Boat Tours in Cairns & the Tropical North at a glance
- Our pick: Cairns: Great Barrier Reef 3 Sites Snorkel & Dive Day Trip, AU$ 308 per person (10h, 4.65★ · 455).
- Top rated: Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: Normanby Island Day Trip, AU$ 260 per person (8h, 4.71★ · 459).
- Best value: Kuranda: Barron River Cruise & Wildlife with Local Guide, AU$ 30 per person (45m, 4.85★ · 400).
Price per person across the 22 options priced per person: AU$ 30–AU$ 669 (median AU$ 223). With 100+ reviews: 17 of 22.
Of the 22 options: 22 with live guides in English, 22 with free cancellation, 16 with instant confirmation, 5 with hotel pickup, 22 kid-friendly and 12 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Price per person. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 50 reviews.
Boat Tours in Cairns & the Tropical North — Great Barrier Reef, Green Island and 7 more
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
22 options
The 15 best
Ranked by quality, reviews, availability and booking conditions.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Diving Cruise from Cairns Boat tour from Cairns to outer reef with 5 hours in the water. Includes BBQ lunch, snorkel gear, wine, intro and certified dives, plus optional helicopter flight. Every day · 08:00 · All ages ★ 4.72 (3,976 reviews) Duration: 8h 30m Live guide: EN · DE · ZH · JA ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 275 per person
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dive with 6 Hours Reef Time Six hours across two protected reef sites (Wonder Wall and Upolu Cay) with marine guides, glass-bottom boat, lunch and all gear included, at an unhurried pace. Every day · 08:00 · All ages ★ 4.84 (2,058 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 223 per person
Great Barrier Reef Catamaran: Dive & Snorkel 2 Outer Reef Sites Cairns Great Barrier Reef cruise with snorkel & dive at 2 outer reef locations. 80-foot catamaran, chef lunch, marine naturalist guide, 30 years operating. Departs 8am daily. Every day · 07:30 · From age 4 ★ 4.88 (2,710 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 275 per person
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef 3 Sites Snorkel & Dive Day Trip Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns visiting Flynn, Milln and Thetford reefs. Five hours snorkel or dive time, lunch included, guided reef tour. Departs 8am. Every day · 08:30 · All ages ★ 4.65 (455 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN · JA ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 308 per person
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Snorkel Tour Outer reef snorkel tour from Cairns with Michaelmas Cay island access, glass-bottom boat, and guided reef dives. Includes lunch and photos. 7:30am departure. Every day · No fixed time · All ages ★ 4.87 (1,094 reviews) Duration: 7h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 280 per person
Great Barrier Reef: Full-Day Cruise & Helicopter Flight Feel the sea breeze on a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns, snorkel two reefs, enjoy a BBQ lunch, and take a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight. Includes gear & return wine. Every day · 08:00 · From age 4 ★ 4.70 (371 reviews) Duration: 8h 30m Live guide: EN · DE · ZH · JA ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 440 per person
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat Catamaran cruise to Green Island from Cairns with snorkeling or glass-bottom boat tour of the Great Barrier Reef. Includes buffet lunch and morning tea. Every day · 09:00 and 11:00 · All ages ★ 4.12 (969 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 122 per person
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Small Group Sail Feel the salt air as you sail from Cairns to a private Great Barrier Reef site and Green Island, with only 25 guests, lunch, snorkeling gear, and crew support included. Every day · 08:00 · All ages ★ 4.88 (687 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 289 per person
Kuranda: Barron River Cruise & Wildlife with Local Guide Float along Kuranda’s Barron River, spot crocodiles and birds, and hear stories from a local guide. Five daily departures, 45-minute cruise, includes live commentary. Every day · 10:45, 11:45, 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30 · All ages ★ 4.85 (400 reviews) Duration: 45m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 30 per person
Green Island Snorkeling Tour from Cairns with Glass Bottom Boat Snorkel Green Island's reef from white sand beaches and glass bottom boat. Fast catamaran from Cairns includes equipment, pool access and rainforest walk. Every day · 08:30 and 10:30 · All ages ★ 4.22 (412 reviews) Duration: 5h–9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 156 per person
Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: Normanby Island Day Trip Exclusive access to Normanby Island with snorkeling, kayaking, and guided walks. Includes river cruise, lunch, and equipment. Small groups, shortest crossing from Cairns. Every day · No fixed time · Pickup available · All ages ★ 4.71 (459 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 260 per person
Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat from Cairns Green Island day trip from Cairns with snorkelling or glass bottom boat on the Great Barrier Reef. Includes pool access, rainforest walk, catamaran transfers and morning tea. Every day · 08:30 and 10:30 · All ages ★ 4.14 (340 reviews) Duration: 3h–12h Live guide: EN · JA ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 108 per person
Cairns Jet Boat Ride: 35 minutes of high-speed spins 35-min jet boat ride through Trinity Inlet with spins, slides & waterfront views. Safety briefing included. Departs Marlin Marina. Minimum 110cm. Every day · 10:30, 11:30, 14:00 and 15:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.94 (456 reviews) Duration: 35m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 95 per person
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation: Full Day with River Cruise Locally run for 40+ years. Daintree River cruise, rainforest boardwalk, lunch and swim included. Hotel pickup from Cairns, Beaches or Port Douglas. Full day, small groups. Every day · 07:00 · Hotel pickup · From age 4 ★ 4.67 (1,171 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 239 per person
Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns Great Barrier Reef cruise from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay with snorkeling, semi-submersible viewing, marine biologist talks, and buffet lunch. Departs 8:30am. Every day · 08:30 · All ages ★ 4.54 (176 reviews) Duration: 8h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 288 per person
Also popular with travelers
The ones most travelers have taken, by number of reviews.
Green Island Reef Cruise from Cairns: Half-Day Snorkel Trip Half-day reef cruise from Cairns to Green Island with snorkel gear and catamaran transfers included. Choose between snorkeling, a glass bottom boat. Every day · 09:00 and 13:00 · All ages ★ 4.14 (275 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 110 per person
Cairns Sunset River Cruise: Trinity Inlet at dusk Cruise through Trinity Inlet as the sun sets behind the mountains, with complimentary drinks and local stories from your captain. Every day · 17:15 · All ages ★ 4.69 (153 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 85 per person
Boat tour Cairns: Indigenous-led mangrove walk Indigenous-owned river cruise from Cairns Marina to East Trinity Reserve with traditional welcome and guided mangrove walk. Hotel pickup included. Every day except Tuesday and Thursday · 09:00 and 13:00 · From age 4 ★ 4.77 (96 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 169 per person
Compare 4 more options for Boat Tours in Cairns & the Tropical North
From AU$ 157 per person · 8 h to 2 days
Great Barrier Reef: Overnight Sail, Dive & Snorkel Tour Cairns Wake up on the Great Barrier Reef with this intimate overnight sailing tour from Cairns. Includes diving, snorkeling, meals, and a cozy cabin with just 12 guests. Next departure: 1 Jun 2027 · All ages ★ 4.83 (94 reviews) Duration: 2d Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 669 per person
Mossman Gorge & Daintree River Crocodile Cruise Tour Start with a scenic drive along the coast to Port Douglas, then board a 1-hour Daintree River cruise to spot crocodiles and birdlife. Tue and Sat · 08:30 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.94 (69 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 269 per person
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns with 4–5 hours at Green Island. Includes catamaran transfer, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat, lunch and hotel pickup. Every day · 09:00 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.46 (24 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 157 per person
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns with snorkeling or glass-bottom boat tour, buffet lunch, and hotel transfers included. Every day · 09:00 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.53 (15 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 167 per person
The top 12 of 22 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns: Great Barrier Reef 3 Sites Snorkel & Dive Day TripOur pick | AU$ 308 per person | 10h | 4.65★ · 455 | Every day · 08:30 | English, Japanese |
| Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: Normanby Island Day TripTop ratedPickup offered | AU$ 260 per person | 8h | 4.71★ · 459 | Every day · No fixed time | English |
| Kuranda: Barron River Cruise & Wildlife with Local GuideBest value | AU$ 30 per person | 45m | 4.85★ · 400 | Every day · 10:45, 11:45, 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30 | English |
| Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Diving Cruise from Cairns | AU$ 275 per person | 8h 30m | 4.72★ · 3,976 | Every day · 08:00 | English, German, Japanese +1 |
| Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dive with 6 Hours Reef Time | AU$ 223 per person | 9h | 4.84★ · 2,058 | Every day · 08:00 | English |
| Great Barrier Reef Catamaran: Dive & Snorkel 2 Outer Reef Sites | AU$ 275 per person | 9h | 4.88★ · 2,710 | Every day · 07:30 | English |
| Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Snorkel Tour | AU$ 280 per person | 7h 30m | 4.87★ · 1,094 | Every day · No fixed time | English |
| Great Barrier Reef: Full-Day Cruise & Helicopter Flight | AU$ 440 per person | 8h 30m | 4.70★ · 371 | Every day · 08:00 | English, German, Japanese +1 |
| Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat | AU$ 122 per person | 8h | 4.12★ · 969 | Every day · 09:00 and 11:00 | English |
| Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Small Group Sail | AU$ 289 per person | 9h | 4.88★ · 687 | Every day · 08:00 | English |
| Green Island Snorkeling Tour from Cairns with Glass Bottom Boat | AU$ 156 per person | 5h–9h | 4.22★ · 412 | Every day · 08:30 and 10:30 | English |
| Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat from Cairns | AU$ 108 per person | 3h–12h | 4.14★ · 340 | Every day · 08:30 and 10:30 | English, Japanese |
By what you need
- Small groups (up to 15) (6): Cairns Jet Boat Ride: 35 minutes of high-speed spins (AU$ 95 per person) · Cairns Sunset River Cruise: Trinity Inlet at dusk (AU$ 85 per person) · Great Barrier Reef: Overnight Sail, Dive & Snorkel Tour Cairns (AU$ 669 per person)
- With pickup (5): Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: Normanby Island Day Trip (AU$ 260 per person) · Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation: Full Day with River Cruise (AU$ 239 per person) · Mossman Gorge & Daintree River Crocodile Cruise Tour (AU$ 269 per person)
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