but the rest of the team were excellent.
I had a really enjoyable day snorkelling with this small group, and it was relaxed and comfortable throughout. We stopped at two spots and saw masses of colourful fish, a turtle and sharks, with friendly, helpful staff. I'd happily recommend them.
The crew kept things relaxed without letting safety slip, and the lunch and afternoon tea were both good quality. A well-priced way to try scuba or snorkelling out on the reef for the first time.
“Would recommend <3”
A wonderful day on the reef with capable staff and a small group. The lunches and snacks they gave us were lovely too.
“Amazing day snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef”
An amazing day's snorkelling - the crew know the reef well and went out of their way to accommodate us, and the spot was ideal for seeing the coral and marine life. We were beautifully looked after. Ten out of ten.
If you want to snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef in a very small group away from the crowds, this is the operator I'd pick. We saw turtles, reef sharks, whales, coral and all sorts of fish, and the crew were friendly and knew their stuff. There's wine and beer to enjoy on the run back to the marina.
“Must do!”
An amazing experience - they took us to two separate spots where we saw all sorts of different fish and turtles. The staff made us feel welcome and kept the whole day relaxed and fun. Hats off to them.
“Knowledgeable, helpful guides!”
Our guides were lovely and knowledgeable, and very good at settling us in what were sadly quite rough conditions. The lunch provided was delicious.
“A TRULY UNIQUE AND PERSONALISED EXPERIENCE !”
Cairns is full of reef cruises, most on big boats carrying hundreds, but this one is different - not an expensive glamour show but a small catamaran with three or four crew and around 15 guests, and only 11 on our trip, since being a small outfit they could still run when covid lockdowns had stopped most other boats. The pace out to Upolu is leisurely and lets you soak up the ocean, and the reef suits beginners like us: fairly shallow in places, full of colourful soft corals, masses of stunning fish and a giant clam or three, with up to four hours of snorkelling. Skipper Paul was warmly friendly and full of knowledge, Jan the scuba man thoroughly professional, and Kaitlin unfailingly upbeat and encouraging - we'd never have managed the snorkelling without her, and her grasp of environmental science was remarkable; lunch was simple but nourishing, with chilled white wine, plus crackers, cheese and fruit to snack on during the trip back.
A wonderful trip - we saw plenty of fish and coral. The crew were friendly and very chatty. It is a long run out to the coral, but well worth the wait.
“Fantastic day”
A thoroughly enjoyable day on the reef with a fantastic crew, Mikayla skippering. With just 15 guests aboard it felt personal and was great fun. Lovely spots to snorkel.
With only 15 of us aboard it made for a really enjoyable, personal day exploring the Great Barrier Reef. The crew were fantastic.
“Relaxing day out”
We had a great day out to the reef, with staff on the boat who were helpful and full of information. It's a small boat capped at 20 passengers, which suited us well. The run out is slower than on the bigger boats but there was still plenty of snorkelling time at two spots, plus a nice simple lunch.
A lovely day out, and so much nicer being in a small group; the crew were friendly and attentive. Both the snorkelling and the diving were well run, and we enjoyed them both.
“A great day out”
The weather was rough, unfortunately, which made the snorkelling hard going. The staff were great though - friendly, helpful and happy to answer our questions.
“Family trip”
A great day on the reef - the crew were helpful, informative and good company, and the small group was a nice touch. We saw no shortage of fish, turtles and coral. Lunch was good, as was the wine on the way back in.
A great day snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef - a reef shark, a turtle and a clownfish were among the highlights. Highly recommended.
The boat is on the small side, but the food was excellent and the crew were outstanding. If you get motion sick at all, make sure you bring tablets with you.
“Recommended day trip reef experience”
A great day trip out to experience the reef. The crew and skipper were friendly and professional and made sure the day was a good one. Highly recommended.
“Reef Daytripper is a must do if you are wanting to go a…”
A fantastic day out on a catamaran with very friendly, professional staff who keep an eye on every guest in the water, whether you snorkel or scuba dive. The cruise out and back is relaxing, and lying on the nets while you sail is an experience in itself. They only take a small group, which makes it far more enjoyable than the bigger boats - a must-do in Cairns.
“Reef barrier”
An amazing day - really friendly crew, a good boat and a small group. The lunch is light and simple and could be better, but otherwise everything was perfect, and scuba diving is an option too.
“Reef Tripper”
A fantastic day on the reef, and with only around 15 people on our day it made for a far better experience. The reef sites we visited were great, with a wonderful variety of life. The staff were fabulous to deal with, explained the safety side clearly, and ran guided tours around the reef while also letting us explore on our own - 10/10.
“Cloudy skies but clear viewing!”
We set off damp and worried in heavy cloud and rain, which put the nets at the front out of bounds, but the crew worked hard to lift our spirits and gave us genuinely useful briefings on the way out. As a first-time snorkeller and not a strong swimmer, I was grateful to be able to use a pool noodle and hang onto the life ring with a guide until my breathing settled and I could venture off alone with some confidence. The water was beautifully clear with plenty of amazing creatures to see, the sun came out at the second site and helped keep us warm, the small group meant we learnt a lot without jostling other tourists, and thanks too for the vegan lunch and afternoon tea on request.
“Lovely day, no crowds.”
A great day with only 15 people aboard and a friendly crew who knew the reef well and watched over us carefully. The lunch is nothing fancy, the boat simple, but the equipment was faultless. We swam at beautiful places with nobody else in the water and saw everything we'd hoped for.
“Great daytrip with friendly staff.”
A lovely sunny day on the reef with a very friendly team and a beautiful boat. Julian, the dive instructor from Argentina, was excellent - I could speak Spanish with him, which made me far more comfortable diving for the first time, and he was patient and professional. Being in a small group was a real plus; thanks again for the good memories.
Paul and his crew made our large group very welcome for our big day on the reef. The weather wasn't what we'd hoped for, but the snorkelling was still very good, and they took good care of those who were uncertain in the water or who struggled with the boat ride out. Well worth it if you don't fancy a huge boat and competing for space in the water.
“Small guest limit makes for uncrowned reef experience !!”
The day opened with tea, coffee and a safety talk before we headed out to Upolu Reef; the wind was light so the sail stayed down at first. Visibility was superb - turtles, and clams the size of small cars - and this first, deeper site with its reef walls is a good spot to step up from snorkelling to an entry-level dive; back on board we each got a lunch pack of sandwiches, a roll, muffin and fruit bowl as we moved to a sand cay, where we saw small reef sharks and more turtles and could walk up onto the cay. Heading home they handed round a glass of wine plus an afternoon pack of cheese and biscuits, grapes and banana bread to enjoy out on the nets, and the crew were lovely, taking time to get to know the handful of guests on a boat that takes 20 at most.
“Fantastic experience !”
The best way to see the reef - small group, friendly crew, a comfortable boat and excellent value. Ten years ago we took one of the big 'cattle' boats and were squashed in with crowds snorkelling on top of each other; this could not have been more different, relaxed and personal, with plenty of time and space in the water. The crew knew how strong a swimmer each of us was and were quick to help while letting confident swimmers explore further, with skipper Paul keeping watch from the boat; we saw lots of coral and marine life, a very chilled-out green sea turtle being the highlight, and the tasty lunch and warm soup after we got out were much appreciated - huge thanks to Paul, Rosie and Julien.
“Small group sailing”
A great day on the reef in a small group - ideal if you'd rather avoid the crowds. Our crew were excellent and looked after everyone, both on the boat and in the water.
We booked the evening before at short notice and it was no trouble at all. The crew were very friendly and professional, and exploring the reef with only a few people aboard was lovely. I'd recommend them any time.
“Good value for first time to the reef”
The small group made for a more personal day, and the crew were friendly and helped the snorkellers who needed it. The snacks were average but fair enough for the price. Sadly I came away with a severe case of food poisoning that's lasted more than three days, which took the shine off things.
“Amazing experience at the Great Barrier Reef”
We had a wonderful time at the Great Barrier Reef and really appreciated the smaller group and the personal feel. Lunch was very nice and just what we needed. The one letdown was how long we had in the water - we'd hoped for more, particularly at the second part of the reef where we got barely an hour, including the time it took to digest lunch - but it was still a great experience and I'd recommend it.
“Day Trip to GBR”
Great crew and a great trip, very relaxed, with healthy food provided for lunch. There's plenty of time to snorkel or to try scuba diving for the first time. Far better than the bigger ships - I can't recommend it enough.
“Best ever”
I felt safe and well looked after, and it was good that an experienced snorkelling guide came into the water with the group carrying a life saver ring in case it was needed. The hospitality was great and the spot was excellent - the best of the three reef trips we did. Highly recommended.
An amazing day on the Daytripper. We paid nearly twice as much at Port Douglas for a boat with more people, and this trip was every bit as good - the reef is the reef, after all. The crew were lovely, the gear was in great shape and the food was fine (much the same as on any boat, just presented differently), and we saw all sorts of sea life including a reef shark, turtles and sea cucumbers.
“Lovely day out”
A fantastic day on the boat, with two lovely reefs where we saw plenty of fish, turtles and coral, and the staff were helpful and engaging and encouraged everyone to make the most of their time on board and in the water. Highly recommended.
“Best day on the reef!”
With passengers capped at 20 this is the best way to see the reef - quiet, calm and a great experience. I've always been nervous about snorkelling but the team put me at ease, and we saw sharks, turtles, masses of fish and coral in every colour, with no other boat at our swim stops. The staff and the food were faultless; my only criticism is that there are no proper seats for the two hours each way, just benches or the hot sun, and having no children aboard suited our romantic trip - we'll be back next year for the intro dive course.
“Wonderful day on the reef”
The crew were friendly and knew their stuff, and the smaller numbers made it feel personal, with no crowding on the reef so there was plenty of chance to see everything. It's about two hours each way, which is a long time, but the relaxed, comfortable feel on board made the time go quickly. The clear highlight was swimming right alongside turtles at the second stop, and the crew said nearly every group gets to do it.
A really fantastic day on the reef, with polite and helpful staff. Being in a small group was lovely and the food was great, so I'd recommend it.
“Great day trip”
A really great day, and lovely to be in a smaller group. The staff were fantastic - helpful, fun and polite - and the food was great. Highly recommended.
“Best experience In cairns”
Very well priced, with a thoroughly professional crew - the day was amazing from the moment we stepped onto the gorgeous boat to the moment we stepped off. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, clearly very experienced and genuinely fond of the reef, and happy to tell us what each fish was. The food and snacks after a big day of snorkelling were great, and there was complimentary wine, quality gear, a dive option and the best reef spots.
An awesome day with the guys from ReefDaytripper - you feel relaxed from the moment you board, with a leisurely two-hour run out during which dive instructors Rosie and Julian and skipper Mikaela briefed us on the equipment and the dos and don'ts of the reef. They kitted us out and eased us into the water patiently, staying with us the whole time to keep us safe; after about 90 minutes it was back aboard for a fresh packed lunch and a rest, then a second spot for another hour or so, then home swapping stories over a cold beer or wine with new friends. I'd recommend it especially to first-time snorkellers, or anyone like me who still feels a bit anxious every time - the crew are patient and you never feel rushed or unsafe.
“A good personalized experience”
A lovely first go at this - there were seven of us and three crew. All three, Mika, Julian and Rossy, helped me a lot as a novice: Mika, who also skippered, kept my spirits up, and Julian and Rossy guided me around the reef since I can't really swim. The food was good enough and the other passengers were great company.
“One of the best days of my life”
This probably ranks as one of the best days of my life. The staff were incredibly friendly, thoroughly professional and knew their subject, wetsuits and pool noodles were provided, and the boat itself is beautiful; we saw turtles, stingrays, clownfish and masses of coral. The food was delicious and I loved that everyone got an individual lunch rather than a buffet, and with fewer than 20 passengers it felt genuinely intimate - nobody catching you with a snorkel, and plenty of time to ask the crew questions.
“Great Barrier Reef snorkeling”
A fabulous catamaran, locally owned and run, taking a maximum of 20 guests. Paul is a wonderful host, friendly and hugely knowledgeable; his first mate and scuba diver Michaela, plus new crewman Julian from Argentina, delivered a first-rate day, looking after a real mix of seasoned snorkellers and complete beginners. All the equipment, lunch, snacks and a welcome beer or wine on the way back are included; you can stretch out on the trapeze, or sit inside as we ended up doing once the rain came, and we left the marina at Finger D at 7.45 and were back by 4.30 - the slightly cheaper local rate was appreciated and we'll go out with them again.
If you want a small-group dive or snorkel trip out of Cairns, Paul and his team are the pick, and the limited number of spots means a personal day rather than the bulk trips other operators run. Our crew were friendly, experienced professionals with plenty of local knowledge, and they led us on both the dives and the snorkelling. Lunch was delicious, with afternoon tea on the way back.
We had a great day out. The crew were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, and it was nice to be in a smaller group with a more personal feel.
A lovely day on the reef - the small boat meant just 15 people on our tour, and the staff were all lovely and clearly knew the reef, going out of their way to make sure we enjoyed it. The first location was stunning with lots of colourful fish; the tide had turned by the second so it was murkier, but still great. My only feedback is that the gluten-free food wasn't great - a gluten-free sandwich might work better, as what I had couldn't really be eaten cold.
“What a way to spend the last day of 2020!!”
Do book a small-group trip. The team were awesome, taking their time over everyone's questions and staying patient and reassuring with the two nervous swimmers aboard, while giving the more confident ones some independence in the water. Their passion for the job really showed, which was lovely to see.
“Amazing experience”
The best snorkelling and scuba diving I've done - there were nine of us, family and friends, and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip out and back. The staff were sensational, funny and warm, and went above and beyond all day; Paul got our seven-year-old, who was afraid of the water, so comfortable that he was ready to go in a second time, and Kevin made my first dive unforgettable. The reef was spectacular, with lots of fish plus a reef shark and a turtle, and with only 15 passengers it felt personal - a big thank you to skipper Paul and dive professionals Kevin and Camille.
“Fantastic day on the reef”
A fantastic tour run by friendly guides. The group was pleasantly small and we were given plenty of time to explore. Highly recommended.
“Stunning day out on the reef!”
The group was small, so the service felt personal and we weren't fighting crowds. Staff were a laugh, welcoming and clearly knew their stuff.
“Amazing day out!”
There were only seven of us on board, which made the day feel far more personal - they cap it at 20 guests, so it's a good pick if big crowds aren't your thing. The crew couldn't have been warmer, and the guided snorkels at Upolu were a bonus because they knew exactly where the best bits were. Nice to be backing a small business too.
A brilliant day all round: the boat, the food and the snorkelling were all good, with quality gear and beautiful spots, and the crew went out of their way for everyone. Special mention to Andres, who was knowledgeable, professional and good fun to be around. I couldn't recommend it more.
“The most amazing experience”
We loved every part of the day, out to the reef and back again. The crew went out of their way for us from start to finish, and the reef itself was spectacular - masses of fish and even a few reef sharks. Andy, Kevin and Mikayla looked after us beautifully, the small group kept things personal, and the price was good value, so we'll be back.
“Recommended!”
Great crew and a great day - the guys were funny and full of information. The snorkelling was lovely and so was the time on board, with coffee, snacks, lunch and a glass of wine included. With a cap of 20 people it's easy to get chatting to everyone, and they can sort your transport too.
The crew made the day enjoyable, though I found the reef itself a bit underwhelming.
“Great, but bring your own Cup”
A good full day out: boarding was 7.30am at the boat, about two hours to Upolu Reef, hot sunshine and calm water apart from the wash off passing speedboats, so take a tablet if you get queasy. Food came as generous pre-packed boxes - a roll, sandwiches, fruit salad and a muffin at lunch, then cake, cheese, crackers and dried fruit half an hour from Cairns, plus a free drink, with 20 passengers maximum. Shoes aren't allowed on board and there's little room or privacy to change, and I'd take your own mug for the tea and coffee rather than rely on how the cups get washed; you can also charter the whole catamaran for a group.
An amazing day, and my first ever scuba dive. Kevin was really friendly and professional.
“Enjoyable day on the Reef.”
As a couple in our sixties we really appreciated how small and intimate this was - the staff were courteous and helpful, as were the other guests. The shuttle they arranged for us from Palm Cove was comfortable and efficient, and although Covid meant a boxed lunch and afternoon tea instead of the advertised buffet, it was fresh and more than enough. We took travel sickness tablets as a precaution but the weather was calm enough that we didn't need them.
A great trip out to the Great Barrier Reef with friendly staff and a laid-back boat. The snorkelling was good too.
Well worth what we paid - friendly, informative crew, decent lunch and afternoon tea, and a glass of wine on the run back to Cairns was a nice touch. The snorkelling was great, especially the second spot where tropical fish were everywhere, and we also spotted a couple of turtles and a reef shark.
We spent our anniversary aboard with Captain Paul and the crew and had a wonderful time, feeling safe throughout. We're both in our 50s and never once felt like we were in the way. Best anniversary we've had, so thanks lads.
“Would highly recommend!!”
Brilliant day on the reef with a crew who were helpful and happy to answer anything we asked. Lovely packed lunch, plus wine, cake, cheese and crackers on the way back to Cairns, and there was a guided snorkel as well as plenty of free time to explore on our own. We met Billy the batfish and got lucky, swimming alongside a turtle and spotting a reef shark hiding out.
“Amazing reef experience”
Cracking day out with an astonishing amount of marine life, and seeing the reef was an experience in itself. Going with the small catamaran group was definitely the right call - more attention from the crew and longer out on the reef.
“Incredible experience”
The team were lovely, relaxed, full of information and happy to accommodate us. Seeing the reef from a catamaran felt much more personal and unhurried; I was terrified of irukandji but Kevin stayed beside me the whole time and made me feel safe. We saw a clownfish and a beautiful sea turtle along with lovely coral and other reef fish, the food was good, and we made some friends along the way.
“Beautiful day out”
Lovely day out with a nice small group of people, and plenty of room on board to stretch out and unwind. The crew were kind, helpful and brimming with character.
“Friendly and good experience team”
It was my first time doing anything like this, and the team were supportive and positive throughout - a trip I'll remember.
Such a good day out and great value for money. The staff were excellent and we weren't disappointed.
“10/10. 5 Gold Stars to ALL”
Our group of three came out for my 30th and the crew did not disappoint - Mike the captain shared loads of reef knowledge, Andy kept everyone laughing and Kevin took us snorkelling and pointed out amazing animals; watching them joke and dance together made the day even better. I'm terrified of the open ocean, but Kevin got me so comfortable that I swam without a life jacket or float and even came face to face with a white tip reef shark, which I never imagined I'd have the nerve to do. We met Billy the batfish too - a trip of a lifetime.
“Very enjoyable day”
I went with my nephew to tick this off his bucket list and the day was perfect - sunny, warm and clear. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining, we enjoyed the trip out and back, and we saw some brilliant sea creatures while snorkelling. The food was decent, but we'd skipped breakfast and were starving by lunchtime, so take a snack.
“Amazing experience!!!”
A great experience with a crew who were huge fun. Kevin was wonderful - I'm very anxious about water and swimming and he held my hand, kept me safe and made sure I didn't miss out on anything - and Andy was fantastic with my boyfriend, talking him through his first scuba dive even though he'd been seasick and was in two minds. We saw gorgeous coral, turtles and endless fish, the small group meant we were well looked after and there were free beers at the end; just check the wind and forecast if you're prone to seasickness, because it can get choppy, which is no fault of the company.
Small group, and the catamaran is good fun and sits low enough that we could dangle our feet off the stern. Friendly, funny, attentive crew - they'll get in the water with a float ring if you're a nervous snorkeller, and leave the confident ones to it. We saw three clownfish plus a baby, a reef shark, a couple of turtles and big schools of tropical fish; pick a day with less wind if you can, as the water is clearer, and we were lucky with perfect conditions.
A brilliant Great Barrier Reef day out, with a really friendly boat crew and nice food and drinks. It was fun and we learned a lot as well, so we'll definitely be back.
I enjoyed every minute of it. The crew were friendly and professional and we had a great time; the snorkelling was stunning and the scuba diving left me speechless, with Kevin a very professional instructor. You won't find a better outfit at the marina for a reef trip.
“Thank you!”
I can't thank the Reef Daytripper team enough, and Kevin in particular. I did the trip solo and he made sure I was included, explained things well, and was funny and engaging, which lifted an already good day.
“5 stars”
A fabulous day - small numbers, an easy-going atmosphere, attentive service, nice food and excellent snorkelling. There was nothing I'd change.
“Awesome day!”
Wonderful day with a wonderful crew - the captain was a good bloke and they all kept the mood relaxed and cheerful. I liked that the boat and group were smaller, which made it feel personal, and the food and drink were good. They even stopped to fish my hat out of the water when it blew off.
We were lucky enough to go out with only 6 passengers aboard. Kevin and Michaela were friendly, helpful and really knew the reef and the area. The snorkelling was great and the dive was a bargain at $70; we saw clownfish, stingrays and a shark, lunch was lovely, and we were given a glass of wine for the trip home.
“Would book again in a heartbeat!”
The crew were terrific - entertaining and attentive - and Upolu Reef was stunning. We saw all sorts of vividly coloured fish, sea cucumbers, giant clams, a small ray and a leopard shark, then had lunch in a gorgeous spot. I'd book it again tomorrow.
We did the snorkelling and the introductory dive, and as a fairly poor swimmer I appreciated how supportive the crew were and how carefully they kept an eye on everyone - I'm glad they nudged me beyond what I'd normally attempt. The parts of the reef we saw were beautiful, though also a sobering reminder of the damage we're all doing. Give the diving a go even if you feel completely out of your depth.
I live locally and have been out with several of the reef operators, and while they're all decent, Reef Daytripper is a class above and is the one I take visitors on. This last trip was made by Mika and Andy, who are easy-going but completely professional. They're my pick for seeing the Great Barrier Reef.
The crew were great - friendly, experienced and good fun - and we couldn't have asked for a better day. The dive was excellent too.
“Excellent day out, with perfect weather and great crew.”
I was travelling on my own with a dodgy leg and had a wonderful time; the crew were complete gentlemen and stepped in any time I needed a hand. Snorkelling was relaxing and beautiful, with lovely sea creatures on the reefs we visited, and the food and hospitality were nice. Well worth it for a small group trip.
“Great family day out”
Lovely day out with the family and great value for money. The boat is small so the ride was rough, but the crew were terrific with our kids, aged from four to fourteen, and clearly knew their stuff. The food was excellent as well.
“THE PERFECT DAY”
We had a really good time with the crew - professional, friendly, and between them speaking Spanish, French, Flemish and English. We did our first ever scuba dive with Kevin, which was brilliant; he showed us plenty of beautiful spots to snorkel and told us a lot about life in the ocean. Great value in Cairns - thanks for a superb day.
“Awesome Crew”
What an experience - the crew, Kevin, Mickayla and Matt, were brilliant. I'm not a confident swimmer and felt nervous about open-water snorkelling beforehand, but they were understanding and supportive about it and I ended up completely comfortable. Kevin led the snorkel tour, which was fun and informative, and we came across stingrays, an eel, a turtle, a giant clam and masses of colourful fish; his encouragement is the reason I managed something I didn't think I could do, and it ranks among the coolest things I've ever done.
A brilliant experience - we saw a variety of huge fish and turtles, and the crew are very friendly. I was too nauseous to eat lunch, but it looked good and there was plenty of variety. Thanks for everything.
“Personal and lovely”
Kevin, Bo and Paul made the trip easy and personal - I came on my own and was happy to see three turtles, one nearly my own size, plus a baby shark, a spotted stingray and a couple of eels. Good to see plenty of life on the reefs. Everything promised was there: cheap wine, tea and coffee, cheese and fruit, lunch and the rest.
Absolutely brilliant - a huge thank you to Paul and the Reef Daytripper crew. Snorkelling out on the Great Barrier Reef was on my bucket list and I'm so glad I ticked it off with such a fantastic bunch of people.
A great day out even with a bit of wind chop. Both snorkelling spots were excellent, with turtles and a moray eel among plenty else, and the staff went out of their way for anyone less confident in the water. Having such a small group made it feel intimate too.
“Great day out. Great crew”
Great day out with Captain Paul, plus Andy and Kevin on the crew. The weather and conditions were pretty rough, which is the one thing they can't do anything about, but they made the best of it. Good value, and I'd happily do the trip again.
“Top trip!”
Daytripper out to Upolu Reef has been our favourite trip so far - I loved the scuba diving and my daughter loved the company. It was a younger crowd on our day and the atmosphere was fun.
“Smaller personalised tours - highly recommended”
A fantastic day with the team, who did well around the Covid restrictions still in place. The staff were friendly, lunch was great, and the snorkelling guide pointed out all sorts of things. Recommended for anyone.
“Kids friendly”
The staff were friendly and really good with our kids, and lunch was tasty and enjoyable. A great day out.
“Beautiful day, lovely crew!”
Lovely team looking after us all day. We snorkelled at two spots and I did the introductory dive, which was amazing - Andy kept me feeling safe and relaxed, talked to me throughout and pointed out different things, an ideal first dive. The food on board was good and the free glass of wine finished the day off nicely.
“Great crew and wonderful dive”
A great day from the outset - the friendly crew had us giggling during the introduction, the group was small, and it's roughly two hours out to Upolu Reef, where you either snorkel or scuba depending on what you've chosen. The reef is beautiful, with interesting coral and plenty of fish; lunch was delicious, there was a second session in the water afterwards, and the ride home was calm and lovely with a glass of wine and a snack. The three crew were informative, supportive and good fun - fine for first-timers and experienced snorkellers and divers alike.
“Wonderful day at the great barrier reef”
My friends and I had a wonderful day and would happily recommend it - lots of time in the water, decent food and a lovely crew. It's also a good chance to try diving for the first time: thanks to Kevin, our instructor, I got over my nerves and had a really special day in the water.
A perfect, very well organised day with a great crew and a nice lunch. Worth doing while you're in Cairns.
Loved getting a look at the underwater life on the Great Barrier Reef. The team were very helpful and good fun.
A brilliant full day on the reef, with guided snorkelling or diving to choose from. Paul, Kevin and Mikayla made a great crew. Morning tea, lunch, an afternoon snack and a free drink on the way home were all included.
“Great day trip!”
A great day trip - nice crew and a good atmosphere. Good quality for the price too.
“Would recommend 100%”
Brilliant day, and the trip gives you a good chunk of time in the water. The crew are great, and I did my first ever dive with Kevin, an instructor so caring that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great day out on the barrier reef - the staff were wonderful, full of information about the reef and the area, and happy to field any question we had. The smaller group meant we could talk with the crew and the other passengers, which we liked, and sailing on the catamaran was an experience in itself. The whole family had fun, and the snorkelling was a great laugh.
“A day well spent.”
Friendly crew, and a clean boat with plenty of room. The food was delicious and they can handle particular dietary needs, the snorkelling sessions were excellent, and the instructor even dived down to get us a good turtle photo. Sailing back was lovely - I enjoyed all of it.
The Great Barrier Reef is so beautiful, and this was one of the best things I did on the east coast. We were a small group, which beats a boat packed with tourists. Lovely crew and a nice boat, so I'd recommend it.
A great day on the Great Barrier Reef, sailing rather than motoring, with a lovely crew and hardly anyone else at the spots we stopped at. We saw colourful coral and fish, including a green turtle and clownfish, and even the children had a brilliant time. If I get the chance again, I'd go with Reef Daytripper.
“Fantastic trip to Great Barrier Reef!”
Well worth booking if the famous Great Barrier Reef is on your list. Every one of the staff was friendly and informative, you can choose between diving and snorkelling, and good food and drink come out through the day.
I owe the crew, and Kevin in particular, a great deal: I spent most of the trip flat out with leg tremors I couldn't control, and they were endlessly attentive and comforting. Rough as it was, I'm still glad I snorkelled, and the reef itself was amazing; I barely touched my lunch, but what I did taste was good. It's great value next to other trips with everything included down to the wetsuit, and the 20-passenger cap makes for a relaxed day, though do take seasickness tablets because the water is choppy most of the year.
“Fantastic day out to GBR!”
A great day out on the Great Barrier Reef. The staff were helpful and friendly, and they made a good trip better still.
A well-run trip with a crew who were informative and fun while keeping an eye on everyone's safety at all times. The guided snorkel was excellent, and both lunch and the afternoon snack were high quality. They've clearly worked hard to put on a fun, safe day since Covid.
“Full fun & relaxing reef day”
What a cracking day - thank you Paul, Michael and Kevin for the professionalism, humour and care you showed our family out on the reef. They were the first company I contacted because I wanted a smaller outfit under sail rather than motor only, and I've been very happy with that choice. The yacht is plenty big enough for the small groups they take and, to my mind, a much nicer experience all round than the bigger Cairns boats I've been on before.
An incredible experience and, I think, one of the best things to do in Australia. The crew were kind and protective; one of the women helped me with a buoy until I could manage alone, guided me to some beautiful coral and even filmed manta rays for me. Lunch was good, healthy and generous.
We really enjoyed the trip. The sea was rough, but the crew worked hard to make sure we still had a good day.
Captain Paul, along with Kevin and Andres, were professional, helpful and full of knowledge. My two boys loved the guided snorkelling at Upolu Reef and it was a wonderful day. It can get a bit rough, so I'd suggest it for families with older children.
“A great day on the reef.”
A great trip with a crew who were friendly, helpful and knew their stuff. I've done several trips like this over the years and this was the best value of the lot - the guided snorkel suited both novices and people who were confident in the water, and the gear, wetsuit included, was good quality. I only snorkel myself, but one of the blokes who dived told me his dive was great as well. Tom and Gail, Sydney.
“Great day snorkelling at the reef!”
We really enjoyed our day at the reef, and having everything included made it easy - tea or coffee on arrival, a delicious lunch, afternoon snacks and even a glass of wine at the end. We liked being on a smaller boat, the crew were great and our snorkelling guide was a big help. We felt very safe throughout.
“Amazing value for money reef tour”
A brilliant day on the reef with a crew who were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and the food was lovely too. Thanks so much - we'll be back next time.
“Winter snorkeling is easy in Australia :)”
A lovely trip out on the Great Barrier Reef with a crew who were really good. The second snorkelling spot was beautiful - thanks for the memories.
A great experience with the crew - Captain Paul, Andres and Kevin were kind, funny and very good at what they do. I also did a scuba dive with Andres, which was amazing. Well worth trying it with them.
We felt welcome from the moment we reached the wharf - the crew were entertaining but clearly safety-minded, and between them spoke several languages. Meals came pre-packed for safety reasons but were tasty and filling; beginners can try scuba and get taught what to do, and while the gear was fine, a couple of the wetsuits have small holes worth patching. The first stop was an escorted snorkel and the second was on your own, teeming with fish and great to explore at our own pace, though the water is cool so bring warm clothes for the ride home - this was my third reef day trip and my first with this company, and the smaller, more personal service wins.
“Finally out there”
Paul, Mikaela and Kevin got us all out to the reef safely. Despite chilly weather and some chop we saw dolphins, a turtle, fish, coral and clams. Lunch and the afternoon snack were tasty, and there was a glass of cheap white for anyone who wasn't driving.
“Beautiful memories”
Mum and I had a brilliant trip and can't thank the crew enough for how attentive and caring they were. Captain Paul, Andres and Kevin were informative and kept us feeling safe the whole time. The smaller boat and group suited us, and the food was delicious.
A fantastic day on the barrier reef, and with such a small group we got to know everyone on board. The staff were amazing and even ran a guided snorkel at both stops. Lunch and afternoon tea were great, finished off with a complimentary glass of wine - I'd recommend this tour and this company.
“The real deal”
I've lived in north Queensland a long time and spent plenty of years on boats, and Daytripper is the genuine article, both on the water and in it. You get uncrowded freedom in a relaxed, clean, well-run and friendly setup, and I'll be using them again whenever I want to be out in the tropical sea.
“Amazing snorkeling experience”
After months of waiting because of Covid we got a wonderful day on the reef thanks to Reef Daytripper. Paul the owner, Michaella and Kevin were friendly and professional, the welcome coffee was a good start, and the boat had plenty of space inside and out. About two and a half hours later we reached the first site, where Kevin led an informative snorkel in remarkably clear water full of coral and fish and we had a close encounter with a green turtle while Michaella took the divers out in pairs; the second site was shallower with turquoise water, lunch was delicious, we snorkelled unguided, then sailed back to Cairns for an exhilarating ride home - the best snorkelling trip we've done.
“Great day, great crew, best reef ever”
A great day out on a small boat with a good crew - ideal for snorkelling the reef, and they looked after the beginners who'd never snorkelled out there before. We've been to more than twenty reefs over the years and were surprised how healthy this one looked; the best we've seen.
“Great day out on the the reef!”
My girlfriend and I had a brilliant time out there. It's a smaller, more intimate boat, which was exactly what we were after, and the staff were great, happy to accommodate anything. The run out and back is fairly long, but it doesn't take anything away from the day.
“Bucket list experience!”
The best part was how few of us were on board - it felt like real sailing rather than one of the huge boats carrying hundreds, and the crew looked after us cheerfully. My one gripe is that twice the crew member meant to be floating nearby with a life ring for anyone who got tired had come back aboard, leaving the snorkellers out there, though happily nobody in our group struck trouble. A gorgeous day I'll remember for a long time.
“Amazing small reef tour”
A brilliant small reef tour, and it was good that the boat's owner came along on it. The crew were amazing and so was lunch, and it felt like an intimate look at the reef with lots of snorkelling time. Worth it especially for the personal service.
A great day out, booked as a birthday treat for my wife, with a nice bunch of blokes crewing the catamaran. There was a decent amount of time in the water at a couple of spots, then lunch. Worth it if you'd rather a smaller, cosier trip, as I think they cap it at 20 people.
“Great Day Snorkeling and Diving”
There were only sixteen of us on board, which I think makes a real difference. The three crew were all lovely and helpful, and the food was excellent and came often - lunch plus two snacks, all good. We didn't get to sail, which was a slight shame, but there wasn't much wind and I wanted as much snorkelling time as possible anyway.
“A fabulous experience!!!”
We picked Reef Daytripper because we were after a small group trip at a sensible price; booking was easy and they kept in touch beforehand. From the moment we reached the jetty the skipper, who is also the boat's owner, and his three first-rate crew put us at ease about expectations, how things ran and safety, and we had two good chances to snorkel or dive under close supervision. We're a couple in our early seventies without the stamina we once had, but we were looked after and guided while we were in the water, especially by Vanessa, a lovely Italian diver; there was morning coffee, lunch, and a mid-afternoon board of cheese, crackers, tropical fruit and wine, and we shared the day with wonderful people from all over the world.
“Would recommend”
Had a great day on this tour, with informative and friendly staff. It's a slow boat and only goes as far as the inner reef, though you still get around four hours out there, so it suits you if you like small groups and a nice cruise. The inner reef was lovely all the same, with lots of marine life to see.
“Excellent trip!”
An excellent trip - the group was small, so the service was very personal. The guides knew exactly where to go to find some amazing things.
“Great Barrier Reef Snorkel on Reef Daytripper”
My husband and I had a great day out with the crew, Cedric and Mekayla, who were friendly, knew a lot about the Great Barrier Reef, its coral and the species living there, treated the place with respect and wanted everyone to have a good time. I can't swim, but one of the guides - a French chap whose name I've forgotten - took a life preserver and led me around, which meant everything to me because otherwise I'd never have got out and enjoyed the reef. The food was delicious too; thanks to all three crew, and if you're after a great way to see the reef, this is the boat, with low crowds and an excellent crew.
“Magic! don't hesitate to book!”
We saw the lot - clownfish, parrotfish, hard and soft coral, and giant clams that will blow your mind. My friend Kasey and I spotted a porcupine fish, and I've never seen anything so lovely. The crew were lovely and the food was great; I'll never forget the day.
Our group of five had done several big-boat reef trips before and wanted something more personal, so the 20-passenger limit with Paul and his crew appealed to us. The run out and the gear prep were nicely unhurried, and the snorkelling was superb, with masses of fish and coral and crew who happily pointed out the best spots. The good lunch and the snacks that kept coming were a big help with a 13, 14 and 15-year-old aboard, and we'd happily recommend it.
A really good day out with this lot. They're one of the few small operators still going, and Paul and the crew keep it easygoing with plenty of personal attention and solid guiding. The catering was excellent and the format suited divers and snorkellers equally well.
“Perfect day at outer reef”
We had a brilliant day with Reef Daytripper, far better than the big-boat trip we'd done the previous day. It's a small catamaran taking around 20, so the service feels genuinely personal, and the crew looked after everyone, our 8-year-old daughter included. We loved the modest lunch buffet and the fruit and cheese handed round on the way home, and at the two snorkel sites we came across sharks, turtles, enormous stingrays and loads of different fish. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
The reef looked lovely and spotting a shark out there was the best bit for me. Being on a sailing boat with only a handful of others was a nice way to do it. The downside was all the jellyfish at the second stop, which I wasn't keen on.
A fantastic day on the reef with perfect conditions, and the dive gear was really good.
“Best day in Australia!”
We had a lovely trip. The group was small and the crew were attentive and really knew their stuff. It works well if some of your party want to snorkel while others dive. Worth knowing that the catamaran does bounce around, so bear that in mind if you're prone to seasickness, though we liked being out in the open air. A great day all round.
“Cannot recommend enough!”
Paul and his crew were professional, full of knowledge and great company. On such a small boat we got plenty of individual attention from the instructors, so nobody felt out of their depth or nervous. The guided morning snorkel was a highlight, but the scuba dive was something else. The weather turned on the trip home and we just rolled with it, sitting on the nets with a glass of wine getting soaked by warm water alongside the other guests. I doubt any other operator could match the day I had.
“Ideal for the Coral Reef”
This is one of the few operators running a small boat with a cap of 20, which means no crush and a much more attentive service. Four crew were on hand throughout, helping with the scuba, the snorkelling and everything on deck. It's also better value than a lot of the alternatives. Paul and the team were faultless all day.
“Great personalised experience”
From stepping aboard to waving goodbye to Paul and the crew, the whole thing was terrific. There were only 8 of us out that day and they made every one of us feel welcome. The dive sites were stunning. I'll be booking again and pointing friends their way.
“Awesome tour”
Few passengers, a lovely crew and good food. I'm not a strong swimmer but I still saw plenty, thanks to Vanessa on the crew, who took me and another girl out with a flotation ring to look around the reef. I felt completely safe and she pointed out and explained lots of interesting creatures. Well worth doing.
“Fun day, small group, ideal really”
Four of us spent the day aboard. The crew were friendly, everything ran smoothly, the food was good, the boat was a pleasant place to sit around, and the snorkel spots were lovely. I dived as well, which was great, easy getting in and out of the water, and I saw a sea turtle. I'd take this over a big boat packed with people.
“Amazing personal experience!!!”
I'd done this trip once before and loved it, so I did it again with visitors from the States. The boat takes a maximum of 20 and we had 11 on the day. The staff were knowledgeable and friendly right through, the kit was in great shape and we had a wonderful day out there. Nothing felt rushed: we went out as a group first and could then explore on our own. Lunch was fresh, generous and good quality. Pick this if you'd rather matter to the crew than be one of a hundred people being hurried along.
“The best option!!”
There's no shortage of ways to spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef, and this is the pick of them. The staff are wonderful, cheerful and warm, and clearly enjoy what they do. Chilled water to drink, lunch, fruit, plus cheese with crackers are all thrown in, and they stand you your first beer as well.
“Beautiful Reef with an incredibly friendly crew! So good I…”
Having dived a number of the outer reef sites, I'd say Upolu holds up every bit as well, maybe better. The soft corals were extraordinary and the sheer variety of life amazed me: sharks, turtles, giant clams, rays, clownfish and some brilliantly coloured nudibranchs among much else. The crew were sharp at spotting things I'd have swum straight past, and the whole team including the skipper clearly love the reef and know it inside out, always ready to answer questions and name species. Like others have said, the smaller boat really does make a difference, no crowding or rushing while you kit up, and the catamaran burns far less fuel, which is kinder to the reef and perhaps quieter for the fish too. Both days were fantastic: great diving, lots of good food, cold water to drink and good company.
“Amazing day and first dive!!!”
I loved every part of my day with Reef Daytripper. Paul and his crew are great value, always up for a chat and full of information about the reef. With so few passengers the atmosphere on board is relaxed and personal. The snorkel and dive sites are gorgeous, and on my introductory dive the crew were endlessly patient and made it unforgettable, helped by the luck of seeing three turtles.
“Perfect first dive experience!”
A brilliant way to see the reef. One look at the boat told me this would beat the enormous cruisers stuffed with people: small, with four crew, so a good ratio to passengers. All of them were knowledgeable, helpful and patient with my endless questions. Both reef stops were beautiful and I felt properly prepared for snorkelling and diving after being shown the ropes by a girl from Taiwan (sorry, I'm hopeless with names) and a French chap who dived with me and made sure I was fine on my first dive. The food was great and I felt genuinely looked after as a vegetarian, with fruit and cheese later on as a nice surprise. The skipper kept things smooth, and although I usually get motion sickness a tablet before boarding sorted me out. I wouldn't have wanted to do it any other way.
“Great day on the Great Barrier Reef”
A small boat with 13 passengers plus crew, running from 7.30am to 4.30pm and stopping at two reefs. Both were interesting, though I preferred the second. We snorkelled while some of the others dived. The water was clear and we saw a turtle, sharks, rays and plenty of colourful fish and coral. Mask, snorkel and fins were supplied at no charge and lunch is in the price. Lovely crew and skipper. I enjoyed all of it.
“Relaxed tour”
We were lucky to be a small group, so we had the boat more or less to ourselves. It made for a very relaxed, pleasant tour with a nice crew. Some reviewers mark it down because they think the boat is slow, but you ought to check what you're booking rather than grumble later. The boat is showing its age a bit; apart from that it was all great.
“Great Trip with a great crew!!”
We did this day trip recently and were really pleased with how well the crew looked after us. They were friendly and chatty from the outset. My girlfriend was so nervous about her first ever scuba dive that she nearly pulled out, but Mikaela calmed her down and walked her through every stage, and she ended up thoroughly enjoying it. She's very grateful for that help, and they even spotted two sharks on the dive. Paul the skipper was fascinating to talk to and inspired real confidence. Having so few people aboard is a plus, and the crew pick up your name almost straight away. Lunch was very good and we couldn't fault the day. We hope to be back.
“Greatest diving experience of the Great Barrier Reef!!”
My fiancee and I picked Reef Daytripper on the strength of its small groups. We were warmly welcomed aboard and introduced to all the crew, with tea and coffee once we were underway. With just 10 of us on board, the qualified crew divers could give us a very personal day, and safety clearly came first, with thorough medical checks and individual confirmation that we'd understood everything. Once out of port they gave a detailed snorkelling briefing covering health and safety, ran through the reef areas we'd visit and the marine life to look for, and their knowledge of the dive sites helped us make sense of the reef. The three of us diving then had a separate briefing on the gear and underwater safety. All equipment was supplied and we had plenty of snorkelling time with a certified crew diver alongside us, at a superb, colourful site. Our dive was just the two of us with a crew member; we'd never dived in open water and were anxious at first, but he settled us immediately, never rushed us and kept checking we were okay, then took us to spots rich in coral and marine life. Lunch was tasty, and afterwards we moved to another part of the reef for more time in the water, with snacks handed round on the way back. Wonderfully friendly crew who looked after each of us. An unforgettable day.
“Pick this reef trip!”
We took this reef trip yesterday after my boyfriends sister in law found it online.
It’s one of the best value trips we found and had less than 20 people on board with 5 members of staff. Needless to say the service and support was amazing.
The trip takes a bit longer than other trips however the boat was very comfortable and had plenty of space so actually made the experience.
The lunch was very tasty and we got one wine, cheese, fruit, tea and coffee included which is great value.
My boyfriend and I did two certified dives after over a year and a half without diving but Seamus and Harriet put us at ease and we had a guide to ourself for each dive we did. Both clearly very experienced. Paul the skipper also helped us in and out of our equipment and gave us lots of diving advice. Also helped us fill in our logbooks.
Can’t recommend reef day tripper more.
“Best trip for Great Barrier Reef”
Best trip of our life, most helpful people I have ever met in the world, everything was perfect, the crew, the location, the food, the equipment and most of all the scuba dive. Personalised attention for both Snorkelling and scuba diving, helped my mother and daughter who dint know how to swim.
“Slice of paradise”
Friendly crew on a small vessel where you can enjoy lying out in the sun to the beautiful reefs. Perfect place to do a dive, even if you aren't certified. Lunch was delicious and filling and on the way back there was a good fruit platter. During the snorkelling one of the crew comes with you and points out interesting fish and tells you about the reef.
“What a fabulous day!”
My partner and I had a wonderful day with Captain Paul and his crew. Friendly and knowledgeable staff who were able to point out all the great things to see on the reef whilst snorkelling, as well as have a chat on the trip out/back. The reef was fantastic, we saw all kinds of fish, giant clams, a barracuda, a turtle and even a shark! Smaller boat with only 18 guests so it felt nice and personalised - not crammed with people! Great lunch provided as well as wine and cheese on the journey back to shore. And to top it all off, perfect weather! Highly recommend.
“Magical day”
I would highly recommend this day trip. The small group was definitely an advantage. Food was great and plenty for every one. The captain and crew were lovely adding that personal touch. It helps that the weather was perfect so that made the day magical.
“Bucket list experience.”
Great experience, staff were friendly and provided a unique experience. Small group size meant that there was enough staff to guide while in the water and small numbers meant you had freedom and space to explore in the knowledge that you were accounted for. Plenty of wildlife to spot, stingrays, barracuda, clown fish, corals, an array of marine fish (some large triggers and angels were my personal highlight). Highly recommended, will try to come back one day.
“Highly recommended”
We had a really great day with two beautiful snorkeling sites at the Upolu Reef. The group size was perfect. The crew was amazing and very helpful on pointing out some highlights while snorkeling. Would definitely recommend!!!
“Fun Adventure”
A great fun adventure on a small boat - so much more personal than on a giant boat with hundreds of others. Really enjoyed the trip and the small crew and crowd, and the lovely snorkelling site. Attentive, professional and friendly.
“Best staff ever”
The crew were excellent and professional, so we felt safe the whole time, and the dive instructors were outstanding. To my mind the trip is far more personal and much better than the bigger boats. Highly recommended.
“Excellent”
Well organised, very professional and very helpful and knowledgeable crew Lovely trip out although a bit rough and wet at times but that added to the adventure Only suggestion is to do safety briefing before engine starts as it was hard to hear
“Great day out”
We had a lovely day out, and the boat and crew were great. Cheese and wine on the way home. Good value through Bookme.
We were just disappointed by the reef itself when snorkelling, as we were hoping that going out to the outer reef would mean we would see the brightly coloured coral that is hard to come by these days, but that wasn't the case. Lots of fish to see, and a few other interesting things, but not really anything that we haven't seen before. However, my husband did a dive at the second site and said it was way better than the snorkelling, much more like what he remembered the reef to be like when he was younger.
Also if you get cold easily like me (we went in August) you may want to consider renting a full length wetsuit on shore as they offered us shorties to hire. I didn't do the second snorkel site as it took me too long to warm up again after the first site. I did however get to see the resident barracuda by dunking my head in the water from the boat steps, and many of the snorkellers missed out on that barracuda, so all was not lost!
We also saw some whales breaching way out on the horizon, so if you are lucky you might get to see some closer up.
“A fantastic way to see the Barrier Reef”
Paul and his team at Reef Daytripper provided a great day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. It was great experiencing the reef on a smaller boat which gave plenty of room to explore and the opportunity to meet some great fellow travellers. Would highly recommend.
Paul and the crew were so cool, and they're the only outfit left running a small-group trip. Thanks for a beautiful day aboard the catamaran.
“A Fantastic day out”
We had an incredible day out in the ocean, under the sun, snorkelling and sailing. Very good value for money. High recommend
“Fun day snorkelling on the reef in a small group!”
Great small tour boat heading out to the great barrier reef for a day of snorkelling and scuba diving. Makes it more relaxing than the big tour boats.
Friendly crew, and very personal service, especially for inexperienced snorkelers, the crew come with you into the water as a guide and help you along to identify sea creatures and coral. They were very knowledgeable and passionate about the reef and marine environment.
Since it was a sailboat catamaran, we sailed back on the return journey as it was a windy afternoon.
“Best Snorkeling Trip!!”
I thoroughly recommend the Reef Day Tripper!! I have been on a large boat that went to the outer pontoon and would 100% recommend these guys over the other. I am a very inexperienced snorkeler and the staff (who are in the water at all times with the group) are great teachers, helpful and always there if you need any help. I had the best snorkelong experience ever and just relaxed (for once) and enjoyed the sights on the reef because I felt so safe. They supplied a lovely lunch, all equipment and being in a small group was the best!! Paul and his staff were fantastic!!
“Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef”
The crew were helpful and attentive from the minute we got onto the boat.
They were organised and informative and there was lots of interaction with our small group (this made it a more personalised tour - as opposed to the large cattle truck tours available)
Plenty of coral and beautiful coloured fish to see, even turtles on their reef locations.
I cannot thank the guys enough.
Would definitely go to the Reef with them again.
“Had a really relax and fun day”
I was really happy that I had chosen Reef Day Tripper, instead of the bigger boats. Staff was really friendly and helpful and it felt like they had time for everyone, because it was only a small group. They gave a lot information about the reef, fish etc. 2 staff members went into the water with a float, so you could hold yourself if your not a confident swimmer. We had plenty of time to snorkel or dive. Good food too, also for vegetarians or vegans.
Great experience!
“Amazing experience!”
Awesome spots in the reef, small groups and therefore personalised. Friendly crew and incredible sailing experience. One of my best adventures in Cairns! :)
“Excellent”
We went on the trip on Friday. We only had five people on board so it felt like a private charter. Great snorkeling. Very friendly & helpful staff. Good food. So much better than a big boat with 100 people on board. We highly recommend this trip.
“Such a great company!”
We book with the owner over the phone. He recommended a good day for us to go given the wind/weather. I told him we had a kid that was a less than confident swimmer. The crew made sure he still had a great time, while allowing us time to explore on our own as well. Just an all around great experience. Small boat and less people make this company better than may others in the area.
“Incredible Experience with a Great Crew”
This was such an awesome tour. Great spots to visit and a really relaxing day on a beautiful boat. The crew was fantastic, and the whole experience was great. Couldn't recommend it enough.
This was a brilliant way to see the Great Barrier Reef. The staff were friendly and I liked how few passengers there were, since everyone got to know one another, and it felt very safe. The reef itself was beautiful as well.
We had an amazing day, and the lovely crew took us to some beautiful places. Every one of them was professional and welcoming, so I'd recommend it.
“Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience”
Here we go: if you enjoy Diesel engines, being next to 350 people, mass tourism, and long, crowded bus rides, then Reef Daytripper is NOT for you!!
However, if you enjoy sailing, low-impact tourism, and warm, friendly and sincere conversations, and up-close and personal attention--and a chance to see the Great Barrier Reef with 20 (as opposed to 350) people, then sign up now for Reef Daytripper!
Will remember this trip with our daughter til the day I die, and she will pass on these stories to her grandchildren some day.
Amazing experience!
5-star crew!
“Excellent first time trip to GBR”
The crew was excellent - explained everything well and went in water with us and acted as guides. It was so nice being a small group on the catamaran. The lunch was well laid out and delicious with some wine fruit and cheese on the way home. It was truly a great day. I read someone’s reviews about taking gravol - I would do that next time before the trip as it can get wavy but felt very safe. Would do it again.
“Who needs sunshine”
Twelve of us booked the Daytripper and, with 4 others, spent the day out on the reef. I'd been years ago but not in the last decade, and the decline was sad to see, though those seeing it for the first time were none the wiser. The crew were friendly and informative, and our skipper Paul was chatty and knew his subject. It was overcast and cool, but nobody minded, the reef is still something special. We deliberately chose the Daytripper for its cap of 20, as I had no wish to share the day with 100 snorkellers in my way, and I'm glad we did. Lunch was simple but tasty, as were the cheese and fruit on the way home.
“BEST DAY TRIP IN CAIRNS”
Hands down the best day trip out to the reef I have experienced, they make the trip personalised by no more than 20 people on the boat, friendly staff and are amazing with non English speakers. Greeted with coffee and biscuits to follow on with an amazing lunch to them end the day off with fruit and cheese platters.
They take you to other parts of the reef that bigger boats cannot access and they have a person take you snorkeling and supervising the whole time but still give you freedom for a free acvitity. I chose to do the scuba dive (this is my 3rd dive) and felt safe and secure and was shown the most amazing places at the reef. Snorkeling was amazing, seen turtles, sharks, nemos and many other amazing fish! Would 100% recommend this tour to family’s, solo travellers, teenagers as they accommodate to all kinds and still makes the day so fun.. thanks again for the best day!
“Great Crew and definitely a great spot”
My partner and I decided to book a small tour to get away from the large crowds and were glad we came across this one.
We booked through Travstar and they confirmed our booking quite quickly. We arrived at the wharf and were greeted by the friendly crew and offered tea and coffee.
The catamaran had heaps of room for the amount of people on board and they also had a toilet. We arrived at Uplou Reef and saw Turtles, Reef Sharks and and a few clown fish families. This tour was one of our highlights compared to the bigger tours. The food ordered by the crew was sooo nice a few vego options like a Mediterranean pasta salad and sweet potato pasta and they also prepared sandwiches for the vegetarians. For the meat eaters there were chicken drumstick and cold meats. On the way home for afternoon tea We had cheese (Camembert, Blue Cheese and Tasty) , crackers and fresh fruit. Fresh water was provided on the boat. Definitely a must pick tour!
“Fantastic experience”
This was our second time on the Day Reeftripper. Only 15 passengers on board so plenty of room and great staff. We had mixed weather but the reef didn’t disappoint. Would recommend for anyone wanting a more intimate experience but be prepared to get wet and take plenty of sunscreen!
“Enjoyable day”
We have an enjoyable day on this boat. Only 15 people on board; for us this was a bonus. Staff were helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks for a great day
“Fantastic Crew!”
I just got off the boat from a great trip. This trip was made even better by the fantastic staff. The Captain and crew were 5 stars.
“A tick off our bucket list”
We booked this trip, and we were not disappointed only takes 20 on this catamaran Fabulous helpful crew,very friendly and could not do enough to help very good instructions ,on the use of snorkel’s ect. Excellent lunch
They cap it at 20 people so you're not just a number, and they're friendly and clearly love what they do. My day out on the reef with them was thoroughly enjoyable, and I'd recommend them to friends and family heading to Cairns.
What a good way to see the reef. The crew were helpful, friendly and well informed from the moment we boarded, and with a maximum of 20 guests and 4 crew the whole thing feels personal. There was plenty of guided snorkelling in the morning and a lovely lunch, and then we were back in the water in the afternoon, when our teenage daughters tried scuba and the older one adored it. Afternoon tea was served on the sail back to Cairns. Well worth doing.
“Terrific small group day on the reef”
Reef Day Tripper was a terrific small group experience all round, great staff, comfortable catamaran, delectable lunch, and we were only fourteen tourists to four staff (they limit groups to twenty). We spent almost four hours at two diving/snorkelling sites on the Upolu Reef with reserved mooring for this company (meaning no crowds). One snorkelling instructor per four participants guaranteed that each individual felt safe, informed, and assisted in whatever way necessary to enjoy the day. One novice diver expressed great appreciation for the personal assistance she received in a brief moment of panic; her instructor was immediatey at hand to guide her safely through the remainder of the dive. Great, congenial crew from Australia, Finnland, France and the US, and we enjoyed getting to know the others from around the world over morning coffee or tea, during travel time at sea, over a delectable lunch of coldcuts, grilled chicken legs, pasta salad, mixed green salad. By the time we completed the afternoon snorkeling or diving, the groups coalesced into one large, friendly party over a glass of wine with lots of hydrating fresh fruit and cheeses. It is well worth the price for an all-day outing including coffee, lunch, late afternoon refreshments, and instruction. Only the recommended wet suits were an additional cost of $8 AUD. Highly recommend.
“Snorkeling and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef”
Had an amazing day on the water with the reef daytripper crew. Coffee, lunch and wine and cheese plus snorkeling (and the option of scuba) the great barrier reef with a small group is definitely worth it. We tried scuba for the first time and we were not disappointed with the experience. The crew was very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a really great day on the reef and definitely would do it again!
If you're after something more personal, this is the trip. There were only 11 of us plus staff on board, and at times while snorkelling it felt as though my boyfriend and I had the reef to ourselves. Very friendly staff too.
An amazing day with only 20 people on the boat, a beautiful reef and caring, really friendly staff. Skipper Paul was excellent, and I loved it.
“Scuba Diving with Reef Daytripper”
A genuinely wonderful day out on the Great Barrier Reef, scuba diving with Reef Daytripper. This is the one to pick if you want a smaller boat and more individual attention. Only 16 of us were aboard and just two of us dived, and on my second dive it was only me and the guide. The guides and the service couldn't have been better. Ideal if you'd rather not be lumped in with a hundred other people.
“the best overall diving and snorkeling excursion ever!!”
I've now dived and snorkelled the three best places on earth, and this excursion was comfortably the best of the lot. They never carry more than 20 passengers and the boat is small, so you get lots of individual attention, and it costs a good deal less than most of the alternatives because their overheads are lower. The service is outstanding and they're detailed and professional throughout: they have pictures of the fish and other creatures you might spot, and before you go in they run through the equipment, hand signals, where to look and how long each dive will be. The dive briefing goes further, and for uncertified divers the instructor takes no more than two at a time. First-timers always get water in the mask or regulator and want to panic, and having an instructor right there gives you the confidence to sort it out and improve as the dive goes on. With 5 or 6 in a group and 2 or 3 struggling, you can only help one at a time. They count heads constantly to keep everyone accounted for and in sight, and one crew member is up top keeping watch during the snorkelling and diving, both for hazards and for wildlife worth seeing, telling us where to look. Barry the barracuda turned up near the boat and everyone was told to go and have a look. The catamaran is comfortable, with somewhere to sunbathe and a cosy interior, and the views along the way are lovely. They feed you well twice, give plenty of personal attention, keep the boat spotless, and have ice-cold water plus soft drinks and beer for a small charge. It was so good I'm going to do it again before I leave. We also saw a boat on fire in the distance, with big flames and smoke and rescue craft heading over, though I'm not sure that was on the itinerary.
I'd done plenty of research and was keen to go out with them, but they had nothing available on the days we needed, most likely because we were travelling at a busy time. They replied quickly and tried hard to fit us in, so I'd try to book with them again.
Having tried a couple of the larger operators, I much preferred a relaxed day with a small group on a more eco-friendly boat that uses its sails. The crew were friendly and excellent, the catering good, and it was lovely to visit Upolu Reef. Like everywhere the reef has suffered a bit lately, but it's still beautiful with plenty to see, and I really enjoyed my two snorkel sessions.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day on the Reef Daytripper. The crew were personable and made sure everyone was having a good time, and they even paid special attention to my 8-year-old son. Well worth doing.
Friendly, knowledgeable crew and a small group, with an unhurried trip out to the reef. We snorkelled, ate and sunbaked along the way and had an amazing time. Recommended if you're keen to snorkel.
“Reef Daytripper”
Of all our reef trips this was the best, and we loved every minute. The boat is small and the atmosphere friendly, and the staff were marvellous. Crew and passengers alike came from all over, all of them interesting, friendly and helpful. Lunch was terrific and the reef as magnificent as ever. We've now done five reef trips and this was our favourite; we'd go with them again.
“Amazing reef adventure”
Our little group of 4 had an absolutely lovely day. Paul and the team knew their stuff and genuinely wanted everyone on board to enjoy themselves. One of us was new to snorkelling and the team were all glad to help out in the water. When we went looking for a small-group trip the recommendations for Paul and his team stood out, enough that we booked despite staying in Port Douglas and having to leave at 6am to make the boat. A truly memorable day, made better by a team who care about looking after the reef as well as giving you an experience beyond what any of us expected. Travelled 30th September 2018.
“Excellent small group tour to the reef”
Our niece recommended Paul and his team at Reef Daytripper, and they surpassed what we'd hoped for. I'd looked at the big boats that claim to offer everything, but some carry over 100 people and being one of that crowd isn't for us. Reef Daytripper takes 20 at most, and on our day it was Paul with a crew of 4, Tom, Seamus, Mikela and Cedric, all good guides in and out of the water. The smaller catamaran takes a bit longer to reach the reef, roughly 2 hours against 90 minutes on a bigger boat, but there's plenty to pick up from Paul and the crew as they go through snorkelling and diving practice and safety. It was a fantastic day with lovely people aboard, a good lunch of chicken, green salad and pasta and potato salads, then a cheese and fresh fruit plate with a glass of wine on the run back to the marina. We stopped at 2 spots on Upolu Reef and snorkelled among all sorts of fish and coral, and a turtle even surfaced for a breath right beside us. One tip: take up Paul's offer of a wetsuit, because although the days were a warm 29-30C, the water feels cool once you've been in a while. Paul was great fun, and it's reassuring how careful he and the crew are with the boat, the passengers and the reef itself. An excellent, memorable day out, which we did on Monday 17 September 2018. There are some photos on surfdogart on Instagram.
“Awesome trip to the Barrier Reef”
I would do it again with the same outfit. Biggest benefit is that it is small group and very personal attention. Crew very friendly and knowledgeable.
“Support Small Local Company”
Paul and his crew gave my partner and me a great day. With so few of us aboard it was relaxed and enjoyable, the sail out and back was lovely, and we had plenty of time in the water once we arrived. Ben led an informative, enthusiastic snorkel tour, and Kevin took us diving for the first time and did a fine job of making us feel safe, with no pressure to rush it. I'm glad we backed a small local operator who cares about the reef rather than a multinational cramming hundreds onto a boat.
We sailed, snorkelled and dived, and the whole day was good fun. The crew were great, the other guests easy to get along with, and the reef beautiful.
“Clémence and Alexandra did appreciate”
It was all well organised. The crew were genuinely kind and helpful and told us plenty about the Great Barrier Reef and the ocean around it. We've no complaints at all, it was a beautiful day, with enough time for both snorkelling and scuba diving. We especially liked being in a small group, and the mood on board was very friendly. Thank you, we'd recommend it.
“Enjoyable experience”
Paul and his team are very professional and you're in good hands, with everything well organised. The boat is great and the snorkelling gear is good quality. Particular thanks to Benjamin, a wonderful guide. The water was rough that day and without him I doubt I'd have seen nearly as many beautiful creatures out on the reef. Recommended if you want a small group and a more personal look at the reef.
“5 Star All the Way”
We can't thank Paul, Cedric, Ben, Kevin and James enough for a wonderful time on the Great Barrier Reef. The service was personal and attentive from the moment we boarded, the boat has every comfort, the food was delicious, and with only 18 guests aboard it made for a lovely day. Honestly, you needn't look any further than Reef Daytripper.
“"Slightly above" the corals :)”
Having never before swum out in the middle of the open ocean, it was thrilling to look down on a long stretch of coral and some colourful fish, medium-sized I'd say, though they may only look small out there; I saw nothing large like a stingray. One curious sight underwater was a cylindrical structure my guide explained is where each tour boat drops its anchor, to protect the coral. I went in at both of the two reef stops, about 30 minutes of the roughly 90 minutes allowed at the first (lunch was around noon at that stop too) and another 30 of about an hour at the second. The trick is to keep your face under as much as you can, to enjoy the coral and see whatever fish you're lucky enough to find, as they aren't plentiful, and I'd certainly have seen more had I used the full two and a half hours in the water. My thanks go to the skipper, who also owns the boat, and his crew of four, for their seamanship, helping me into my wetsuit, shoes and snorkel, one of them staying right beside me the whole time I was in, and for their friendliness, so there wasn't a dull moment across the eight-plus hours from around 7.45am to roughly 4pm. With two good swims, a filling lunch and a drink at the second stop before heading in, this was one of the most memorable days of my travels across Australia from west to centre to east coast. Afterwards I'd also suggest the Night Markets, a large indoor place full of souvenir stalls and food outlets serving generous meals at fair prices, on the Esplanade about 15 minutes' walk from the waterfront once you come up from the D-finger where this boat berths.
“Amazing snorkeling and diving experience.”
Why squeeze onto a boat with 200 others when you can see the reef with at most 19 other people, and pay less for it? We had a truly lovely time. The crew were very friendly and the reef was superb, and ours was the only boat there, so you can drift about snorkelling as though you're alone among wonderful fish. There's an introductory scuba dive too, which we did, and I liked it enough to go down twice. The instructor made it feel safe and fun both times and let it run as long as my air lasted, so there was no hurrying. I came across a shark, two stingrays, a green turtle and countless smaller fish and corals. I'd recommend this small business; seeing the reef alongside 200 other people isn't really my idea of getting close to nature.
A fantastic day with the Daytripper, and great for snorkelling: on my trip we saw a couple of reef sharks, a huge barracuda and a turtle. The staff were helpful and professional. Well worth it, especially if you'd prefer a small group.
“Small Group Snorkel and Diving Tour”
Conditions weren't ideal, but the guides made the most of 2 metre seas and of a couple of passengers who were seasick. We chose this trip because it takes no more than 20 people out to Upolu Reef. The crew were hugely experienced and clearly passionate about the job. It's about two and a half hours each way, with morning tea, a lovely lunch and beautiful fresh fruit for afternoon tea. We stopped at 2 snorkel and dive sites and every group, snorkelling or diving, had a capable crew member with them. Safety came first and the day was great fun. I'd recommend them for a Great Barrier Reef trip.
“Great day out on the reef!”
We booked this for the small group and the more personal feel, and it delivered. The crew knew their stuff, were clearly experienced and kept us entertained, and with fewer people the chat with crew and fellow travellers was good. I'm very glad I took the slower trip out with a small group rather than a quick one where you elbow hundreds of tourists for gear and lunch. The reef sites were great, and my parents and my partner loved exploring them.
“Amazing trip, wonderful staff! Highly recommended”
I had a wonderful time on the Reef Daytripper. They cap it at 20 people, so the group is pleasantly small, and you get four hours in the water in total split between two lovely sites, snorkelling or diving. The coral was superb, we saw many beautiful fish, and there were even dolphins and whales on the way out. The boat is well set up, with tea and coffee first thing, lunch, and then fruit along with cheese and crackers on the run home. Lovely food and a great crew, and Paul the skipper is excellent, very experienced and good fun. Worth booking if you want something more personal.
“Excellent Scuba and Snorkelling trip”
The staff were friendly and easy to get along with. Four of us snorkelled while the other managed a first scuba dive. It's a small boat without many people aboard, which is ideal if that's what you're after.
“Excellent experience”
This is one of the cheapest ways to reach the outer reef from Cairns. It's also a small boat with a friendly crew of 3, so the experience feels genuinely personal next to the huge boats we passed along the way. The food on board is good too. We had a wonderful time and would recommend it.
“Great way to see the Great Barrier Reef!”
We wanted a boat that took only small numbers, so we went with Reef Daytripper and weren't let down. Paul, who owns it, and his staff are friendly, knowledgeable and a lot of fun. We snorkelled at 2 different moorings and saw masses of coral and colourful fish, huge clams, a stingray, a sea turtle and the resident barracuda. Lunch plus wine and cheese are included. Recommended, as long as a smaller boat suits you.
“very Personal attention when diving for starter outers.”
An excellent small-group trip. My daughter and I had our open water qualification but hadn't dived in the six months since, so I booked this and was delighted with the individual attention. They take up to 20 but there were only 6 of us on the day. My daughter had a cold and we were worried she mightn't equalise, so they let her test it before taking any money. She managed fine and we had 2 great dives, including a pregnant shark tucked under a ledge. A teenager was also aboard for his first taste of diving. Afterwards we did some dives with the bigger companies to see other parts of the reef in much larger groups, which I then felt confident enough to do. I'm very glad we did this trip first.
“Diving with professionals and getting personal treat”
I picked this company as I wanted a small boat for the diving and snorkelling, with service that felt individual, and that's exactly what I got. The briefings and explanations were clear and full of detail. I felt entirely safe diving even though it had been years since my last dive, and my guide looked after me personally so I could simply enjoy the wealth of marine life, which made me very happy. The boat had a warm, friendly feel and we ate well. A good trip if you like the activity and a bit of independence.
“Awesome day on the reff”
Having a small group gives the feeling that you have the reef all to yourself can't recommend this day on the reef enough
“A Great Trip at a Great Price.”
Yes, the run out and back can feel long, particularly if it's rough, but Paul and the crew make it enjoyable, and the price is hard to beat. The 20-passenger cap makes for a personal, informative day where you learn something. Lunch comes after the first snorkel or dive, then cheese, fruit and wine once the second is done, and beer is for sale on the way home at only $4 a can, which is a bargain in itself. Several of our group were new to snorkelling and couldn't even swim, yet Paul and the crew were endlessly patient and kept them safe and happy. We had smooth water and great visibility. My highlight was the day's second and final dive, one to one with Cedric, a crew member from Namibia who gave me a great tour of the reef. We'll definitely book again.
We had a wonderful day with the crew. The atmosphere was lovely and the small group meant everyone was treated as a person rather than a number. Kevin was superb on our first scuba dive, calming us down when nerves nearly got the better of us. I couldn't recommend the trip more highly. Thanks Paul, Cedric and Kevin.
“Great day out and excellent staff”
We chose the Reef Daytripper because it takes few guests, especially after watching the huge boats head out with 100+ aboard, and we weren't let down. We had a 2-year-old with us, and although he stayed out of the water I got a dive in at the first site and my wife snorkelled at the second. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and made us feel welcome and safe on board. Our skipper was something of a character, friendly but firm when he needed to be for everyone's safety. The 2-hour run out gave guests time to get acquainted and allowed for the various briefings, so it went quickly. Introductory dives are offered as well as guided dives for certified divers, though the reef is only 16m at its deepest, so experienced divers may want more. Lunch was included with cheese and crackers on the way home, and beer and wine are sold at fair prices. A great day: our little boy was kept amused by the staff and other guests, and we'd recommend this if you don't want to feel like a number.
“Great Day with Paul and Crew”
Paul and his crew, Natalie, Cedric and Kevin, made for a great day even though the water was on the chilly side. They were very helpful with the dive instruction and made us feel safe. There were only 13 of us aboard and no other boats nearby, so it was peaceful and relaxing, with time enough to get two dives in and take the reef in properly. If you want a small group and a relaxed sail, the Daytripper is the way to see the Great Barrier Reef. Stan H and family.
“Great value for money - experience”
The transfer collected me, which was money well spent to avoid the hassle of getting there, and the friendly crew welcomed me aboard with smiles. After the safety demonstration we set off. The crew gave clear, detailed explanations of what the reef would be like and how the snorkelling and the diving would work. Every session goes out with an instructor, so nervous or inexperienced swimmers are very well cared for. The lunch was delicious, and a free glass of wine on the way back was a nice touch. Everyone came off with good memories of the reef and a story about finding Nemo. Recommended whether you're solo, a couple, a group or even after a boat for a work event, as they can handle it. My own highlight was a rather bashful leopard shark. A great trip.
“Amazing Day Trip!”
I liked the fact it's a smaller boat carrying fewer passengers, capped at 20, so you get more time with the staff and it feels far less frantic. There was plenty of time to snorkel and we saw lovely turtles, all sorts of coral and fish, and even a barracuda. The staff were friendly and helpful and kept the day relaxed and fun for everyone aboard. I'd happily go out with them again.
“Fantastic Trip!”
Excellent value. Lovely staff and a very personal service, on a small boat capped at 20 passengers, which keeps it friendly rather than crowded. The food was good and the dive and snorkel sites they took us to were gorgeous. Well worth booking.
“Awesome Dive Operation”
Paul and his staff were terrific. Personal service, a small group, simply a great day. The lunch between dives beat any I've had on a dive boat, and the toilet was the cleanest I've come across on one too. Great people and great service, you won't be let down.
“BEST TRIP EVER!”
Full marks: the crew were brilliant and made the whole day. We had plenty of time snorkelling on the reef and the lunch was fit for royalty. It was a nice, intimate group of 12, and the day finished with a complimentary glass of wine. Thank you to the Reef Daytripper crew for a memorable time. Lauren and Laurie.
We went out today with Paul, Natalie and Kevin. It rained and the water was a bit choppy, but the crew still made sure we all had a good time. Having so few passengers is a real plus. My friend and I were nervous about our introductory dive, but the instruction was first rate.
They take up to 20, but there were only 5 guests on ours. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, boarding and the ride out were easy, and the food was good with vegetarian catered for. They answered all our questions with real local knowledge, and you snorkel and dive without a hundred other people in the way.
“Wonderful snorkeling and diving the Great Barrier Reef!!”
It was bucketing down when I woke at 6am, so I rang Captain Paul to ask whether the trip would be called off, and he told me they never cancel. I wasn't expecting much of the day after that, but it turned out wonderfully. After a 2-hour sail out I snorkelled at the first stop, then was talked into diving at the second reef with a dive master all to myself. I saw lots of fish and got some lovely shots on the camera I hired from Paul. Lunch was chicken with pasta, potato and a green salad. On the way back there were platters of very good tropical fruit and of cheese and crackers. The crew, Natalie, Kevin and James, were excellent, helping with the gear, showing us where to look for Nemo and always happy to answer questions. Paul is a fine skipper and interesting to talk to about Australia. Diane, from Puerto Rico.
“A great way to see the reef”
We picked Reef Daytripper mainly because it's one of very few small-group trips out of Cairns and we didn't want to be forever bumping into other snorkellers. It was a good call, with only 13 passengers on our day. The sail out and back does take longer than on the bigger boats, but once there hardly any time went on getting everyone ready and we had plenty of water time at both sites. The snorkelling was good rather than outstanding, with lots of marine life including two turtles. I did a certified dive after lunch, which I enjoyed as well, and the snorkellers were lucky enough to come across two small reef sharks the second time they went in. Lunch came between the two stops and was good and generous. The crew were informative, helpful and very safety-minded. A great experience all round.
“Best value day trip to the reef”
I've been on Reef Daytripper a few times over the years and again this week, and for the money you won't find better. The crew are excellent and look after nervous snorkellers and divers, pointing out the different reef life. Lunch is included, as is wine, cheese and fruit later on. With 20 passengers at most there are no crowds, and you're bound to enjoy the day.
“Top Notch”
A small boat, which is a big advantage, with high-quality instructors for first-time divers. An excellent experience overall.
“Amazing trip, highly recommend”
My partner, my brother and his wife went out to the reef on this boat and loved it. The slow sail out and back was a pleasure, giving you time to soak up the sun and the views while tasty food and snacks were served. They catered for vegans, which was a big plus. The reef was pristine, the best we've visited. The snorkel guides were attentive, professional and fun, and the whole crew including the skipper was excellent, with the captain especially knowledgeable and impressive. The photos of the reef came out beautifully, and my family will treasure the memories.
“Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.”
Paul and his crew turned our Valentine's Day into something really special. Snorkelling at two spots, we finally found Nemo after many failed attempts in Fiji and Vanuatu. There was a good little buffet in between, and cheese with crackers to nibble on the sail back to Cairns. We chose this trip for the small group of only 20, and passed enormous boats with more than 200 snorkellers aboard, far too crowded for us with that many in the water. Book with Paul and his crew if you want a great day on the reef.
“Nice day at Upolu reef with Reef Daytripper”
We wanted a smaller boat for our Great Barrier Reef trip so as not to be surrounded by crowds of snorkellers and divers, and the Reef Daytripper was just the thing. There were 10 of us plus crew, though I gather they usually take 20. The crew were excellent, keen on their work, easy to chat with and professional, explaining everything clearly, the diver briefing included. They took us to good spots and showed us what to look for and where, such as a shark's hiding place and where Nemo lives.
“Awesome!”
A perfect day at Upolu Reef. Two guided snorkels brought us sharks and sea turtles, which was amazing. The crew are terrific: they handle everything and are fun to spend the day with. This trip suits you if you want something more private, as there aren't many people aboard, around 15 in our case. I'd go out with them again without hesitation.
“Really lovely day trip to the reef”
The crew were excellent, friendly and well informed. Safety standards were high, with thorough briefings before anyone entered the water. The boat is lovely and fairly small, so the crew-to-passenger ratio is good. All in all a great day out on the reef.
“Lovely reef trip”
We wanted a smaller boat so we wouldn't be among hordes of people, and this trip was ideal for that. We snorkelled, and each time a crew member came with us and pointed out the creatures to look at. Everyone was very friendly and made the day enjoyable.
“Superb experience for aged Poms.”
We didn't fancy crowds, so we went for something more intimate. Paul and his crew made our first visit to the reef and our first snorkel a wonderful experience. Their attention to detail and obvious experience and enthusiasm meant maximum enjoyment and minimum fuss on what was a trip of a lifetime. We even went on to celebrate in the German beer cellar the crew had been to the night before.
“Brilliant Option on the GBR..”
I read the reviews and went for the more intimate snorkel, scuba and sail option, and it was an excellent day from beginning to end. The guys were friendly, entertaining and thoroughly professional. We'd been unsure about conditions but needn't have worried, as the weather came good for a fun day on the reef. For me the sailing was the best part, smooth and choppy by turns, while my husband found the scuba full of life. A great choice if you want something intimate and a proper sail as well.
“Lovely day”
Reef Daytripper gave my family of 5 a wonderful day out on the water. We loved how much individual attention you get on such a small boat. Nice lunch and a nice sail, and the crew were informative and helpful as the day went on, which mattered with our youngest being 11. Definitely one to do.
“Great Time On The Reef”
A great day aboard with Captain Paul and his fine crew. Everything was explained clearly on the way out, and once at the reef everyone got enough attention, snorkelling or diving, to feel comfortable.
“Incredible Tour”
Paul, Kevin, Chris, James and Jimmy were wonderful and made the trip to the Great Barrier Reef both comfortable and entertaining. Beyond the marvellous views on the dive, what made it special was the small-group format, 20 people in total but dive groups of only 2 or 3, and staff who were upbeat, engaging and full of knowledge. I went down twice on the introductory dive and was given all the training I needed to feel at ease underwater. A lovely day overall.
“Great day on the water”
A great day of snorkelling, with plenty of sailing to get there. Paul, James and Jared never stopped offering help, so if you're a weak swimmer or brand new to snorkelling this is the trip to pick — they pay close attention to what you need. It is a long haul out there, but you can just sit back and take in the views.
“Great Barrier Reef Tour”
A superb day out. It was my first time diving and the instructors talked me through everything and went at my pace; when I struggled at the start they stayed calm, held onto my hand and made sure I got back down and dived properly. They clearly cared about looking after everyone, and I'd recommend it to anyone, especially first-time divers.
“Utterly brilliant”
I picked Reef Daytripper specifically for the small group and it lived up to that. Paul has a great sense of humour, and Jared, Kevin and James were as helpful as they were funny — even the safety briefing was entertaining. Being the only certified diver aboard, I got a one-to-one guided dive built around what I wanted to see. Great food, good company, and we did two days with them.
“Beautiful day, amazing tour, great crew”
So glad we went with a smaller group on a more eco-friendly boat — it makes the whole thing feel personal. The crew were friendly, funny and knew their stuff, and there was a proper lunch of chicken, cold cuts, bread, pasta and potato salad, plus cheese, crackers and fruit. Everyone got plenty of time in the water and we saw turtles and fish of every size and colour, and felt safe throughout. A small boat does mean a bumpier ride, so bring an anti-nausea tablet just in case.
“A great day on the Great Barrier Reef”
The company handling our excursions put us with Reef Daytripper because they run small groups, and four of us had got scuba certified specially for this. Only 18 guests plus crew, nothing like the boats carrying hundreds, and Paul, Jared, Kevin and James made sure everybody got the help they wanted. Jared led my dive and kept a careful eye on me as the most nervous one; this was only my second dive in open water and it was incredible. Lovely lunch and refreshments, and they were safety-conscious all day.
“Day of real holiday”
I was on an intensive trip around Australia and this was the one day we could slow down and enjoy the sea. It was well organised, we stopped at two spots, the weather was perfect and lunch was delicious. Honestly we were slightly let down by what we saw underwater — there are better places to snorkel — but it was still a good day.
“Great Intro to GBR”
We went in December and the staff answered our emails quickly beforehand. The small group meant plenty of room aboard, and there was a snorkel briefing on the way out. We were undecided about upgrading to an intro dive and were never pushed, but they let us listen in on the dive briefing to help us decide. Two shallow stops with plenty of time at each and a guided look for the usual reef residents, stinger suits for $6 with cards accepted, a great lunch, and cheese and fruit on the run home.
Booked late with two friends from Sydney after reading good things about Reef Daytripper online, and it didn't let us down. Seventeen of us in total, two 90-minute snorkels and a decent lunch, with a great crew. For what it cost I doubt you could do better anywhere else.
We'd happily recommend this boat and crew for snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. It takes 20 people at most, so it feels far more personal, and the captain and crew were funny and easy company. We loved it.
“Marvellous day out”
The staff were friendly, supportive and clearly knew a great deal about the reef and its marine life, staying professional while reading what each person needed. Plenty to see, and on the way back you could ride the bow nets, which looked like great fun for anyone two decades younger than me. The lunch and nibbles were decent, and a big thanks to Paul, James and Kevin for the day.
Well worth it for the small numbers and the personal attention you get. Buffet lunch is included, plus a cheese and fruit platter on the run back to Cairns. I took my daughter for her first reef trip and the staff were wonderful at getting her confident in the water — by the second stop I was chasing after her. We found sharks, turtles, barracuda and 'nemo'; the only thing missing was a mermaid.
“Unforgettable Experience”
Snorkelling with Reef Daytripper out on the Great Barrier Reef was among the best things I did in Australia. Booking was easy and Renee answered all my questions, and aboard the boat Kevin, Mia and skipper Paul were excellent and obviously very experienced. You can explore alone or follow a crew member to the best parts; weak swimmers get a pool noodle, and the crew carry floats you can hold while being towed around. We saw clownfish, starfish, turtles and a two-metre white-tip reef shark. They are one of the few still running small groups, 20 maximum, and I was lucky enough to be in a group of just 10. The day was extra special because I proposed to my girlfriend out on the reef; I'd told the crew weeks ahead, they suggested where to do it, and Kevin carried the ring out to me.
“Beautiful day at Upolu Reef”
My girlfriend and I had a lovely day at Upolu Reef. Back in January I went out with one of the bigger, faster, flashier boats, and having compared the two I'd choose Daytripper every time. With 15 to 17 guests and roughly one crew member per four of us, the level of care is far better than the big operators give. I boarded with no intention of diving, but the included introductory session convinced me to pay the extra, and it was worth it — completely different from snorkelling and you get much closer to spectacular coral. My worry was equalising my ears, but it went fine, and the crew member diving with us took his time reassuring us. The food was good rather than a wasteful buffet, with a glass of wine, cheese, biscuits and fruit on the way back, and Paul and the lads were funny company. The boat is slower than the big engines, which to me made it nicer; we tried sailing a couple of times but there wasn't enough wind. We saw a big turtle, a few white-tipped reef sharks, starfish and colourful coral. Great value, and I'll go again next time I'm in Cairns.
“Great crew and small group”
I did two days back to back because I really didn't want to snorkel in a crowd. We went to the same reef, but knowing I was aboard twice they took me to different spots, so it never felt like a repeat. In a small group nobody swims into you or dives down and disturbs the scene below. I'd have liked to try scuba but my ears ruled it out; plenty of others did it for the first time and clearly loved it. Good service, good food and a comfortable boat.
“Perfect way to see The Great Barrier Reef.”
The Australian guidebooks I read back in the USA suggested a smaller boat for the reef, and I'm glad I chose this one. Captain Paul and deckhands Kevin, Jared and James could not have been more helpful, and their knowledge of the reef is superb. We saw plenty of reef and beautiful colourful fish. Lunch was basic but tasty, and the wine, cheese and fruit platters were the perfect finish.
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef was on my bucket list and most of my guidebooks suggested a smaller boat, so the Daytripper was ideal. Captain Paul and deckhands Kevin, Jared and James could not have been more helpful, and I saw masses of brightly coloured fish. Lunch was simple but very tasty, and we finished with wine and cheese.
“Perfect day out on the reef”
A smaller group was what we were after, and the boat delivered exactly that. Full at 20 guests and four crew, and with stunning weather and a calm sea the two-hour-plus run each way felt shorter — nobody was ill. As a first-time snorkeller I found the crew made it easy and enjoyable. We got into a lovely little spot the bigger boats can't reach and which only opens up in perfect conditions, and there we spotted a turtle along with a reef shark. The crew put in a real shift and always knew what needed doing and when, and Captain Paul kept everyone entertained, though you could also sit outside in peace. Catering was simple but adequate — the one letdown was no seafood in such a setting.
“Amazing Trip, friendly atmosphere”
With only 20 passengers it feels far cosier and more familiar than the big boats; we ended up talking to roughly half of the passengers. The crew, and captain Paul, were friendly, funny and professional. You get a proper sail and plenty of water time, close to four hours split by lunch, although most of us were worn out by then and lay in the sun. It opens with a guided snorkel where staff show you the notable corals and creatures, and we even swam with a sea turtle. At 139 AUD all in, it's good going when most operators charge over 200 for a full day.
“Experienced crew = fantastic day”
We chose Reef Daytripper for the smaller boat and fewer passengers, as we had three young kids along with my father-in-law, who is 70 and had taught himself to swim so he could snorkel the reef with his grandchildren — absolutely the right call. After a welcome aboard and a detailed safety talk on the way out, Jared took my 12-year-old and his uncle under his wing for a scuba dive, and Jaime showed my nervous younger ones photos of what they'd be seeing. At the reef the confident swimmers jumped straight in while the skipper gave my father-in-law tips and guided him round the marine life. My six-year-old was spooked by a big batfish, so on the second stop the skipper gave her a ring and her own guided tour of turtles, blue starfish, coral and fish, which she adored, and my son spotted a leopard shark that Jared was thrilled about. Lovely lunch, snacks and drinks to finish. The skipper is so knowledgeable and should be proud of his team — a day my family will remember.
We had a brilliant time with the Daytripper captain and crew. They made time for everyone individually and kept checking that we were all fine, and their genuine concern for looking after the reef made the day feel special. The time we spent out there was priceless.
“What a great day!”
A great day aboard the Daytripper — perfect weather and thoroughly relaxing. Paul is a terrific skipper and his crew are very friendly. Being capped at 20 beats any monster boat: the staff actually care, put you at ease and take all the time you need over instructions, especially for diving. Only two of us dived that day and the instructor was patient and excellent — unforgettable.
A great company to go out to the Great Barrier Reef with. The crew were friendly and helpful, and with fewer than 20 people aboard the snorkelling never felt crowded.
“Great family day on the reef”
Skipper Paul, who owns and runs the boat, and his crew made everyone welcome the moment we boarded — no being herded on and off, which is exactly why we picked Reef Daytripper and hoped for more personal service. Chris, Mia and James could not have been friendlier, and they knew the reef and helped with anything. Our family had a great day snorkelling, lunch was good, and there was a cheese and fruit platter with a wine or beer thrown in on the way home.
A good option for a reef day trip on a smaller boat, and it ran to the itinerary on their website: roughly two hours out, two hours snorkelling and diving at the first spot, lunch while moving, two hours at the second, then two hours home. Lunch was delicious, with cold barbecue and meat platters, green, potato and pasta salads and fresh bread, and plenty left for seconds or thirds; we motorsailed both ways, which was far more relaxing than the giant fast boats other companies run. The boat takes a maximum of 20 guests and we had 5 crew, an exceptional ratio, with guided snorkelling at both sites, decent included gear and personal instruction on using it, a roomy toilet and a comfortable boat even for those who stayed dry.
“Intimate Great Barrier Reef experience”
The captain, Paul, and the crew of the catamaran were fantastic — relaxed but clearly experienced, which made snorkelling and diving easy. Few guests meant a good instructor-to-diver ratio and hardly anyone else in the water, and we saw plenty of fish, turtles and colourful coral. A few of our group were anxious about diving and snorkelling for the first time, but the crew's relaxed, reassuring briefings soon settled everyone. As an experienced ocean photographer I was put exactly where I needed to be for the shots.
Reef Daytripper gave us a great day out. We picked them for the 20-passenger limit too. The crew were friendly and easy to approach, and at both snorkel sites they pointed out things to look for — 'nemo', a stingray, starfish, all sorts of fish. The run out and back is slow, but I found it very relaxing.
“Good day out”
We booked this one for the limited numbers, as we didn't want to be treated like cattle — and we weren't. Thanks to Mia, Chris and Des, who were amazing. Sailing into the wind made the trip out lumpy and a bit uncomfortable, but once at the reef we saw some great sights. The safety briefings were done well so everyone knew what was expected, and the staff were encouraging in the water. Plenty of food.
“Awesome day out”
A brilliant day out, and the crew were great. It was our first ever dive, which felt far easier in such a small group — nobody else was diving, so the instructor was all ours. A very comfortable way to learn, the snorkelling was lovely too, and it was the best thing we did in Cairns.
“Best day out”
I can hardly put into words how good our day was. From me as a complete beginner to my eldest sister, a certified diver, we all felt safe, knew what was happening and were kept entertained by the crew's safety talks. The smaller boat means the staff can actually talk to you and give one-to-one attention when it's needed. The ride out was calm and peaceful with the most wonderful views. My family can't thank the crew enough — 11 out of 10.
“Lovely day at sea, with snorkeling”
Lovely boat, a really fun and welcoming crew, beautiful snorkelling and good food. I loved it.
“Highly recommend this trip!”
Reef Daytripper gave us a fantastic day. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff, who were welcoming and knew the reef well, the schedule was thought through, and we got a good long spell in the water. I'd book them again without hesitation.
I went with a group of friends and had a brilliant day on the reef. With only 13 of us aboard the boat felt roomy, and the staff were friendly and full of help. Mia in particular was wonderful — she taught me to snorkel and towed me around, since I'm not a swimmer, while everyone stronger went off alone. Lunch was generous and tasty, cold meats and salads. The boat is a bit more dated than I expected but perfectly comfortable, and the toilet is huge by boat standards. Do bring your own seasickness tablets, since it's about two hours each way, though the website says so clearly.
Brilliant from start to finish. The captain and crew were happy to help with anything and very informative. A small group of 20 makes it feel like a day out with friends. The food was great and the snorkelling was superb. I wouldn't hesitate to go again next visit, and we even saw whales.
“Snorkel Great Barrier Reef”
My family flew into Australia early ahead of an event in Sydney, with Cairns our first stop, and booked Reef Daytripper to snorkel the reef because we wanted a small group rather than a crowded excursion. We weren't disappointed: Dez, Jacob and James were awesome, with good conversation, real knowledge of and care for the reef, a good meal and a relaxed feel. A big thank you to James, who went to extra trouble so I could still enjoy the second snorkel stop after I got severe leg cramps.
“Excellent!”
Couldn't have been happier. The number of passengers felt just right and the captain told us plenty. Loved the snorkelling, the boat is great and the fresh food was lovely. Seeing whales was an incredible bonus.
“Reef snorkel day trip”
The crew were welcoming and friendly, the boat was nice, the food good and the reef beautiful. Having only 16 passengers on board was great.
A great day with an awesome crew. I've done the bigger reef trips before and this was my favourite: the group of 20 was ideal, and instead of being roped off into a small patch of reef we had a huge area to explore. Two sites, both good, though sand was stirred up a bit at the second, which is just how it goes. The two of us are strong swimmers, yet it was obvious how well the crew handled anyone who felt unsure.
“Family Celebration”
A great day on the Reef Daytripper — there were 20 in our party so we had the boat to ourselves. Recent surgery kept me out of the water, but the rest of them loved the snorkelling, especially at Horseshoe Bay. Lunch was good and the crew were extremely helpful, even giving the little ones their own guide in the water. Two of our party did a scuba dive and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I found the Daytripper staff extremely friendly and helpful. The small group is well worth what you pay. I'm not a confident swimmer, and the staff knew it and kept a close eye on me, asking how I was getting on at every opportunity. The whole day was great, from the food to the range of wildlife we saw. The one drawback is that a catamaran takes longer than the bigger boats to reach the reef, but that's easily outweighed by everything else.
“Friendly staff and great service”
All day the captain and crew were helpful and welcoming, and since we wanted a smaller group these guys suited us well. We both did the introductory dive and were given all the time we needed to get used to the gear, with no pressure whatsoever; they even offer your money back on the dive if you can't cope with it. A fabulous day — just take dry clothes unless you don't mind being wet all day.
“Amazing scuba diving experience!”
A really lovely day with Paul and his crew on their catamaran. The dive instructors were thoroughly professional and made sure we knew everything we needed to get the most from our scuba sessions. We liked that the boat is small — 16 aboard in total, 12 guests and four crew. The food was great too, and the boys' jokes kept us laughing; don't change a thing. Camille & Quentin.
“Great day at the Reef!”
Our family of five booked this because we like smaller group activities, and there were only 13 of us. It's a two-hour ride out — that's simply how far it is, and a faster boat didn't appeal. Two people were sick within the hour; my family were fine with nothing at all, though there were waves both ways. The crew work hard for everyone: they coaxed my hesitant 14-year-old through her mask, snorkel and wetsuit, even spitting in the mask to stop it fogging, and towed her round on the ring at the first stop — thanks Chris — after which she happily swam on her own. The water could have been clearer but it was still a good day. Lunch was good: fried chicken, cold meats, pasta and potato salads and fresh bread and butter, with iced water available all day, then a fruit platter, wine, cheese and crackers on the way back. The bathroom is pretty roomy for a boat. We left about 8am and were back by 4.30pm; parking near Finger D was $12 for the day with plenty of space and card accepted, and the shopping centre at the wharf has good toilets and restaurants. Good value at $139 adults and $100 for under-15s, plus $6 wetsuit hire, which is probably unnecessary since the noodle they give you keeps you afloat. We saw lots of sea cucumbers, blue starfish, big clams part-opened, beautiful coral, colourful fish, one turtle and a small ray.
“A great was to see the reef”
My girlfriend and I dived with these guys and it was excellent. Going in a small group is definitely the right call, and we were lucky enough to get a private guided dive of the reef with James. If you're weighing up snorkelling or scuba diving out there, pick Reef Daytripper.
“Unforgettable !”
We went with Reef Day Tripper to avoid being packed onto a boat with a hundred-plus people, and because we wanted to see beautiful coral — no regrets at all. There were 17 of us and four crew, which was perfect, and seeing the huge boats crammed with people confirmed it. You can sit inside or enjoy the view outside and it never feels crowded. The team were kind and helpful, the equipment was in good condition, and the coral was amazing — we'd been told repeatedly that much of the reef has died, yet this stretch is full of colour. We saw two turtles and lots of other fish, and following a crew member's guided snorkel is well worth it, as he knows exactly where to look. Lunch was salads, ham and bread and was very good, with tea or coffee in the morning and a glass of wine afterwards. It rained in the morning and cleared later, which made no difference at all to seeing the reef.
“Fantastic trip”
The crew were fantastic and took great care of everybody on board, and the crew-to-guest ratio made it a really welcoming environment, with everyone making sure you were enjoying yourself. The guided snorkel was knowledgeable and the diving was great too, with clear instruction making it an ideal intro dive. Good food, excellent service aboard, and safety was clearly a priority. The small number of passengers really made the day.
“Amazing day trip with the best crew!”
I was in Cairns alone for a few days and booked a day of snorkelling. Other trips cost far more and ran with 50-plus people, which wasn't what I wanted; here there were just ten of us, which made the whole thing feel far more personal. The crew were genuinely lovely and made me feel at home. Five-star food and hospitality, and the price was more than fair. The snorkelling was better than I'd imagined, with the crew guiding us through the water and explaining plenty. I didn't dive this time, but I feel confident enough to come back and do it with them.
“A true day on the sea!”
The day starts with tea or coffee, and the hot water is put away once we leave the harbour for obvious safety reasons. A big tip: this is the last boat taking only 20 people, and it isn't a rushed dash to the reef and back — it's two hours each way. If you care about the environmental side, or you love being at sea, or you've never tried it, I'd recommend it. The crew are extremely friendly and know their stuff in the water. My girlfriend is frightened of boats and of deep, open water, and she still managed to snorkel, dive and relax, thanks partly to the intimate, no-pressure feel from crew and guests alike. The scuba dive was awesome, with a cool guide in control; once we reached the bottom we could do our own thing while staying together for safety. Lunch was spot on for a day at sea, and the guide's knowledge of the fish and reef added a lot to the snorkel — we saw heaps of species. There was wine to celebrate after the two stops, with beer or more wine at a discounted $4, and fresh fruit and a generous cheese platter on the way in. My other tip is to get motion-sickness pills at the chemist before you go; I'm fine on the water and my girlfriend isn't, and taking them as a precaution meant we were both fine all trip.
“Banter, beers, and underwater bubbles”
I came over from Darwin to visit a friend who lives in Cairns and we booked this together — we can't swim in NT waters because of the crocodiles, so I was thrilled about a watery adventure. There are two stops with food in between, and an outstanding cheese platter appears on the way home. We explored the first site ourselves and the guide led us round the second, and because the group is small he could show everyone the beautiful fish; he even free-dived to photograph a turtle for me when I couldn't get down that far. We'd had a few beers the night before and wobbled aboard at 7.30am to the friendliest staff I've met — they gave me sunscreen, handed out pool noodles to keep us afloat, and one of them lent me the jumper off his own back when we got chilly, then patiently answered my endless questions about fish and coral. It's a long day, so maybe go easy the night before, but a nap on the deck on the way out sorts you out. Bonus wine on the way home.
“Small boat for the win”
A brilliant day out. All three of us enjoyed how relaxed and sociable a small group on board feels. The captain and three crew were excellent: endlessly helpful, full of knowledge about the reef and about Cairns, and they kept us laughing. They looked after everybody, tending to anyone seasick, checking people were happy with each activity, even towing the weaker swimmers along. The food was good too. It's a touristy thing to do, but it felt far more intimate than a 100-passenger boat, and apparently no boat in the marina burns less fuel.
“Saw 2 Sea Turtles”
I'm never happier than in the water, and as it was my first trip out to the reef an excursion was essential. We went in April, autumn in Australia, and although I consider myself a fairly strong swimmer the outer reef was so choppy that snorkelling felt dangerous — I took in several mouthfuls of seawater and got pummelled by waves whenever I surfaced, making it hard to find a moment to breathe. Everyone came through it, some skipped the second site, and what snorkelling I did manage was beautiful: blue starfish, clownfish, tangs, rainbow and black-and-white fish, a turtle, sand crabs, oysters. I paid extra for the guided intro dive and it was incredible, far better than the snorkelling for views and water conditions, so I'd strongly suggest it — but be warned that in my group of four, one girl panicked as soon as she was under, another couldn't equalise her ears past about two metres, and a third got short of breath after ten minutes, while I managed the full 30. On the plus side: lunch, plus a glass of wine and snacks for the journey back, a friendly crew, a small group with proper attention and guidance, good briefings before both the snorkel and the dive, and sunscreen for anyone who forgot theirs. On the minus: no towels, roughly two hours each way, no commentary or education about the reef or the area beyond not touching anything, and three people were so seasick they never got in at all, so take Dramamine. A good trip overall, and I've discovered an interest in diving.
“Saw everything I was hoping for...”
I did this trip a week or so ago and thought it really good. I'd been out there previously on one of the enormous boats, and this was a completely different affair — a sailing catamaran taking 20 at most, so it's more personal and you're not throwing elbows for swimming space once you're out there. It's a more laid-back way to spend the day. The boat's nature means it takes a while to get out and back, but that's part of what makes it unique: the relaxing sail is as much the point as the destination. The reef it moors at was quiet, with one other boat far enough along that neither of us got in the other's way. My two goals were a turtle and a shark, having missed both a couple of years ago, and I got two turtles — one swimming alongside me, another resting on the bottom — plus a white-tip reef shark that passed beneath me at the second site, so both boxes ticked. People reported Nemo too, but I'd seen him before so I didn't bother chasing him.
“A great day out to the reef”
What a brilliant day. The guided snorkel was a highlight, and the staff managed to be both good fun and very professional. It's a good boat for a first dive because they take the time to get you comfortable. Only 20 people, so it's rather like going to the reef with family and friends.
“Well looked after”
I picked Reef Daytripper for my Great Barrier Reef day and it was the best decision. No more than 20 passengers and four lovely staff. The snorkelling was great and we saw amazing fish and coral through the day. I got a little queasy and they could not have been more supportive.
“Real sailing on a small boat + diving”
We wanted a small trip with some real sailing and found both on this red and white catamaran. A cap of 20 keeps the group small enough to enjoy. That said, when the wind gets up and the waves build, everyone gets wet and not everyone likes that. The food was plentiful and good and the dive spots were well chosen and worth seeing. If you'd rather not be on one of the big ships, this is the trip.
“Lovely”
I did two dives and two snorkels; on the dives the instructor took me to views I won't forget. The food was fresh with a good choice: lunch was a meat platter, bread, green and potato salads and a creamy mushroom pasta, and on the way back there was fruit, crackers and cheese. The crew are knowledgeable and friendly, though if dry, repetitive humour grates on you, bring headphones — handy anyway, since the roughly two-hour run out is painfully slow. The main draw is the small boat, which means fewer tourists and a far more personable day.
“Best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef”
Great staff, great food and great snorkelling and diving. It's among the smaller boats making the trip out, carrying about 20 guests at most, so there are only a handful of people per crew member. Good atmosphere, good company, and I'd recommend it to anybody visiting Cairns.
“An Amazing Day at The Reef”
There's so much to choose from, but a friend told me about Reef Daytripper and their maximum of 20 people. It was an amazing day: lovely things to see out on the reef, thoroughly professional staff, and the food was a highlight as well. Go with this company.
I had such a good time with Reef Daytripper. The crew were brilliant — friendly, helpful and clearly passionate about it — and we saw lots of turtles and fish, and even a shark. Travelling out to the reef on a boat like that is so much nicer, too.
“The best Great Barrier Reef tour”
For a great day of snorkelling or diving out on the reef, these people deliver. The crew are friendly and really know their stuff.
“Awesome Visit to the Reef”
I can't praise Reef Daytripper highly enough after a day out with them. It was superbly organised, with snorkelling at two excellent spots and trial dives for anyone interested. The team were professional, keen and genuinely caring towards everyone aboard. Briefings were short and easy to follow, and being guided around the reef was a real bonus. With no more than 20 aboard they can give properly personal service, and as a first-time diver I found them patient and supportive. Less important, but the food was good quality and there was plenty of it. An experience of a lifetime.
“Smallest dive boat in Cairns (that's a good thing)”
We picked the Daytripper hoping to sail as well as dive, but the day turned out very calm so we had to motor out and back. We still had a great time: the small boat means a very low ratio of passengers to crew, and our dives were just two of us with the guide. The crew were fun and attentive, and we'll do it again if we make it back to Cairns.
“GR8 Trip, Staff, Sights, Service & Value”
We're so pleased we chose this rather than the big island trip several passengers from our cruise did. There were only nine of us — they take up to 20 — with three crew giving us loads of personal attention. There's plenty of sun or shade on the way out and they set out what to expect when snorkelling or diving. The stinger suits were worth the extra money, and anyone trying a dive or new to snorkelling got special care. Seeing the reef from the side of the boat built the excitement, and they explained that algae give the coral its colour and that the unusually prolonged heat had stopped the algae from blooming, which is what bleached the coral; it has occurred and recovered in the past, though it's far more widespread now. Hannah and Chris helped everyone into the water and checked our masks worked, then led us around for a full 90 minutes, showing us corals, a friendly barracuda, starfish, a turtle and more, even towing one lady on a safety ring, which was wonderful for her. Back aboard there was a delicious cool lunch of chicken, pasta, potato and green salads, vegetarian-friendly, with crusty bread and butter, then a second 90-minute session on different reef with the same great service. On the way back a cheese and cracker platter came round with wine, then a group photo before port and cold fresh fruit. Free chilled water all day, soft drinks to buy, and beer or wine only after both dives for safety. One person hired an underwater camera for $55 and took the card home. We'd do it again and recommend the smaller group.
“Amazing day out on the Reef!”
There are so many reef snorkelling companies in Cairns that it's hard to know which to pick, but I can't recommend these guys enough. The crew have a fantastic sense of humour, know the reef and help anybody who needs it, and with a maximum of about 20 guests it feels personal and you get plenty of water time. The lunch was lovely, and the free snacks and glass of wine on the way home, stretched out in the sea breeze, were perfect. On top of that we saw the reef itself, turtles, a huge barramundi and dolphins.
“Awesome day at the Reef!”
A fantastic day out with Paul and his gang. We did two scuba dives and saw the beautiful reef, a turtle, sharks, stingrays and all kinds of fish. Paul went through every diving procedure calmly and in plain terms, which we appreciated. The food was plentiful and the fruit was a nice way to end the day. We'd recommend it, and we hope to be back should we ever return to Cairns. Josh, Dan and Zoe.
“Now I know why i use tripadvisor”
I usually choose our next adventure from reviews and I'm so glad I did this time. The water was a bit choppy, but the crew were fabulous and made the day. Anyone after one-to-one attention should book this one: the owner-captain and his two staff were extremely kind and did everything they could to help. The snorkelling suited any comfort level with no pressure either way, so the day is yours to shape. We had a blast.
An exciting day. The staff were caring and efficient, kept everyone organised in the water at the reef, and knew the corals and fish well. Good food and drink throughout, and great value.
“A wonderful day and wonderful way to experience the Great…”
Good value and a fun way to see the reef. The crew were fun and well qualified and the boat was in excellent condition. Lunch was nicely done, as were the wine, fruit, cheese and crackers, all very welcome across the day. Both stops made for wonderful snorkelling, though the current at the second tired out our 10- and 12-year-olds quickly and cut that part short for us, which is nobody's fault. Stinger suit hire added $24 and was worth it for the sun protection alone. Having guides in the water pointing things out and explaining the animals and the reef brought it alive. Out of all the options, this was a great find.
“Highly recommended company”
Our snorkelling day with Reef Daytripper was exceptional, and the price was very fair next to what the big companies charge. We were one of 14 in a mixed-nationality group — 20 is their limit — and they made sure everyone had taken in the safety briefings and felt ready before getting in. My partner was nervous, so Jared gave her the life ring and towed her along with the rest of us, explaining the fish and other creatures as they went. Lunch was tasty: cold meats, pasta, salads and bread. Then it was back in the water, with poor Jared towing her a second time — VIP treatment indeed. There was plenty to see, a reef shark and a barracuda included, and fruit, cheese and a glass of wine on the run home finished off a wonderful day. Thanks to skipper Paul and to Jared, Joel and Hannah.
Having lived in Cairns for the best part of seven years I've seen plenty of the reef trips on offer, and the Daytripper is one of the best. Instead of being one of 300 passengers you're one of at most 20, which makes it far easier for the friendly crew to learn your name and pass on all sorts of tips and knowledge about the reef. The snorkelling was great, with lots of gorgeous coral and sea life at the two sites, and the crew took the time to point it all out. Other passengers saw turtles, and we came face to face with an enormous but good-natured barracuda. Decent food as well, and though it was a shame to leave the reef, the day finished beautifully: cheese and a glass of wine out in the boom nets on the sail back.
“Excellent day on Upolu reef with awesome cruise staff !”
The staff's knowledge made the snorkelling much more rewarding, and Chris led a guided snorkel that really opened up the beauty of Upolu Reef for us. The coral was stunning, in every colour and shape and growing massive — I was surprised how much better it was than anywhere else I've snorkelled around Cairns, so it's well worth it for snorkellers and divers alike. I also did an intro dive, which is an even better way to see Upolu Cay, and Joe explained the diving skills so clearly that I trusted him completely. After coffee to welcome us in the morning, lunch wasn't a huge spread but every dish was tasty, and there was a tropical fruit platter, cheese and crackers and a glass of wine on the way back to Cairns. Worth more than you pay, and the staff made the trip perfect.
“Amazing day on the reef!!”
It would be hard to imagine a better day. The crew were lovely and full of knowledge, and although I think the boat takes up to 20, there were only nine of us, which was great. The marine life was unbeatable: two long snorkels over reef teeming with fish and coral, better than I'd pictured. There was also a chance to dive for 20 to 30 minutes with no experience at all, which a few people took — impressive, given certification normally takes days.
Really helpful staff made the trip thoroughly enjoyable, and going out in a small group made it feel much more personal.
“Absolutely Amazing!”
Sailing with Paul, Hannah and Chris was wonderful. Keeping the group small makes a real difference, and the boat itself is a nice place to relax either side of exploring the outer reef. We did a big-boat trip to Green Island as well, and this is the one I'd recommend — we talked about it all evening.
“Excellent reef experience!!”
Paul and his crew gave us a great day at the reef. They were funny and professional and ran a good introduction to both snorkelling and scuba, and we learned some nice things about the reef and the creatures living in it. I'd never scuba dived before and was a bit nervous, but they made it a great experience and I ended up completely relaxed and enjoying myself. My friend got seasick and they looked after her beautifully. Lunch is included — chicken, cold meat, salads and bread, all good — and at the end there was wine, plus fresh fruit and cheese with crackers. If you want a personal trip with no more than 20 others (there were just 8 guests with us) this is the one to book.
Our day out with the Reef Daytripper crew was superb — with so few of us aboard we got extra attention while scuba diving and still had time to get to know the other passengers. The crew knew their jobs inside out, were funny with it and settled any nerves about diving, and both the boat and the gear were in good order. Lunch and drinks were included, it felt like real value, and we'd happily recommend it.
“Fantastic tour and crew!”
We picked this one to be on a small, familiar boat instead of something carrying 60-plus people, and came away with two superb dives. It's a sailing catamaran for up to 20 passengers plus four crew, so with little wind it took us roughly two to two and a half hours each way, filled with coffee, tea and a chatty crew; lunch was chicken, sliced meats and several salads with bread, and fruit, cheese and crackers came on the run home. We had about an hour and a half at each of two sites, Falla Reef and Horse Shoe, and our dive master Lina briefed us calmly, matched our tanks to our air use and found me the white-tip reef shark I'd been hoping for — the best diving I've done, with the friendliest crew of any boat trip I've been on.
“Best trip ever!!”
The marine life was the highlight — clownfish, turtles and moon jellyfish, and the crew even held a moon jelly up so everyone could take a proper look. They stayed in the water with us throughout, showed us the best parts of the reef and clearly put safety first, and they were friendly and full of knowledge with it. A good choice if you want an eco-minded reef trip that goes a bit behind the scenes.
“Fun Day for All”
A great day out. There was enough wind for some real sailing both ways, which is the reason my dad picked this trip in the first place, and although it isn't the outer reef the snorkelling matched anything I'd seen out there — better, in fact, because I got to swim with a turtle. Leena led us on a snorkel tour and pointed out everything interesting; we had two swims with lunch between them, decent gear including prescription masks, plenty of good food, and a chilled glass of wine once we were out of the water.
“Thank you for an excellent day - your personal touch makes…”
A brilliant day from the free tea and coffee at 8am through to getting back just before five. Between us we spotted a shark, stingrays, clownfish and thousands of tropical fish, and we swam with a turtle and watched it feed on the reef; lunch, fresh fruit, cheese with biscuits and a wine on the house were all part of it and all of a good standard. Dez, Lena, Hannah and Dave, a superb dive instructor, worked hard to make it personal, and not even the Cairns rain on the way in could spoil it.
An excellent day trip with a knowledgeable team. The group is small — 20 passengers plus the crew — and the snorkelling was wonderful. I gave scuba diving a go too, which was an amazing experience.
“Bucket list winner: A wonderful way to do your first scuba dive”
The whole family had a brilliant day out on the reef. My 12-year-old and I both dived for the first time — twice, in fact — and now we want to get certified, while Malena kept a close eye on our 9-year-old daughter, who spotted turtles and every sort of fish. With Captain Paul at the helm you feel safe, and each of the crew was thoughtful; well worth the money.
“Awesome personalised trip”
An excellent trip, and both the price and the scuba dive were worth it. Capping the boat at 20 people is far more relaxing than being packed in with 80 others. Recommended.
“Fantastic day at the reef”
We spent the whole day snorkelling on the reef with this crew and it was beautiful. The staff worked for us all day — sorting out our gear, snorkelling alongside us, taking others diving — and everyone got a lovely swim, with turtles, clownfish and plenty of gorgeous coral. Thank you from Giacomo and family.
“Terrific family experience exploring the reef!”
We chose Reef Daytripper for the small group of 20 on their catamaran, even though it meant a slower run out and back, and the extra time aboard was good for meeting people. All four crew were friendly and constantly helpful — when our 9-year-old daughter's mask kept leaking, the snorkel guide swapped his own with her. The buffet lunch of pasta, cold cuts and salad was better than I'd expected, with cheese and fruit on the way home, and our 12-year-old loved his first dive so much he did a second, with his own instructor.
We had a great day on the Great Barrier Reef with the Reef Daytripper crew, who were friendly and happy to accommodate us. The instructors are welcoming and helpful if it's your first dive. Small group too.
“Fantastic way to explore the reef”
I booked on the strength of the reviews and because the boat only carries 20 — there were just 15 of us — and it felt far more personal than one of the huge boats would. The small crew were smiling and genuinely enthusiastic from start to finish, with two of them in the water for both snorkel sessions pointing out wildlife and checking everyone was fine; we saw reef sharks, turtles, barracuda, masses of fish and stunning coral. Tea and coffee at the start, a buffet lunch, wine once we were out of the water for the last time, then cheese, crackers and fruit for the trip home; the $6 stinger suits took away any worry about jellyfish and sunburn, and I'd take seasickness tablets just in case even though our water was calm.
“Fantastic Day at the Great Barrier Reef”
A fab day travelling with only a small group. The crew were pleasant and professional, gave good advice, and kept an instructor in the water the whole time we snorkelled, which made it feel safe. The food was great too — I can't fault the trip.
The smaller group was what I loved — 20 is the limit and there were only 12 of us on my day. The snorkelling was excellent, a tasty lunch came between the two swims and a snack was served on the way home. The crew were friendly and helpful, and it was a great day all round.
“Cruisin' to Upolu Cay”
An unforgettable day on the Great Barrier Reef and the highlight of our Cairns visit. The two-and-a-half-hour sail out to Upolu Cay was all part of it for us, though a couple of the 19 passengers were very unwell with seasickness, so pick a larger vessel if you're prone to that. We had a guided snorkel, a beautifully prepared lunch and then a freer second swim at the horseshoe section where I saw a sea turtle, while my husband — the only one who took the scuba option, so effectively private — saw a reef shark and a stingray; the complimentary glass of wine on the way home and getting to hoist the sail himself topped it off. Thanks Paul and crew.
“Barry...”
A great day, a great crew and a great bit of reef — sharks everywhere, cheese on board, and Barry the barracuda swam up right at the end to finish off the snorkelling. Thanks to Paul, David and Malena — a marvellous day on the water.
“One of my highlights of travelling Australia”
The boats that head out with hundreds of people didn't appeal to me, whereas this one takes no more than 20 and there were only about eight of us, so nobody was swimming on top of anyone else. The run out was relaxed, there's a free glass of wine on the way back, the crew were a pleasure to be around and kept checking we were happy, lunch was lovely and plentiful, and one of them guided us to where the marine life hides. It would suit a nervous swimmer too — the skipper keeps his eye on everybody swimming and there's a ring you can hold while they tow you along, which my friend could have managed had she known.
“Snorkeling”
A great day out on the Great Barrier Reef with our young adults. The captain and crew were excellent both on the way out and around the reef, and the numbers are about the smallest on offer, which means genuinely personal service. Lunch is provided, there's a mini happy hour after the dive, scuba is available for beginners, and the whole atmosphere is relaxing.
“Good tour and friendly crew”
Just back from this reef trip — it's around two and a half hours out there, so take something for seasickness so you can enjoy it. The people are lovely and helpful; I can't swim and I'm frightened of water, but they helped me so much that I got to see some reef myself, and it was amazing. The food was good (chicken, salad, bacon, bread) with tea and coffee at the start and complimentary wine and cheese later, all for $139 — note there's a card surcharge so bring cash, and the hire waterproof cameras take decent photos.
Perfect, mind-blowingly so. The staff were all happy, friendly and gorgeous, and the reef area was stunning. The food was surprisingly good, the wine was free, and they were really supportive of anyone who was a bit scared — nothing was less than flawless.
“Great crew and fantastic way to see the reef”
The crew are fantastic — cheerful, hardworking and very knowledgeable — and one of them guides you along the reef pointing out the fish and coral. Getting out there under sail is very relaxing, and the small group was a bonus. We saw turtles, coral and lots of fish, and I'd recommend them highly.
“Great day..Great trip”
A great day aboard the Reef Daytripper. The staff were excellent — friendly, helpful and very personal — and all they wanted was for us to have a good day, which we did. Highly recommend.
“Relaxed and Great Day Out”
On a previous Cairns visit my wife and I did a reef snorkel on one of the big boats and found it crowded and boisterous, so we weren't going to bother again until we spotted the Reef Day-tripper poster down at D jetty advertising a maximum of 20 passengers — we booked at the boat for the next day and there were only 16 of us. The day was planned and run perfectly: unlimited fresh water and tea or coffee on the way out, a buffet lunch big enough for about 30 rather than the 21 aboard, a glass of wine after snorkelling, then fresh fruit and a cheese platter coming home, all nicely spaced to break up the transits. Time in the water was plenty — many came back early from the second snorkel — and we saw a turtle, white tip as well as black tip reef sharks, a ray and an aquarium's worth of tropical fish, with a crew who enjoyed hearing about everyone's travels and a boat that never felt crowded.
A fantastic, well-organised day with very professional and friendly staff. As a first-time snorkeller I felt completely safe. I'd recommend it and would do the trip again — thanks for a great day.
“Beautiful tour”
Reef Daytripper put on an amazing trip. The crew were genuinely friendly and the whole thing went perfectly. Thanks!
“So good”
The crew were amazing — really friendly and personal, hugely helpful, and good at cheering you on and boosting your confidence. A great trip, and completely worth what we paid.
An amazing day with a friendly crew, and both the snorkelling spots and the food on board were very good. The only shame is that the catamaran isn't fast, so I'd have liked longer in the water.
“Higly recommended trip to the reef!”
The crew are amazing — super friendly, and they make you feel like somebody rather than just a number the way you can be on the bigger boats, since this one takes only 20. I really enjoyed the second snorkel stop, with beautiful reef and fish. It also suits people without much snorkelling or diving experience, because the crew are patient, explain things as often as you need and get in the water with you.
A local recommended this trip and we weren't let down — only 12 of us on a boat that takes 20, and small numbers mean you see more and the staff can judge what you're capable of. We tried the introductory scuba dive and, although it turned out not to be for me, the staff's knowledge and skills were faultless. The stretch of reef we visited was beautiful and still very colourful, and we even saw a turtle.
“Awesome day out on the reef with a great group of people”
A brilliant day on the reef with the crew and our fellow passengers. There were only 16 of us against their maximum of 20, so it's far more intimate than the huge tours. The crew were friendly and informative and could cater to every ability and need, snorkelling or diving; we booked on a friend's recommendation and weren't disappointed.
A great day out with this outfit. The crew were amazing and turned their hands to everything, running the operation tightly with nothing overlooked. Good value, and the snorkelling areas were lovely.
“Worth every penny”
A fantastic trip — the little sailing boat takes up to 20 but there were only nine of us, so the day felt very intimate. Lina, Dave and Des were wonderful, helpful and great fun: Lina guided us round the reef showing us all kinds of plants and animals and is clearly passionate about the sea and what she does, while Dave looked after our seasick friend and offered his own nausea medication. Lunch was very good and there was a glass of white wine on the way back.
“A Really Fun Sailing & Snorkeling Trip!”
This was my third visit to Cairns, and having been out to the reef with operators carrying more than 50 passengers — one over 300 — this was easily the most fun I've had. They allow a maximum of 20 and there were only 11 of us; it's a sailing catamaran rather than a high-speed one, so Upolu Reef is about two and a half hours each way, but the briefings and chatting with a sociable crew make the time fly, and there's white wine, a cheese platter and tropical fruit on the return, plus a tropical lunch at the reef of chicken drumsticks, ham and beef slices, salads, pasta and bread with drinking water all day. We snorkelled two spots with vivid coral, better than parts of the reef I've seen elsewhere, and saw turtles, a harmless white tip reef shark, giant clams, clownfish, unicorn fish, parrotfish and far more besides, with our guide Lina bringing a blue starfish up for a closer look — huge thanks to Captain Dez, to Lina Soderqvist and to Dave, and note they'll happily help non-swimmers and beginners with flotation devices.
“Snorkeling on the great barrier reef!”
This reef trip leaves around 8am and is back about 4pm, and there's lots of room on the catamaran. We were welcomed with coffee and rolls and spent roughly two hours getting out to the reef, with everything explained and reviewed before we got in and all the equipment supplied; the water was slightly choppy but fine. A great lunch followed and we were back at the dock on time — lots of personal attention from a staff who work well together, and a wonderful first reef experience for me.
An excellent snorkelling trip with a great crew. Small boat, small group — nothing like the massive ships carrying 50-plus. Highly recommended.
“A great day on the Reef with a small group”
A friend recommended this and we were pleased we took the advice — 20 passengers at most plus around four crew to help. The snorkelling was great, though I found the water quite cold; you can hire a wetsuit aboard for about $6, which seems fair. The lunch was good, the wine on the way back was a nice extra, the two hours each way passed quickly with the views, and the staff explained everything well and spotted fish and turtles to point out.
“A great day on the reef”
This trip leaves Cairns around 8am and gets back about four, on a catamaran with plenty of room at the front to sit in the sun on the way out. You visit two different reef locations with lots of snorkelling time, and diving is available if you want it. Best of all it only takes 20 people, so it's friendly and much more personal, and the crew are friendly and a real help once you're in the water.
“Awesome Day Out!!!!!!!”
Friendly staff, great snorkelling spots and amazing fish and coral — we even saw turtles and a reef shark. Lunch was delicious. Highly recommended, but pack your sunscreen.
“A Day in Paradise”
A little boat out in the middle of the sea with just 20 of us, nothing like the big attractions carrying 200 people. A fantastic crew looked after us with advice, explanations, guided snorkelling and diving, food, drinks and a nice atmosphere. Peaceful and amazing — thanks, and keep it up.
“Amazing tour”
What an amazing tour, with very friendly staff — Des, David, Daniel and Lina — and the price was good. I had a great time. Thank you.
“Perfect day to Great Barry reef!!”
The small group was fantastic and it made for a great day on the reef. The crew were amazing — friendly, caring and helpful — and although I'm not a swimmer they still got me scuba diving. Thanks Reef Daytripper for a wonderful, unforgettable day.
“SUPER RECOMMENDED!!”
Captain Des, David, Daniel and Lina were friendly, helpful and very well organised, and did an amazing job. A small boat with a small group is the best way to do it — only 14 people including crew on our day, so it felt like you owned the boat — and they took great care of everyone aboard. I've done dive boat trips with three different Cairns operators and this was the best of them.
“Snorkel/dive trip”
The crew were very friendly and took us to two sites; it was a great day out. The lunch was delicious and they sorted a vegetarian meal for us too. The boat was quite comfortable — thanks for a great day.
“Excellent adventure”
A great day out, with a personal feel backed by excellent knowledge of the area. The crew were fantastic and so encouraging, and small groups really are the way to do it. My 9- and 12-year-old boys reckon this is the best thing they've done so far — thanks team.
Thanks for a fantastic day's snorkelling out on the reef. Being on a boat with 400-odd people was the last thing we wanted, which is exactly why we chose you; the staff were exceptional and looked after all 19 of us, our three children especially. Everyone had masses of room to spread out for the journey to the reef and back, and the lunch, the afternoon tea and the free wine were all lovely.
“BEST SCUBA/SNORKLING EXPERIENCE”
The crew were incredible from the start — friendly and so helpful. I did an introductory scuba dive and the instructor was very patient with me, because it took me a few minutes longer to get in than the other girl diving with us. An amazing day all round: between snorkelling and diving we saw turtles, clownfish, blue tangs, stingrays and plenty more.
“snorkeling, sailing, and sun”
An amazing crew — friendly, informative and so helpful. It was a wonderful first snorkelling experience and I couldn't recommend them more highly. The small group size made the day relaxing and memorable, and nothing was too much trouble for them.
“Couldn't have asked for a better day!”
I did this on my last day in Australia and couldn't have hoped for a better finish. The crew were super friendly and most of them made a point of getting to know everyone on the way out; being smaller the boat is slower, but when the wind drops it's gentle, pleasant sailing, and having only 20 passengers made it feel more personal and better for snorkelling. Hot drinks on arrival, a nice lunch, then wine and a cheese platter on the way back; my intro dive instructor waited patiently while I sorted out the pressure in my ears, and between the snorkel and the dive the crew pointed out turtles, reef sharks, clownfish and interesting plants — we even saw whales heading out.
“Darling it's better, down where it's wetter! Under the Sea!!”
We had an amazing reef day aboard the Reef Daytripper, a small-boat trip with fewer than 20 passengers. The crew were friendly and capable, brimming with hospitality and reef facts, and ready to help or advise, and they kept the highest standards of safety whether we were under way or in the water. The catering was great too — hot tea and coffee on arrival, a buffet lunch of cold cuts, salads and chicken once we were back from the first snorkel, a toast in chilled dry white after the second, and a cheese and fruit platter to nibble on the way back to port — and with beautiful weather the reef held wonders I'd only ever seen in aquariums.
A very friendly, helpful and organised crew. Our 10- and 8-year-olds snorkelled with us and the crew kept an eye on them while we explored; a great lunch was included in the price along with afternoon snacks, and although drinks were for sale on board they were happy for us to bring our own. Snorkelling and scuba were both on offer with three instructors ready to help and no shortage of fins, snorkels and wetsuits, and the sites were exceptional — hundreds of different fish, turtles, and sharks for those who dived.
“Memorable day”
A delightful day of sailing and snorkelling with a fantastic atmosphere. The staff were helpful and informative and couldn't do enough for us. The memories were made brighter by how friendly the crew and our fellow passengers were — you don't get that on a bigger boat. Thanks from Frank and Lauren.
An awesome trip. Everyone from the skipper to the instructors was really professional and genuinely nice, and nothing was ever too much trouble. Lunch and the afternoon snacks were terrific.
“The Great Barrier Reef is epic”
We went out to Upolu Reef with Reef Daytripper and had a great, well-organised day. The guys on the boat were friendly and informative and lunch was good, but the snorkelling was the best part — our guide was excellent at spotting the fish, telling everyone about them and suggesting where to look. We saw anemone fish and a turtle, plus dolphins, and amazingly some whales on the way back to Cairns.
“10/10 experience”
We went out today and had a fabulous day — a maximum of 20 aboard, which is nice, and an incredibly friendly and helpful crew. A good fresh lunch was provided too. Other boats will get you there faster, but the ride out on this one is a relaxing experience in itself, they'll give you all the help you need snorkelling or diving, and what you see is seriously breathtaking.
“Small and perfectly formed”
There are bigger, slicker boats that reach the reef faster with a lot more people on them; our hostel manager pointed us at this one instead and his recommendation was spot on. It's 20 people maximum, the crew are down to earth and friendly, with plenty of time to chat, good with children, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the extras are very fairly priced — $6 for a shortie wetsuit, $2 for a chilled can. The boat seats its 20 in comfort, there was plenty of lunch to go round and vegetarians are looked after properly if you tell them in advance; we also had some of the owner's extended family aboard on their own holiday, which added to the friendly mingling, and we saw a whale at close quarters on the way home. Not one for posers, but perfect if you want a great day with lovely people.
“What a blast”
We went out yesterday and had an amazing time — Paul and the crew were fun to spend the day with. The reef was so beautiful and we had a great day. Thanks Reef Daytripper!
“Excellent visit to the reef!”
All the crew gave us a warm welcome as we boarded and we felt right at home; with only 14 guests they got to know us well, and the safety briefings were informative. Trent handed round a book of photos taken on the reef on the way out, then he and Blake guided our first snorkel at Upolu Reef, pointing out clownfish, turtles, giant clams, sea stars and other fish and explaining how some of them behave — they patiently tried to fix another girl's mask and then traded her a spare, and they offer prescription masks, pool noodles for weaker swimmers and a tow if the current tires you out. Lunch was filling if unremarkable (potato and pasta salads, chicken, cold deli meats, bread and butter), the second site was horseshoe-shaped and we had more freedom to swim off with Trent still in the water watching and pointing things out, my boyfriend enjoyed his intro dive with James and Blake though he'd have liked more room to roam, and on the way home there was a group photo, wine, cheese and crackers and a lovely fruit platter.
A great experience with friendly people who had a good sense of humour, on a nice small boat, which was exactly what I wanted. All the staff were helpful and the gear was good quality; the captain picks the best spot for the day's conditions and the crew snorkel alongside you, which would never happen on a big boat. Lunch was nice and the cheese and fruit were perfect.
“Great day out on the reef”
A small, friendly outfit. The crew were efficient and professional but still interacted with every guest personally. Despite very high winds and heavy seas we enjoyed our day and were brought safely back to Cairns.
Great for anyone seeing the reef for the first time. The experienced, enthusiastic crew made us feel welcome from the moment we stepped aboard the catamaran, and they tipped us off to take motion sickness tablets, as the run out can get choppy.
“Great reel experience”
A great day out on the Dreamcatcher — not the fastest boat going, but it's nice to take it easy heading out to the reef and back. We saw humpback whales in both directions, and the two reef stops were excellent with so many colourful fish that the kids loved it. Worth it for a more personal experience than the big boats.
“Day snorkle”
Had a great time — the crew were really friendly, the atmosphere was good and it was a great experience. Good value for the price too, and I'd recommend it.
“Authentic visit to the reef”
An awesome reef adventure — personal, friendly and thoroughly enjoyable. You're taken to two reef locations with a good range of coral and fish, all the equipment is supplied and in good working order, a beautiful lunch is served, and one friend of mine dived and found the staff patient and attentive; waterproof cameras are available to hire. The one thing worth knowing is that the run out and back takes a while, so pack a snack for the morning, and wear a sun shirt because you spend a lot of the day in the sun.
“Great Reef experience on a small boat”
The boat takes 20 people at most, so the service is genuinely personal. The crew were great — helpful, informative and mindful of safety — and after our first hour in the water we broke for lunch, then the skipper moved the boat a few hundred metres to a magnificent coral garden full of colourful fish and coral. The snorkel gear and the food were both good and the wine and cheese platter on the way home rounded the day off nicely; the one drawback is that a smaller boat means 2.5 hours each way and so less time on the reef, though two hours plus in the water is plenty for most people.
“Personal reef visit”
Our family went out with the Reef Daytripper and thought it was great. The small number on board mattered to me, because it made the visit much more personal and I got more out of it; scuba is optional, and my wife and daughter both took it up and loved having an instructor to themselves. Upolu Reef seemed in good condition with lots of fish, and the staff were conscientious about our safety while still giving us space to do our own thing.
I went out on this boat four years back and booked again this year; the owner has changed but the quality is still there. The small catamaran carries up to 20 for snorkelling and diving at two beautiful Great Barrier Reef spots, and the crew are welcoming, sociable and clearly passionate about the job, plus it's a nice boat to relax on while sailing out and back. The day starts with morning tea and coffee, a cold lunch follows the first snorkel and there's cheese and fruit on the return; take something if you're prone to seasickness, because you feel the waves on a vessel this small, which I happen to love.
“Great Reef experience!”
We booked on personal recommendations and weren't disappointed — the smaller boat gave us more snorkelling time, a good hour and a half at each of the stops. It was overcast and rainy so the water was a bit murky, but we still had a great time and the staff were friendly and very knowledgeable. Well worth what we paid.
“Excellent service , great day.”
There are six of us in the family and we had a superb day out on the reef. The crew aboard were friendly and helpful in every way and really made us feel like guests, and we picked this trip because it wasn't a big boat where we'd be sharing the day with hundreds of others — out on the reef that made the swimming feel very personal. We had our own guides to point out the marine life, including stingrays, sleeping sharks and turtles.
“AMAZING AMAZING CREW AND BOAT”
An amazing day — I saw sharks, turtles, masses of fish of every sort, and Barry the barracuda. Both snorkel spots were brilliant; it's a must.
If the big "cattle boat" tours are not your thing, go with this one instead. There are never more than 20 guests plus the crew, so there is plenty of space for your gear, and the price is very fair for the experience.
“Awesome day on the reef”
A fantastic day of sun, snorkelling, diving and good food — there was even wine and cheese on board on the way home. The crew were hugely friendly and informative. The best part was being only a small group; I'd do it again and recommend it to any friend.
Terrific crew, lovely boat, brilliant adventure. We did a couple of dives and were guided through both, and we were fortunate to be in a group of only six. We loved it.
“Relaxing excitement on the Reef”
A friend was staying with me in Cairns for a few days and Reef Daytripper was the boat I wanted her to see the reef from — the right call, because a small group on a smaller boat makes the day feel like it's yours alone rather than making you a number. The snorkelling tour was really good, and it's lovely to still be learning new things after several trips out to the reef. A big thank you to the team.
“Absolutely Amazing!! #1”
As a Cairns local I wanted a reef dive and I am glad I chose Reef Daytripper. There were just six of us aboard, owner Paul was warm and full of information, and the dive instructors looked after us well. Lunch was tasty, and they handed out cheese, crackers and wine on the way back.
The service, the trip itself and the food all added up to good value for money. We chose it for the small number on board — 20 maximum, and only 13 of us on the day — which meant no queue for food, no wait to get into the water and nobody swimming into you while snorkelling. Everyone got personal attention, with extra help for those new to snorkelling and diving.
“Crew was fantastic”
The crew could not have been better — relaxed, patient with someone who is a bit nervous in the water, and good company. The food was decent and their explanations about the reef held my interest. A lovely, laid-back day overall.
“great day on the reef, and wonderful attentive staff”
We had a wonderful day on the reef with knowledgeable, kind staff. One of our family got seasick quite quickly, and the attention and kindness they showed was much appreciated. Special thanks to Pavil and the skipper.
“Team building event”
We used it for a team-building day and it worked a treat — lovely boat, and a crew who were friendly, obliging and happy to explain things. The catering was excellent and it added up to a really good day on the reef.
A lovely crew who were informative, friendly and not at all intimidating. I was travelling on my own and the little boat made it easy to get chatting to people and to feel safe. Good diving on the reef, and good food.
“If you want a small group on a sailing boat then this is for…”
If the idea of a huge boat carrying 200 people puts you off, this is the alternative — a beautiful sailing boat with no more than 20 aboard and staff who clearly knew their job and made everybody feel welcome. Lunch was included, vegetarians catered for, and the whole day was unhurried; you can dive with very experienced instructors if you want, and some of our group who had never dived before came up grinning. I mostly snorkelled with Lina, who is well worth sticking close to, and was lucky enough to see a turtle, a stingray, a barracuda and masses of fish — and if you would rather not be in the water the whole time you can just sunbathe on deck.
Everyone was welcomed warmly and the crew went as far as learning all our names, set on making the day the best it could be — comedy James, dive master Lina and captain Yak each added something. What sets this trip apart is how personal it feels: a high ratio of staff to guests, only 20 people aboard, no overcrowding, space to relax, and plenty to take away both in what you learn and in the fun, even when the water turned a bit rough. It suits just about anybody, from older travellers to families and budget backpackers — a simple, easy day out.
“Excellent Value!”
Yes, the boat is smaller and slower, but the day was excellent. With only 11 of us the crew had time for everyone, the snorkelling was superb and the sea was calm. Lunch was very good and the snacks on the way home were a nice bonus — well worth it for a small group at a sensible price.
We have lived in Townsville for years and done plenty of reef trips out of Cairns, and this was the most enjoyable of them: a lovely sailing boat, limited passenger numbers and a crew who clearly love the reef and their work. We only snorkelled, but the guiding was first rate, everyone was looked after, and we picked up a lot about corals and fish as we swam. Thoroughly recommended.
“Expectation exceeded”
We went out on 29 March as a couple with our seven-year-old daughter and a friend, and the day beat what I had expected — I had read here that the boat was small and not fast, but we were on holiday and in no hurry, and there is still ample room for 20 passengers. The crew were professional, and James, the South Korean crew member, took special care of our daughter, working hard through the snorkel stops to find the turtles and clownfish she was hoping for, and she got her wish. The one thing that could be better is the lack of fresh water to rinse off after hours in the sea, though at around 30% less than the faster boats I will accept that; we would happily send friends their way.
Paul and the crew take you out to the outer reef in a small group, and at $140 a head with a cap of 20 passengers it is a cheap way to see it with none of the crowding of the bigger tours. The boat is quite small and rocked a bit even in fine weather, so seasickness-prone travellers should factor that in, the run to Upolu Reef takes a good two hours, and you need to be a confident swimmer — there are two 90-minute stints in the water, and towing the two weaker swimmers in our group meant less of the crew's expertise for the rest of us. In the first stint we saw turtles, sharks, stingrays and an octopus, lunch was really good with three salads, chicken, cold meats and bread, and there was a complimentary wine, tropical fruit and cheese and crackers on the way home.
“Sharks, turtles and nemo”
For a single day on the reef this is the way to do it — a nice boat capped at 20 with friendly staff and shade on board, though after two hours out you do wish the benches had cushions. The guided snorkelling showed us creatures we would have swum straight past, the masks, fins and snorkels were in good condition, and stinger suits were supplied (mine was fine, though I spotted one with a big tear). Lunch was a tasty cold salad buffet, an unexpected wine handed out once we had finished the second snorkel hit the spot, and cheese and fruit revived us on the way back — I would happily go out with this team again.
“Wonderful trip to the reef!”
A really good trip, and with only 20 people aboard it felt relaxed and personal. The staff were lovely, and we spotted plenty of sea turtles, tropical fish and even a barracuda.
“Relaxing day on the reef.”
I had a lovely, relaxed day out with my daughter and friends. The run out was smooth, the snorkelling was great, and at the second stop we decided to dive — owner Paul and his team treated us brilliantly, with only four of us per dive instructor thanks to the smaller sailing boat. We saw more than we had hoped for, the food was good, and we will do it again.
I did this today and it has been the best part of my trip. With a limit of 20 you end up knowing nearly everyone aboard and the crew know you by name by the end, and the sail itself was lovely — no rush, no speed, just cruising. There was more than enough food, and the reef spots they choose are hard to put into words for colour and life; I will be telling friends heading this way.
“This is a must do day trip in Cairns. Local and visitors.”
I live in Cairns and have done several reef day trips, and this was easily the best — I would go again tomorrow. The guided snorkelling was great and the scuba dive was the most memorable I have done, with turtles, reef sharks and other sea life. Paul and his crew were wonderful, the food was too, and I would recommend it to anyone.
“Well organized and sympathetic tour to Great Barrier Rief”
We picked Reef Daytripper for the smaller groups and the personal attention, and it was absolutely the right call. There were only about 12 of us, so there was room to spread out and no queueing to get in the water or to eat, and the crew were kind, helpful and genuinely understanding. A thoroughly enjoyable day that we would recommend to anyone.
I am a weak swimmer who dislikes the water and is frightened of fish, let alone sharks, so I had planned not to snorkel at all — but the crew knew their subject and encouraged me until I not only got in, I was first into the water at the second stop. It turned out to be the best day of my trip to Australia.
“Awesome day out.”
This was my first time snorkelling and the crew made sure I felt safe and at ease. The food was great and the whole day was relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable.
“Great Day On Th Reef”
We loved the day, partly because it cost about $60 less than most other operators and they only take a small group. The boat is comfortable, the staff know their stuff and are good fun, and they made sure nobody's needs were overlooked. I dived and had a ball with all the wildlife, including a white-tip reef shark, and the food was good too, right down to the fresh fruit and cheese on the way back in.
“Great fun!”
Lovely sailing boat, and the staff were friendly and great fun. They took us to two good reef spots, and the moment of the day for me was finally swimming alongside a turtle. Highly recommended.
“Paul and the gang are a must when you visit cairns”
The boat is smaller and slower, but if you actually enjoy taking in the scenery, as I do, this one is a must — and smaller boats can reach places the big ones cannot. The crew do everything they can to make the day as good as possible.
“Small intimate group - value for money”
Well worth booking. It was a great day with a small group — 14 of us on my trip, and 20 is their limit — and very good value, with genuinely friendly staff who checked we were all right both on board and in the water. The food was good and there was free cold water; I had been to the reef with another company that was crowded, pricier and not as enjoyable, and my daughter, over from Wellington, loved this one.
“Amazing day out without breaking the budget!”
I am a Cairns local who has been out on plenty of the boats, and the reef we saw here beats anything else I have found out of Cairns. The boat suits the number of guests, with two boom nets up front for a splash on the way out, the reef spots are pristine, the food is generous and tasty, and my dive never felt rushed. What really makes it, though, is the crew — lovely, accommodating, genuinely well informed about the reef and keen to show you the best of it.
“Had a great time with Reef Daytripper”
My husband and I had a great time. I was hunting for an introductory scuba trip and picked this one for the small numbers advertised, though the photos made the boat look very dated and I was sceptical at first — in the end both boat and crew were excellent. Caroline led our introductory dive in the morning and the afternoon was spent snorkelling; the big boats sped past us, but sailing out felt relaxed and like better value for the day, so the small numbers made it worth booking.
“Lovely day spent on the reef”
We spent a lovely day aboard with our young family and everyone was made to feel welcome and at ease — it is a far more personal trip. With so few people we got chatting with almost everybody on board; it felt like a day out with friends. Well worth it if you want something intimate.
“Fab day on the Great Barrier Reef!”
The staff were friendly, professional and genuinely well informed about the reef. James ran guided snorkelling, which was well worth joining — as a complete beginner I found him reassuring, and I saw a clownfish and a sea turtle, which made my day. There was an optional intro dive for an extra $70, plus morning tea, a big lunch spread, and cheese, biscuits and a complimentary wine in the afternoon.
“Great day out at the Great Barrier Reef”
A catamaran trip out to the reef with no more than 20 people, run by an experienced crew who looked after everything their passengers needed. It works for families with small children too. The site had lovely corals and plenty of marine life, with a decent chance of seeing sharks and turtles.
An amazing team of people. We snorkelled and then opted to give scuba a go for the first time, and every one of them was patient and friendly, which counts for a lot when you're learning. It was the highlight of my trip and I'll be recommending them, hopefully returning myself one day.
It was the cheapest way for us to get out to the reef and the 20-passenger limit drew us in — the personal service was real. The drawback is the pace: two and a half hours to reach the reef. I got into difficulty in the water and they responded immediately; the morning reef stop was spectacular and the food was great.
“Excellent reef tour”
Worth it if you want a more personal day on the reef. The crew were good fun and the smaller group gave the day a family feel you do not get on the bigger boats; one of them, Dex I think, took me on my first-ever scuba dive and was excellent. The only thing that might put some people off is how long the trip out takes, since the boat is much slower than others, though I enjoyed that part too.
“Value for money”
We booked the day before and this was the best price we found, a little over $100 each. In its favour: individual attention, including while snorkelling, time to get to know the others aboard, plenty of good food and a yacht-like feel. Against it: the crew were lifting marine creatures out of the water to pass around and prodding animals out of hiding, and it is two hours each way to the reef, so roughly half the day goes on travelling against about a quarter on the big boats — I would probably book again for how exclusive it feels, but the travel time was a real drawback.
A wonderful day: I snorkelled and saw a shark, a barracuda, a turtle and heaps of clownfish. The boat is small and a bit slow, but the real plus is the 20-passenger cap, and the crew were warm and helpful — James, our guide, kept a close eye on me as I am not a strong swimmer and not happy in deep water. The food was lovely and the free wine on the journey home went down nicely; recommended if you are after attentive service and a reef trip that feels personal.
“Personalized Service”
As other reviewers have said, the small numbers — 20 at most — let the crew get to know what each guest needs. Several children were in our party, so the crew slowed the snorkelling down and made sure the kids could keep up; we saw turtles, starfish and no end of fish, and the children were thrilled to find a clownfish among the corals. Lunch was delicious and the fruit and cheese platters were very welcome come afternoon tea.
“Perfect group-Perfect size”
I am so glad I picked Reef Daytripper. Scuba terrifies me, but the guides put me at ease about giving it a go and stayed with me every step of the way — it turned out to be the best experience of my life, and they helped with the snorkelling too. The price is fair for what you get, the food was superb, the catamaran was relaxing, and with only around 20 people aboard you really get to know each other.
A good way to spend a day on the reef: a small boat with a friendly, knowledgeable team, and although the mooring takes more than two hours to reach it feels like a cruise. There is a light lunch on board, very welcome after the first dive, and cheese and crackers later while you top up your tan on the bow, and at the first snorkel stop a guide swims alongside pointing out the interesting corals and marine life. Having dived a lot in the Caribbean I was not especially impressed by the sea life — a turtle, a large barracuda and shoals of tiny tropical fish — so perhaps there are better dive sites elsewhere on the reef.
“Awesome adventure”
Thanks to all the staff for a great day, and particularly to Caroline for the private tour.
“Great day perfect experience”
This was exactly the reef day we wanted — not being herded about like cattle was a treat. The catamaran was pleasant and had everything you would expect on a small vessel, and the crew were friendly and made an effort to chat with all of us. The snorkelling spots were good and we saw a lot of marine life, turtles, a barracuda and clownfish among it; the boat's speed is the only mark against it, though sailing in the tropics is hardly a hardship.
“Small group trip to the Reef”
I got a last-minute spot and I am pleased I did. The one small gripe is that it is not a quick boat, so a fair chunk of the day goes on getting to the reef and back. Everything else was good: with a small group you are all well looked after, the crew are helpful and informative, the snorkelling sites are decent and uncrowded, and it is a good trip for a first taste of scuba — good value.
“Relaxed day out on the reef”
We chose Reef Daytripper because smaller groups than other operators were guaranteed, and it was the right call: 14 guests and three crew, a relaxed mood, good humour, plenty of chat all round, and they made sure the two dives we had asked for well in advance went ahead. Paying a bit extra to be on a smaller boat was worth it — the dive sites were practically ours alone, my brother and I swimming in clear, undisturbed water with white-tips, turtles and rays. The dive gear is well worn rather than new but perfectly suitable for shallow sites down to about 20m, and the full dive briefing shows most of their guests are novices, which is fair enough; if you are weighing up options, give this one serious thought.
“Amazing day on the Great Barrier Reef”
The trip was sold as no more than 20 people and we wanted something small — in the end there were seven of us and three crew. The reef information was great, the gear was good, the weather was beautiful, the run out was comfortable with the crew always on hand, and we had two good snorkel spots with a nice lunch in between. Paul skippered the catamaran capably, while Caroline and Chris, a pair of young travellers seeing the world, crewed very well; I wish I had travelled like that at their age.
“No regrets! Great Experience”
A great day out. It takes about two hours to reach the reef, but you can lie in the nets at the bow on the way, and at the first stop we snorkelled — take the pool noodle, it makes floating easy while the guides lead you around — then did scuba at the second, where James made our first dive feel safe at roughly seven metres for about half an hour. Lunch was fresh and a good size, the second snorkel left plenty of time to explore, swim and take photos, and you do not pay until the end, with EFTPOS on board; my only regret was not putting on more sunscreen.
“Great day on the water...”
The crew gave us a friendly welcome aboard their lovely catamaran to start the day. With 20 guests at most there is room at the dive spots for everyone to see plenty without feeling crowded. Lunch was a good spread of meats, salads and bread, followed later by a glass of wine and a cheese and fruit platter — a wonderful day on the water.
“A wonderful experience”
We did a Great Barrier Reef trip with Reef Daytripper and have nothing but praise for it. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the 20-person limit made a real difference; we were lucky with the weather and snorkelled at two spots where ours was the only boat, which makes it far more enjoyable. Lunch was good, there was wine, cheese and nibbles on the way back, we could relax and sunbathe up at the bow, and the trip was smooth both ways — we would travel with them again if we are ever back in Cairns.
“Wonderful tour on the reef!!!!”
We compared all the reef day tours on offer and this was among the cheapest we found. Being on a small, comfortable boat with a group of 20 or fewer — rather than the hundred-plus on many trips — was lovely, and Upolu Reef was stunning, with turtles, sharks and hundreds of beautiful fish and corals. We got a long spell of snorkelling, the crew were nice and helpful, the snorkel gear was good quality and there was plenty of good food; we could not think of a better way to see the reef.
“Brilliant reef experience!”
Brilliant crew, lots of fun, and wonderful fish and turtle spotting out on the reef. A great day — thanks to Paul and the crew, and to James for the terrific shots of the ocean floor.
“Awesome Day, Awesome Crew & Awesome Memories.”
The catamaran looked too small when I first saw it, but there was far more room to walk about and lie around than I expected, and taking only 20 made it feel personal. We had the best possible weather, I was in awe of the surroundings as we came up to the reef, and the snorkel spot was beautiful — they had plenty of information and knew just where particular fish and turtles would be, and I even saw a reef shark among the stunning coral. They are professional but good fun with it and nothing was a problem, and the trip home was a laugh with a couple of drinks and music; thanks to Paul, Chris and John for a great day for my three friends and me.
It was a great day from the moment we boarded, with welcoming staff, a beautiful and restful sail out to the reef, and enough space to yourself because the group is small, with the crew on hand whenever you needed them. I had booked an intro dive and panicked at first, certain I could not manage it, but the instructors took the time to settle me and I ended up scuba diving on the reef — I cannot thank them enough for getting me there. With so few guests aboard I effectively had one-on-one instruction, which a big group would not have allowed, and I doubt I would have dived at all otherwise.
Renee was excellent to deal with from the moment I booked, and although the boat looked a little small for 20 people we were pleasantly surprised — our crew, John, Paul and Christian, were great fun, laid-back, informative and funny with it, and Christian guided us around the reef. The trip out is slow but very restful, and there is something in not rushing to get somewhere; we snorkelled while others dived and everyone enjoyed being underwater, and lunch was basic but fresh and good, though some fruit or biscuits at morning tea would have helped as we were starving by then. The weather was perfect, the coral and sea life were beautiful, and the ride home was a ball — they even let me steer part of the way and were gracious when I spun the boat in a full circle.
“A great time had by all!”
The weather was poor and the seas choppy, yet we still had a great time. What this cruise has over the others is the small guest numbers — there were the four of us and four others, so the service was very personal. The diving was great and we came across two sharks, turtles and no end of fish.
“Reef cruise”
Well worth seeing the reef with this lot. It is a lovely boat carrying 20 at most, so the care and attention are very personal, and the staff were friendly, helpful and knew the reef and the activities well. A wonderful day — we would travel with them again.
“Great day snorkeling!”
Our day on the reef with Reef Daytripper was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a bit choppy, though the water was gorgeous all the same and we managed a fair amount of snorkelling, seeing lovely reef, incredible fish and one enormous turtle. A great time all round.
“Great way to see the reef on a smaller boat”
I was after a way to snorkel and dive the reef on something smaller than the mega tours and this company was perfect: personal attention, an attentive crew, a good-sized catamaran, lunch, and wine and snacks after diving. Safety was taken seriously, the staff taught us plenty, and we dived and snorkelled well away from all the other boats, exactly as I had hoped, seeing black-tipped reef sharks, huge clams and clownfish. There were no children on our trip and to my mind that is how this sort of excursion should be — children would do better on one of the bigger boats.
“Money well spent for a personalized trip to the GBR”
This is how to dodge the crowds, have a mellow day at sea and really see the reef — good staff, excellent snorkel hire gear, unlike the foggy masks I put up with for a day on Fitzroy Island, plus good food and fun. They were great with the children and threw in free wetsuit hire for them. My one niggle: we took a second wine and were only told later that it cost extra — all of $4, but after $550 for a family outing it felt a bit tacky not to be told, and small things like that count; I would still absolutely do it again.
“Amazing Day, Awesome Crew”
My husband and I had a fantastic day on the reef with this lovely team. With only 20 guests and four staff it was very personal, and the food was excellent. We did both snorkelling and diving and both were superb — highly recommended.
“A great way to spend a day in beautiful Cairns”
We wanted a small group, which is why we booked Reef Daytripper and their 20-passenger cap. The weather let us down and the seas were too rough for us to snorkel, but the crew were terrific, kind and attentive to those who felt ill, and there was a lovely lunch plus biscuits and cheese on the way home. Still highly recommended.
“Amazing Experience! Highly recommend!!”
A great day on the water with a lovely tour company — the staff were all friendly and the small group was what made it. Highly recommended.
“Awesome reef experience”
My husband and I enjoyed seeing the Great Barrier Reef with this company. The owner and two others took our small group out; they will come into the water to point things out if you like, and they treat safety, both yours and the reef's, as a priority. We liked that there were only 18 of us and that we visited two sites, unlike other tours.
“A lot of fun on a smaller boat”
Paul, the owner and skipper, clearly enjoys having people aboard. It is a smaller catamaran and, under a mix of sail and power, slower than the bigger powerboats, but getting there is part of the fun — we had 19 passengers and four crew, and with numbers that small everyone got to know everyone else. There was coffee, then lunch, plus fruit, cheese and wine, and two separate snorkel stops, each long enough; a great time, and I recommend the boat highly.
“Perfect day on the reef”
A personal, relaxed and informative day that suited both the young and the not-so-young. As first-time snorkellers we were a little nervous, but Paul, Derek and Yatsuu were encouraging and gave us a guided first snorkel. It was amazing — we saw whales, swam with turtles and found a huge variety of fish and coral, better than we had expected and outstanding value.
“An Unforgettable Day”
The Daytripper is the one to pick for a personal, exciting day on a small boat of about 20 passengers. Paul and his crew know their subject and are extremely well organised, professional, and respectful of the beautiful environment, making a point of showing us the unusual species living in the coral. They have worked out ways to keep adults of every age comfortable whether snorkelling or diving, safety always came first, and their humour made it all the more delightful.
“Incredible day!”
We had a fantastic time — just two of ten people aboard, which made it very personal, and the team were brilliant. Alongside the snorkelling we tried an introductory scuba dive, and Caroline put us both completely at ease even though I am not very confident in the water, so we could give all our attention to the lovely reef; two crew were in the water while we snorkelled too, so it was effectively a guided snorkel with them pointing things out and explaining them. The ride out is a couple of hours and was choppy on our day, but it did not trouble us and there was still plenty of time in the water once we arrived.
“Makes GBR Greater”
I went out with my wife, my son and his girlfriend and it was a great day with a gracious, well-qualified crew. If you want something memorable without a big group floating around you and stirring up the water, this is the tour — they answered every question, knew their subject, offered options for different abilities and did better than we had hoped. The lunch and snacks were excellent too; we would use Reef Daytripper again.
“Great day on the reef, we are definitely coming back”
It was our first visit to the reef and we had no idea what to expect; it wound up among the best days I have had. They took us to two different spots, morning and afternoon, and we saw all kinds of coral, two reef sharks, plenty of clownfish and so many other species that it felt like another planet. The small boat was fine, with room for all 20 of us to settle in different spots without getting in each other's way, and the crew were friendly and so dedicated that they lifted the whole day; we will definitely go with them again.
“Amazingly personal experience....but watch the weather”
The Daytripper is a small boat, which brings big advantages and a couple of drawbacks. On the plus side, we were two of ten guests with three friendly, well-informed crew, who made a point of getting to know everyone on the way out — not something the big boats do — and two of the three got into the water to guide people and help the less confident; the gear was nearly new and good quality, and Upolu Cay is a wonderfully vibrant place to snorkel (aim for a day with a low tide around lunchtime, so you get closer in with a better chance of turtles). Against that, it takes about two and a half hours to get there, which on a rough, wet day like ours became a bit tiring — pick a calm day, apparently October to November, and the journey would be perfect for lounging on deck with a book in the sun.
“Fantastic trip to GBR”
A fantastic day with a great crew, a group of 20 — the boat could take many more, but the owner chooses to give people space — and superb snorkelling out on the Great Barrier Reef. Highly recommended.
An incredible day. The crew were professional, patient with everybody and good humoured with it; I dread putting my face in the water, and yet they gave me enough confidence to snorkel for nearly an hour, and they managed the very different abilities on board impressively, all the more so in July when the sea was anything but calm. The food was plentiful and very tasty — I would recommend this boat and crew wholeheartedly for a small-group, unhurried and personal day on the reef.
“Amazing Day Out”
My friend and I had a great day out. It is a smaller boat with a limit of 20 and we were fully booked on our day, yet there was still loads of space and the crew were attentive, friendly and happy to help with anything; my friend did an intro dive and loved it, and as a certified diver I appreciated that they put no cap on dive time, unlike boats that stop you at 40 or 50 minutes. There was plenty of snorkelling time and it was good too, and while there is no breakfast on board, lunch was generous and later came crackers, cheese, fruit and even a wine.
“"Great" reef trip”
The wind did not stop us having a great day out on the reef. It is a small boat with only 20 of us aboard and a crew who took excellent care of us; we visited two good reef spots and saw beautiful fish and turtles. Lunch was excellent too.
I could not have wished for a better time. The boat and crew were just the right size to keep things comfortable and fun, and we brought our three children, aged 21, 17 and 7, who all enjoyed it. My husband and the two older boys even got to scuba dive, which they had never done before.
“What a wonderful experience!!!”
The crew were cheerful and funny from the early start right through the day, and they explained the reef properly, pointing out turtles, coral formations and different fish. With a cap of 20 guests we never felt swamped at either of the two reef sites, so the fish and turtles stayed close rather than being frightened off, and the varied lunch between snorkels was a nice surprise. A memorable day, and we'll be back next time we're in the area.
“Excellent day out recommended”
A great trip that went beyond what we were expecting. We snorkelled at two reefs, the staff couldn't have been more helpful, the food was lovely and there was always water to drink.
“A wonderful Day Trip”
We looked at a lot of Cairns reef cruises, narrowed it to four and chose Day Tripper — a good decision. There were 17 of us with three crew, and everything worked: the sailing, the instructions, having them in the water with us, and their knowledge of the reef and fish; it rained all day in Cairns but was clear and sunny out at the reef, and although my wife felt a little seasick she still got about an hour underwater. Tea and coffee on boarding, a cold meat and salad lunch with enough to feed another six, then fresh fruit, crackers, cheese and wine on the way back, and no fuss about paying until the return leg — the only drawback is that it is slower under motor than other cruises, and there was not enough wind for us to sail either way.
“Highlight”
Lovely boat, never felt packed in, tasty food and a friendly crew. Best of all we got about four hours in the water at gorgeous reef spots, with colourful coral and fish and clear visibility — better than the sailing trip we did in the Whitsundays.
“Excellent Day at the Reef!”
My husband and I had a relaxed day on this catamaran, sailing two to three hours out to the southern part of the reef with a group of only about 14, which made a real difference. The staff were knowledgeable and great company, the food was very good and the glass of wine on the way home was a nice touch. We saw plenty of fish and a sea turtle, and when my husband left his rashie behind they tracked it down and posted it to us in the US.
“Great day to scuba dive”
A good boat to take out to the Great Barrier Reef, with guides who taught us plenty and showed us around. There was a lot of reef life to look at, and the food on board was excellent.
“Great boat, crew and amazing day on the Reef!”
I researched hard before our short stay in Cairns and picking Reef Daytripper was the right call. Only 17 guests plus 3 crew meant plenty of space to sit, sunbathe or wander, and the crew were helpful, knowledgeable and genuinely wanted us to enjoy ourselves — including one who swam out with us naming fish and corals. Food was better than expected (tea and coffee first thing, salads, cold meats and bread at lunch, then fruit, cheese and a wine on the way home), and we snorkelled two spots on the same reef that felt completely different, seeing turtles, fish and a reef shark. The pace out is slow but that suited us; a great alternative to the big boats.
“Fantasic!!!”
We sailed on 3 April 2015 with just 15 aboard on a boat that takes 20 at most. I'm not a strong swimmer, but the crew still got me in the water and out over the reef to see the wildlife. Other boats carry a hundred-plus passengers; small and personal is a much better way to do it, and some of the others on board went scuba diving.
“Amazing day on the reef”
We sailed out to Upolu Reef on Saturday 4 April with hardly any swell and lovely visibility, and the briefings made the relaxed trip out pass quickly. The boat felt roomy, with the net at the bow a great spot to lie in the sun, and with 20 passengers as the limit it stayed personal enough to chat to any of the crew. Eddie led a guided snorkel and showed us the best parts of the reef — around five turtles, a stingray, sea cucumbers, a clownfish and countless other fish — and lunch was so generous most of us went back for more, with wine on the way home plus fruit, cheese and biscuits through the day. Dolphins appeared on the run back to Cairns, and unlike the bigger boats you never felt like just another number.
“I saw a shark!!!! :):):)”
After a truly dreadful sailing trip in the Whitsundays we were cautious about booking another boat. The brochure said no more than 20 passengers and that's exactly what we got — 18 or 19 of us. We dived in the same group as another reviewer and had just as good a time. Great work, and we'd do it again.
“Absolutely amazing!!!”
My girlfriend and I booked the trip with the dive add-on and loved it. Neither of us had snorkelled or dived before and we were nervous at first, but the crew were relaxed and friendly, explained everything and took time to talk to each of us about how we felt and what to expect. Coffee in the morning, a good buffet lunch, and cheese, fruit and wine on the way home, plus a guided snorkel beforehand where we saw all sorts of sea life. Our first dive was in a group of four with an excellent instructor who kept checking we were fine, took us down to 7 metres for 40 minutes, showed us sea stars and sea cucumbers to touch, and left us feeling proud of ourselves afterwards. We've since booked a diving holiday in Thailand — for a beginner this is the best possible introduction, with 20 passengers maximum and dive groups of four rather than the 100 on other boats.
“Grey trip and team”
We wanted to see the reef and its fish, turtles and starfish, and we did. The coral was less vivid than I'd pictured, though far better than reefs I saw further down the coast. Snorkel gear is included and you can hire an underwater camera; I also did an introductory dive and the staff were lovely and patient with how stressed I was, with one crew member diving alongside me for 45 minutes and pointing out all sorts of things. Service on board was great — water throughout, a nice buffet lunch, a glass of wine — and lying in the net at the bow was fun, with no more than 15 of us including crew instead of the 100-150 on the big operators. The only drawback is the 2.5 hours each way; I love sailing so didn't mind, but my partner and some others were seasick almost the whole time, so go in knowing that.
I was desperate to get out to the Great Barrier Reef while in Australia and I'm glad I went with Reef Daytripper. The crew were friendly and helpful, and made a point of finding and showing us marine life including sea turtles. The water was a bit choppy that day and I struggled at first, but they helped me settle in.
“Nice escape on the reef”
If you'd rather avoid the crowds crammed onto the big boats, look at Reef Daytripper. It's true that you spend two and a half to three hours getting there, that you only reach a nearer reef (Upolu) rather than the outer reef, and that a small catamaran can be hard going in choppy water — I'm not used to sailing and got seasick. Even so it's genuinely good value: dedicated, friendly staff, only 10 of us aboard the day I went, very good food, and if you look carefully there's plenty to see. My partner and I spotted two lovely turtles, clownfish and creatures I couldn't name. A really good day out on the reef.
We had a brilliant time and it's a day I won't forget. The crew were friendly and helpful, and as this was our second reef trip I can happily recommend them. Between us we saw a turtle, sharks, a clownfish, giant shellfish and various other creatures.
“Fantastic service in a pinch!”
Our Falla Reef trip was cancelled two days before we travelled, so we were thrilled that Reef Daytripper could take our snorkelling booking — it turned out to be the best part of our eight days in Australia. Just 14 guests and 3 crew, so no crowding, and about three hours in the water to look around. We saw a sea turtle, which was wonderful. Adults and children alike got good help as beginner snorkellers and divers, with complimentary drinks, cheese and fruit, cold sandwiches and salads for lunch, and extras to buy. And put sunscreen on your backside — the flight home is no fun otherwise.
“One of the best days in the entire trip!”
I didn't want one of the big commercial boats with hundreds of people, so I tried Reef Daytripper and couldn't be happier. The boat is small and simple, which makes it feel authentic, and the crew — Mike, John and Derreck — were fun; with 20 passengers at most it felt personal and I made friends. Upolu Cay had loads of life: I trailed a huge turtle for a while and also saw an octopus, a stingray, a jellyfish and many fish, while others spotted a shark and a barracuda. Downsides: it's about two hours out so half the day is travelling, and we only stopped at one site, though we had three to four hours there. Weak swimmers should think carefully — the current was strong that day and hard work at times, so use the noodle. Overall an excellent day, and one I'd recommend to anyone comfortable in the ocean who wants a more personal trip.
We had a lovely time, so thank you. The crew were really friendly and very good with the children. Well worth doing.
“Best trip in Australia, a memorable day I will always cherish!”
The receptionist at our Cairns holiday park recommended Reef Daytripper, and the brochure sold us: 20 passengers maximum and a quieter reef. We added a scuba dive (£105 all up, £35 for the dive) and were welcomed on board by John, Eddie and Derek. The boat is small but has room for 20 and plenty of indoor and outdoor space, including sun nets. We left around 8am and had thorough snorkel and dive briefings on the two-hour run out, which was a nice chance to meet the others. Only one other boat was at the reef and the coral and fish were extraordinary; the highlight was a shark and a turtle. An hour and a half in the water felt like plenty, lunch was a good buffet of drumsticks, pasta, salad and cured meats, with chocolate and soft drinks at fair prices. My partner and I were the only two diving that afternoon, so it felt private; Eddie gave clear instructions and settled my first-dive nerves quickly, and we spent half an hour at 8 metres and saw stingrays. Wine, cheese and fruit on the way back rounded off one of the best trips I've ever done.
“Lovely day of snorkelling and diving”
We had a great day diving and snorkelling — the reef lived up to it, with plenty to see either way, and the turtles came close. The food on board was lovely and the staff were friendly, helpful and really knew their stuff; I've been on plenty of dive boats and this was the pick of them. My skin isn't sensitive and even I got burnt, so wear SPF 30 at the very least.
“Fabulous day out on the reef”
We sailed out on a catamaran to Upolu Reef for a day's snorkelling with a friendly crew who knew the reef well. We stopped at two spots, both lovely and quiet, with lots of coral and fish. Lunch was good, and I appreciated the captain saying that anyone who wanted a drink was welcome to one but couldn't snorkel afterwards — refreshing to hear after years of snorkelling in the Caribbean. Cheese, fruit and wine on the run home was a nice touch. A memorable day I'll remember for a long time.
“Great way to discover the reef”
A nice small boat and group, and lovely staff. I did an introductory dive and got a bit frightened, but the instructor pushed me to keep going — I'm very glad he did, because I'd have hated to miss it.
“upolu cay trip”
This was our second day on a boat with a passenger cap, with 16 of us aboard. I really liked the layout — you can stretch out on the safety net at the bow or stay out of the sun undercover at the back, and both areas have plenty of space. It's two and a half hours out to the reef, with two snorkel and dive sites. I dived with an instructor again and it was a brilliant experience underwater: keep breathing, don't panic and you'll enjoy it. The crew were friendly and helpful, and there was a complimentary wine on the way back.
I've done this trip twice and I work in a backpacker hostel, so I recommend it to our guests all the time. It's a lovely, relaxing day out, and with 20 guests maximum the service feels much more personal than on the bigger boats. The crew are friendly and attentive, there were two snorkelling spots plus a guided snorkel with the guide naming the marine life, lunch was delicious, and there's wine and cheese for the run home. Ideal if you want a laid-back day.
“The Best Day out on The Reef.”
We had a superb day on the reef — laid-back but professional, with none of the queuing at the terminal you get with the big tours; you just turn up and go. The staff were helpful and full of information, and my 8-year-old had never snorkelled before but had a wonderful day thanks to them. With only 20 people aboard you also get more time in the water.
“Absolutely Brilliant!!!!”
An amazing trip. We worried that being cheaper than the bigger companies meant missing out, but they should be your first choice for the reef. We saw so much — turtles, a clownfish, stingrays, huge clams, beautiful fish, and dolphins on the way back — and the guides looked after everyone, including guided snorkels so nobody was left out. Even the woman who took our booking over the phone was the most helpful person we dealt with on the whole trip.
“Heather Hammond”
The four of us had a great day. We hired one of their underwater cameras for a small charge and came away with some lovely photos. The staff were friendly, approachable, helpful and full of information.
“Fantastic Day!”
A great snorkelling day with a small group and a really friendly, helpful crew. Sailing on the catamaran was wonderfully relaxing. Thanks for a brilliant day.
“good choice!”
Small group, good value, great snorkelling and a friendly crew. We had a great day all round and would happily recommend it.
“Very, very good tour and great reef”
This was the second reef trip my partner and I did on a five-day Cairns holiday, and we preferred it to the bigger boat (around 70 people) we'd been on. Two things stood out. First, only about 25 aboard including 4 staff, which made it quiet, cruisy and personal instead of packed in like sardines, with nobody tripping over other people's bags and snorkels. Second, the reef itself, far prettier than the one the first boat used, with masses of colour and fish; several snorkellers saw a turtle (I missed it) and the staff showed us a clownfish. The staff are a family group who knew the reef and where to find things, a dive option was there if you wanted it, and the food was simple but delicious home cooking — chicken, salads, potato salad, bread and ham, with plenty for seconds. Tea and coffee greeted us, and there was cheese, wine and a free glass of champagne on the way home. They were happy for me to pay before the trip, they raised the sail going home even without much wind, and they look after non-swimmers with floats and guided snorkels. Go with Reef Daytripper if it's your first time on the reef.
“Just right.”
We wanted to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef without crowds of people, and this was the right pick: 4 crew, 20 passengers and an easy, relaxing trip out and back. We found a clownfish, and I even had a white tip reef shark pass close by.
“Great Dive and Snorkel”
I did an introductory dive as well as snorkelling. The team made the whole day fun and full of adventure.
“The crew made the trip!”
A great day for the two of us. Sailing out to the reef is a novelty in itself for a pair of western Canadians who live a 12-hour drive from the Pacific. The three crew saw to it that everyone was at ease, and took time to talk with each of the 16 guests, keeping us going with coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, a hearty lunch and cheese and crackers at the end. The reef was great — I kept reminding myself I really was swimming on the Great Barrier Reef. It wasn't flawless, but nobody controls the water, the wind or how many exotic fish turn up. We came halfway round the world for this and loved it.
“Been on the big boats , but this was by far the best by a mile”
Our campsite owners recommended this trip, but we listened to the tourist guide instead and took a bigger boat out of Port Douglas — good, but not amazing. So we booked Reef Daytripper to see what the fuss was about, and it lived up to it. We didn't want to see the reef alongside 200 other tourists; we wanted a relaxing sail and a quiet reef. The crew were genuinely interested in their customers and the service felt personal, with around 16 of us on board out of a usual maximum of 20. The two-hour trip out was pleasant, with refreshments, reef talks and a safety briefing, and there was room to spread out in the sun. The reef was in great shape and we saw masses of fish species and two turtles. My wife and I did an introductory dive and the instructors briefed us well and supported us throughout. A good lunch, more snorkelling, then refreshments and a glass of wine each on the way back. Friendly service and better than the bigger, pricier trips.
“Fantastic value for money”
There's no need to repeat what other reviewers have written — I agree with all of it. Today was our first look at the Great Barrier Reef and we had a wonderful time of it; nothing could have been better. Don't hesitate, just book Reef Daytripper.
“Personalised reef experience”
A great day out on a small boat with four crew and a cap of 20 passengers. This was around my fifth or sixth snorkelling trip to the reef; the earlier ones were on the larger commercial boats where you disappear into the crowd, whereas here you're treated as an individual. Good little boat, good crew, good snorkelling and diving sites — I'd go with this company again.
“I like turtles”
We had lovely weather and a fairly calm sea, and I was lucky enough to spot a dolphin on the way out. Two hours each way does drag a bit, so bring a book. It's good value and the 20-passenger limit makes it far more personal and less touristy. The crew were friendly and quietly confident, though they sometimes seemed a little bored, and they were good at spotting sea creatures I'd never have found — even if they probably shouldn't be touching the reef. Still, it's a day we'll remember for life, especially the turtles, and they got us there for a fair price. One note: the vegan lunch option wasn't much to write home about — we eat more than leaves — but we appreciated that they tried.
“Great personal service!”
We had overseas visitors who were set on seeing the reef, and the snorkelling was great. When one of our group became a bit overwhelmed on a scuba dive, the guide let her hold onto him all the way back to the boat. That same guide, Derrick, then put our next two groups of three so at ease that even the weakest swimmer did brilliantly and we all saw the reef close up. A great experience — thanks to Mark and his small, experienced and sociable crew.
“"loved it"”
What a great day out on the reef. Neither of us had snorkelled before and we were a bit nervous, but the three crew made sure we loved every minute — thanks to Thomas for towing me about. The lunch was good, and they put out first-rate platters of fruit and cheese. Well worth booking.
We had a wonderful day with Reef Daytripper. The staff on board were friendly and full of information, the snorkelling was good with plenty of marine life, and the food was great. Well worth booking.
We had a lovely day on the reef on Monday, thoroughly enjoyable despite strong wind. The crew were excellent on service — enthusiastic, friendly, and giving each customer time to chat, explain things and check they were happy. There were only 7 of us with 3 crew. The choppy water above the reef made me nervous, so I ended up with my own guided tour, towed along on a buoy while a crew member told me about what I was seeing. When I got too cold I stretched out on the netted deck in the sun with water lapping below — lovely and peaceful. Then good food and wine. Highly recommended.
“Great service, great destination!”
We went out on the Wednesday and although the weather wasn't ideal, the personal service from the three guys made the day anyway. With no more than 20 passengers and friendly, knowledgeable staff, this beats the cattle-class trips run by the bigger operators and is worth paying a little more for. Upolu Reef is further out than Green Island and in much better shape for being less trampled, and with only one other boat there it felt calm rather than crowded. One of the crew guided us round the reef and our young daughter was thrilled to find the characters from Finding Nemo. They also supply prescription goggles free of charge so people who wear glasses don't miss anything.
“Experience off a life time !!”
The trip was worth every cent from beginning to end — it was amazing. The crew were friendly and helpful and, as a first-time snorkeller, they put me completely at ease. I'd recommend it to any age group.
“Outstanding!”
I've rarely been on an excursion that satisfied me so completely or so exceeded what I expected. Being locally owned and run, and with no more than 20 people aboard, the attention given to guests was exceptional. The 3 crew handled the boat and guided snorkellers and divers skilfully while also being likeable, well-mannered and funny, and they made a point of mingling and chatting so everyone felt welcome. It also cost less than comparable trips. I'd enthusiastically urge others to book Reef Daytripper.
“Friendly & Informative Tour”
It was fun being on a catamaran and lounging up at the bow. The trip out takes around two hours but it went quickly because we were all relaxing and enjoying the company. We snorkelled and dived at two different reef spots, with lunch served in between — genuinely good — plus tea and coffee in the morning and wine and cheese in the afternoon. The crew got in the water with us, named all the fish and even brought up creatures for us to touch. A warning: when they tell you to sunscreen your backside, do it, and then do it ten more times. Our whole group came home badly burnt.
“Wonderful experience!”
We had an excellent, unforgettable day aboard the Reef Daytripper. The crew were friendly and hugely informative and looked after everyone in the water, and the small group made it feel intimate, with a guided reef tour on offer. Lunch was excellent too. A fantastic day and good value.
There were plenty of options, but after going through the flyers we chose this one for the small passenger numbers and because a sailing boat seemed much nicer than a huge speedboat. The crew were friendly and knowledgeable and obviously loved what they did, which added a lot. There was loads of snorkelling time and we saw heaps of interesting fish and coral, the boat was never crowded so we could move about freely, and the food was brilliant too. Great value, and a great day.
“Incredible!”
Reef Daytripper is an ideal way to see the Great Barrier Reef. The small group makes it far more personal, and the crew are attentive and know their stuff. Food comes included, it's very good and you won't leave hungry. The sea was choppy but the crew still made it enjoyable, and the cheese and wine served on the run home was a lovely bonus.
“Amazing Day had by us all. Ian And Vicki B”
We had an amazing day in January 2014. The crew were friendly and really knew the reef, answering all our questions. There was plenty of snorkelling time and a wonderful lunch, and the catamaran was never crowded. We were delighted for our American friends to see Australian hospitality like this, and we've recommended the company to lots of friends heading to Cairns.
“Some great snorkelling”
A fabulous day, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to snorkel the barrier reef. The guys aboard were so friendly, and one in particular — name forgotten, but he wore a smiley-face bandana — was keen to talk to us all and had an answer for everything we asked about the reef and the area. His guided snorkel was brilliant, pointing things out and explaining them. The food was just what we wanted, the cheese and wine was a nice touch, and the snorkel gear was good quality. Such a chilled-out day.
“AWESOME EVERYTIME!!”
I've now done this trip 7 times. I don't usually write reviews but this one deserves it. I've been out on the reef several times on visits to Cairns from Melbourne; the first couple were with bigger companies recommended by tour advisers, but those boats were too busy and too hectic to take in how amazing the reef is. Then I found Reef Daytripper and have gone out with them for six years, and it has never failed to deliver a great day with good company on a roomy, uncrowded boat. The crew are friendly from the moment you step aboard, happy to help all day, and full of knowledge about the reef. I tell friends heading out on the reef to go with them, and I'm already looking forward to next year.
We booked this snorkelling charter for 24 January 2014 and the four of us thoroughly enjoyed it. The crew were professional and very pleasant, and each of them came round to talk with every guest. Reaching the reef took only about two hours and the ride was pleasant. We especially liked the smaller boat — 20 passengers maximum and only 14 on our day, so there was room and no crowding. We had plenty of time to snorkel two different spots, lunch was very good and generous, and cheese and fruit came out on the way back. A good crew, and good value for a World Heritage site.
I'm so pleased we came across Reef Daytripper. It's a smaller boat with a lovely crew — friendly, fun and knowledgeable — and being small meant we all had space to spread out and enjoy the ride out and back. Worth booking if you can get a spot.
Being on a smaller boat for the day felt far more laid-back and easygoing than the bigger boats manage. The crew were friendly, fun and knowledgeable, lunch was good, and wine and cheese came out for the trip home.
“Good times at Upolu Reef”
The ride out was smooth and the reef was in very good condition. The crew were relaxed and polite with everyone, the food aboard was really good, and heading back to port we were spoilt with wine, tasty cheese and fresh fruit. I can't praise this outfit enough — small groups, personal attention, and a sense of humour too.
“Great experience out on the reef”
The staff on this boat are great — very friendly and really knowledgeable — and with only 15 passengers it felt personal. Rain at the start meant the crossing took two and a half hours, and there's nothing to occupy you on the way out. We did an introductory dive and Derek taught us novices well and guided us through it. Lunch was decent, and a cheese plate as we returned rounded off the day. At $210 for the trip plus dive, I'd recommend it for the price and the service.
“Great Trip!”
This was the first thing we did on a three-week trip and it was memorable. The group was smaller than on most reef boats, the staff were friendly and hard-working, and the food was decent — lunch was chicken legs, a few salads and lunch meat, and the fruit and cheese later on was perfect, though I'd serve it a bit earlier on the way back. The snorkelling was amazing and having staff in the water to guide us and explain the sea life really helped. A few suggestions: offer photos, since several in our group had no underwater camera; we didn't get a second location, which someone else mentioned too, apparently because of the wind direction; and have the guides in the water for more of the time, and more of them if possible, because it adds a lot.
“Great and personalized snorkeling on GBR”
The good: a nice, friendly crew, a small group so the experience felt personal, good food in several courses, good snorkelling on a pleasant reef and a nice boat. We saw turtles, batfish and barracuda. There's no real downside to going with this operator and it was a great day, though we did notice the reef is even more spectacular at some other snorkelling spots.
A small-group trip to the outer reef with both snorkelling and scuba on offer. The boat was great, the staff friendly and very informative, the food tasty and plentiful, and the reef spots were superb. Because the group was small it never felt crowded and the fish were undisturbed — we saw a turtle, a shark and countless fish. You could either follow a guide who showed you the best bits and explained everything or head off by yourself, and every swimming ability was catered for with extra flotation, stinger suits for a small fee, even being towed along on a life ring. There are only two underwater cameras for hire on board, so get in early — or better, hire one on land where it's cheaper, and do hire one. Great value, and I'd go again.
“Terrific end to our Queensland Adventure”
Our Queensland trip finished on this boat and what a way to end it. The crew looked after us well, and because the vessel is small — reportedly the smallest running out to the reef from Cairns — the day felt genuinely personal. Snorkelling was superb, with crew members swimming alongside to show us things, and we got roughly four hours in the water among fish, turtles and a reef shark. Lovely food, and a thoroughly relaxed day.
It's only a small catamaran, which is exactly right — nobody is short of space. The crew are great and give you as much help as they can. We stopped at two dive sites, both of them superb. A genuinely relaxed day of diving and snorkelling in the sunshine, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
“Wonderful day at the reef”
This reef trip was wonderful and we had such a good day. The crew were friendly, helpful, took time with everyone aboard and gave a hand to anyone struggling in the water. Guided snorkels ran a long while and the crew hunted out sea life to show us. Lunch tasted great and there was more than enough. Best of all was how personal the small numbers made it — I've done bigger boats before and this is the one I'd pick. Good reef spots too: a two-metre sea snake, turtles, a stingray and heaps of colourful fish.
“best day of my life so far :-)”
Yesterday's day trip was the best thing I have ever done, and here's why. A shuttle collected us from the hotel at 7am for the marina, and the crew welcomed us aboard with tea and coffee. Only 15 of us were on the catamaran rather than the 100-plus other tours carry, so it felt like a private trip with one-to-one attention, and every crew member made you feel welcome. I had spinal surgery four years ago; the crew said diving was fine for me but still took extra care fitting the heavy tank, so I felt safe and looked after. Superb weather, spectacular wildlife, and a barracuda they'd named Barry swam a few inches from my face. The cold lunch was excellent. Book it.
“Great day & crew - small groups”
An amazing day on the reef with Reef Daytripper. Big turtles, a couple of white-tipped reef sharks some way off, and loads of other fish. The crew were very friendly and the food was great. If you wear glasses, note that they lend prescription masks free of charge, up to -8.
“Great way to see the GBR”
My wife and I had a wonderful day with Reef Daytripper. Captain John and his crew, Eddie and Garret, were fun, friendly and helpful all day. It's a small catamaran with only about 20 of us aboard rather than the 100-plus on the big boats, which suited us as we're not fans of tourist crowds. Everyone snorkelled either side of a hearty lunch that tasted better than expected. I scuba dived with Eddie, who showed me plenty on and around the reef; visibility wasn't the best but we still saw loads of fish. Wine, cheese and fruit on the trip back in was an unexpected bonus. I'd definitely recommend this boat.
“Very professional outfit”
I'm a 50-year-old woman backpacking and I'd never snorkelled in my life, but it had to be done on the Great Barrier Reef. This outfit came recommended for the reasons that mattered: an English owner and skipper, a maximum of 20 people, and relaxed but professional. She was right — my day was magical. Mark, John and Derek were kind, capable and very supportive of an old girl like me, and a good review is the least I can offer in thanks.
“Great little relaxed boat”
Reef Daytripper is a lovely, personable boat. I came aboard as a certified diver wanting a relaxed day where I could both snorkel and dive, and Upolu Reef is big and suits both well. The food is great and the staff genuinely try to get to know you. Plenty of people on board had never snorkelled before and they were all looked after and put at ease; by the end of the day the staff knew everyone's name, and you could tell they enjoyed it as much as we did.
“totally recommend this trip!”
We read the reviews for lots of reef excursions and settled on this one, and it is every bit as good as people say. Only 15 of us were aboard plus crew, rather than the crowds other companies carry — I think they cap it around 20. Bear in mind it's a small catamaran, so it can get rocky in poor weather. We went to Upolu Reef with just one other boat about a mile off, so it felt like a private cruise without the silly price, and about 3.5 hours at the reef was right. The weather wasn't entirely on our side but we still had a great time. Mark and his team are excellent and supportive. We were two adults with children of 7 and 11, and did snorkelling plus an intro dive that was well priced and personal. Thoroughly recommended.
“Small group size, great!”
Reef Daytripper gave us a fantastic day. The guides went out of their way to make us comfortable, introducing themselves and chatting with all of us during the day; they clearly loved the job and were happy to talk about it. The small group definitely made it better, and the safety and reef briefing stayed light-hearted without losing the facts. The run out is slow, well behind the speedboats, but we found that relaxing and enjoyed the sun on the way. Good reef spots, with plenty of coral and fish, and we snorkelled by ourselves and just drifted about taking it in. In the winter months a wetsuit makes the snorkelling far more comfortable, and at a minimum of AU$8 it was money well spent. Good to go with a small local operator — I wouldn't do it any other way.
“Basic Day”
We had a good day on the reef, but do go in aware of how basic the set-up is, so you can plan around it. It's a sailboat but they motor out — if you're picturing a quiet sail you'll be let down, though they do raise the sails, and under sail alone the trip would take five hours. Inside is essentially a covered open area with bench seating, and they can shut the front doors to keep the wind out. Hot water with instant coffee or tea appears in the morning and is then packed away, with nothing for breakfast, so eat first or bring something; cooler water is plentiful but bottled water costs extra. With 18 snorkellers it felt tight at first, but once we were moving people spread out to the bow and around inside and there was plenty of room. The crew are very pleasant and laid back, with rock and roll on the stereo. Fins, mask and snorkel are provided, and a wetsuit is AU$6 more. Safety wasn't as tight as on boats where you sign in and out, though the group is small enough to keep track of and I'm sure they counted heads before leaving each site; you can take a guided tour or go alone, and noodles are there if you want one. I snorkelled independently and a crew member had eyes on me the whole time. Between snorkels there's a good lunch of chicken legs, potato and pasta salads, deli meat, bread and butter, with plenty for everyone, then a fruit plate after the second dive, and wine and cheese on the way in. I'd bring extra food, since the two-hour ride back after a day in the water needs more than cheese and crackers before dinner, and as with every dive operator you bring your own towels. A very enjoyable, laid-back trip — the price of so few passengers is the two-hour run out, but even that was pleasant lying in the sun. For a basic, good-value trip it's hard to beat.
“Great day out in small group”
Travelling on my own, I picked these guys for the promise of a small boat, and with just 13 of us aboard everyone ended up talking to everyone. Conditions weren't great for the time of year and the sea was rough, but the team still gave us a good day out — we snorkelled, those who could went diving, and they stayed in the water with us pointing out fish and turtles. Very personal service from people who clearly love the job, and two passengers were already back for a second trip.
“So glad I picked this reef tour!”
What drew me to this tour was wanting something personal at a price I could manage, and it delivered. The crew were lovely and full of information, the reef spot is great, and with roughly 15 to 20 aboard nobody gets overlooked. On the reef we found 3 big sea turtles and plenty of other treats, and lunch was good with lots of it. A really great trip overall — though if seasickness bothers you, be warned it can get rocky.
“Best day trip I have taken !”
My mate and I dive the reef three or four times a month and this was the best day we've had. Only 20 people aboard, two huge boom nets to lie on and a big shaded lounge, owner-operated so they really look after you, and the food was excellent with enough for seconds. The crew took us on guided snorkels to the most colourful parts of Upolu Reef — two spots at the cay, both vibrant and full of marine life.
After hours of wading through the Cairns options my girlfriend and I went with this one, mainly for the small boat. She's not the quickest, so it's a relaxed two hours out, then two snorkels totalling three and a half to four hours in which we saw turtles up close, a couple of crayfish and a white-tipped reef shark among endless other fish. A fresh lunch of meats, salads and bread split the two, and the crew knew their stuff and plainly enjoy the job — a tip: you'll bond with the skipper if you like Boyzone.
“SUPERB!!!”
My girlfriend and I booked after hearing good things and they didn't let us down when we went out on 4 April 2013. I was the only qualified diver aboard, and rather than send me down with the try-divers the instructor offered to take me one-to-one after the included lunch, which worked far better. Touches like that, plus a helpful bunch of guys, gave it a personal feel you wouldn't get from a big company — I'd use them again if I'm ever back in Australia.
There were four of us, three locals and one from interstate, and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. The weather, the food and the whole experience were exceptional, and even with the full 20 aboard there was room to spare for wandering around. We're now thinking about chartering with them for a larger group.
“Great Day - Great Price!”
With about 20 people at most you don't feel like one of a crowd — the crew give you plenty of attention and there's space to look at things while snorkelling. Upolu Cay is spectacular and at low tide you're close enough to the coral that you have to mind your footing, so bring a waterproof camera and waterproof sunscreen for your back. Mark and the crew look after you from the morning tea and coffee through two snorkels, lunch, and wine and cheese on the way home; we doubted the story about fish they'd named until two huge ones rose out of the water to be petted — a real bargain next to the pricier, busier cruises.
“Fantastic day, fantastic crew, fantastic experience!”
We wanted to finish a month-long trip up from Melbourne in style and this didn't disappoint. The 20-passenger limit keeps everything relaxed, and Mark and his crew connected with everyone on board, which made it feel intimate. Our two days on the reef were spectacular — the best of it was swimming beside the elegant green turtles, and meeting a playful sea snake nose to nose.
“Best Reef Trip and Great Crew”
I had an amazing day with the Reef Daytripper crew — from my first enquiry to stepping back off the boat I was impressed and made to feel welcome. I grew up in Cairns and have done a few reef trips before, and this was far and away the best; the small group was friendly and fun and I was completely comfortable despite being on my own. What they shared with me was priceless and my second-ever dive was a blast.
“Magical day out on the GBR with a fantastic crew.”
My husband and I have been out with bigger charters before and this is a much better way to do it — with a maximum of 20 guests a day we felt spoilt with attention all the way. Owner Mark and crew Derek and John made it fun and informative, and the guided snorkelling showed us plenty we'd have swum straight past; Upolu Reef was beautiful with awesome visibility. The catamaran is well set up with room to relax in sun or shade, and between the tea and coffee beforehand, the cold meats and salad at the reef and the cheese and wine on the way back we were very well fed — we'll be booking again and bringing friends.
“Fabulous Day Outg”
A beautiful day on the reef with Mark and his crew, with superb weather and fantastic visibility. As a family of four we were looked after wonderfully, and my two primary-school children loved the boom nets at the front, sitting or lying there with the water rushing beneath them. Our snorkelling gear was all properly fitted for size and the service is far more personal on a boat this size — I'd travel with them again.
“Small boat with the personal touch for a great trip”
I'm not a confident swimmer or snorkeller and had been lost in the crowd on similar trips in the Caribbean and Red Sea, so I hunted for something gentler and struck gold: a small boat, yet ample room for 20 trippers and three crew, with safety briefings handled lightly but clearly. On the reef, John led the competent ones off diving while Derek stayed close in and Mark watched from the boat, advising those of us near it where the best views were — that laid-back style suited me so well that I beat my fear of snorkelling and ended up among the last people still in the water. The small group meant we each had our own patch of reef instead of 150 people splashing the fish away; lunch was good, there was wine with cheese and biscuits on the way home, and while the price was competitive it was the boat's size and the crew that made my day.
“Great day out on the Great Barrier Reef!”
What an amazing trip — we were met by a lovely crew, shown around the boat and handed a cuppa, then off up the channel with birds overhead and sun glinting on the waves. Arriving at Upolu Reef was idyllic and my first dive was truly spectacular, followed by a delicious tropical lunch in the breeze while the coral streamed past beneath us. More snorkelling to find further colours, then home with a relaxing drink and a huge platter of cheese and tropical fruit.
A fantastic day out with Mark and his crew, with one-on-one service and locals who know the best spots to head for. If you'd rather avoid the crowds on the big boats this is the one, and with luck and the right time of year you might see turtles or even a whale. Loved it, and we'll be booking again soon.
“Upolu Reef is a good location!”
Which operator you pick really comes down to where they take you, and Upolu Reef is a good spot — on our day the water was calm and the coral was plenty impressive for a first-time snorkeller like me, with a green turtle, reef sharks, all sorts of colourful fish, different corals, sea cucumbers and sea stars. I saw no jellyfish myself but one man was stung, and the crew cared for him well before handing him to a medical team at Green Island, which is where we snorkelled in the afternoon instead — much poorer than Upolu Cay, though the morning alone was enough for me. The small group is another plus after seeing big boats carrying hundreds with noisy children, and while there's no glass-bottom viewing you miss nothing by snorkelling; the crew are very friendly and the captain, though serious, strikes me as responsible with his guests.
Going out with the Reef Daytripper guys gave us the best experience. Our group was only ten, which made snorkelling the reef easy with no worry about bumping into anyone. The lunch, wine and cheese tray were tasty — if you want a great crew and a small group on the reef, this is the tour to take.
“The best yet!”
I take a reef trip annually and have tried all sorts, from big catamarans to the cheap ones, and this is the best yet — we chose it for the reasonable price and the 20-person cap and it proved the best decision we made. Mark, John, Belle and Derek made everyone feel like family, briefed us thoroughly on the gear and the reef, and the boat and equipment are spotless and clearly cherished; tea and coffee on arrival, a lovely cold meat and salad lunch, then wine with plenty of cheese and fresh fruit on the way back. Their allocated spot at Upolu was the prettiest reef I've seen — crystal-clear water with turtles, sea snakes, a stingray, tropical fish new to me, beautiful coral, giant clams with glowing lips and even Nemo and his parents — and all the crew bar one get in and point out what you'd otherwise miss; their private charters are good value too, so we'll book Mark for a family day when everyone visits next year.
“Great Trip and Bang for the Buck!”
This is a genuinely small boat at 20 passengers and it does feel a little crowded, but the value is great and the skipper and crew are terrific — $258 for two of us including port tax and wetsuits. It's a sailing catamaran with nets up front for sunbathing and benches inside for the runs to and from the reef; check-in at the boat was easy, the sails went up both ways though we never truly sailed, and be aware it takes a fair while longer to get out and back. Cold lunch, afternoon tea and a glass of wine on the return, great snorkel sites where we saw a shark and a ray, and a small crew who chatted with everyone and were professional yet never bossy or indifferent — it's a family-owned business and you can tell.
“Great day at the great barrier Reef”
The crew care about nothing but making sure everyone aboard has a good time. After a morning stretch and coffee we set off for the reef, and even inexperienced swimmers and snorkellers get help to feel comfortable and are shown the prettiest, quietest parts. My wife and I recommend Reef Daytripper highly — thanks for the great day and for fishing my camera out of the sea; excellent value for money.
For a small, more personal reef trip, this one is worth a look — three crew to no more than 20 travellers on the catamaran. They're a really nice bunch, knowledgeable, friendly and keen to please, they keep everyone safe and they get in the water with you. Much better for us than Green Island with thousands of other tourists, so if you don't like crowds in the water, this is the trip.
“Awesome finale to our Australian experience.”
As a complete non-swimmer I still got in with flippers and a ring, and Mark, John and Derek made the day for me — almost straight away we found Leonardo, the resident turtle, and I was elated. I didn't stay in long but enjoyed it as much as if I had. We were a party of 13 teachers from eastern Canada — New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; we had a blast with three experienced, courteous divers, two of us added a scuba dive and loved it, and the 20-passenger maximum makes exploring the reef feel personal — a fine way to end our Australian winter before heading home.
“All the feautures of a large dive boat with a personable feel”
A great day out with great staff, who took us to a part of the reef away from the crowds. There was plenty of food, and a wine to round the day off. A great experience that I'll be recommending to friends.
“Great "personal" sail to the reef”
Five of us went out, two snorkellers and three scuba divers, and we chose the Daytripper because at 20 guests she's the smallest charter boat out of Cairns when the rest carry up to 200-plus; there were 13 of us on the comfortable 38-foot catamaran and the six-to-ten-foot swells made for a lively ride. Mark is a conscientious skipper who clearly takes pride in a very well-kept boat and found us a relatively calm spot to snorkel and dive despite the high winds, the crew are professional, know the reef and take time to learn what interests you, and the hire gear is high quality and well maintained — Derrick was a great divemaster, and besides the whales we passed on the way out there were rays, sharks, masses of fish, coral and the giant clams. Catering was first class for a boat this size, from morning coffee and tea to lunch and the afternoon fruit, cheese and crackers; just note she rolls more than the bigger boats if you're prone to seasickness and is slower, so the sail is a big part of the day, and hardcore divers might prefer another operator, but the mix suited our group perfectly.
“Fantastic first experience. Just wished we had booked a…”
The most amazing thing we did in Australia. Mark, Derrick and Damien were a terrific crew and, as a very nervous sea swimmer, I felt safe under Derrick's guidance and got to see everything the reef offered before anyone else. There were 16 of us on the catamaran and we were never treated as one of 200; the wind got up so Mark stayed put rather than moving to a second site, which was no problem as those wanting an after-lunch dive still got one, including a woman other operators had never managed to get down. As others have noted, it's not the boat for you if you get seasick — one passenger clearly did coming home — but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to even the most anxious swimmer.
“Great, great and great!”
We had a wonderful day. The crew were amazing and made us feel welcome and safe, which counted for a lot as it was our first time snorkelling. I'd recommend it to anyone.
“Ultimate day sailing and visit to picturesque upolu reef…”
A perfect day aboard with my husband and our children, aged 10 and 8. They were too nervous to snorkel at first, but the crew coaxed my 10-year-old into trying again and he later told me it was the best day of his life. The catamaran is roomy with only 20 passengers allowed, and morning tea, a yummy lunch, afternoon fruit, cheese and wine, the guided snorkel and the gear are all in the price — thanks Mark, Derrick and Damon; with retirees and backpackers aboard alongside us, it suits everyone.
“Would most deffinitly go again and again and again.”
For what you get, this trip is very underpriced compared with others — a fantastic day that went well beyond our expectations, with a friendly, welcoming crew from the start. The reefs we visited had no other tours on them, so we had them to ourselves, and with a maximum of 20 aboard the service is genuinely personal. The crew knew their stuff and the guided snorkel was exceptional, following a guide who pointed out interesting coral and marine life, and the lunch, wine and cheese were very welcome after a day in the water — we didn't want it to end.
“Small boat, great snorkeling, what more could you want?”
A beautiful catamaran complete with sun-tanning nets and only 20 passengers, so it stays small and personal, with a fantastic, knowledgeable crew who led two snorkel tours around Upolu Reef. As one of only two boats that go there, the reef itself is lovely, with no shortage of fish, vivid coral, and turtles and stingrays to spot as well. Lunch was delicious and filling, the day finished with cheese, crackers and fruit, and a 7:45am start had me back by 4pm with time to spare for an evening flight — hire a wetsuit, my back was sunburnt without one.
“Awesome Awesome and Awesome”
One of the best day trips I've done. Mark and his crew are fantastic — knowledgeable, friendly and happy to have a laugh — and the day begins at 7:45am with a smile and a hot cup of tea before the two-hour run to the first snorkel; the wind wasn't on our side but that's hardly the skipper's fault. The snorkelling was like swimming in an aquarium, with sensational colours and turtles into the bargain, and there's a nice lunch plus a glass of wine with cheese, crackers and fruit on the way back. I've snorkelled from the big boats, which go further out but can't match this for service and interaction — our group of 14 was ideal against a limit of 20.
I absolutely loved this trip. The 20-passenger maximum makes it much nicer, and the reef we visited was quiet with no other boats around, which gave us more time in the water. I did a 45-minute introductory dive at 10 metres that was incredible and well worth the extra A$75, the staff are friendly and tell you what fish to look out for, and after four hours in the water I couldn't believe it was over — far better than sharing a boat with 100 or 200 people.
“Great deal”
The staff were pleasant, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and a group of 20 or fewer is a big plus. Good food and a great trip. They take safety seriously, keeping an eye on where everyone is and how they're getting on.
“Perfect Day at the Reef”
Having done no research at all, we called into a Cairns booking agent who recommended this outfit, and luckily there was room — capacity seems to be about 20. We were welcomed warmly on arrival, which sounds trivial until you've been on one of the big reef boats, the vessel was spotless, and after two hours we anchored at the most vibrant, lively stretch of reef I'd seen in four days. Snorkelling, then a great lunch, an afternoon plate of cheeses and fruit, and a glass of wine on the way back to Cairns — I can't think of a single bad thing to say, and if the massive tours left you feeling like an inconvenience, book these guys.
“Ticked all our boxes!”
You may wonder why Reef Daytripper has so few reviews here — I put it down to happy people not bothering to write them. We sailed on Friday 10 February 2012 with 14 passengers and three crew, a perfect number with lots of room to move about, and the crew were knowledgeable, friendly and took great care of the non-swimmers; ours is a slow boat, which only made the trip out more enjoyable as we watched packed big boats speed past towards those awful-looking reef marinas. The anchorage was great and with only 14 of us nobody collided while snorkelling, lunch was generous with a good vegetarian choice, and the cheese, crackers and wine were welcome coming home — we saw an octopus changing colour and hiding down a hole, three or four turtles of different sizes, lots of coral types and huge numbers of tropical fish, most of which they'd shown us in photos on the way out. The one thing I'd change is the lack of wind: the sails went up but we couldn't actually sail, which is certainly not their fault; an excellent day, and we'll be back next time we're in Cairns.
“Perfect day trip out to the Reef”
I didn't fancy a crowded boat with a hundred other snorkellers, so I picked this trip — a lovely boat with sails, which was part of the appeal, and fewer than 20 passengers, with just ten of us on my day. It was comfy, spacious and altogether more peaceful, and the crew are friendly; I had a good chat with a divemaster from Germany whose scuba advice helped me when I tried it later on. The reef was Upolu Cay, which is very beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Reef Daytripper took my wife and me out and we had a great time, with an excellent crew who did all they could to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. It's a smaller boat taking no more than 20 people to less crowded spots, which is exactly why we booked after seeing videos of the big boats packed on deck and in the water — we snorkelled with nobody else in sight. They were patient with first-time snorkellers and divers while letting the experienced go off on their own, the reef had plenty of coral, fish and turtles, and the skipper shifted the boat at midday for the tides so we covered a lot of ground; lunch was nice home-cooked fare, and there was fruit with cheese, crackers and wine for the ride in.
“Reef Daytripper - a fantastic day on the reef”
I took my 12-year-old son out to the Barrier Reef on this 14-metre sailing multihull, with three crew and 16 paying guests aboard, mostly German-speaking backpackers. We had fantastic weather, which clearly helped, and the whole day was great — the friendliness of the guys, the snacks and drinks, and the stretch of reef we stopped at with only one other small boat well off in the distance. The snorkelling and scuba were great in clear water with lots of fish, coral and turtles, and it was money well spent; I'd recommend it to anyone with only a short time in the area or who wants to see the reef up close.
“Unique reef experience”
Short of booking a private charter, this is probably the only way to be on the reef with no more than 20 others — they visit two sites and are the only boat at each. Having room in the water to look at whatever you like, without competing or being kicked in the face, was amazing. Lunch is provided, along with a cheese and fruit platter on the sail back to Cairns; it does take longer to reach the reef than the bigger boats but the sail is very relaxing, and it's also one of the cheapest ways out to the Great Barrier Reef.
