Ive visited twice. Cairns and Townsville are major transport hubs, with frequent flight connections to each other (just over 1 hour) and other Australian cities (Jetstar and Tiger Air are typically the cheapest options). offers tours during the day as well as spectacular, fiery nighttime performances. 4 -14 years are classed as children, and under 4 free, i.e. Please check-in at the Great Adventures counters inside the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street in Cairns) 1 hour before your departure time. There are a number of ticket options, which can be a bit confusing, but we recommend takingboth the cable car and scenic railway. Climb aboard a 35 meter superyacht in Cairns and set sail for the open sea. There are 18 trips that go to Great Barrier Reef, with the most popular time to go being September, which has the most number of tours. Explore the Great Barrier Reef with Google, Dolphins and Whales of the Great Barrier Reef. Pickup is available in Cairns, Brisbane, and Gold Coast. Tour companies will handle transportation for you between attractions themselves. Spot landmarks like Stoney Creek Falls, Green Island and Arlington Reef, and snap aerial photos of the Northern Beaches and Palm Cove. Airbnb is also abundant and affordable (especially for 2 or more travellers), with a private room in Cairns as cheap as $25 AUD/night. Instead, white sand beaches lead you to never ending horizons and blood red sunsets. Camping options are plentiful around Cairns and Townsville. A buffet lunch is included, and the pontoon is equipped with showers. You can go in one day, but for the full experience choose a liveaboard option. And yet, even the most caring conservationists will tell you thats not a reason not to go. Money for drinks, souvenirs and optional activities. Barrierreefaustralia.com is part of Australia Holiday Specialists group of Sailing is best from June to November, as the ideal weather occurs during these months. Sailing is another top way to see the Great Barrier Reef for those who want to stay out of the water. Youll also have to factor in accomodation in Cairns or another gateway city (search, Look beyond the rating and read a few of the actual reviews. Your cheapest accommodation option is likely Airbnb, but you can compare hostels and hotels on HotelsCombined too. To do it justice, youll need to go out on a boat. Ride a speed boat out to the reef, which is just offshore from Port Douglas, minimizing the risk of sea sickness. After marveling over the colorful corals and marine life from underwater, hop aboard for a 10-minute helicopter flight and see the islands and reefs from above. GREEN ISLAND TOURGREAT BARRIER REEF TOURISLAND & REEF COMBO June through October is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef. The cheapest accommodation options are camping, youth hostel dorms, and. 3 or below. Youll spend most of the day at Reefworld, a permanent facility at Hardy Reef. I want to travel in a maximum group size of up to: Copyright TourRadar. Leave only footprints along bush hiking trails, and feel yourself part of vast wilderness of the Reef. The seventh natural wonder of the world. What can you do at the Great Barrier Reef? Enjoy the shallow azure blue waters surrounding this natural Coral Cay with both snorkeling or diving on offer. After spending six months studying the language, he traveled the country before moving to Poland in 2015. The capital of the far North, Cairns is a dynamic tourist town. What's the best way to experience Great Barrier Reef? Otherwise, scuba diving provides a more in-depth look at the Great Barrier Reef. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. Not applicable with any other discount. Throw on your gear and dive in, watching for sea turtles, eagle rays, giant clams, brilliant coral, starfish, and tropical fish as you swim along the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. These 7 Spots Have the Best Brunch in San Diego. Snorkelling is a default choice for seeing the reef, but for those who wish to go deeper and stay down longer, the Great Barrier Reef remains a scuba divers dream come true. We learned travel doesn't have to be pricey, and created this blog to prove it. The Greyhound bus makes a cheap but painfully slow way to get around. All experience levels are welcome, and guides are on hand to assist with your choice of snorkeling, introductory scuba diving, or certified diving. With claim to over 40,000 years of history, the Australia aboriginals have a rich and fascinating history that it intricately entwined with the rugged and beautiful country. The worlds largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is an ideal destination for marine life enthusiasts and those who enjoy watersports. Prices valid to 31 March. As mentioned at the start, the Great Barrier Reef has been put through hell recently due to climate change and environmental hazards. If coming from overseas, youll most likely have to transit through Queenslands capital, Brisbane, a whopping 1,700 kilometers away! The first time in 2010, I drifted in my snorkel and fins and watched from a safe distance as a giant sea turtle feasted serenely on a transparent jellyfish. The reef proper lies a long way from the shore. The first choice to make is which port to land in, as each port provides a different atmosphere for travelers. The so-called coral bleaching wrecks the entire ecosystem, as each creature depends on the others for survival. 8 years ago we ditched our jobs, sold everything & pursued a life outside the 9-5 bubble. Treat yourself to a taste of luxury and experience eco-tourism at its best. There is no top option between diving and snorkeling; its up to your preference. Snorkel the Outer Reef from a pontoon, explore Fitzroy Island, and much more. Our best selling half day Great Barrier Reef tour. View a selection of the tours available from Cairns, Port Douglas and The Whitsundays below. Does Applying for Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score? These are typically posted last minute (usually posted 2 weeks or less in advance). If coming from overseas, youll most likely have to transit through Queenslands capital, Brisbane, a whopping 1,700 kilometers away! With fluctuations in world oil prices, it may be necessary to apply a fuel surcharge to your ticket price. Dive into the spectacular underwater realm of the Great Barrier Reef on this full-day snorkel and scuba cruise from Cairns. Costs for this vary greatly depending on the length of time, the level of comfort, and the amount of activities you plan to participate in. Is it better to dive or snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef? Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. Then enjoy a close experience of the coral reef by choosing to snorkel or enroll in an optional scuba diving course (additional expense). Choose from a guided snorkeling, scuba diving or Ocean Walker Helmet diving tour, or admire the magnificent corals on a semi-submersible submarine (extra costs apply). Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch, with additional beverages available for purchase. Escape into a world of surprises to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. You are viewing Virtual Experiences in Cairns & the Tropical North. Airlie Beach. Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches. Staying in a mid-range boat for a two-night Liveaboard trip will set you back around $400AUD per person including (basic) meals. There are other things you can to do help minimize your own impact on the environment. Save $135.00 on our Family Reef Trip Deal. Experience the Great Barrier Reef from the air and sea with a helicopter flight and cruise from Cairns. A variety of cruises, sails, snorkelling trips, and more can be booked on GetYourGuide and Viator for as little as $59 AUD. Sail on a 2-masted schooner from Cairns to Green Island for a full day of snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. For a cheap hot meal in Cairns, Townsville, and larger towns, hit up the RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia). This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off from Cairns. Snorkelers and certified divers flock here to see the unparalleled array of marine life. UNIQUE! Boarding is 30 minutes prior to departure time. Since this time, various geological events such as Ice Ages and low seawater levels have interrupted reef growth. Pickup: Departing: Locals Offers The Great Barrier Reef is normally accessed from Cairns, a vibrant tourist city on the far north tip of Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is a world recognised must see icon and if you can book a Hot Deal Great Barrier Reef tour then the experience is that much richer. . Ive visited twice. Find something that suits your pocket or adventure type, and check in weekly for fresh new deals. Introductory and certified scuba dives are available, and expert guides are on hand to provide instruction and point out highlights of the underwater world. Your final day is spentgliding above the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway,then exploring quaint village of Kuranda before returning on the historical Kuranda Scenic Rail. With a port decided, itinerary planned, and booked tours, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef becomes an exciting and low-stress getaway. This highly awarded Queensland highlight offers a skywalk, waterfalls, botanical gardens and more all located around a lovingly built, within 5 hectares of ground containing 7,500 tropical plants and trees. Free diving, Free glass bottom boat, Free breakfast, lunch, Wine, cheese and more. The reef is the biggest draw, but theres so much else that makes this region worth visiting in its own rights. Enjoy the best of both worlds on this exhilarating 45-minute helicopter flight, crossing both land and sea. Go snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day cruise from Cairns. Be mesmerised by coral teeming with colourful fish. Cairns. At the Daintree, you can have both. Save your favorites. A Port Douglas Outer Barrier Reef trip ideal for divers, snorkellers, and non-swimmers, with everything on offer for an amazing day on the reef. An ideal day trip for the whole family. More reviews are available on TripAdvisor too.With many tour companies seeming to offer more or less than same thing at the same rates from first glance, a little extra time in planning and research can help you make the most of your time and budget. With many tour companies seeming to offer more or less than same thing at the same rates from first glance, a little extra time in planning and research can help you make the most of your time and budget.