Sunlover Reef Cruises Reef & Fitzroy Island in a Day with Heli Fly Out from Cairns

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Fly out to the reef from Cairns by helicopter, then spend over 2 hours at Sunlover's Moore Reef pontoon and over 2 hours on Fitzroy Island.

Days

Full day, 8:15am to 4:30pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Shared reef boat

Start / finish

Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns / Moore Reef / Fitzroy Island / Cairns
Reef Fleet Terminal, about 4:30pm

Return

Reef Fleet Terminal, about 4:30pm

Transport

Free transfer to Cairns Airport, helicopter to the reef, then catamaran to Fitzroy Island and back to Cairns

Meals

Buffet lunch, tea and coffee

Route

Map of Sunlover Reef Cruises Reef & Fitzroy Island in a Day with Heli Fly Out from Cairns

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Included experiences

Great Barrier Reef — 25 minute helicopter flight
Moore Reef — snorkelling from the pontoon
Moore Reef — glass bottom boat and semi-submersible tours
Fitzroy Island — buffet lunch
Fitzroy Island — beaches and national park walks

Sunlover Reef Cruises Reef & Fitzroy Island in a Day with Heli Fly Out from Cairns

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: BY HELICOPTER TO MOORE REEF

Check in at the Sunlover counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal by 8:15am, and a free transfer at 8:25am takes you to the ZOOM Helicopters hangar at Cairns Airport for the weigh-in and safety briefing. At about 9:10am you lift off for the 25-minute flight out, no more than six to a helicopter. From the air the Great Barrier Reef shows its real shape: turquoise lagoons, dark coral bommies and pale sand channels. It is made up of about 2,900 separate reefs stretching more than 2,300 km down the Queensland coast, World Heritage-listed in 1981. You touch down on the helipad at Sunlover's pontoon at Moore Reef, 47 km offshore.

MORNING: THE MOORE REEF PONTOON

The catamaran from Cairns pulls in soon after, and you have about two and a half hours on the two-storey pontoon. Snorkel gear, a lycra suit and a buoyancy vest are handed out, and you slip in from stairs where the coral starts 1 to 2 metres down, with lifeguards watching from a raised tower. Look for green turtles and humphead Maori wrasse, a fish that can grow to 2 metres. Prefer to stay dry? Take the glass bottom boat over giant clams and anemones, ride the semi-submersible or sit in the underwater observatory. The 30-metre spiral waterslide off the sun deck is the only one on the Great Barrier Reef.

MIDDAY: ACROSS TO FITZROY ISLAND

At midday the catamaran turns for Fitzroy Island, about half an hour away. Captain Cook named it in 1770 after the Duke of Grafton, Augustus FitzRoy, and unlike the coral cays further out it is a continental island, a granite peak cut off from the mainland when the seas rose at the end of the last ice age. Almost all of it is rainforest and national park. You step off at the jetty on Welcome Bay and walk to Zephyrs restaurant at the Fitzroy Island Resort for a buffet lunch, which takes about an hour of your island time.

AFTERNOON: BEACHES, RAINFOREST AND HOME BY BOAT

After lunch you have the rest of your island time to yourself. Welcome Bay has coral just metres off the beach, with parrotfish and green turtles; snorkel gear isn't supplied on the island on this trip, and water shoes help on the coral rubble and granite boulders. A 15-minute rainforest walk from the jetty leads to Nudey Beach, which, despite the name, is not a nude beach. The Secret Garden track is a 700-metre loop through the forest. The boat leaves Fitzroy Island at 3:30pm, and the crossing back takes about an hour, so you're at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns at about 4:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Sunlover counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Check in by 8:15am; a free transfer leaves at 8:25am for the ZOOM Helicopters hangar at Cairns Airport, where you have a safety briefing.
Departure time: Helicopter departs about 9:10am on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Finishes: Back by catamaran at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, at about 4:30pm.
Please note: No refund is given if the semi-submersible or glass bottom boat tour doesn't run due to weather or mechanical issues. Fitzroy Island Resort is not open to day visitors.

What to bring

Swimming costume and beach towel
Reef-friendly sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Sun-protective clothing such as a T-shirt or rash vest, hat and sunglasses
Cash or card for onboard purchases, snacks and optional activities (1.5% surcharge on credit cards)
Camera (underwater cameras can be hired on board)
Reef shoes for Fitzroy Island

What is included

Helicopter flight to the Moore Reef pontoon, about 20 to 25 minutes in the air
Snorkelling equipment and expert instruction, including Lycra suit and buoyancy vest
Tea and coffee on boarding and while at the reef
Glass bottom boat tour and semi-submersible tour (subject to wind conditions)
Underwater observatory and upper-level sun deck
Sunlover waterslide and enclosed ocean pool for children
Buffet lunch at Fitzroy Island Resort
Time on Fitzroy Island, including 1 hour for lunch
Self-guided national park walks and beaches on Fitzroy Island

Not included

Hotel transfers
Onboard or on-island purchases
Add-on activities: at the reef, intro scuba, guided snorkel tour; on the island, kayak tour, rainforest walk, Turtle Talk or snorkel equipment

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

Does the tour price include flights?

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

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

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

Do I have to book this tour online?

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

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

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

How do I know when a tour is available?

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

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

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

Who travels with us

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

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

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

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

Will I need additional money?

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

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

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

What does Paid Locally mean?

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

Whilst on tour

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

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

Where do I meet the tour?

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