The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef and home to an amazing diversity of animal life. There are a large number of tour operators that depart from Cairns depending on what you want to do.

Tusa Dive are the day tour scuba diving and snorkelling specialists to the Great Barrier Reef. With more than 25 years experience in taking visitors to the reef, TUSA Dive strive to make your Cairns reef tour as memorable, educational and exciting, as it is possible to be.

Experienced scuba divers and snorkellers alike can travel to the outer reefs in ultimate comfort on board Cairns' newest and best reef day boat, the TUSA 6. Launched in August 2011, the 24m TUSA 6 was custom designed for Great Barrier Reef cruising, cairns diving and snorkelling, and each day visits two unique reef locations from Tusa's choice of 16 spectacular dive and snorkel sites.

Tusa Dive's professional and friendly dive crew are on hand throughout the day to assist you in ever way, and can provide education for snorkeling, first time "introductory scuba diving" (PADI Discover Scuba course), PADI & SSI Referral Courses, and PADI Open Water courses.

For divers looking for more than a day trip, multi-day scuba packages are available for day touring and Tusa 6's big sister, the Spirit of Freedom provides 3 to 7 day liveaboard diving expeditions to the iconic dive destinations of the Cod Hole and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

TUSA Dive are proud to be accredited as an Advanced Ecotourism Operator, committed to providing a service that reflects our responsibility to contribute to the conservation of our Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and pass on this rich heritage to future generations.

Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $165.00, Child (4-14yrs) - $95.00. Day trip 1 Introductory dive: $230.00. 2 Certified dives: $225.00
Phone: (07) 4047 9100 | Website

Ocean Free sails to  Green Island + the Great Barrier Reef . It is a 16m  monohull sailing vessel and is the only monohull sailing vessel to do a tropical island and Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns. Ocean Free takes a maximum of 35 guests and has an exclusive mooring on the Great Barrier Reef  just 1km off Green Island.Guests can snorkel straight off the boat to view the marine life and coral that comes to just 1m under the surface. All snorkelling equipment is provided including snorkel jackets / wetsuits or lycra suits ( depending on season) / and snorkelling tuition . Guests divide their time between the boat activities and Green Island activities. Trips across to Green Island are run throughout the day – however most guests spend the morning doing the in-water activities on “Pinnacle Reef” just of the boat  and after lunch spend 1-2 hours on the island . Island transfers are done in the tender. On Green Island  guests can do the interpretative walk across the island , visit Marineland Melanesia ( where crocodiles and turtles can be seen close up ) , relax and swim off the beach.Ocean Free departs daily from Cairns at 8.00am (boarding at 7.30am)and returns to Cairns by 5.00 – 5.15 pm.Guests experience a personal sailing, Great Barrier Reef and Green Island tour all in one day.Prices for adults : $135 / Child Price : $90 ( 14yrs and under ) /Family Pack ( 2 ad + 2 ch 14yrs and under ) : $405 / (All prices included $10 pp environmental reef charge / port/ RAM / admin fees)Tour price includes morning tea and coffee / muffins and fresh fruit on boarding / full smorgasbord lunch / cheese / fruit and cake platters and complimentary glass of wine on sail home. All snorkelling equipment : masks / fins /  snorkel jackets / wetsuit or lycra suits/ snorkelling tuition/ use of snorkel vue board / transfers to and from Green Island . Opional extras include introductory/certifed diving an Green Island Activities.

Website : www.oceanfree.com.au / Phone +61 7 40521111. Local family owned and operated. Advanced Eco-Certifed product.

Ocean Freedom ( Ocean Free's sister vessel) is a 20 m luxury fast CAT that goes to a coral Cay and outer edge Upolu Reef. It carries a maximum 75 guests with a high crew to guest ratio ensuring high customer service.Ocean Feedom is very suitable for those travellers wanting an all round Great Barrier Reef experience. This tour includes a Glass Bottom Boat tour / Adventure drift snorkel tour and personal snorkel tuition. Due to its high speed and minimal travel time guests can enjoy 6hrs of reef and Cay time and be back in Cairns by 4.30pm. This is a predominately snorkel tour boat offering also personal diving.Introductory divers are in groups of 2 divers to one instructor and certified divers are offered a  complimentary guide. Diving is an optional extra.Adult price $179 / Child price ( 14yrs and under ) :$100 / Famil pack ( 2 ad + 2c h 14yrs and under ) $506. Tour prices include all snorkelling equipment/snorkel tuition/ snorkel jacket/wetsuit/ lycra suit/ tea and coffee/ snacks on boarding/ full smogasbord lunch with seafood/ cheese/ fruit and cake platters on cruise home . Optional extras : Diving.

Website : www.oceanfreedom.com.au / phone +61 7 40521111. Local family owned and operated. Advanced Eco-Certifed product.

Seastar Cruises premium reef cruise combines the outer Great Barrier Reef with a coral cay island. In only 1¼ hours the fast air-conditioned Seastar 1 can take you from Cairns to magnificent Michaelmas Cay, the largest of the local uninhabited coral cays. Cruising past Green Island, Upolu cay and Oyster reef Seastar is the first boat to arrive. After an enjoyable time here it is a short 20 minute cruise to the splendid Hastings Reef, sitting on the very outer edge. This is where the corals thrive, well out from the coast away from the influence the rivers and streams, adjacent to the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean.Yout trip ojn Seastar includes Morning and Afternoon Tea/coffee, Lunch — Already Suitable for vegetarians, includes 2 hot dishes and a selection of meats for others, Fully guided snorkel tours — 2 tours not 1, Quality brand mask, snorkel and fins — Current, new equipment, Optical masks — Ample selection of lenses in quality Tusa frames, Wetsuit or stinger suit — Depending on the season, Buoyancy vest — Category 2 safety vest, Noodle — Solid style pool noodle,Reef Interpretation “Reef Brief” — Based on Reef Teach of Cairns, Glass Bottom Boat tour — 30 minute tours in this modern design vessel, Island circumnavigation — For birding observation tours, Modern design Seastar 1 — Fast, comfortable and airconditioned.

Full day trip: $175/adult, $110/child, 1 Introductory Dive $200, 2 Certified Dives $200 (All Prices include Levy / Reef Tax).

Phone: +61 7 4041 6218 - Website

Sunlover Reef Cruises

offers the shortest travel time, longest play time at the Outer Barrier Reef.  Once docked at their pontoon on Moore Reef, guests have over 4.5 hours to snorkel, take glass-bottom boat and/or semi-sub trips, enjoy a full hot and cold buffet lunch as well as afternoon tea on the trip back to Cairns. Full day trip: $180/adult, $65/child or $425/family of 4.  Phone 1800 810 or check for special online deals at www.sunlover.com.au. 

Reef Encounter is a boutique floating hotel offering 1 night or several nights surronded by the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef in style snorkel dive and learn to dive packages available Phone (07) 4051 5777 Website http://www.reefencounter.com.au/ voted number 1 specialty lodging on Tripadvisor.com - Local Family Owned and Operated

Reef Experience is Cairns newest day trip one all inclusive price of $165.00 includes breakfast, lunch afternoon tea, fast catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef, 2 spectacular reef locations, 6 hours at the Outer Barrier Reef clients choice of guided snorkel, certified dive or introductory dive, city transfers, wetsuit, glass bottom boat, Marine Biologist Reef Presentation, Local Family Owned and Operated

Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Website wwww.reefexperience.com.au

Compass Cruises is Cairns best value budget trip to the Outer Barrier Reef price is $60.00 plus $20.00 for levies, trip includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, afternoon tea, boomnetting, 2 spectacular reef locations Local Family Owned and Operated. Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Website www.compasscruises.com.au  

Vagabond Dive 'N Sail is a 65' cruising yacht set up for diving, sailing and entertaining for a maximum of 11 guests operating out of Cairns.  The trip is two days and one night which is spent aboard the boat out on the reef.  Phone: (07) 4059 0477 | Website

Diversion Dive Travel is a specialised dive travel agency based in Cairns. All their consultants know the diving and the operators out of Cairns inside out, especially the extended cruises and dive training options. Their website has been online since 1994 and has up to date information. Phone: Aust. 1800 607 913 | Website

DiveTheReef.com has a complete index of all the dive operators in Cairns, organized so you can search and find the trip that suits you best.  An online booking service allows for one-stop browsing and booking.  Phone: USA 1-800-207-2353, Aust. 1-800-101-319, UK 0-800-234-6949 | Website 

Ocean Spirit have two catamarans - one that goes to Michaelmas Cay and one that goes to Upolu Cay. If you're looking for an inexpensive snorkelling day trip, the Upolu Cay trip is great value for money.
Michaelmas Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $179, Child (4-14yrs) - $87.50. Introductory dive: $95 (additional).
Upolu Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $110, Child (4-14yrs) - $75.50. Introductory dive: $69 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4031 2920 | Website

Reef Magic moors at a ponotoon on the outer reef with the lowest passenger numbers on the market, giving you 5 hours in which to spend doing what you like. Included in the trip is semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory, all snorkelling equipment included and offer scenic helipcopter flights and diving (not included in price).
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $165, Child (4-14yrs) - $85, Family (2A & 2C) - $415. Introductory dive: $80 (additional).
Phone: (07) 4031 1588 | Website

Passions of Paradise is a modern catamaran that goes to the reef and Michaelmas Cay and is another inexpensive option. This company recently won the Australian Tourism Award for Adventure Tourism. Traveling to two unique uncrowded destinations you can be sure of a personalized high quality experience.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $139, Child (4-14yrs) - $89, Family (2A & 2C) - $409. Introductory or Certified dive: $70 (additional). These prices include $10 reef levy.  
Phone: (07) 4041 1600 | Website www.passions.com

Great Adventures offers a range of advanced ecotourism certified tours cruising daily from Cairns to Green Island and the outer reef. Guests travelling to Green Island can spend up to 7 hours on the island and choose from 3 departures daily.  You can also combine a 2 hour stopover on Green Island with a day at Great Adventures' spacious pontoon at the outer reef.  The outer reef tour include snorkelling, semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and reef interpretation. Diving, Scuba-doo scooter and helicopter tours are optional extras.
Green Island Cruises: Prices from Adult - $75, Child (4-14yrs) $37.50. Introductory dive: $138 (additional). 
Outer Barrier Reef Cruises: Prices from Adult - $190, Child (4-14yrs) - $93. Introductory dive: $138 (additional). Family Fares available for all cruises. Phone: (07) 4044 9944 | Website

Silverswift is an ultra modern custom-designed dive and snorkel catamaran. She visits three reef sites daily at either Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe Reefs from Cairns. This trip caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silverswift is the only dive vessel in Cairns that has a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Port Douglas is Silversonic)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult - $162, Child (4-14yrs) - $120. With Introductory dive: $223 
Contact: Phone - (07) 4044 9944 | Website

Pro Dive Cairns has boats running trips non-stop to various places on the reef, catering to divers of all experience levels. They have 3 boats running 3D/2N liveaboard trips to the outer reef, as well as expeditions from 3-7 days in various combinations visiting other famous GBR sites such as Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Outer Reef 3D/2N (leaves every day except Tuesday) prices are $600 for certified divers / $500 snorkelling only. This includes all gear hire, accommodation and food/drinks while on board. Dive courses are available from introductory diving to professional level training, and run in conjunction with the liveaboard trips, check the website for further information.
Phone: (07) 4031 5255 | www.prodivecairns.com

Ocean Quest This is a live aboard vessel that can best be decribed a a floating 4 star hotel. she is incredebly spacious. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three sights a day. There are daily transfers to and from the vessel every day so you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you fancy. A great boat for both divers and snorklers.

Email: info@diversden.com.au  web: www.ocean-quest.com.au