Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience
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Travel by air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns Marina to our Moore Reef Pontoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, perfectly positioned and equipped for you to explore this reef that is teeming with colourful coral and fascinating fish.
Spend 4 hours exploring the reef by taking advantage of the free inclusions such as unlimited glass bottom boat & semi-submersible tours, an ocean kid's enclosed pool, all snorkelling equipment, underwater observatory, marine life touch tank & fish feeding and a buffet lunch.
The pontoon also features a sundeck to relax in the sun and look out over the turquoise waters in between activities. That's also where you'll find the waterslide - the only theme park waterslide on the reef!
Dial up the adventure and add on optional extras like include Introductory or Certified diving, Seawalker Helmet dive, Guided Snorkel Safari or even a Scenic helicopter flight.
Environmental Management Charge (EMC)
Glass bottom boat and Semi-Submersible tours
Served Buffet. Please advise of any dietary requirements
While the vessel is stationary
Additional cost: food & drink from the bar
Additional cost: Guided Snorkel Tour, Intro or Certified Diving, Seawalker Helmet Dive, Heli Filghts
Additional Cost: Hotel Transfers can be added directly with Sunlover
Additional cost: professional photos or camera hire
Additional cost: Secure lockers
Additional cost: Wetsuit and prescription snorkel mask
- INFANT: : 0 - 3
- CHILD: : 4 - 15
- ADULT: : 16 - 99
- Gear/equipment sanitised between use
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Please ensure you bring your dive certification for Certified SCUBA dives
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
- All dives are subject to an on board medical checklist, please contact us for more information.
- Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
- Minimum age is 12 years for SCUBA diving and Seawalker Helmet dive
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Experience may be cancelled due to Insufficient travelers
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What To Expect
Great Barrier Reef
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is favourite trip for Cairns' locals with 99% of its landscape covered in lush tropical rainforest as well as granite outcrops, open woodlands, mangroves and coral beaches.
Inquire about our Fitzroy Island Transfers to enjoy on another day, which give you 6 hours to explore this paradise, including amazing walks on the picturesque beaches and visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
• Admission Ticket Free
Reviews
On the morning of our cruise we had 30 degree temperatures with grey skies and strong winds.
As we left the bay at Cairns the sea was reasonably calm. As we left the headland and headed into open water the waves picked up which meant the ship started to pitch and role. Sick bags were being given out to passengers and were being used.
The ship sailed to Fitzroy Island, where quite a few people got off to spend the day at the islands resorts.
We left Fitzroy Island and as we left the headland the waves got bigger. The next hour made for interesting sailing. We were sitting outside at the back, which was probably the most stable part of the ship.
The staff had everything under control and were reassuring to those that were feeling a little seasick.
When we arrived at the reef the sea was very calm and there was the option to go scuba diving or snorkelling.
There was also a glass bottom boat which gave spectacular views of the reef and the wildlife.
The day was so well organised, there was no pressure. Everyone we encountered was really friendly. The staff really couldn’t do enough for you. The sailing back was a lot calmer.
We left on time and the journey to the reef was a bit longer than an hour. The crew was giving enough information without going over the top and safety was key, which was reassuring.
Once we arrived, there was plenty of stinger suits and snorkelling equipment available. I had concerns regarding the jellyfish as it was stinger season, but we did not see a single jellyfish and the stinger suits covered the hands and had hoods as well, so felt a lot safer than I had thought I would. The staff were attentive and were very helpful to people who were feeling sick on the boat trip.
There were life guards everywhere helping and looking out over the water- they paid proper attention, too.
There was an area clearly demarcated within which you can snorkel. There were some wonderfully diverse fish we saw and even a turtle. Although the reef was interesting, I was expecting it to be a lot more vibrant in colour- not sure if it’s because the reef is like this everywhere or because this area is visited so much that the reef is damaged. We were there for about 4 hours, so plenty of opportunity to keep going back into the water from the pontoon. Talking of the pontoon- it was fantastic especially for our kids as it was easy to get in and out of the water.
Lunch was plenty- bread rolls, butter, ham, salami, cheese, rice, coconut curry, a pulled pork dish, tabullah, ginger and honey chicken, salad, shrimps. There was also fruit, but not enough- by the time I went to get lunch about half an hour after the buffet opened, there was no fruit left at all. There was also a kind of cake, but not sure what- my daughter loved it, though.
Although there were a lot of people, it didn’t bother us at all.
Overall it was nice to experience, wish we had seen sharks, rays and a more vibrant reef, but maybe it’s only possible when going in a small group?
