Cairns, up in Far North Queensland, is one of those places you just can’t skip on an East Coast Australia itinerary. You’ve got the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep, the ancient Daintree Rainforest nearby, and the Atherton Tablelands ready to explore. It’s also known as Australia’s adventure capital, with everything from bungy jumping and skydiving to white water rafting. There’s so much to see and do here, so have a browse of our Cairns tours and find the perfect adventure for your trip.
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.
Cyclones can happen between November and April, but are most common in January and February. Cyclones are a storm that bring strong winds and lots of rain, they tend to last a couple of days. If you have a tour booked during a cyclone, there is a chance your tour will be cancelled. In that case, you can get a refund or your tour will be rearranged for another day.
We recommend spending five days in Cairns, this allows you to see the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and extra activities without feeling rushed. You can book our 5 day Cairns tour package for the ultimate experience when visiting Cairns.
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!
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.
