Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 94% of travellers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$249
per adult
Down Under Cruise & Dive
Down Under Cruise & Dive
4.5
Scuba & SnorkellingHelicopter ToursSubmarine ToursWater Sports
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Full view
About
Down Under Cruise & Dive based in Cairns, QLD is one of Australia's leading tour operators providing guests of all ages and nationalities with world-class experiences on the Great Barrier Reef. Travelling on-board EVOLUTION, Australia's most luxurious reef vessel you will travel in style and comfort for a very affordable price.
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 93% of travellers
93% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$369
per adult
Rail Tours
2 days
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$370
per adult
Rail Tours
3 days
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$550
per adult
Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 94% of travellers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$799
per group
Travellers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
3,317 reviews
Excellent
2,671
Very good
373
Average
137
Poor
65
Terrible
71
Steve K
Washington DC, DC60 contributions
Jan 2020
The entire experience of this day-long snorkeling trip was outstanding. The staff love what they do, and have a wonderful esprit de corps. Everything is precisely organized, from coffee and tea upon arrival on the boat to the clear and detailed safety briefing by Josh, to the individualized distribution of equipment, the delicious buffet lunch with plentiful options of fish, steak, and numerous salads, the two long snorkeling experiences in morning and in afternoon, and the fruit, cheese, and wine accompanied by professional caliber entertainment by Tommy, whose Stairway to Heaven is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. The snorkeling was excellent. It's a beautiful boat of three levels with expansive views and many open spaces. Other optional experiences include a short helicopter ride. Of my 3 weeks in Australia, this was one of the most memorable.
Written 19 February 2020
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.
Thank you so much for choosing to join us aboard Evolution for your adventure to the outer GBR! Its so great to read that you enjoyed your time with us!
Written 5 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adam F
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Well organised, nice vessel. Great crew, great food.
This day trip was the highlight of our trip to Cairns. It was a really enjoyable, stress free day.
The tour provided great snorkeling with additional activities available ( at extra cost) such as Marine Biologist guided reef snorkeling, helicopter rides, scuba etc. We did the Marine biologist tour and were not disappointed.
I would recommend this operator as the boat is excellent, the food and drinks are plentiful (including reasonable bar prices). My 12 year old son and I had a great day on the outer reef.
As we disembarked we spoke to some Scandinavian passengers who said it was their best snorkeling experience any where in the world.
This day trip was the highlight of our trip to Cairns. It was a really enjoyable, stress free day.
The tour provided great snorkeling with additional activities available ( at extra cost) such as Marine Biologist guided reef snorkeling, helicopter rides, scuba etc. We did the Marine biologist tour and were not disappointed.
I would recommend this operator as the boat is excellent, the food and drinks are plentiful (including reasonable bar prices). My 12 year old son and I had a great day on the outer reef.
As we disembarked we spoke to some Scandinavian passengers who said it was their best snorkeling experience any where in the world.
Written 28 January 2020
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.
Thank you so much Adam for choosing to adventure with us aboard Evolution!
Written 5 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CHRISTOPHER F
8 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The dive trip was a hit! The boat and crew were 110% Indi did a great job of corralling the divers. She made the instructions clear and kept everyone safe. Originally I had paid only for 1 dive and the rest was to be snorkeling, while on the boat I was able to book a second dive. I highly recommend if you want multiple dives, pay in advance, I almost got bumped! The lunch was great, steak, Fish, prawns and a variety of salads and bread! The crew did multiple checks to ensure everyone was on the boat before departure and during dives! The view in the water was spectacular on our trip, the Ocean can be fickle! Today was beautiful. We saw cuddle fish, white tip reed shark, turtles and many other wonderful marine mammals! They had a marine biologist on board (Phil) he was a great addition to the team. Answered many questions when asked. My wife was unsure if she was going to snorkel, she chose to try it, they were very patient and helped her immensely!! The “bar girls(Michelle being one) were great as well they were very courteous and took care of our food and beverage needs! The boat had many ways of making it easier to get in and out of the water. Have to say, recommend 100% if you are in Cairns!!
Written 15 October 2023
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.
Lyonsaj
Philadelphia, PA50 contributions
Feb 2020
I booked this with my wife for our honeymoon and I would highly recommend. We booked the captain's gold club lounge which was extra but included personal service and some additional comforts since she tends to get sea sick. It was a great experience! Everyone was friendly, there were no issues with sea sickness, and it was the highly of the honeymoon. We did two introductory scuba tours and again, I cannot say enough. One of the highlights of my life and was well run from the second we got on the boat to when we got off.
Written 8 February 2020
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.
Wow! Thank you so much, we are so happy to hear that you had the most amazing time. The Gold Class Lounge is definitely the best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef and we are so happy to hear that it was the highlight of your honeymoon and life :) We hope to see you again soon and thank you for choosing to spend your honeymoon with us! All the best, Steph and the Down Under Cruise and Dive team
Written 10 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
auscibo
Maroochydore, Australia35 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
From the minute we booked, our experience was positive. The booking was easy and staff professional and helpful. The day itself was better than we hoped for, even though the weather was rainy and windy. The staff were amazing- making sure everyone had the best day possible. We travelled in a group of 4 and we all had dietary requirements. They catered for this perfectly and the food was amazing . We really appreciated this. The snorkeling was great and the staff took time to ensure everyone had a great time. I noted the extra care and effort taken for those who were not strong swimmers and staff took these people out to see the turtles and fish in a way that they were comfortable but also so they felt safe. We had read positive things about this tour which is why we chose it- but 5 out of 5 stars is still not high enough. Thankyou for a great day - highlight of our trip and highly recommend .!
Written 26 April 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.
Thank you so much for choosing to spend your out GBR adventure with us aboard Evolution! Sorry to read about the weather - something we do wish we could control to make your experience even better!
Written 19 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melroy P
Calangute, India53 contributions
Feb 2020
The Evolution is a swanky catamaran, and fairly new. The crew well trained and a cheerful lot. The guy who gave the briefing was quite funny. The diving instructor dispelled all your fears about diving and made it feel so easy. The lunch was scrumptious. A nice glass of wine with cheese and crackers on the way back was a nice finishing touch.
Written 3 March 2020
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.
Thank you Melroy for choosing to join us for the day aboard Evolution!
Written 1 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lexicon127
Cairns, Australia79 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
I took this day trip to the outer reef and did two dives (certified) and a helicopter tour. It was such a wonderful day. From the beginning the incredible organisation of the staff to the lovey clean and swift boat to the sites we went to. I had not dived in a few years so was a bit reticent (over forty dives in my lifetime but none in the last five years...) but the guide was so incredible and kind and caring and helpful. I initially signed up for one dive but quickly upgraded to a second at the second reef. Well worth it and definitely cost effective! The photographs taken underwater were fantastic. I never buy these but today I bought a series which were uploaded to me seamlessly via airdrop. And lastly the helicopter ride was something not to forget. We got caught in a bit of a rain storm but the pilot took us over to a neighbouring reef with sunshine on it. All to boot a complimentary glass of wine on the way home. What a perfect day. Thank you to all of you on the ship. You made it enjoyable and memorable.
Written 12 January 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.
Thank you so much for choosing to share your GBR adventure with us aboard Evolution! It's so great to read the wonderful feedback you left.
We are glad to read you enjoyed your diving and felt comfortable enough with your guide to book on for extra! We definitely hope you treasure those GBR happy snaps for many years to come!
Written 26 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brett
2 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
A fantastic day!! Great boat, cheerful helpful staff and a great lunch. We are in our 60s and the staff made sure that we were comfortable with what we going to be doing in the water. The 2 reefs we visited had grays coral and a plethora of reef fish to view Good value for money when compared to others and they actually delivered what was promised in the glossy brochure.
Written 18 November 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.
Ozi_Traveller31
Sydney, Australia53 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I did a reef tour with another company last year and these guys were not only cheaper but the overall experience was much better. Incredibly well organized with plenty of time to snorkel. Staff seem to be very engaged and positive creating a wonderful ambience. Lunch was simple but delicious. If your primary objective is simply to snorkel on the reef with your family, don’t waste your money on the pontoon operators. Go with these guys as they are better organized and you’ll get more time and variety. Overall would highly recommend.
Written 12 January 2020
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.
Thank you so much for joining us board Evolution for the day! So great to read you had a fabulous time!
Written 8 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rick Bond
1 contribution
July 2021
We had a cracking day on this cruise. Well organised, safe and saw plenty of the reef with plenty of time for snorkelling at our leisure. The staff were exceptional and the way they got to the reef on a tricky day of weather made for smooth sailing. I could not recommend this tour group highly enough.
Written 1 July 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.
Awesome, that's great to hear, thank you very much!
Written 2 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We re coming as a family but my mum and my aunty are both over 60s and have high blood pressure. Can they do the snorkeling? If not can they come to the boat together with us?
Written 11 November 2019
I took the cruise two days ago, 16 January, and did the snorkeling. Absolutely, they should come. This is a large boat, with three levels for them to select the most comfortable place to sit. This large boat rides the seas well. On my cruise there was a group of about 10 passengers some well over 60 years old that handled the day just fine. It is a well-run boat, with truly supporting staff. They will be well taken care of. They can snorkel with security close to the boat. The buffet lunch is high quality, and they may well recognize the professional singer's songs from that era, on the way home with complementary wine and cheese. I urge they do it, including trying the snorkeling. Steve
Written 18 January 2020
We are planning to do the reef tour but have a flight scheduled departure time at 615pm back to Sydney, what is the arrival time in Cairns? We would like to make it to the airport by 530pm.
Written 30 October 2019
I think we arrived back about 5:00 pm, but the tour operator should be able to confirm that. They’re very helpful!
Written 30 October 2019
Hi,
we are one diver and one snorkeler, Is it possible to be on the same boat?
Written 18 October 2019
Hi.
Yes, there were both when we went. In fact quite a few couples were one of each. They also offer introductory dives but I can't remember how much they cost.
I booked through local (Cairns) travel agent The Travel Lounge who were excellent.
Enjoy your trip.
Written 26 October 2019
We're hoping to do the snorkeling tour with 4 non-swimmers? Is it safe? what non-swimmers need to know, and be ready for? Thank you!
Written 17 September 2019
Don’t worry! They give you all attention!! I’ve seen some non-swimmers having lots of fun. Enjoy
Written 27 September 2019
Which is better, snorkeling or intro dive for this tour?
What time do you get back to the reef terminal?
Written 13 July 2019
You can choose to do one open dive and snorkel at the other spot so you have opportunity to do both. From memory I think boat gets back in around 4.30pm.
Written 14 July 2019
hoe laat moet ik de eerste dag er zijn/klaarstaan?
Andere vraag is hoe laat ben ik de eerste 2 en de laatste 2dage terug?
Written 9 April 2019
I plan to be in Cairns between Dec. 2-5 of 2018. How far in advance do you recommend I make a reservation on this boat? Would a week before arrival be sufficient or just get it the day or two before doing while I am in Cairns?
Written 6 October 2018
Hi Robert December is during the wet season in Cairns so you are probably better off emailing these guys directly to see when it is best to book. I usually work on the principle the earlier the better when booking stuff. Enjoy Cairns it’s a beautiful spot
Written 7 October 2018
I have never dived befire is this ok? How deep are we going?
Written 16 August 2018
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