From snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, to exploring the depths of the Daintree Rainforest, there is so much to see. Here are our top recommendations for Cairns tours.
The Great Barrier Reef is a must-check off your bucket list when visiting Cairns! As one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, visiting the Great Barrier Reef is guaranteed to blow your mind. You can join a day tour that will take you from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, or even a glass-bottomed boat. Or if you have a little more time then you can go on an overnight liveaboard. When visiting the Great Barrier Reef, you will have the chance to spot stingrays, reef sharks, and our favourite sea turtle! Don’t miss out on experiencing the Great Barrier Reef when visiting Cairns.
The Daintree Rainforest is one of the best Cairns tours! As the oldest rainforest in the world, it is home to so many different animals and plants, including the famous cassowary. Whilst you are exploring the Daintree, you can take a cruise along the Daintree River to spot some crocodiles out in the wild. You can also visit Cape Tribulation, a truly beautiful place where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. There is nothing more tranquil than hiking the trails of the oldest rainforest in the world.
No trip to Cairns is complete without seeing a waterfall and the Atherton Tablelands is the prime spot for chasing waterfalls. Discover Millaa Millaa Falls where you have to do the famous hair flick to post on the gram! Or try to spot the crocodile that calls Lake Eacham home. Our personal favourite is Josephine Falls where you can have fun going down the natural rock slide. If you are lucky, you might even spot a platypus when visiting the Atherton Tablelands.
If you are looking for a relaxing Cairns tour, then visiting Green Island or Fitzroy Island is the best option. Both islands are just a short 45-minute journey from Cairns. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach, snorkelling in the waters, or walking through the rainforest trails. Green Island is more well known for its snorkelling. Whereas, Fitzroy Island is more well-known for its different hiking trails. No matter what island you choose, you are guaranteed a peaceful day out and have a good chance of spotting sea turtles!
All tours to the Great Barrier Reef will run on a similar schedule. They all tend to be a full day tour, they will also include your snorkel equipment and food. The main difference between the boats is which and how many reef sites they will go to. The boats also vary in size and capacity. Some boats will be a lot smaller and focus more on snorkelling or scuba diving. Whereas, others will be a lot bigger with various activities that keep the whole family entertained. We have all the boats to the Great Barrier Reef available and can give you recommendations on the right boat for you based on your preferences. Simply get in touch with us to help find your dream boat!
It is completely safe to swim in the Great Barrier Reef, each boat has a lifeguard to make sure everyone is safe. During stinger season you will also be given stinger suits to protect you from the jellyfish. Directly from the esplanade or beaches in Cairns, there are warning signs for crocodiles, so it is recommended to swim only in life-guarded areas. Cairns is also surrounded by freshwater lakes and waterfalls that you can swim in safely.
Green Island and Fitzroy Island are only short 45-minute ferry journeys from Cairns. They are both perfect for a relaxing day out! If you are looking to do more snorkelling then you should pick Green Island. It is surrounded by more coral and you can spot marine life straight from the beach. If you are interested in doing some more exploring through the rainforest, then pick Fitzroy Island. Fitzroy Island is bigger and has numerous hikes through the rainforest to decide between. Both islands have sea turtles that swim around the island, so keep a lookout!
The best time to visit Cairns is definitely from June to October, which is during our dry season. This means that there is limited rainfall, lots of sunny days, and the perfect temperature! It is the perfect time to see the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The shoulder months around the dry season are also a lovely time if you don’t mind a bit of rain.
Yes, absolutely! Cairns is the best place in Australia to get your PADI certification, as it is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. All courses include 2 days in a classroom learning the theory, plus either 2 or 3 days to the outer reef, doing various dives to get your certification.
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