Day Trips

Cairns to Fitzroy Island and Moore Reef Full-Day Cruise with Buffet Lunch by Sunlover

Tourists on pontoon enjoying Moore Reef views, Great Barrier Reef.

Tourists snorkeling at Moore Reef, Great Barrier Reef near a boat in clear blue waters.

Tourists enjoying buffet lunch on Fitzroy Island with Great Barrier Reef view.

Duration

9 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

Cruise to both Fitzroy Island and the outer Great Barrier Reef in one epic day—two distinct reef environments, one seamless itinerary.

Start your day at the Moore Reef floating pontoon, a marine playground teeming with coral and tropical fish, before transferring to Fitzroy Island to wander rainforest trails and unwind on white-sand beaches.

Snorkel with guidance from marine experts, slip down a 30-meter spiral waterslide into the ocean, or stay dry with glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours.

Enjoy a premium buffet lunch on Fitzroy Island before heading back to the beach or reef.

Customize your day with optional upgrades like a Snorkel Safari, a Seawalker helmet dive, or a visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island from Cairns

Snorkeling equipment and expert guidance at Moore Reef

Premium buffet lunch (menu here)

Onboard amenities: Air-conditioned lounges, sun deck, Sunlover waterslide, freshwater showers, change rooms, licensed bar, and snorkel assistance station

Access to reef platform activities: semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours, underwater observatory, and marine presentation with fish feeding

Self-guided walk on Fitzroy Island National Park trails

1-hour Snorkel Safari (if option selected)

Seawalker helmet dive (if option selected)

Turtle Rehabilitation Centre talk (if option selected)

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

Two reef destinations in one day

If you're short on time but want the full Great Barrier Reef experience, this cruise is the perfect solution. Departing from Cairns, you’ll explore two wildly different parts of the reef—each offering unique ways to connect with nature above and below the surface.

What to expect

Your day kicks off at the Moore Reef Pontoon, a floating playground on the outer reef. Step into the water for snorkeling or a guided snorkeling tour, glide across the surface in a glass-bottom boat, or take a semi-submersible ride for an easy front-row view of marine life. Kids can splash down the giant waterslide or swim safely in the ocean pool, while adults relax on the sundeck or watch the reef world unfold through the underwater observatory.

Next, cruise to Fitzroy Island, a postcard-worthy escape where rainforest trails lead to hidden coves and the white sands of Nudey Beach. Wander beneath the rainforest canopy, or simply stretch out on the sand with the reef just steps away.

Midday, recharge with a premium buffet lunch on the island, filling up on tropical dishes and fresh Aussie flavors before diving back into the water or exploring more of the island. Later, you can deepen your adventure with a marine biologist-led Snorkel Safari, stroll the seabed on a Seawalker helmet dive, or join a Turtle Rehab Centre talk to learn how conservationists care for injured sea turtles.

Upgrades

Want to dive a little deeper? You can elevate your experience with:

Snorkel Safari – Join a marine naturalist on a guided snorkel session to discover harder-to-reach coral gardens and learn about marine life as you go.

Seawalker Helmet Dive – Underwater catwalk without needing a dive certification. A bucket-list-worthy way to meet the reef up close.

Turtle Rehabilitation Centre Talk – Learn about local conservation efforts during an optional presentation led by caretakers and marine experts.

Schedule

7 to 7:30am: Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal at Sunlover's desk

7:15 to 7:45am: Boarding from Cairns

8am: Depart Cairns

9:30am: Arrive at Moore Reef Pontoon

12pm: Depart Moore Reef Pontoon

12:45pm to 1pm: Arrive at Fitzroy Island, head straight for lunch (open till 1:30pm)

3:15pm: Boarding from Fitzroy Island

3:30pm: Depart Fitzroy Island

4:30pm: Arrive at Cairns Marlin Marina

What to bring

Bring along your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, and walking shoes.

What's not allowed

The snorkel safari is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Accessibility

This experience is pram/stroller accessible but not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

The semi-submersible tour is subject to weather conditions.

The seawalker helmet dive is a suitable activity for non-swimmers.

The kayak tour requires guests to be able to swim and have moderate fitness capabilities.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

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

Boarding point

Board your boat at Sunlover Reef Cruises.

Address: Reef Fleet Terminal (Bottom floor, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia.

Get directions to the boarding point