Sightseeing Cruises

Cairns to Outer Reef Snorkel Cruise with 2 Reef Visits & BBQ Lunch

Name: Cairns to Outer Reef Snorkel Cruise with 2 Reef Visits & BBQ Lunch
Start: 2026-11-01T08:00:00
End: 2026-11-01T16:00:00
Location: Cairns

4.8/5(10)

Megan W

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

The cruise was exceptionally organised, the staff were entertaining and helpful, the boat was lovely and the food at lunchtime was really tasty and fresh. Although there were 150 people on the trip everything was well planned and flowed easily. Would def recommend worth every cent 👍👍

Amit H

Family

Verified booking

Jul 2026

It was a wonderful day, impeccably organized, and we truly enjoyed every moment. I would like to offer a suggestion for improvement: there are no clear directions on how to reach you, and the phone support didn't really help with finding the way. This gave us the impression of a "scam," and caused us to arrive late in the morning because we didn't know how to get to your counter.

Theodore K

Family

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The experience was very worthwhile all round. Staff were well set up and trained and all of them friendly and helpful no matter what. The snorkeling was fantastic and the lunch well prepared and delicious. All round a great day.

Start your day in Cairns and cruise to two outer reef sites, where pristine coral gardens and clearer waters set the scene for snorkelling or diving.

Enjoy live expert commentary and friendly guidance that make vibrant marine life feel accessible, whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned explorer.

Recharge between reef stops with a tropical BBQ buffet lunch onboard, keeping you fuelled and ready for more underwater moments.

Full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef

Round-trip superyacht transfers from Cairns to 2 reef sites (North Hastings & Saxon or Norman)

8-hour cruise with 5 hours on the reef

Snorkeling equipment, masks, and lycra suits

Guides/captains

Chef-prepared BBQ lunch with fish, prawns, steak, salads, breads (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free options available)

Tea/coffee/mini-muffins

1 glass of wine and a light snack on the return journey

Choice of snorkeling tour or introductory dive (based on option selected)

Onboard bar available (additional drinks at own cost)

Round-trip hotel transfers ($26 per person for Cairns city transfers, $38 per person for Northern Beaches transfers and $115 per person for Port Douglas transfers)

TOTAL DURATION8 hours 30 minutes
Timeline
Map
Start point
Cairns
1. Outer Great Barrier Reef
1 activity
The vibrant coral gardens of Norman and Saxon Reefs host a dazzling array of marine biodiversity with some of the highest coral density in the region. These outer reef locations offer crystal-clear visibility and shelter countless species of tropical fish, making them perfect for underwater photography and marine life encounters. Pro tip: If you're nervous about snorkeling, ask the crew for the "noodle trail"—a floating path with extra buoyancy for confidence.
Things to do
Snorkeling
Included in price
Onboard BBQ Buffet Lunch
2. North Hastings Reef
End point
Cairns
Get direction

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

10 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Megan W
Couple
Verified booking
Sep 2026
The cruise was exceptionally organised, the staff were entertaining and helpful, the boat was lovely and the food at lunchtime was really tasty and fresh. Although there were 150 people on the trip everything was well planned and flowed easily. Would def recommend worth every cent 👍👍
Amit H
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
It was a wonderful day, impeccably organized, and we truly enjoyed every moment. I would like to offer a suggestion for improvement: there are no clear directions on how to reach you, and the phone support didn't really help with finding the way. This gave us the impression of a "scam," and caused us to arrive late in the morning because we didn't know how to get to your counter.
Theodore K
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The experience was very worthwhile all round. Staff were well set up and trained and all of them friendly and helpful no matter what. The snorkeling was fantastic and the lunch well prepared and delicious. All round a great day.
Raphael J
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The crew was superfriendly and helpfull with everything. The ship was big and good as well
James C
Group
Verified booking
Mar 2026
Great rime, even in rough weather was a good experience.

Start your day with a brief check-in and safety briefing will prepare you for an exciting adventure at the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Board a comfortable vessel that soon departs for your first reef destination, brimming with marine life. Here, a certified guide explains your options: opt for a snorkeling session or test the waters with an introductory dive.

In the afternoon, you’ll have a tropical BBQ buffet lunch and move on to a second reef site, where you can again choose your preferred activity. Whether you decide to snorkel among the corals or dive deeper into the reef’s mysteries, expert guidance is always available. The day wraps up with a comfortable return to Cairns, leaving you with a reef experience that caters to both snorkelers and aspiring divers. Optional upgrades, such as an introductory dive or guided snorkeling, let you tailor your adventure.

What to bring

Bring along your sunscreen, swimmers, towel, change of clothes, refillable drink bottle, and cash or credit card for bar and souvenir purchases.

What's not allowed

For the certified dives, you will need to produce your certification card. For intro dives, no experience is necessary.

The experience is restricted for guests aged 12 and under.

Note that the following is not allowed during this experience: large bags.

Diving within 24 hours before your flight is not permitted.

Accessibility

Divers over 65 must have medical clearance from a physician confirming they are fit to dive. Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and any prescription medications will require a letter or email from a doctor clearing you to dive. This clearance must state your full name, the doctor's name, and practice, and the clearance to dive for the specific medications/condition.

Special dietary requirements should be confirmed directly with the activity provider.

Additional information

This activity is dependent on the weather.

All divers are required to complete an onboard medical questionnaire.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.