Private Helicopter Tour: Reef Island Snorkeling and Gourmet Picnic Lunch
4.5
Private Helicopter Tour: Reef Island Snorkeling and Gourmet Picnic Lunch
By Nautilus Aviation
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99
Duration: 3h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef
- 2-hours on secluded Vlasoff Cay
- Picnic basket including gourmet food and beverages
- Snorkeling equipment
- Picnic blanket, beach umbrella and beach chairs
- Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)
- Australia's Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off Cairns
- Entry/Admission - Nautilus Aviation
What's not included- Private return transfers to/from Port Douglas are $205 per car (up to 4 passengers).
- Start:
- 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, AustraliaWe recommend you are checked in 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Check-in will close 30 minutes before departure and you will not be able to check in after this time. Failure to adhere to check-in times, may result in you missing your flight and forfeiting the fare paid.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3262FANTASY- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Weight Policy: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carry-on luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130kg are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of ticket price - this is non-commissionable and payable to Nautilus Aviation on day of travel.
- All product requires a minimum number of passengers to proceed. Our Reservations team will reach out to confirm availability within the shortest possible time after we receive your order. For instant confirmation please call the team on 07 4034 9000.
- Subject to favourable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Vlasoff Cay is a public sand cay and as such can not be reserved. On the rare occasion it is occupied on our arrival we will not be permitted to land. If this occurs passengers will receive an extended reef scenic flight back to the Pier Heliport (total flying time 45 mins including initial 20 mins from Cairns to Vlasoff Cay). Passengers will be able to keep their picnic lunch and our reservations team will advise and assist with any refunds applicable.
- Child Policy: Children 3 years and above are legally required to be seated in their own seat and are therefore required to pay the full ticket price. Subject to conditions, children under 3 years may travel free of charge when seated on a parents/guardians lap. For bookings of more than one infant (under 3 years), conditions apply – please contact Reservations.
- We recommend you are checked in 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Check-in will close 30 minutes before departure and you will not be able to check in after this time. Failure to adhere to check-in times, may result in you missing your flight and forfeiting the fare paid.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3262FANTASY
From
AU$955.37
per adult
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Itinerary
- 2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, AustraliaWe recommend you are checked in 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Check-in will close 30 minutes before departure and you will not be able to check in after this time. Failure to adhere to check-in times, may result in you missing your flight and forfeiting the fare paid.
- 1Pass byGreat Barrier Reef
- 2Pass byGreat Barrier Reef
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- chrislooker0 contributionsReef to Cairns helicopter flight.Booked the return portion of the Great Barrier Reef snorkeling package with Nautilus Aviation helicopter flights from the reef back to Cairns. The flight took approximately 25 minutes, a fantastic experience. The staff were extremely professional and very knowledgeable. The pilot took us for a tour over 4 other reefs on the way back into Cairns giving a very informative narrative & pointing out various points of interest along the way. (Our daughter was seated in front next to the pilot & could not stop talking about the experience when we arrived back in Cairns). Thank you to the staff & pilot. The views were absolutely stunning. Helicopter seemed modern,luxurious & very comfortable (Bell 407). Yes - a little more expensive than the return catamaran trip but definitely worth the money. I would highly recommend the experience if you are for something special to top off your visit.Written 2 February 2025
- Paradise518653214520 contributionsAmazing TeamThis is our third Helicopter trip with Nautilus Aviation on the Great Barrier Reef tour. We have found Rhiannon and the team to always be so happy and positive, They are always happy to help and do so with a smile. Thank you again Nautilus Aviation.Written 11 December 2024
- charlieboots210 contributionsAmazing views of the Great Barrier ReefFantastic trip out to the Reef. Our pilot was the lovely Brooke who is extremely knowledgeable about the Reef and marine life there. We saw turtles, stingray and a shark. Highly recommend Nautilus Aviation, a very professional operation.Written 9 December 2024
- U1506YKjohnt0 contributionsHelicopter flight over ReefJust need to get this in first, ***You have to do this once in a life time experience - for most of us anyway***. We originally booked a 45 minute Reef and Rainforest trip but the weather was not good over the Rainforest so we extended the flight over the Reef. My wife was very nervous but Nathan our Pilot was amazing with us and within a minute she was loving the whole experience. On the way our to the reef Nathan was busy pointing out all the sights, points of interest. We then flew over a couple of different reefs looking for wildlife in the water if we spotted something he would slowly circle overhead so everyone got a great view. The Barrier Reef is incredible viewed from the air its something we will never forget. Lastly a big thank you to the Nautilus ground team who looked after usWritten 4 December 2024
- partickh20160 contributionsWell worth doingDid a walk-in in the morning and managed to get on a flight in the afternoon, the staff in the office were fantastic explaining everything to us. Went back in the afternoon and had our safety briefing and were told that my wife’s slight mobility issues were not a problem. Helicopter arrived and we were shown out and seated, only 3 of us so all good seats. Our pilot, Matt Shosta (not my spelling) gave an excellent commentary as we flew over the various reefs/islands. (Darker is deeper and lighter is shallower) as well as a lovely smooth flight. My wife loved it. All in all a brilliant experience and would thoroughly recommend.Written 1 October 2024
- B1174FRgeraldm0 contributionsDiscovering the REEFFantastic 45 minutes tour over the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. Nautilus aviation was very professional in handling our reservation and the preparation for the flight. Brooke, our pilot, was great to point out détails on the Reef as well as showing us rays manta and little shark. She was very helpful in answering all of our questions and did a great job helping us discovering the Reef. I would recommend Nautilus Aviation and this great tour over the Reef to really see and understand the beauty of the Great Barrier. It's well worth it.Written 30 September 2024
- Eden545140 contributionsAmazing views. Some safety and organisation issuesThe view was stunning. I have always wanted to see the reef from above and this was the way to do it. I felt sorry for the guy who had to sit in the middle seat as he had to lean over his partner to see anything. Booked and paid for 30 minutes but got 45 due to availability and booking issues as a bonus. Barron falls are stunning but if you have done the cable car then there is no need to do this part. Organisation-wise this needs work. No one told me how to undo my seatbelt in an emergency and when I asked no one told me. No one showed me how to open the door in an emergency either. Was meant to leave at 10 for a half hour flight. We left at 10:30 or after for a 45 minute flight. I was feeling really sick after the bumps from the extra time in the mountains. I had a canyoning tour going at 12. I was feeling so ill. Had I not rushed for departure on time I would have had breakfast, and might not have been so sick. Nevertheless, the hour and a half I thought I would have to recover between trips, was now 40 minutes, and I still had to get my gear from my hotel and walk to the next meeting point. Needless to say I had to cancel my canyoning last minute, as I wasn't a safe participant, and forfeit the $200 fee, along with the chance of the experience- negating the supposed bonus I had received in my extra 15 minutes of flying.Written 5 September 2024
- K7967IZtammym0 contributionsAmazing Helicopter flightOur flight with Nautilus was amazing. Haley (ground crew) and Brooke (pilot) made the experience one of the best we have ever had. Brooke's general commentary and knowledge of the area and reef added to the experience.Written 30 August 2024
- JoseKevo0 contributionsOnce-in-a-Lifetime OpportunityThis one is definitely worth the splurge and was the Grand Finale for my week in Cairns! What an incredible experience seeing The Great Barrier Reef from above after snorkeling below. The 30-minutes passed in a flash! Everyone at the agency from check-in to getting us onboard was fantastic, and special thanks to pilot John Nelson! What a privilege riding shotgun next to you!!!Written 29 July 2024
- susanfA4824WP0 contributionsOutstanding helicopter tourFabulous reef tour! I decided to go at the last minute after reading other reviews, and it was even better than I expected! I had a front row seat with all clear glass in front and below. Spectacular views! And the pilot did a nice job explaining what we were seeing.Written 10 July 2024
- 475gaill0 contributionsA delightful experienceTotally amazing views. Comfortable and welcoming. Helpful staff. A fantastic experience. This is an experience you will never forgetWritten 25 June 2024
- michaelh5380 contributionsOutstanding Famiky Experience thanks to Kai and Shawn…..Outstanding Experience with Kai and Elevator Pilot. We took a tour out of Cairns and went to the reef and an island. We paid for the Helicopter Ride for our family of 4. What a great experience and both the boat driver Kai and Helicoper Pilot Shawn were simply awesome. Highly recommend it to anyone. What a great experience for our Family of four from the United States. Thank you Kai and Shawn!Written 14 June 2024
- Jet619840583650 contributionsGreat way to spend a morning.Terrific flight and the sights were impressive despite being windy and a bit cloudy. Pilot did his best to find and point out marine life with some background information on the condition of the reef.Written 18 April 2024
- DonnaC7980 contributionsThe great barrier reef from aboveThere was low clouds this day so we were not able to go to the rain forest. The pilot added that time to flying over the great barrier reef. The pilot flew in between the clouds so we could get a good view. He made sure everyone on the helicopter could see what he was pointing out. He even found some sea turtles for us to view from the sky.Written 13 April 2024
- JILL C0 contributionsGreat Barrier Reef excursionHusband was scuba diving. Visibility was only 12-15 feet. But other than that, it was a great trip. Crew at Divers Den were amazing!Written 28 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Audra B
3 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
First time in a helicopter at 50 years of age and can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. Pilot Michael was very reassuring- the trip was smooth and had beautiful views of the reef. We even saw a turtle and a stingray. Lovely picnic hamper. Very enjoyable experience and would definitely do it again.
Written 29 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzie24
Central Coast, Australia20 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!
Planned this surprise on NYE, crystal clear water, breathtaking views, very friendly staff, once in a lifetime experience so 100% worth the money!
Vlassof Cay is literally perfection!
Made to feel like a VIP!
Best thing I’ve ever done (I’ve travelled a lot) so this beats any other attraction in Cairns.
You need to see the GBR from above to understand it’s true beauty.
Most amazing day of my life!!!
Thank you Nautilus Aviation ❤️🚁
Planned this surprise on NYE, crystal clear water, breathtaking views, very friendly staff, once in a lifetime experience so 100% worth the money!
Vlassof Cay is literally perfection!
Made to feel like a VIP!
Best thing I’ve ever done (I’ve travelled a lot) so this beats any other attraction in Cairns.
You need to see the GBR from above to understand it’s true beauty.
Most amazing day of my life!!!
Thank you Nautilus Aviation ❤️🚁
Written 10 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Suzie
Thank you for your brilliant feedback, it is very much appreciated. What a special and memorable way to ring in the new year, isn't Vlassof Cay just breathtaking. I am so glad that you loved the trip as much as we love providing it.
Kind regards
Kel
Written 13 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rachael A
Brisbane, Australia129 contributions
One of the best experiences I’ve ever had!!! You cannot put a price on this outstanding trip. The day was absolutely perfect and the pilot was very knowledgeable and friendly. We forgot his name but he was such a great pilot.
We were fortunate enough to land on the sandcay and have a beautiful picnic followed by snorkelling. The food in the picnic was absolutely awesome!!! We got given so much and it was delicious!
The picturesque views were one of a kind and the snorkelling was fantastic. We got to see so much of the reef - it was the best!!!
I would do this trip over and over again if I could. Thank you so much it was the best day ever!!!
If I could give 10 stars I would.
We were fortunate enough to land on the sandcay and have a beautiful picnic followed by snorkelling. The food in the picnic was absolutely awesome!!! We got given so much and it was delicious!
The picturesque views were one of a kind and the snorkelling was fantastic. We got to see so much of the reef - it was the best!!!
I would do this trip over and over again if I could. Thank you so much it was the best day ever!!!
If I could give 10 stars I would.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric T
Geneva, Switzerland41 contributions
We made a reservation for the day trip with flight over the coral reef, snorkelling around and lunching on the cay. This was for a special occasion and we were looking for it for a very long time. It was the main reason we came to Cairns actually. We were supposed to be picked up at the hotel at 0745. At 0815 since no one had shown up I called Nautilus and was told that there were some technical problems but that someone would pick us up at 0845. We walked around and were back at the hotel at 0845. At 0900 since no one had shown up I called again and was told that the pick up car was delayed due to traffic. Eventually the car showed up and we were driven to Nautilus Aviation. At that stage we were welcomed by a very embarrassed officer who explained that there had been a technical problem on an helicopter which could not be fixed. Hence the trip had to be cancelled. We were proposed instead either to postpone to the next day - which was not possible since this was when we had to leave - or a 30’ flight at no cost to us. This is what we did. We were not charged and the company apologised. The flight was nice but nothing to compare to the full day trip. We also regretted very much the fact that no one had called us at 0745 to explain the situation. In conclusion, the company behave properly in trying to address the issue but the information did not come on time and the overall experience a great disappointment.
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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