Cairns is the main city from where most boats depart for the Great Barrier Reef, either for one single day or several days. Dozens of companies share the cake and prices vary intensely with no obvious explanation. You might feel lost and confused trying to understand these price ranges. Do you really get more if you pay more? Are you really asking the right questions and getting the right information before handing over your credit card? Here is some information that will allow you to choose what suits you best. If you are staying a bit in Cairns, you can also read our article about what to do in Cairns and its region! In this article, we will give you tips on how to find the best Great Barrier Reef tours.
Table of Contents
How to choose the right Excursion
Define your budget
First and foremost, define your budget. The prices of excursions can vary significantly, so make sure you know what is included in the price. Some excursions include snorkeling or diving equipment, meals, and transfers from your accommodation, while others may charge for these services separately. Not all prices necessarily include extras. The cost of a glass bottom boat or a wetsuit, for instance, can also vary from one boat to another.
Define your interests
It’s important to determine what you want to do and see. Are you a certified diver looking for deep dive sites, or do you prefer snorkeling on the surface to admire the corals and marine life? Do you want to visit specific islands, like the Whitsundays or Green Island, or would you prefer a cruise that allows you to discover several sites in one day? Your personal interests should guide your choice.
Choose the type of boat
An important aspect of your day is choosing a company, which means choosing your boat. There are no safety issues on board as the standards are high and strictly adhered to. Australia is the strictest country in the world for practicing scuba diving, so everything is very well supervised in each company.
However, not all boats are pleasant to travel on and they are not necessarily the cheapest! You have the choice between catamarans, motorboats, and sailboats to get to the Great Barrier Reef. The type of boat will affect your experience.
Not all boats are fast; some boats will take 1 hour while others will take 2 hours to cover the same distance. A slow boat is also a boat that scares marine animals less, which increases the chances of being approached by whales or dolphins, for example.
Consider the group size
Group size can greatly influence your experience. Small group excursions often offer a more personalized and intimate experience, allowing better access to guides and greater flexibility in activities. Large groups, on the other hand, may be less expensive but generally offer a less personalized experience.
To make the most of your stay and activities on the Great Barrier Reef, we advise you to book during the week to avoid the crowds as much as possible.
Check Ecological commitments
The Great Barrier Reef is a fragile ecosystem currently facing numerous environmental challenges. Choose operators who are committed to protecting the reef and promoting sustainable tourism. Look for those with ecological certifications or who participate in conservation programs.
⚠️ Important ⚠️
It is strictly forbidden to take coral from the Great Barrier Reef as a souvenir! Collecting live coral damages the reef and prevents corals from sheltering and living there. This also applies if you damage the reef while swimming. You risk a hefty fine that could cost you a significant amount between $470,000 and $700,000.
How much does an Excursion to the Great Barrier Reef cost?
Do you really need to pay more to see more?
In the end, the most important thing is what you get to see and experience. Unfortunately; no matter how much you pay, companies cannot guarantee that you will see all the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in a few hours. After all it is WILD life!! It is nevertheless what creates the magic and what makes diving or snorkelling so amazing and unique. As you already know, there are a multitude of reefs but what you might not know is that each company has its own specific area. To say that some reefs are more beautiful than others would be false, it is obvious that you will find the same families of corals or fish on each reef.
On the other hand, you have different forms of reefs, with different depths and sizes and this can influence what you may encounter. Take the example of one of the most expensive companies in Cairns: Ocean Freedom, 205 AUD a day that takes you to part of the Upolu Reef. You will snorkel in shallow water which is great and reassuring for non-swimmers but sadly it is not very deep and your chances of meeting a whale in 2 meters of water are relatively low…
So if you have a specific reef in mind try to find the company that knows it best.
Excursion rates
The rates for excursions can vary greatly depending on the duration of the excursion, activities, boat, departure city, etc. Generally, a day on the Great Barrier Reef will cost you at least $200. For a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef, expect to pay around $280 per person.
Multi-day excursions are typically offered in the Whitsunday Islands.
Go through an agency to pay less
In order to save a bit of money, know that through an agency you can enjoy discounts on your excursion. It’s also an effective way to help you make your choice. As you have seen, there are many companies and it is not easy to know all the details of their services (day and time of departure, the possibility to do a dive or not, lunch included, number of people on the boat etc…). Many agencies will offer good tours and you might find the best one for the Great Barrier Reef there.
If you need assistance in choosing your Tour in Australia, you can contact We Are Travellers, online travel agency: contact@wearetravellers.com.au
Where do Great Barrier Reef tours leave from?
For most tourists, the obvious starting point is Cairns. The city has the largest number of tour operators and is well located for quick access to the Great Barrier Reef.
If you’re coming from the south, the other departure point for the Great Barrier Reef is Bundaberg. Since it’s a boundary with the rest of the Pacific Ocean, this part of the reef is less impressive but still worth visiting for snorkeling.
It’s also possible to depart from Port Douglas. The city is smaller, less touristy, and equally well-located. To reach the town, expect about a 1-hour drive from Cairns.
Additionally, the small town of Cape Tribulation also allows for some excursions, but the options are more limited and the town is less accessible. Expect about a 3-hour drive from Cairns.
Finally, Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, also allows for exploration of a part of the Great Barrier Reef. However, since it’s located on the southern part of the reef, it’s less rich/preserved. Therefore, for diving or snorkeling, it’s still recommended to go to Cairns, further north.
When to visit the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef enjoys a tropical climate with pleasant temperatures year-round, so you can explore it at any time of the year.
Water temperatures range from an average of 21°C in winter to 27°C in summer. The temperatures get increasingly warmer as you move further north. The best time to dive on the Great Barrier Reef is between April and November.
Good deals for small budgets
If you do not have a lot of money, you don’t have to worry, some companies offer day trips at around $120. This will give you the same chances to see turtles and sharks as any other tour on the reef. But beware, you’ll be in a big boat full of tourists …
Two other solutions are available to you:
- Volunteering: Some companies offer you to volunteer, and in exchange you can enjoy a moment of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Applying for a job in these companies: many positions with or without qualifications are available and sought after (kitchen, bar, sailor). It is also a source of training for scuba diving.
