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Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour
4.6
824 Ratings
Cairns City
Explore the Great Barrier Reef with snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and marine biologist insights. Perfect for all ages. Buffet lunch included.
Explore the Great Barrier Reef with snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and marine biologist insights. Perfect for all ages. Buffet lunch included.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
5RM846XM+R4V - Depart Cairns on a fast catamaran, which provides a smooth 1.5-hour to the outer Great Barrier Reef.
When you arrive at the pontoon, begin your exploration of the reef, a complex and diverse ecosystem home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 400 types of coral, 200 types of birds, and 20 types of reptiles. Snorkel in the sheltered…
- 5RM846XM+R4V - Depart Cairns on a fast catamaran, which provides a smooth 1.5-hour to the outer Great Barrier Reef.
When you arrive at the pontoon, begin your exploration of the reef, a complex and diverse ecosystem home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 400 types of coral, 200 types of birds, and 20 types of reptiles. Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, go scuba diving with a certified dive or introductory session (no experience necessary), or join the on-board marine biologist for a guided snorkeling safari (diving and guided snorkeling at your own expense). Our marine biologists conduct a presentation in the only science lab on the reef. You can also enjoy a session with our marine biologist, who points out resident fish like “Wally,” the Maori wrasse. You can even stay dry and view the marine life from the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass-bottom boat, or underwater observatory. Other optional activities (own expense) include a helmet dive for a scuba-style experience up to 3 m deep, or a scenic helicopter flight for an aerial adventure over the reef. Or, simply relax and enjoy the tropical weather on the sundeck.
What's Included
- Glass bottom boat tour & underwater reef viewing observatory
- Snorkeling equipment including mask & snorkel, fins and wetsuit/lycra suit rental
- Marine biologist presentation
- Hot/cold buffet lunch
- Morning and afternoon tea with tea, coffee, and filtered water throughout the day
- All taxes and fees
- Glass bottom boat tour & underwater reef viewing observatory
- Snorkeling equipment including mask & snorkel, fins and wetsuit/lycra suit rental
- Marine biologist presentation
- Hot/cold buffet lunch
- Morning and afternoon tea with tea, coffee, and filtered water throughout the day
- All taxes and fees
What's Not Included
- Transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches are at an additional cost.
- Optional activities: introductory scuba diving, helmet diving, certified scuba diving, guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist, SEABOB jet-powered snorkeling experience, and scenic reef helicopter flight
- Prescription snorkel and dive masks are available for rental on board
- Transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches are at an additional cost.
- Optional activities: introductory scuba diving, helmet diving, certified scuba diving, guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist, SEABOB jet-powered snorkeling experience, and scenic reef helicopter flight
- Prescription snorkel and dive masks are available for rental on board
Additional Information
On this 8-hour tour from Cairns, cruise out to an activity platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of exploring this natural wonder in different ways.
Reef Magic’s location is selected for its water clarity, coral quality, and diversity of marine life, which you can see while snorkeling or taking a tour by glass-bottom boat or…
On this 8-hour tour from Cairns, cruise out to an activity platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of exploring this natural wonder in different ways.
Reef Magic’s location is selected for its water clarity, coral quality, and diversity of marine life, which you can see while snorkeling or taking a tour by glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel.
Learn about the wildlife from on-board marine biologists, and choose to participate in more activities, if you wish, like scuba diving or a helicopter ride (additional expense). All ages and swimming abilities are welcome. Buffet lunch is included as well as morning and afternoon tea.
- Please bring a swimsuit, hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cash or credit card for any on-board purchases
- All diving is subject to the completion of an on-board medical questionnaire. Certain medical conditions (such as asthma, epilepsy, and high blood pressure) and medications may exclude individuals from diving. Minimum age to dive is 12 years with parent/guardian permission required for those under 18 years. Certified divers must produce their certification cards. After diving, intervals of 12-24 hours are recommended prior to flying in any type of aircraft dependent on depth of dives and total accrued dive time
- Helicopter flights: Route flown and type of aircraft used are subject to weather, air traffic control, aircraft availability and, ultimately, the pilot’s discretion. Maximum of 1 infant allowed per flight. Maximum combined passenger weight limits apply
Location
1 Spence St
Spence Street
Please go directly to the vessel to check in.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(824 Ratings)
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Ravali_p
Aug 5, 2025
You're missing out if you don't go here!!🎉 - Going snorkeling was amazing! I highly recommend it. My experience was a bit different than most experiences, because, for most of the time, my mask wasn't working. It let in too much saltwater, making my eyes sting. That made me unable to go in the water to dip my head a lot. It was really difficult, because snorkeling is all about looking in the water! But I rated this experience five stars, because the snorkel supervisors were really kind, helping me to fit my mask correctly, and giving me new ones when one didn't fit. Once you have your mask on correctly, you can see AMAZING coral ecosystems, and SO.MUCH.FISH! If you go snorkeling, go here!
Review provided by Viator
Jessica
Jul 30, 2025
Best day of our holiday - Absolutely amazing way to see the reef. Thoroughly recommend particularly if you only have one day to see it, or if you are not a confident swimmer/have kids. You can snorkel as much or as little as you like for the day, and the platform is literally right on the reef. So you step off and put your face underwater and there it is! Excellent for building your snorkelling confidence. We also did the snorkel safari with Jen the marine biologist who was so enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. The whole day was amazing - even lunch was delicious. We saw all kinds of beautiful fish, plus giant clams and a shark, plus lots of cool reef stars rebuilding reef damaged by cyclones. Thoroughly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gmse4600
Jul 28, 2025
Staff at Reef Magic are fantastic - My daughter and I were booked to do the Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise, including the Introductory Dive. Unfortunately during the night, before the trip, my daughter fell violently ill. I emailed the company in the early hours of the morning to explain my situation and followed up with a phone call in the morning, before the cruise was about to leave. The staff at Reef Magic demonstrated true empathy for what I was dealing with. I cannot thank Jasmine and her supervisor enough for the support and care they provided me. We will certainly rebook this trip when we return to Cairns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daphne
Jul 22, 2025
I nearly bailed - so glad I didn’t! - The weather forecast didn’t look good and as someone with a chequered history at sea I was anxious about going on this pre-booked tour. So glad I went! Everything about the day was magical! The magic reef team were amazing! Their skills, knowledge and attention to detail was so reassuring - safety was their first priority but it didn’t get in the way of having fun. The trip out on the catamaran to the pontoon was great and when we reached the pontoon it was totally stable so nothing to worry about there! My husband went snorkelling and had the best time. I am a nervous swimmer so opted not to go in the water but had a thoroughly entertaining day as there were so many activities on offer. The glass bottom boat tour with Isaac, one of the cultural guides, was really good as was a trip on the semi-submersible which enabled me to properly appreciate the magnificent reef. There was a short fish feeding session too which could be viewed from the underwater observatory. Lunch was lovely and there were hot and cold drinks available all day. On the trip back to Cairns the Cultural Guides gave an informative and entertaining talk about some of the historical aspects of their culture which was really enjoyable. I would totally recommend Reef Magic to everyone - young, old, swimming enthusiasts and nervous novices alike. Thank you for a memorable day out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
760mariadelmarg
Jul 22, 2025
Loved it - The reef was amazing. The trip was very well organized. The highlight was the helicopter tour! Lunch was tasty. We absolutely loved this tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oliver
Jul 9, 2025
Best experience ever - This is the best company to use if you want to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef! They provided wet suits, googles, and snorkeling equipment. They have Marine Biologists on board to help you identify fish that you saw. Everyone is very friendly and responsive. The food they serve is buffet style and it was delicious. They offer vegetarian options. We also took a glass bottom boat tour and saw turtles. I highly recommend this tour company. You won’t be disappointed. My teens said they were going to snorkel for only a few minutes but once they got in the water they stayed out for hours. We researched many tour companies and glad we chose Reef Magic!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrispooley11
Jul 9, 2025
Amazing hospitality - It was an amazing experience. The staff are all very helpful, accommodating and patient. Our daughter got very seasick, and Francis and the other staff were all very accommodating to o do whatever they could to make her as comfortable as possible.
I did the scuba intro dive with Sherry was amazing and patient with me, she was on a time crunch to get me moving and was awesome to get me going to make the most out of my experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dugaldm202
Jul 8, 2025
Great semi-submersible - Even on a mostly-cloudy day, a great trip. Semi-submersible was awesome. Saw lots of fish snorkeling. Observatory is nice too, glass-bottomed so-so. The big boat stays with the pontoon, so if it rains there is indoor space for all. Water was a bit chilly in June. Ticket counter saleswoman was very honest about choppy weather, warned us instead of trying to sell us... and it was choppy but great. Good equipment, good lunch. Unfortunately, had to stop at Fitzroy Island in both directions which costs some time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacqueline
Jul 11, 2025
Magical day on the outer reef - Fabulous crew, great facilities, and great section of reef. Semi sub and snorkel Safari were definitely highlights! It was a very busy day in the middle of the school holidays, but there were soooo many crew on board to help and make sure everyone was catered to as best as they possibly could. Would love to do it on a less busy day, but highly recommend regardless!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tmleczko
Jun 28, 2025
Beautiful reef, disorganized tour, broken air compressor for diving. - Our cruise (Magic Reef 2) went to Flynn reef and it was spectacular and beautiful. However, I wanted to do the dive but this is where the company fails. They provide snorkel equipment and tell you that you can purchase a dive package. However, the boat only had 14 tanks and the compressor was broken to refill the tanks. With about 20 people wanting to partake, and an American family whose mom was belligerent talking about how she spent 20k to to take her family on the cruise made a scene. The boat then stopped at another dive boat and borrowed extra tanks to accommodate everyone. The ones who wanted to do the introductory dive took the necessary training and test, then were told that we would get a time to come back and dive. However, we never heard back and only the first two groups (including the family) took all of the time available. Leaving the final group paying all the $ to just snorkel. My partner and I ended up paying the extra $ to do the guided snorkel tour, which was decent. But the overall operations of the boat was disorganized and it was an expensive trip to be told we can dive but left nearly empty handed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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