Sunlover Reef Cruises Moore Reef with Heli Fly Out from Cairns

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Skip the boat ride out: a 25 minute helicopter flight takes you from Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef to Sunlover's Moore Reef pontoon, where you have about 4 hours to snorkel and see the reef before cruising home by catamaran.

Days

Full day, 10:50am to about 5:30pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Up to 6 guests per helicopter

Start / finish

Cairns / Moore Reef / Cairns
Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns, about 5:30pm

Return

Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns, about 5:30pm

Transport

Helicopter out, catamaran back

Meals

Buffet lunch on the pontoon, afternoon tea on the cruise home

Route

Map of Sunlover Reef Cruises Moore Reef with Heli Fly Out from Cairns

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Included experiences

Scenic flight — 25 minutes over the Cairns coast, Fitzroy Island and the reef
Moore Reef lagoon — snorkel coral gardens with turtles and Maori wrasse
Glass bottom boat and semi-submersible — see the coral without getting wet
Underwater observatory — watch the reef from below the pontoon
Waterslide — 30 metres straight into the lagoon
Marine biologist talks — learn about the reef through the day

Sunlover Reef Cruises Moore Reef with Heli Fly Out from Cairns

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE HELIPAD

Make your own way to the Sunlover counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront and check in at 10:50am. At 11am a free transfer takes you to the ZOOM Helicopters hangar at General Aviation, Cairns Airport, arriving at about 11:20am for the weigh-in and safety briefing. Then it's out to the aircraft, with no more than six guests on board, most of them at a window.

MIDDAY: THE FLIGHT OUT

The helicopter lifts off at about 11:45am, and your pilot talks you through the 25-minute flight on headsets. You cross the Cairns coastline and the Yarrabah Peninsula, whose tip, Cape Grafton, was named by Captain Cook in 1770, then pass Fitzroy Island, a granite island almost entirely covered in rainforest. Out over the Coral Sea, watch for manta rays, turtles and reef sharks below, and humpback whales in the winter months. At about 12:10pm you land on the helipad at Sunlover's pontoon at Moore Reef, 47 km offshore on the Great Barrier Reef.

AFTERNOON: FOUR HOURS AT MOORE REEF

You have about four hours on the two-storey pontoon. Snorkel from stairs where the coral starts 1 to 2 metres down and drops to a 15-metre wall at the edge, with lifeguards watching from a raised tower. Green turtles and humphead Maori wrasse, a fish that can grow to 2 metres, are regulars. Prefer to stay dry? Take the glass bottom boat over giant clams and anemones, ride the semi-submersible or sit in the underwater observatory. A tropical buffet lunch is served on the pontoon, marine biologists give talks through the day, and the 30-metre spiral waterslide off the sun deck is the only one on the reef.

LATE AFTERNOON: CRUISE BACK TO CAIRNS

At 4pm you board the catamaran for the 90-minute trip home, with afternoon tea and a choice of the top deck or the air-conditioned cabin. Ahead, the forested ranges behind Cairns are part of the Wet Tropics, World Heritage-listed in 1988 and among the oldest rainforests on earth. Your reef photos can be sent to your phone before you dock, and you're back at the Reef Fleet Terminal at about 5:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Sunlover counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Check in at 10:50am; the transfer to the helicopter leaves at 11am.
Departure time: The helicopter leaves Cairns Airport at about 11:45am. Runs daily except Christmas Day.
Finishes: Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns, at about 5:30pm.
Minimum age: All ages. Infants under 2 can fly on a parent's lap; from 2 years every passenger needs their own seat.
Fitness: Low. You can see the reef without swimming from the glass bottom boat, semi-submersible and observatory.
Please note: Give every passenger's weight when you book. The maximum seat weight is 130 kg, a weight more than 10% above what was given can bring extra charges, and passengers over 130 kg pay a surcharge on the flight. Carry-on is limited to about 5 kg in soft bags. Flights depend on the weather.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Reef-friendly sunscreen (SPF 30+), hat and sunglasses
A t-shirt or rash vest for sun protection
A change of clothes for the cruise home
Camera
Cash or card for on-board purchases and optional extras
Small soft bags only for the helicopter

What is included

Helicopter flight from Cairns to the Moore Reef pontoon, about 25 minutes
Transfer from the Reef Fleet Terminal to the Zoom Helicopters hangar
About 4 hours at the Moore Reef pontoon
Snorkelling equipment and instruction, including a lycra suit and buoyancy vest
Glass bottom boat tour and semi-submersible tour (semi-submersible subject to wind)
Underwater observatory, sun deck, waterslide and children's snorkel training area
Buffet lunch on the pontoon
Tea and coffee, and afternoon tea on the cruise home
Catamaran back to Cairns

Not included

Hotel transfers
Food, drinks and other purchases on board
Optional extras: guided snorkel tour, introductory or certified scuba dive, Seawalker helmet dive
Reef photography (Calypso Reef Imagery, on board)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

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

Do I need travel insurance?

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

Where can I get more information about this trip?

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

What immunisations do I need?

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

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

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

How fit do I need to be?

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

What should I pack?

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

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

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

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

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

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

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

Do I have to book this tour online?

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

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

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

How do I know when a tour is available?

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

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

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

Who travels with us

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

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

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

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

Will I need additional money?

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

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

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

What does Paid Locally mean?

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

Whilst on tour

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

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

Where do I meet the tour?

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