Ocean Free

Family Owned

Ocean Freedom

CAIRNS PREMIER GREAT BARRIER REEF & ISLAND TOURSOperating Two Exclusive Reef Tours "Ocean Free" & "Ocean Freedom"

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Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef and Island Tours represent “Ocean Freedom” and “Ocean Free”, two highly guest-focussed, small group, eco-accredited snorkel and SCUBA dive reef tours locally owned and passionately operated by Perry Jones and Taryn Agius and their wonderful team. For domestic or international travellers we are only 10 minutes from the Cairns airport! We would sincerely  love the opportunity to give you a great day on the Great Barrier Reef!

Perry has been in the dive industry in Cairns and managing dive operations on 4 vessels since 1988, including Ocean Free since 1992, when he met Taryn. Since 1992 they both worked the boats and purchased Ocean Free (a 16.5m schooner) in 1996. Having many years of experience in the industry, Ocean Free quickly became a well-established and respected company amongst local agents and the marine industry.

They then bought their second vessel Ocean Freedom in 2005 and after a year’s total refurbishment, the luxury 20m cruiser was launched in mid 2006. Ocean Freedom underwent another million-dollar refurbishment in February 2008, changing from the previous jet engines to props, re-spraying, extending the teak snorkel and dive deck by 3m, making it the most spacious snorkel back deck in Cairns. The new look, faster Ocean Freedom receives great reviews in the industry. Ocean Freedom now cruises at 23 knots and arrives at the reef in an hour, giving guests 6 hours on the reef.

With the operation of two vessels it was necessary to re-brand the products to encompass the two vessels under one trading name. This, plus the company’s commitment to running very personalised, low guest number tours with excellent customer service, lead to their new company name Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours.

In 2014 both boats underwent major, million-dollar refurbishments, with new engines, decking, seating, bulkheads and on Ocean Free new mast rigging and sails. In mid 2023 Ocean Free was fitted with a new propeller and Ocean Freedom had another  major refurbishment with 2 new engines, new electrics, new ladder, cushions, and carpet.

Both boats undergo annual cosmetic refits to ensure they look their best at all times.

Today, Perry and Taryn continue to have a great love for the sea and reef and are passionate about ensuring all their guests have an unforgettable reef experience and all round “feel good” day! They look forward to welcoming you aboard one of their Cairns’ Premier Reef & Island Tours and becoming part of the ever-growing “Ocean Free” and  “Ocean Freedom”  Family !

Dear all, we are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to have you visit our beautiful Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region! Once you visit the Great Barrier Reef - it casts a spell on you and the more you visit and learn about this amazing World Heritage Icon the more you want to return....and we also love to have you back! Both Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom follow all legislative and WPH&S requirements for recreational snorkelling and diving, are ATEC accredited for travel safety, and follow all Industry State and Federal requirements of the present time. If you have any queries please let us know on info@oceanfree.com.au or phone +61 7 40521111 – we are here to help! We would sincerely love the opportunity to give you all a great day on the Great Barrier Reef. Much love Taryn, Perry, Jazz and the Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom family.

Why Travel with Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours
Sail Ocean Free Cruise Ocean Freedom

Personalised Tours

We value our guests and are committed to providing very personalised, caring tours on both boats, where you’re a name not a number.

Exclusive Sailing Trip

Ocean Free has an exclusive mooring 1km off Green Island offering international visitors and locals a sail, reef and island experience.

More Reef Time

Ocean Freedom gives guests 6 unrushed hours to explore 2 stunning reef destinations, Upolu Cay Reef and Outer Edge Upolu Reef.

The Best Crew

Crew members are hand-picked to provide unsurpassed service, professionalism, reef knowledge and a high respect for safety.

Fantastic Snorkelling

Step straight off our boats to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, no deep, dark water!  The coral outcrops come up to just 1M under the surface for easy viewing. We provide guided tours, and our crew share their knowledge and passion  for the reef.

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Scuba Diving

We have the highest ratio of dive instructors to divers (2:1) for our Non-Certified (intro) diving and small group Certified diving with complimentary guide to ensure you see the best parts of the reef. We take your safety very seriously.

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Environment

Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours are proud to announce that both their personal Great Barrier Reef Tours have been  Advanced Eco Certified tours for over 10 years, earning the Ecotourism  title of Green Travel Leader

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Value for Money

Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom are both priced the same and offer great value for money, with lots of inclusions including all snorkel equipment and tuition, snorkel tours, food served throughout the day  and plenty of time at your reef destinations.

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Testimonials

Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours
Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours
4.8
Based on 1087 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
What a great day.The whole team made sure you had a great time and got out to the reef.Big shout out to Blair,T ,Yiayia, Tom and Tommy for looking out .Cannot recommend these guys enough.
Theo P.
Theo P.
1745908001
First time going to the Great Barrier Reef and so glad we went with Ocean Free, rather than one of the bigger tours! The crew really looked after us and it was a fantastic day out. I was a little nervous for my first time diving, but Tommy was such a patient and supportive guide, it helped me push out of my comfort zone and have an amazing, memorable experience. Highly recommend!
Alannah D.
Alannah D.
1745841987
Went with ocean freedom. Amazing service by Ben and the crew. As a non swimmer, I was taken care of and the crew ensured that I had a good time in the water. They have food and drinks on board and a big thank you to the team!!Highly recommended for swimmers and non swimmers alike!
Aman S.
Aman S.
1745819861
Excellent trip out to the reef. The Ocean Freedom crew is superb! Clear instructions, great food, and the glass bottom boat tour was a fun perk. Highly recommend!
Neely P.
Neely P.
1745747109
Wonderful people, very friendly team.
Annamalai S
Annamalai S
1745672647
Be a crime not to leave them a good review after such a wonderful experience at the Great Barrier Reef. Tour was very personalised and they made the most out of a beautiful weather to view and enjoy the reefs. Crew were wonderfully friendly and provided snorkelling tours and glass boat tours. Only thing perhaps it can get a bit packed in the snorkel tours, so you can get other person's flippers in your face sometimes. Upolu Cay did not disappoint with several turtle sightings.
HZ T.
HZ T.
1745667385
very pleasent experience we had so much fun with highly professional and friendly staff and captin, Highly RECCOMENDED
Bashaar H.
Bashaar H.
1745651088
This has been by far one of the best experiences i have ever had in Australia. The crew did everything they could to make the experience better. It is worth every penny you spend. The reef was amazing and the crew made extra efforts during scuba and snorkel to spot and make us experience the marine life. Shout out to yahya, tee, Sara and rest of the team.
Sairam J.
Sairam J.
1745650478
I had an unforgettable experience on the Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise! The entire crew was incredibly helpful, warm, and professional. Their hospitality was top-notch, and they made everyone feel welcome and cared for. As someone who doesn’t know how to swim, I truly appreciated the extra attention and reassurance they gave me, helping me enjoy the reef experience with confidence and ease. The food on board was excellent as well—fresh, delicious, and served with a smile. A big thank you to the amazing team for making this such a safe, enjoyable, and memorable adventure!
Sriram B.
Sriram B.
1745648649
Wir haben die Tour leider nicht machen können, da wir es uns viel zu kurzfristig überlegt hatten (12 Stunden vorher) und natürlich alles ausgebucht war. Aber der Kontakt mit den Mitarbeitern, insbesondere Esme, war so toll und unterstützend, dass man eine Ahnung davon bekommt, wie der Umgang miteinander ist. Das nächste Mal buchen wir rechtzeitig, denn das kann nur eine wunderbare Tour werden. Vielen Dank noch mal für alles.
Burkhard N.
Burkhard N.
1745559506
We sailed last week to the reef near Green Island. If you want to avoid the big boats the Ocean Free is quite perfect!! 😊The Crew (Blair, Luke, Pascal and Paul) were AWESOME. Very chill people who clearly care a lot about the ocean.Reef itself was beautiful. Turtles, reef sharks, sea cucumbers, giant clams, many many fish… definitely beats my usual snorkelling trips in Melbourne…
Emma C.
Emma C.
1745477241
My partner and I had the most beautiful experience diving for the first time and snorkeling for the second, with Ocean Freedom. Can't express how amazing the crew is! They are all super hosts and are highly committed to ensure everyone enjoys their experience at sea whether snorkeling, diving or just chilling on the boat. I was so scared to do my first dive and wasn't willing to let go of the boat to dive deeper but Tom eased me into it to enjoy it more than fear it. When I snorkelled for the first time, we were left behind by the crew ( coz we are not good swimmers) and were scared to go again. At Ocean Freedom, they offer guided snorkeling tours with one professional not taking more than 4 people at once. We were able to experience the beauty of the reef and could spot so many fish, turtles, stingray and Nemo! Thanks to the expertise of our amazing guides - Luke, T and Brooks. All of them are great guides and wholeheartedly impart the immense knowledge they possess of different creatures we saw at the reef and the conservation measures being taken thereat by marine biologists and scientists. The experience felt very personal and not at all a commercial undertaking unlike big boat adventures where they don't attend to you if you're sick or uncomfortable. Highly recommended if you are looking for a personalized snorkeling and scuba diving experience at the Great Barrier Reef!
Anjali M.
Anjali M.
1745472023
I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing trips with both Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom, and I honestly can’t recommend them enough. We were so happy with both experiences! From the moment we stepped on board, we were met with personal, passionate, and friendly service, and it was clear how much the crew cares about the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling, and diving.The staff were not only professional, but also warm, welcoming, and incredibly reassuring. The team spirit and sense of community on board truly set the tone for the whole experience—it felt like joining a family for the day.One of the highlights of both tours is the small group size, which makes the experience feel much more exclusive and relaxed. We had plenty of time out at the reef, so nothing ever felt rushed. We were even taken to multiple snorkeling spots to see different parts of the reef, which made it all the more special.When it came to scuba diving, I was nervous to try it, but the team was absolutely amazing. They handled my concerns with such care and guided me through the process so gently. Thanks to their excellent staff-to-guest ratio, I always felt seen and supported—there were no more than two guests per instructor when diving, which made a world of difference.Both Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom go above and beyond to make sure you have an unforgettable day. It’s a luxurious and heartwarming experience from start to finish. If you want to explore the Great Barrier Reef in the best possible way, this is it.
Charlotta G.
Charlotta G.
1745452722
The crew were amazing! Super informative, obviously loved their job and were passionate to talk about everything. The 2 snorkel spots were stunning and the crew took us to areas on guided tours where they knew we’d see the best animals.The boat was lovely, plenty of space with a choice of inside or outside seating.Food was available and had a variety of options which seemed to cater to everyone. Tea, milo and coffee available all day which was a bonus, especially after getting out of the water and being a bit chilly.All the equipment was well looked after and good quality. The crew were super vigilant on safety and multiple checks were completed before snorkeling/scuba to ensure everyone’s safety.A special shout out to Matt and hearing about his personal experiences working with the GBR and his restoration work! Super specialOnly thing I could recommend is a few more alcoholic drink options but thats it!!Thank you for an incredible experience and we’ll definitely be back!!
Annika J.
Annika J.
1745403691
Absolutely wonderful experience on Ocean Freedom. The crew are all amazing and so good at what they do (shoutout my dive instructor Yaya 😉). I’ve done loads of incredible things while visiting Australia for the past few weeks but this was easily one of the best. So happy to support a locally owned business as well! Thank you guys so much for an unforgettable day, and I hope to be back at some point for a day on Ocean Free. Much love ❤️
Jack S.
Jack S.
1745309620
Incredible experience! The whole staff was absolutely flawless in every single way. An amazing day which I’ll remember forever!
Sam S.
Sam S.
1745272371
My wife and I went on the tour earlier this year and had an absolute blast! Special shoutout to the diving instructor (in particular Molly) who helped us so much during the day. A must for anyone visiting the region. Would highly recommend!
David A.
David A.
1745232455
Just a fantastic crew. Fun, informative and always on hand to help. Some great diving and snorkeling even for the totally inexperienced , can’t imagine a better day. 5 stars, would go again.
murphyj91789
murphyj91789
1745223519
Had a fantastic day today at the Great Barrier Reef! Awesome crew especially Tom, Luke, Tamara 😊 such a happy group.My little family’s all first time snorkelers but didn’t unsafe at all as the crew’s so helpful, knowlegeable & were there for us every minute. My son was the youngest in the group, and he even got a ‘best snorkeler certificate’, which was truly thoughtful of them. Highly recommended. I’d say GBR is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in my life. Thanks to the Ocean Freedom team. 👍🏻
Ma Jennifer C.
Ma Jennifer C.
1745048397
Snorkelling in Cairns with Ocean Freedom was an unforgettable experience! Luke was absolutely amazing – his knowledge, warmth, and energy made the adventure so special. The entire team was incredible – professional, friendly, and so passionate about what they do. Thank you all for creating such a magical and safe experience on the reef!Thank you, Luke !!!!!!!Karla and Erika
karla B.
karla B.
1745043221
Unforgettable!Amazing wildlife, amazing views, amazing people, amazing food, amazing vibes.I took the Ocean Free tour to Pinnacle Reef and Green Island - a trip I shall remember for the rest of my days. Thanks to the brilliant crew and especially Paul, who took me on my first ever scuba dive.I had always wanted to dive but feared claustrophobia would prevent me from enjoying the experience. Pauls calm guidance, skill and infectious enthusiasm for the ocean completely dissolved my fears - I could’ve stayed down there all day and now can’t wait to scuba dive again.We were lucky enough to see multiple Green Sea Turtles - not just a highlight of the dive, but a highlight of my life.Whether you’re apprehensive about diving or simply want the best reef experience whilst in Far North Queensland, I highly recommend you book with Ocean Free - not only will you have the best time, but you will also be supporting a small business that truly cares about its clients and, more importantly, the ocean we all love.Thanks again - you guys are the best 🙌🪸⛵️💙
A
A
1744969450
My experience was not what I hoped for. I was terribly seasick for most of our voyage! But Capt. Mike, Luke, Blair, Renee and the rest of the crew were so kind, professional and helpful, handling the many bouts of "Mal de mer" with grace and sympathy, constantly checking on me & the other passengers and doing what they could to make us comfortable.My traveling companion, who was not sick, enjoyed her snorkeling excursion immensely. We both send our thanks to the crew!
Diane J.
Diane J.
1744803140
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Google Rating
4.8
Based on 1087 reviews
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