Snorkeling 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: Cairns: Half-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Marine Bio Talk, AU$ 209 per person (5h, 4.94★ · 409).
- Best value: Cairns Great Barrier Reef snorkeling: 1.5 hours on the reef, AU$ 179 per person (4h, 4.79★ · 554).
Price per person across the 28 options priced per person: AU$ 108–AU$ 730 (median AU$ 248). With 100+ reviews: 21 of 28.
Of the 28 options: 28 with live guides in English, 28 with free cancellation, 24 with instant confirmation, 4 with hotel pickup, 24 kid-friendly and 16 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 100 reviews.
Snorkeling Tours in Cairns & the Tropical North — Great Barrier Reef, Green Island and 11 more
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
28 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
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
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: Half-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Marine Bio Talk Half-day Great Barrier Reef snorkel from Cairns with fast boat, marine biologist presentation, and 15 reef site options. Includes wetsuit, mask, snacks. Every day · 12:00 · From age 6 ★ 4.94 (409 reviews) Duration: 5h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 209 per person
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel, Dive & Science Tour Feel the reef’s pulse from Cairns: snorkel, dive, and join marine biologists for hands-on science. Includes buffet lunch, equipment, and glass-bottom boat. Every day · No fixed time · All ages ★ 4.65 (871 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN · DE · KO ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 325 per person
Great Barrier Reef snorkeling & diving: Two reef sites Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns on a full day trip to two exclusive reef sites with all equipment, lunch and hot showers included aboard AquaQuest. Every day · 08:00 · Up to age 70 ★ 4.57 (1,360 reviews) Duration: 8h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 248 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 & 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
Cairns Great Barrier Reef snorkeling: 1.5 hours on the reef Half-day snorkeling tour from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef with a maximum of 27 guests, English-speaking guide, and snacks included. Every day · 6 start times, 08:00 to 13:30 · From age 6 ★ 4.79 (554 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 179 per person
Great Barrier Reef: Outer Reef Snorkel Tour with Gear & Guide Feel the rush of your first plunge at the Outer Great Barrier Reef, guided by locals, with gear and hot showers included. Small group, up to 2 hours in the water. Every day except Tuesday and Wednesday · 08:40 · From age 4 ★ 4.74 (554 reviews) Duration: 6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 195 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
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 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 Great Barrier Reef Sailing Trip & Snorkel with Lunch Feel the salt air on a small-group sailing trip from Cairns to Upolu Reef, snorkel with turtles, enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, and relax with a friendly local crew. Every day · 07:30 · Up to age 85 ★ 4.76 (427 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 242 per person
Also popular with travelers
The ones most travelers have taken, by number of reviews.
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 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
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling with Indigenous Sea Rangers Snorkel two outer reef sites on the Great Barrier Reef with Indigenous Sea Rangers who share their traditional culture and ecological knowledge during. Every day · 09:00 · All ages ★ 4.88 (184 reviews) Duration: 9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 255 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
Cairns Outer Barrier Reef: Snorkel & Dive Day Trip Full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive from Cairns with 4 hours at outer reef, lunch, and guided tours. Intro dives welcome, no certification needed. Every day · 08:00 · Up to age 70 ★ 4.64 (150 reviews) Duration: 8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 255 per person
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling from Cairns: Two reef sites Board a fast vessel at Cairns Marlin Marina to snorkel two Great Barrier Reef locations with provided gear and lunch, chosen for optimal conditions. Every day · 09:00 · From age 6 ★ 4.93 (126 reviews) Duration: 7h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 233 per person
Underwater Helmet Dive Green Island from Cairns Walk the seafloor of Green Island in a helmet that keeps your head dry, surrounded by tropical fish and coral. Every day · 08:30 and 10:30 · From age 12 ★ 4.11 (98 reviews) Duration: 5h–9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 289 per person
2-Day Snorkeling: Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard from Cairns Overnight snorkeling trip on the Great Barrier Reef aboard OceanQuest catamaran from Cairns, visiting two outer reef sites with meals and equipment provided. Every day · 07:30 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.30 (56 reviews) Duration: 2d Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 730 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
Compare 4 more options for Snorkeling Tours in Cairns & the Tropical North
From AU$ 167 per person · 7 h to 2 days
Fitzroy & Green Island Snorkeling Tour Cairns Glass-Bottom Boat Over 6 hours on the reef across two islands from Cairns: snorkel at Fitzroy and Green Island. Every day · 08:30 · All ages ★ 3.76 (17 reviews) Duration: 8h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 196 per person
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
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour with Helicopter Flight Snorkel the Outer Reef from Cairns with underwater observatory and semi-submersible viewing, plus a scenic helicopter flight. Full-day platform visit with lunch and equipment. Every day · 08:30 and 10:30 · All ages ★ 3.88 (8 reviews) Duration: 7h Live guide: EN · JA ✓ Free cancellation. from AU$ 516 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 28 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 |
| Cairns: Half-Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Marine Bio TalkTop rated | AU$ 209 per person | 5h | 4.94★ · 409 | Every day · 12:00 | English |
| Cairns Great Barrier Reef snorkeling: 1.5 hours on the reefBest value | AU$ 179 per person | 4h | 4.79★ · 554 | Every day · 6 start times, 08:00 to 13:30 | 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 |
| 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 Snorkel, Dive & Science Tour | AU$ 325 per person | 8h | 4.65★ · 871 | Every day · No fixed time | English, German, Korean |
| Great Barrier Reef snorkeling & diving: Two reef sites | AU$ 248 per person | 8h 30m | 4.57★ · 1,360 | 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: Outer Reef Snorkel Tour with Gear & Guide | AU$ 195 per person | 6h | 4.74★ · 554 | Every day except Tuesday and Wednesday · 08:40 | 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 |
By what you need
- Small groups (up to 15) (4): Underwater Helmet Dive Green Island from Cairns (AU$ 289 per person) · Great Barrier Reef: Overnight Sail, Dive & Snorkel Tour Cairns (AU$ 669 per person) · Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat (AU$ 157 per person)
- With pickup (4): Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: Normanby Island Day Trip (AU$ 260 per person) · 2-Day Snorkeling: Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard from Cairns (AU$ 730 per person) · Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat (AU$ 157 per person)
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