Ocean Free

Family Owned

Ocean Freedom

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

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

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
What an incredible day on the Ocean Free yesterday! With a mix of rain and sun, Matt, Yaya, and Paul made the most of every moment, full of laughter and fun. They were all so helpful and knowledgeable about the Reef and Green Island. Our tour group had fewer than 10 ppl, making it feel like we were just floating with friends! The food was wonderful, the snorkeling was delightful, and the wine and cake on the sail home was the perfect close to a warm and genuine reef experience. I highly recommend Ocean Free (and this particular crew!). We will certainly book again for any reef visits in the future! Kudos to all!
Jennifer M.
Jennifer M.
1744579487
The Best Day Out Ever!!!We went on the Ocean Free to Green Island tour and it was amazing!! The staff are so friendly and helpful and as it’s only a small vessel it’s a much more personal experience and much better customer service than the other big tourist companies! I was so anxious as I had never been on a boat but Tamara was so kind and made me realise that there was nothing to worry about and that it’s going to be the best day ever- which it certainly was! The diving was incredible and the Green Island is beautiful- it’s just paradise! We saw so much marine life in the water and from the boat! The weather was very windy and it rained quite a bit, despite this -as you can’t let the weather stop you- it really was still the best day and I’ll cherish it forever! The sailing home was so much fun and was a unique experience (I recommend taking travel sick medicine as it can be a bumpy ride but my partner gets bad motion sickness and we was absolutely fine as so was everyone else on board on that day)I can’t recommend this company enough! Many thanks to Ocean Free :)
Samara S.
Samara S.
1744102209
One of the best days of my life! We went diving with ocean free on the sailboat which was mine and my partners first time on a sailboat and they made the whole day feel like an adventure! The crew are super friendly and professional making the day even better and they take safety very seriously. The dive itself was incredible and Tamara showed us some awesome parts of the Great Barrier Reef. After the dive we got to explore Green Island which was really cool! The food on board was lovely and the sailboat was so much fun. If you want a really good diving experience, definitely go with ocean free and the crew!
Bradley C.
Bradley C.
1744101180
The crew went beyond my expectations to make the experience the best it could possibly be. I was high maintenance with my mask leaking and sea sickness.You should support them because they are local.
Caleb M.
Caleb M.
1743979616
One of the few remaining small independent tour agencies in Cairns. The crew onboard truly adapted to all types and levels of travellers: beginners and first timers, solo travellers, families, experienced divers. The crew feels like a family and welcomes everyone as if you’re part of it: warm, patient, and professional. Big thanks to Tom for the great dive! You won’t be disappointed!
Andrew
Andrew
1743927401
It was really an amazing experience. I took my dad as he was visiting me from India. He did scuba diving and snorkelling and he thoroughly enjoyed it. His instructor was really good and I rhiubher name is Tamara. She really made the scuba diving expert die my dad an unforgettable one. Really nice peppy and who genuinely care about the sea and the coral and the customers experience.A huge shoutout to my insyro Tim/ Tom not sure sorry. He was very attentive to our needs and requests. I would love to come to Cairns again and do this reed your with this same company. And oh yeah unlimited food and it was tasty. Good value for money.Thank you so kindly for your service
Rebecca B.
Rebecca B.
1743922437
Best boat and snorkel trip we've been on...catered to everyone. Staff was plentiful and eager to make your day perfect. All equipment and boat in great condition
Kathi T.
Kathi T.
1743885456
Absolutely fantastic tour! The crew was incredible and made the entire experience unforgettable. We had a blast snorkeling and trying an introductory scuba dive. Huge thanks to Paul, Molly, Anna, and the whole team for making our day at the Great Barrier Reef truly amazing. Highly recommended!
Manu
Manu
1743804245
Fantastic! We did the Ocean Freedom tour of 2 spots on the Great Barrier Reef (snorkeling) today, which included time on a glass-bottom boat. The crew was amazing - so many friendly, knowledgeable people who truly sought to ensure every guest had an amazing time. We saw sooo many beautiful fish and loved every moment of the day. The boat was also incredibly comfortable, the snacks and lunch were plentiful and honestly it couldn't have been better. Thank you - we will always fondly remember today. :)
Jennifer M.
Jennifer M.
1743752136
10/10 would recommend. Mat, Blair and Sara were outstanding. Overall a fantastic experience. Please do this one!
TJ W.
TJ W.
1743666178
Fantastic experience. Thank you!!!
Elias
Elias
1743476776
Omg the best day with best crew who are all ‘legends’ Blair, Shae, Pete (I think) and Tom thank you. If you are going to book a trip to the reef these are the guys you want to go withAwesome awesome awesome will definitely be back as have to see Barry or Barnaby lol
Kate F.
Kate F.
1743319233
We had a private chartered trip for our group of cruise ship crew members to the Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and Green Island on your own. The Ocean Free staff was amazing: knowledgeable, understanding, proactive, energetic, service oriented and most importantly - patient with people new to snorkeling and scuba diving.The time was appropriate and tailored to our needs.We would definitely return in the future to Cairns and if we do we are for sure going in another trip with Ocean Free :)P.S. Thank you for the crackers
Daniel C.
Daniel C.
1743197944
5 Stars~ Ocean Freedom & its crew~ Capt Ben, Shea, Tom, Tommy, Pascal, Mal and another great female diver whose name eludes me but was awesome at encouraging everyone ~ this wasthee highlight of our trip. From start to finish ~ the welcome on board by the captain to his crew, to the food (breakfast, beautifully prepared lunch, fruit tray, cheese & cracker tray, and cake tray), instruction, activities (snorkeling, glass bottom boat, drift snorkeling, feeding the fish) and smooth ride to each site (2) and the final farewell ~ top notch.We want to highlight & thank ~ Shea.Shea~ was an excellent, patient and conscientious guide. She never rushed anyone and was cognizant of everyone's abilities. Shea pointed out interesting fish and underwatercreatures; even taking us above the sea turtle and sting rays.Thank you ~ Ocean Freedom!!
H M.
H M.
1743196219
Fantastic experience on Ocean Freedom today. I booked the day trip including two dives.Anna was our dive instructor for the day and she was superb. The dive set up felt very safe and we were spoiled rotten with the kit being assembled for us. The dive brief was excellent. The two dive sites were interesting with a huge amount of marine life. The afternoon snorkelling site was like swimming in a fish tank with so much to see.The entire crew were an absolute delight and the whole day was very well organised. Good food; you won’t go hungry.
Kate P
Kate P
1743159593
Me and my family had the day tour on the 25/03/2025. The whole experience it self was amazing. Very good food, drinks with a reasonable price and the crew was super friendly. My mom had broken her arm recently so she was very concerned on going in the water, but Anna was so encouraging and convinced her to go with her in the water. She stayed with my mom the whole time and kindly explained a lot about the reef, even with the language barrier.Thanks Anna and the amazing crew for making our experience even more incredible.
Victor K.
Victor K.
1742935283
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