Down Under Cruise & Dive Get High Package (Snorkel)

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See the reef from above and below: a full day on Evolution from Cairns to two Outer Great Barrier Reef sites, with 5 hours of reef time, snorkelling and a 10 minute scenic helicopter flight.

Days

Full day, 8am to 4:30pm

Age

All ages; under 18s with a parent

Group size

Large group, up to 160

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns
Cairns, 4:30pm

Return

Cairns, 4:30pm

Transport

Stabilised reef cruise vessel Evolution from Cairns, plus a 10 minute helicopter flight

Meals

Morning tea, barbecue lunch, wine with cheese and biscuits

Route

Map of Down Under Cruise & Dive Get High Package (Snorkel)

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Included experiences

Outer Great Barrier Reef — snorkelling at two sites
Scenic helicopter flight — 10 minutes over the reef
Saxon Reef and Norman Reef
Optional introductory or certified dives

Down Under Cruise & Dive Get High Package (Snorkel)

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront from 7:15am, with tea, coffee and muffins waiting. Cairns grew up on Trinity Inlet, which Captain Cook named in 1770 because he sailed past it on Trinity Sunday. At 8am Evolution casts off. She's a 35 metre catamaran on three decks, named Australia's best tourist and dive boat at the 2016 Ausmarine awards, and she cruises at up to 30 knots, so the run to the outer reef takes about 90 minutes. Find a spot on the sundeck, or stay cool in the air-conditioned lounge while the crew runs through the day.

FIRST REEF SITE: SNORKELLING

The Great Barrier Reef runs for more than 2,300 km and has been World Heritage-listed since 1981. Out on the outer reef, near the edge of the continental shelf, the water is far clearer than close to shore. You spend five hours in the water at two outer reef sites, among them Saxon Reef, a 1.9 square km reef between Norman and Hastings reefs that few other boats visit. Snorkel as much as you like, with masks, fins and a free lycra suit. Look for giant clams, parrotfish and the green turtles that feed on the reef flats. Prefer to go deeper? Introductory or certified dives can be added on board for an extra cost.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AND THE REEF FROM THE AIR

Lunch is a barbecue buffet served on board at about 11:30am, with steak, fish, prawns and tropical salads, and vegetarian and gluten-free meals catered for. At 1pm Evolution reaches the second site, and it's your turn to fly. A helicopter lifts off from the reef for a 10 minute scenic flight. From a few hundred metres up you see what the snorkel can't: the shapes of whole reefs, the blue channels between them and white sand cays, islands made of broken coral piled up by the currents. Turtles and rays are often seen from the air. Back on the pontoon, there's still time for more snorkelling.

MID-AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

At 3pm Evolution leaves for Cairns. On the way home you're handed a glass of wine with cheese and biscuits, and the sundeck is the place to dry off and compare photos. You're back in Cairns at about 4:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns.
Departure time: Check in from 7:15am; departs 8am.
Finishes: Back in Cairns at 4:30pm.
Minimum age: Under 18s must be with a parent or guardian. Diving minimum ages are 12 for introductory dives and 10 for certified divers.
Dietary needs: Special dietary needs are catered for; confirm them with the operator at least 24 hours before travel.
Please note: The helicopter weight limit is 130kg. Divers must complete a medical questionnaire; divers over 65, and anyone with conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes or on prescription medication, need a doctor's clearance. Languages spoken on board: English, German, Japanese and Mandarin.

What to bring

Change of clothes
Swimmers
Towel
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Camera

What is included

Full-day reef cruise on Evolution, with air-conditioned lounges and sundecks
2 Outer Reef sites, with 5 hours of reef time
Unlimited snorkelling with all equipment
10 minute scenic helicopter flight
Lycra sun-suit hire
Arrival tea, coffee, water and muffins
Aussie barbecue lunch with steak, fish, prawns and tropical salads
Glass of wine, cheese and biscuits on the return journey

Not included

Extra alcoholic drinks
Diving — up to three certified or introductory dives a day can be bought on board or before travel

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

After waiting 35 years to snorkel the reef, this beat my expectations. The Evolution is a stunning boat, the staff were caring and put safety first, we had 15 metres of visibility and calm water, and my ten-minute helicopter flight was well worth it.

Heidi Jannetta Verified· Travelled 3rd March 2026

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