Reef Express
Reef Express
5
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About
Adventure snorkel and wildlife tours . The three location snorkel is a fun outdoor adventure to one of the most extraordinary wonders on the planet- the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel in our unique private locations with no other boats around in a friendly small personal group of no more than 12 and enjoy personalised service for your comfort and safety. This tour is truly unique for these reasons: -Eco-friendly and eco-certified -Less travel time to the reef, approx. 45 minites -Small groups, max. of 12 -Private and personal -Up to date reef information -Experienced snorkel guides to snorkel with -All snorkel gear is free use including wetsuits in winter or lycra in warmer months -Snacks and drinks included -Underwater camera/Go-PRO available for hire -Toilet onboard. Enjoy your Great Barrier Reef experience with a small friendly group and spacious snorkeling areas.
Mission Beach, Queensland, Australia
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
206 reviews
Excellent
191
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Enno A
Toronto, Canada15 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Kerryn Bell took us out to the Reef a few weeks ago in her zodiac boat ... absolutely awesome. She has so much knowledge and experience about the reef and marine life. The trip was so good that we booked a second trip with her a few days later. Most highly recommended. Visit the Reef Express website for more info and magnificent underwater photos.
Written 23 March 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.
Thankyou for your review Enno.
It was a pleasure being able to show you both the amazing sights of the Great Barrier Reef and with wonderful weather as well!
Safe travels back to your home.
Written 17 April 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SouthEnglandLee
Kauai, HI6 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
Great day out visiting the outer barrier reef. The trip extends right to the edge of the reef with different locations with explanation as to why they are different. The boat goes out further than others I have been on and the coral formations were amazing. There were literally no other boats in sight for most of the day.
Written 13 October 2017
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.
Thankyou for your review of your day with us and appreciating the lengths we go to, to show so many people the Great Barrier Reef in our area and the beauty of it.
We wish you safe travels and a fantastic time in Far North Queensland.
The Adventure Capital of Australia!
Written 26 October 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
andreajulia91
Zurich, Switzerland68 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Spontanly booked, we were only 4 peoples. Had an unreal day out on the reef with our hosts Gary and Kerryn will definitely do this again and suggest to anyone wanting to get a glimpse of the barrier reef thanks again great tour great experience! For anyone who wants a privat tour!
Written 10 December 2016
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.
Thanks for your review !
We really appreciate your time taken to write this !
We love doing private tours which you obviously enjoyed very much.
All
The best
Kind Regards
Reef Express
Written 23 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
annette19642017
Wodonga, Australia80 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Overall disappointing. When talking to the owner a couple of days before the trip was good, she was very informative. We got to the boat ramp just after 8.20am (as advised), before 8.30 when the boat was to leave. The boat had already left, probably 10 mins prior to our arrival. We hadn’t been contacted about a change of time, and there was no answer when we attempted to reach the owner.
Written 14 May 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.
Daniel R
Sydney, Australia85 contributions
June 2016 • Couples
Summary: We booked with Reef Explorer and due to their poor planning/redundancy we did not get to see the Reef withe them. The company didn't have contingency plan for a sick crew member, cancelled at the last minute (the morning of departure) and wasn't helpful in helping us find a replacement. The result was over $1200 in costs for us to manage to see the reef before we left Cairns.
So first up I'll acknowledge that yes mistakes happen. People are going to get sick, boats break down, etc. However any responsible company will have contingency plans in place. When people visit North Queensland they want to see the reef. Many travel from across the world and as a provider these operators have a responsibility to their customers. Luckily we're from Sydney and had the means to drop $1200 on finding another solution but not all will be so lucky. This operator's poor planning and lack of customer focus could have seriously stuffed up a visitors entire holiday. So here's what happened.
We had organised to visit the reef on Sunday with Reef Express. Late Saturday night we receive an email asking us to show up 15 minutes earlier (again lucky I live in Australia and have internet but had I not been this could have been a major problem). I respond and say 'no problem', so we're now due to meet them at 8:30.
At 7:45 that morning I receive a brief email which essentially says we have some bad news , our skipper has been taken to hospital early this morning and as such we will not be conducting our tour today , we are sorry about this sudden situation. Had it been my business and I had failed to a commitment which could result in ruining their holiday I would have done my best to call other providers and find them another solution. I'm sorry the skipper was seriously ill and that's obviously a shame, but I expect companies I spend money with to care about my experience and not just shrug it off.
So the problem then becomes how do we see the reef? We're due to leave Cairns the following day. So, we had to drive to Cairns that day and pay for a nights accommodation (on top of the room we already had in mission beach) and book a last minute trip to the reef and pay for the helicopter to get us back so we could (juuuust) make our fight.
So first up I'll acknowledge that yes mistakes happen. People are going to get sick, boats break down, etc. However any responsible company will have contingency plans in place. When people visit North Queensland they want to see the reef. Many travel from across the world and as a provider these operators have a responsibility to their customers. Luckily we're from Sydney and had the means to drop $1200 on finding another solution but not all will be so lucky. This operator's poor planning and lack of customer focus could have seriously stuffed up a visitors entire holiday. So here's what happened.
We had organised to visit the reef on Sunday with Reef Express. Late Saturday night we receive an email asking us to show up 15 minutes earlier (again lucky I live in Australia and have internet but had I not been this could have been a major problem). I respond and say 'no problem', so we're now due to meet them at 8:30.
At 7:45 that morning I receive a brief email which essentially says we have some bad news , our skipper has been taken to hospital early this morning and as such we will not be conducting our tour today , we are sorry about this sudden situation. Had it been my business and I had failed to a commitment which could result in ruining their holiday I would have done my best to call other providers and find them another solution. I'm sorry the skipper was seriously ill and that's obviously a shame, but I expect companies I spend money with to care about my experience and not just shrug it off.
So the problem then becomes how do we see the reef? We're due to leave Cairns the following day. So, we had to drive to Cairns that day and pay for a nights accommodation (on top of the room we already had in mission beach) and book a last minute trip to the reef and pay for the helicopter to get us back so we could (juuuust) make our fight.
Written 18 September 2016
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.
Thanks for your review !
Firstly you may wish to tell the truth !
As a matter of fact you spent no money paying your tour fee which was supposed to be paid by by 5.00 pm the day prior to departure !
Not one cent was recieved , so no you spent no money , no deposit or even the full amount which was supposed to be paid PRIOR to departure ! Let's get that clear for a start !
Secondly all our tours are are subject to at times to different departure times depending on times and weather so as we can best ensure safe and comfortable travel times .
If anyone can not be contacted that is not our issue , it is plainly written on our website that everyone ensure they are contactable when in the area ! We do not operate local or state telecommunications systems , we run reef tours .
If you wish to go to Cairns and spend 1200$ on reef tours and helicopter joy rides that is your choice , not ours .
You have gone from a tour that cost 158$ to 1200$ . That's your choice .
The other persons that did not go with us on this day sent get well messages and were very understanding of such a sudden dilemma .
Anyone that reads your comment and agrees with your version , without hearing both sides of the story we don't want such persons on our private personal tours , not ever !
Book elsewhere , we are only human not robots !!!
Written 23 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Will H
Canberra, Australia16 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
Fast, comfortable ride out to the reef, knowledgable guides, nice snorkeling on Ellison Reef. Reef looked mostly healthy, we saw good looking corals, giant clams and sea turtles.
Written 6 October 2016
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.
1705Steph
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia55 contributions
July 2016 • Family
In Sept 2014 we went on a trip to the reef with the Reef Express and I wrote a very positive review. Almost two years later we have gone on the trip again - and once again, I can confidently say that it is the best trip going around. Fast and comfortable boat, great gear (including complimentary wetsuits), lovely hosts/ reef guides. And the sights were wonderful. Turtles, a reef shark, magnificent fish and coral. Highly recommended day out.
Written 23 July 2016
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.
Thankyou for writing your review and we are pleased we can maintain a high level of service to our passengers continuously, we really enjoy having so many repeat customers and the customer loyalty, you guys are fantastic and you are welcome back anytime, we always have lots of 'new' marine life to show you and many areas to snorkel so you can always see a completely different area next time.
Safe travels to you.
Regards
Reef Express Team
Written 26 September 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tboy62
3 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
Once again returned for fourth trip on this direct, straight to the Reef Adventure.
Got more AWESOME pics of some of the Best Reef available and was back by 2.00pm to work on my photo's...
I highly recommend this trip for all to experience but also for any "Photography Heads and Video Guru's."
Having been on reef trips, from the Whitsundays/Cairns/Port Douglas, I can honestly say this is not only the Best Reef Experience Mission Beach has to offer, But the best value for money Great Barrier Reef Experience you'll get in OZ.
Not to mention the extremely professional, friendly and informative service Given by Kerryn and crew.... Thanks Guys and keep up the great work.
Got more AWESOME pics of some of the Best Reef available and was back by 2.00pm to work on my photo's...
I highly recommend this trip for all to experience but also for any "Photography Heads and Video Guru's."
Having been on reef trips, from the Whitsundays/Cairns/Port Douglas, I can honestly say this is not only the Best Reef Experience Mission Beach has to offer, But the best value for money Great Barrier Reef Experience you'll get in OZ.
Not to mention the extremely professional, friendly and informative service Given by Kerryn and crew.... Thanks Guys and keep up the great work.
Written 30 May 2015
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.
Katchatorie
1 contribution
Nov 2014
With 2 kids unders 5 this was by far the easiest way to experience the Great Barrier Reef! The staff were super helpful even holding our girl and watching our boy so hubby and I could have a proper snorkel. We got there really quickly which was awesome and meant we could enjoy the turtles, sharks and coral life. Highly recommend!
Written 4 December 2014
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.
Berni M
Greater Shepparton, Australia14 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
The perfect day on the reef! Kerryn and Jayden looked after us like family, and had terrific knowledge and passion about the Great Barrier Reef. Highly recommend it!
Written 8 September 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.
Hi
could you please tell me if someone with absolutely awful knees (one of them metal!) would have difficulty in getting on and out of the water from you boat?
thank you
Jackie E
Written 26 January 2016
Hi! I'm interested to know more about "Drift Snorkelling". I love snorkelling but want to try something a bit different. I'm not an overly strong swimmer and am a bit scared of deep water and sharks.
Written 13 November 2015
Hi , many of our customers choose the Drift snorkel as it is a truly unique snorkel experience . Unique to Reef Express!
If you are an average swimmer we suggest you take a pool noodle with you on your Drift , and then you will be carried on the current along the reef edges and drop-offs.
We always have an in-water snorkel guide to show you different marine life and guide you along the way , if you would feel more comfortable you are welcome to swim with the snorkel guide. We cover coral reef edges and drop-offs , if you do not like deeper water then you can swim over the coral , however most of our customers drift along the very edges so they can see the huge array of corals on the walls which is extraordinary !
We have details on our website re: drift snorkel and our snorkel adventure. If you have any further queries please email us as we are only too happy to help !
Cheers
Written 13 November 2015
is there airport service? Are the rooms wheelchair accessible?
Written 7 September 2015
Hi , we offer Great Barrier Reef snorkel adventures and as such we do not offer accommodation. So for wheel chair access enquiries please contact your accommodation provider. Cairns airport services the far North Queensland area .
Thankyou for your enquiry .
Reef Express
Written 14 September 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.