Great Barrier Reef Tours

The Outer Reef Explained

If you want to see the real deal then you should really travel much further offshore to the outer reef systems. These are called the outer barrier reefs. These reef systems are located just over 65klm offshore from Cairns. Because of this distance offshore, they are called the outer reefs.

The outer barrier reef is bright colorful reefs. The offshore location away from the mainland of Australia and their existence so very close to the continental shelf of Australia is what makes these reefs magnificent. Generally brighter colored corals and really beautiful marine life.

Try Snorkeling or Scuba Diving

There are around 28 Great Barrier Reef tour companies operating snorkeling and scuba diving tours from both Cairns & Port Douglas in Australia. Some Cairns reef tours can include introductory scuba diving, very popular for people who wish to get up close and personal with The Great Barrier Reef, a very good way to explore the marine life and coral species. The idea of the introductory diving is to introduce you to the sport of scuba diving. No experience is necessary, you just have to be medically fit with no asthma. You will have to fill out a medical waiver form on arrival to make sure you pass the requirements to be allowed to dive.

Snorkeling is for everyone and is really easy to do. Even if you cannot swim all reef tour operators will give you a life jacket and pool noodle to help keep you afloat. Snorkeling provides a relaxing way to float on top of the water and observe the Great Barrier Reef thru you Mask and Snorkel.

Certified scuba divers are spoilt for choice when you come to Cairns or Port Douglas. With many dive boats departing to the reef on a daily basis and many with different reef permits. Diving from Cairns is actually a divers dream. In general, all dive boat operators provide full dive gear including wetsuit, fins, mask, snorkel BCD, wetsuit and dive computers.

What are the Best Tide Times to Visit the Great Barrier Reef?

Visibility on the reef can be affected by the Oceans tides, large currents and water volume coming in from the Coral Sea. Even with regular tidal movements the waters can be stirred up and reduce visibility on the reefs. Many other factors like the rainy season can also affect visibility on the Great Barrier Reef. In general, the best time of the year to visit the Great Barrier Reef where you can expect to find excellent visibility with lots of blue skies are The Winter Months of June, July, August, September, and October.

The Winter months in Cairns are generally the dryer months with no rain. With very low volumes of freshwater descending down the river systems and out onto the reefs. This keeps the water very clear. The water temperature is also a little bit colder than in Summer it sits at around 24 degrees celsius. This slightly cooler water has a calming effect and generally helps to keep the water clear.

If you are a little confused by all the snorkeling and diving tours. Read our article on how to choose the Best Snorkeling tour in Cairns and what to look out for.

What's the Best time of the Year to Visit the Great Barrier Reef?

The Winter months are generally the best time of the year to visit Cairns. Also known as the Cairns tourism season, Why? These are the main school holiday periods in Australia, North America, Europe and the UK. Also if you prefer warm, tropical waters, Cairns is always sunny with blue skies and great ocean conditions, especially during the Winter months.

Summer also provides ideal conditions for visiting the reef but, it also is known as the rainy season, so visiting Cairns in the Summer months means you could have rainy days. There is an advantage of visiting the reef in Summer and that is Coral Spawning. Around November and December every year the Great Barrier Reef goes into a sexual reproductive cycle called Coral Spawning. It is at this time of the year Corals will release billions of eggs and sperm to create the next generation of life on the reef.

Summer can also off spectacular diving conditions, the visibility is not always great but the Ocean conditions offer magical days of 0 to 5 knots of wind and what the locals call glass out conditions.

Unfortunately, at this same time of the year, there is the presence of marine stingers. But do not worry to much, it can be said that generally marine stingers are not out on the outer reefs, they are found on the coastal beaches & estuary systems near the mainland.

Great Barrier Reef tours, Should You try Scuba Diving or Just Snorkeling?

Snorkeling with a Great Barrier Reef tour operator:

Snorkeling is fun and easy, and generally, you don't need any experience. Most Cairns reef tours will supply all the snorkeling equipment like, Mask, Snorkel, Fins and Flippers. Almost all Cairns reef tour companies give lessons on how to use the equipment in a safe and responsible manner. Snorkeling in Cairns and on the Great Barrier Reef is a once in a life time privilege for many people, so all Cairns reef tour operators will go to great lengths to help you understand and protect the reef.

After all the Great Barrier Reef is here for all humans to enjoy so preserving and protecting the reef is one of the main concerns for all Cairns Reef Tours.

Scuba Diving with a Great Barrier Reef tour operator:

Diving really is the ultimate way to see The Great Barrier Reef, scuba diving allows you to dive deep down into the water and get very close with all the coral and marine animals.

Diving is a global sport that practiced in a safe and secure environment is very safe. If you have never dived before most Cairns Reef Tours offer what is known as an introductory scuba dive. This is a first-time dive experience that allows you to try diving with a professional instructor for the very first time in your life.

The freedom that scuba diving gives you underwater allows you to get up close and personal with all the marine animals like Turtles, Sting Rays, Nemo, Maori Wrasse and large schools of reef fish.

To try introductory first-time scuba diving, you must be medically fit with No ASTHMA.

Protecting yourself from the Sun while enjoying a Great Barrier Reef Tour!

Sunburn is one of the biggest danger factors facing people when they come to Cairns to visit the Reef on a Cairns reef tour. It's understandable you will be excited about spending the day visiting the Great Barrier Reef, but you must remember to exercise caution regarding sun protection.

The North Queensland sun will burn you in about 8 minutes flat, that means if you are snorkeling or diving in your bikini or board shorts, your back is generally exposed to the harsh North Queensland sun.  Most people visiting from Europe the UK and US will not be used to the intensity of the sun here so it is highly recommend to hire a stinger suit or bring your own rash shirt. These are a lightweight swim costume only 1mm thick that offer excellent UV protection while out snorkeling and diving on The Great Barrier Reef.

As the lycra suit is a full body suit covering the arms, legs torso, head and shoulders this is the preferred swimwear option offering all body protection against the sun. The lycra suit also offer protection against marine stingers that frequent the coastal waters during the summer months of December, January, February, March and sometimes April.

Great Barrier Reef Overnight Live Aboard Snorkel & Diving Trips!

If you are looking for a slightly different Great Barrier Reef tour experience,maybe joining an overnight Cairns Live Aboard Dive trip might be the thing just for you.

Overnight reef trip operators are actually called Liveaboards. Cairns has 4 main liveaboard dive vessels. You can go out and just snorkel, or you can go out as a certified diver.

For a fist time overnight reef experience, in a multi-share room (Max 3 people), including snorkeling and all meals, we recommend you take a look at Reef Encounter Cairns. Reef Encounter have a fantastic local reputation and cater to both snorkelers, first-time intro divers all the way thru to the certified scuba diver. They have a day boat called Reef Experience that will take you out to the mother ship and also bring you back to shore on the second day.