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CairnsSafaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended Cairns Safaris & wildlife activities

From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

1. From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran

Hop aboard a catamaran for a day trip to remember to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel, dive, or swim in the water, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, and take in the marine wildlife. Meet your crew at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, pay the reef levy, and hop aboard the luxury catamaran. The crew will select reef locations depending on the day's conditions from Flynn and Milne reef or further north at Norman and Hastings reefs. All offer diverse reef structures teeming with exotic marine life. Feel the wind in your hair as you set sail for the outer Great Barrier Reef. Relax with morning tea on the way, get to know the crew and learn all about the marine eco-system from a marine expert. Review snorkeling techniques with the crew during the journey. Arrive at the first outer reef location, where you can snorkel, dive or swim in the water. You may also choose to sunbathe, or chill on the boat on the upper sun deck or the netted deck trampoline at the bow of the boat. You can avail complimentary guided tours from the staff. A dedicated dive tender is available for experienced certified divers who want to explore deeper waters. All certified divers receive a complimentary dive guide. First-time divers will receive clear and concise scuba instruction in the water from qualified PADI professionals. Savor a fresh tropical buffet lunch prepared onboard. Treat yourself to a selection of hot and cold dishes including buffet meats, salads, and tropical fruit. Travel to the second outer reef location for the day for your choice of activity. Look out for corals, exotic marine life such as parrotfish, reef turtles and 'nemo' fish. End the day as the captain hoists the sails, and cruise back to Cairns. Enjoy a cold drink from the bar (own expense) and relax on the boom netting. Alternatively, watch presentations about the marine life from the passionate eco-certified staff.

From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

2. From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

Climb aboard a modern catamaran to sail into Green Island National Park on a beach and snorkeling cruise from Cairns. Discover a hidden gem in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and explore its coral reefs with snorkeling gear. Choose to enjoy a buffet lunch and go on a semi-submarine tour. Make your way to the harbor to meet your friendly crew for the day and climb onto your catamaran. Relax in the sun as you set sail towards the Great Barrier Reef. Experience picturesque views of the ocean as you arrive at Green Island National Park. Stroll around the island and explore its tranquil beaches. Find a stop to relax and go for a dip in the ocean. Get access to snorkeling gear and take a peek into the region's thriving marine life. You can also opt to go on a semi-submarine or a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the colorful coral reef and fish in comfort.

From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour with Lunch

3. From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour with Lunch

Explore the stunning biodiversity of the outer Great Barrier Reef on this snorkelling tour from Cairns. 3 sun decks, 2 air-conditioned indoor saloons, a spacious dive deck, and a sunken platform for easy water access. Have drinks and a packed lunch. Depart Cairns in the morning for the outer reef on this 8-hour tour. Join a once in a lifetime adventure aboard a luxury day trip to the great barrier reef. Enjoy a light morning tea and a delicious pre-packed picnic lunch. Complimentary tea, coffee, and chilled water are served throughout the day (snacks, soft and alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase). Discover the Great Barrier Reef in the easiest way possible: with a snorkel - it is as simple as breathing. If you have never snorkelled before, don't worry, a briefing is held on board, explaining how to put and use the snorkelling gear. The private reef locations are approximately 70 kilometres (about 43 miles) offshore, these unique sites offer superb coral formations and an abundance of coral and marine life including inquisitive Nemo's, Turtles, Stingrays and Wally the friendly Maori Wrasse. Visit 2 different reef locations daily, these are chosen en-route considering weather and sea conditions to ensure the best in-water experience. Visit either Norman, Saxon or Hastings Reef.

Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

4. Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

Join this fast, comfortable cruise to visit two spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reef destinations. Travel on 'Evolution'- a brand new, purpose-built, state of the art, 35-meter (120ft) superyacht, providing a superior ride in all weather conditions. Visit exclusive, protected locations on the pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef with superior reef quality. Professional, friendly and attentive staff ensure a safe and enjoyable fun-filled experience. This vessel is the most stylish and luxurious reef vessel available in Cairns. Depart the marina and travel to the true outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey. Choose from an abundance of seating inside air-conditioned, modern lounges or outside on full-length sundecks for sunbathing. Spend time snorkeling and spotting diverse marine wildlife, coral gardens, and much more below the surface. For lunch, enjoy a delicious Aussie BBQ including steak, fish, prawns, and tropical salads (vegetarians are catered for.) At the second reef site, take to the skies for your 10-minute Scenic Helicopter Flight to and from the exclusive Heli-Pontoon. Have your camera ready as you lift off from the helipad for an incredible scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. Appreciate from the air, the sheer size of the reef system as you search for marine life in their natural habitat. Be amazed at the colours and beauty of the coral gardens before touching back down to re-join the crew onboard the vessel. A complimentary glass of wine and a light snack is served on the return journey back to Cairns.

Cairns: Fitzroy Island Ferry with Snorkeling and Boat Tour

5. Cairns: Fitzroy Island Ferry with Snorkeling and Boat Tour

Enjoy a fun-filled day of activities on visit Fitzroy Island, a national park with lush tropical rainforests, granite outcrops, open woodlands, mangroves, and coral beaches. Set sail to Fitzroy Island with return boat transfers, snorkeling equipment, and a glass-bottom boat tour. Walk to the lighthouse, dine at the restaurant, or relax at the famous Nudey Beach, voted the best beach in Australia. Explore the island's rainforest walks and snorkel at the beach. You also have the option to bring a picnic lunch or purchase a casual lunch from the Fitzroy Island cafe. Extra activities include Foxy's Bar & Café, Pacific Island Store, dive, and activities center - all available on the island at an extra cost.

Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

6. Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

Step foot on a super-fast, luxury 20m CAT, feeling welcomed and pampered, and embark on an ocean-filled journey of discovery. After your early boarding from Marlin Marina, breathe in the morning ocean breeze as you sail to one of two snorkel and dive destinations. From there, explore the ocean's brilliant fish and coral reefs. At the stunning Upolu Coral Cay Reef, learn about graceful blue-spotted stingrays, tenacious green sea turtles, bright damsel fish, and other amazing creatures that call this reef their home, as you observe them from a glass bottom boat. You’ll then have the chance to see these inquisitive creatures up close, while snorkeling within the incredibly clear, turquoise water. The second snorkel and dive site is the fascinating ‘Wonder Wall’, located on the outer edge of Upolu Reef. Enjoy snorkeling on the top of the wall for easy viewing of all the marine life and coral. Sign-up for the optional, certified or introductory guided dive, encountering a huge variety of aquatic flora and fauna, including hard and soft corals, giant clams, fans, turtles and a vast assortment of colorful tropical fish as you descend and meander along the side of the wall .  In between visiting these two sites, enjoy a smorgasbord lunch fit for a king. Savor smoked salmon, prawns, three types of cold meat, a chicken platter, three fresh salads and a variety of breads. After a relaxed six hours of diving and snorkeling, spend the trip home indulging in even more delicious food, arriving back at Cairns at around 4:30 PM.

From Cairns: Fitzroy Island Round Trip Boat Transfers

7. From Cairns: Fitzroy Island Round Trip Boat Transfers

Leave Cairns for the day and explore the beauty of Fitzroy Island with a roundtrip transfer. Discover a national park covered in tropical rainforests and boasting granite outcrops, open woodlands, mangroves, and coral beaches. Explore at your own pace and travel back to Cairns at the end of the day. Depart from Cairns Marina on a spacious catamaran and admire spectacular views of the ocean. Once at the island, embark on a scenic rainforest walk, go snorkeling, visit the lighthouse, or relax at the famous Nudey Beach, voted the best beach in Australia. Choose from either a full day, morning, or afternoon schedule. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase a delicious meal or refreshing drink from a restaurant just meters off the beach. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around and make sure to visit Foxy's Bar & Café, the Pacific Island Store, and the activities center for extra things to do before the ride back.

Cairns: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures Visit with Transfer

8. Cairns: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures Visit with Transfer

This half-day experience begins with coach pickup from - Cairns 11:40am || Trinity Beach 12:45pm || Palm Cove 12:55pm || or Port Douglas 09:50am. Sit back and relax onboard as you soak up the beautiful views along the Captain Cook Highway to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. During the drive, listen to your driver’s fascinating commentary. Arrive at the park and enjoy free time to explore at your own leisure. Stroll along its many boardwalks and pathways, through woodlands and rainforest. Watch the mesmerizing snake show and crocodile attack show, and learn about these impressive animals. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab lunch at the onsite cafe (not included). Later, discover more about Australia’s wildlife on the wetlands cruise. At the end of an epic afternoon, relax on the return journey to your pick up point .

From Cairns: Atherton Tableland Wilderness Tour with Lunch

9. From Cairns: Atherton Tableland Wilderness Tour with Lunch

Embark on a full-day trip to Atherton Tableland from Cairns and admire the lush beauty of tropical North Queensland. Visit Wooroonooran National Park, swim in Lake Eacham, and enjoy lunch in Malanda. Your 11-hour excursion begins with a drive to the Wooroonooran National Park. Stop for a swim at Josephine Falls, which features a huge natural rock slide. Travel across the volcanic landscape of the Atherton Tablelands. Marvel at the 18-meter-high Millaa Millaa Falls, framed by lush rainforest and tree ferns. Enjoy lunch at The Top Rail in Malanda before heading to see a giant curtain fig tree. Try your luck at platypus spotting in Yungaburra and enjoy a last swim at Lake Eacham before the trip back to Cairns.

From Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

10. From Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

Go on a Green Island eco-adventure from Cairns to explore the beautiful Great Barrier Reef island. Connect with nature on a tropical island with over 120 native plant species, birds, coral gardens, and abundant marine life. Choose from a glass bottom boat coral reef viewing tour or snorkeling gear. Your cruise includes the choice of an informative glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, or the use of snorkeling equipment to snorkel directly off the sandy white beaches. Explore the island’s lush rainforest with a leisurely self-guided walk, see the reef from the glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, snorkel from the beach, or take a refreshing dip in the island swimming pool. With an abundance of optional activities, you can scuba dive, take an offshore snorkel excursion, walk underwater with Seawalker helmet diving, kayak, or even take to the sky in a scenic helicopter flight. There's even the Marineland Melanesia crocodile habitat on the island! The island’s well-appointed day visitor facilities include a pool bar, and dive shop, plus restaurant and food outlets, where a delicious range of lunch, snacks, and refreshments can be purchased.

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Frequently asked questions about Cairns Safaris & wildlife activities

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What people are saying about Cairns

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 559 reviews

the staff were very helpful and the service was great. although we had high tide, and not the greatest condition for snorkeling, there were other activities like glass bottom boat, and they really tried to make our experience worth the money. definitely recommend deep dive for extra cost. it's worth it.

Excellent day of snorkelling and hiking. The glass bottom boat was a nice way to break up the day and we learned lots about the reef and marine life. Hiking to the summit is a challenge would only recommend if in decent physical Al shape. Great day

fitzroy island is beautiful. i saw a shark deep down in the ocean, at the snorkeling point near nudey beach. staff was helpful to let us know which snorkeling points are good to spot corals, turtles, etc. would love to go again

Freddie was amazing- we did the snorkel safari ran by her Freddie and she was so knowledgeable and fun! Thank you for making our day!

Such a lovely day out. Amazing crew and experience :)