The Great Barrier Reef started to form 2 million years ago. It stretches over 2,300km, running from just north of Bundaberg to the top of Cape York Peninsula. It is actually made up of over 2,900 reefs, 300 coral cays and 618 continental islands, now you can see why it got its name. Here you’ll find 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of molluscs, 6 species of turtles (some on the endangered list) and some of the largest populations of dugong in the world.
There are numerous reef tours to chose from in Cairns , but where the Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef and Island Tours’ team stand out is their passion to not only offer a snorkel and dive reef tour, but a total “feel good” day from the minute you board to the minute you depart – a truly unforgettable experience! Both of their day reef snorkel tours from Cairns , “Ocean Free” and “Ocean Freedom” offer uniquely different Great Barrier Reef and Island / Cay experiences so some guests chose to do both! Both these day reef tours depart from the Cairns marina.
Ocean Free is a true sailing tour where the engines really do get switched off (wind prevailing). Surveyed to carry 52, but Ocean Free limits its daily passenger numbers to just 25, ensuring a truly personalised and unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experience. This is Cairns’ only small guest number sailing tour to offer a Great Barrier Reef and tropical Green Island destination, in one day. You have over 4.5 hours to experience and explore these two great locations, and the amount of time spent between the reef and island is completely up to you!
Find out what makes Ocean Free Different.
Ocean Freedom is a luxury motor boat, providing personalised tours to 2 unique locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Travelling at 23 knots, Ocean Freedom’s guests arrive at their first Great Barrier Reef destination, ‘Wonder Wall’ on the outer edge of Upolu Reef, in just over 1 hour. During lunch, cruise to the 2nd site at Upolu Cay Reef in just 10 minutes. The order of these 2 sites may change to suit the conditions on the day and ensure maximum enjoyment! With 6 hours to snorkel and dive these 2 very different reef destinations you are immersed in all that is the Great Barrier Reef, and still have time to relax and take in the true beauty of each destination above and below the surface! The tour price includes an informative and engaging Glass Bottom Boat tour and Adventure Drift snorkel tour with a Master Reef guide or Marine Interpreter and all snorkelling equipment and tuition, wetsuit, seafood lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Small numbers ensure you are a name not a number.
Find out what makes Ocean Freedom Great!
Tour Price | Price | Levy | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Adult | $235 | $245 | |
Children | $170 | $180 | |
The Levy is a fee levied on all passengers to cover park entry fees, port and administration costs. Due to the Government temporarily waiving the environmental management charge, levy charged will be reduced to $10 until June 30th 2023. Prices are current until 31st march 2024 | |||
Intro Dive Prices | Price | ||
First Dive | $105 (Includes all tuition and equipment) | ||
Second Dive | $50 (Includes all tuition and equipment) | ||
All diving (Introductory & Certified) is subject to having no medical condition (past or present) or taking any medication contrary to diving on day of travel. Prior dive medical clearance may be required. Please enquire if unsure to avoid any disappointment on the day | |||
Certified Dive Prices | Price | ||
First Dive | $80 (Includes all top equipment & complimentary dive guide) | ||
Second Dive | $40 (Includes all top equipment & complimentary dive guide) | ||
All diving (Introductory & Certified) is subject to having no medical condition (past or present) or taking any medication contrary to diving on day of travel. Prior dive medical clearance may be required. Please enquire if unsure to avoid any disappointment on the day | |||
Optional Island Activities | Price | ||
Glass Bottom Boat Adult | $30 | ||
Glass Bottom Boat Child | $20 | ||
Semi-Sub Adult | $35 | ||
Semi-Sub Child | $20 | ||
Please inform the skipper on boarding if you may be interested in these options / Pay direct to island | |||
Transfers | Price | ||
Return Inner city Cairns | $19 | ||
Return Northern Beaches as far as Palm Cove | $29 | ||
Transfers must be pre-booked with minimum 24hrs notice, transfer cost is per person. | |||
Covid Notice | |||
We follow all legislative and WPH&S requirements for recreational snorkelling and diving, and are ATEC accredited for COVID safety, following all our Industry bodies and State and Federal requirements of the present time. At this stage QLD legislation requires that all guests travelling on all reef tours must show proof of double vaccination or proof of medical exemption- this will be checked during the check-in process before boarding the vessels. Please enquire if you have any queries on info@oceanfree.com.au or phone +61 7 40521111 – we are here to help! | |||
Cancellation Policy | |||
The company reserves the right to cancel the trip due to poor weather conditions or mechanical problems or, on rare occasions, to use another vessel or select the sites used. On very rare occasions, during these build up times, there may be a cancellation to a scheduled day due to low numbers. We will reschedule or endeavour to pick the other best reef options for that day to suit your preferences. However, now international and domestic borders are all open we expect this to be a very rare occurrence. If tour has been cancelled by the company a full refund given. No refund if tour cancelled or amended by customer within 24 hrs. Cancellations due to COVID restrictions/ requirements outside of minimum 24 hrs notice will however be given consideration for change/ full refund. | |||
Tour Price | Price | Levy | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Adult (15 Years +) | $235 | $245 | |
Children (4 -14 Years) | $170 | $180 | |
Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) | $729 | $769 | |
*The Levy is a fee levied on all passengers to cover park entry fees, port and administration costs. Due to the Government temporarily waiving the environmental management charge, levy charged will be reduced to $10 until June 30th 2023. Prices are current until 31st March 2024 | |||
Intro Dive Prices ** | Price | ||
First Dive | $105 (Includes all tuition and equipment) | ||
Second Dive | $50 (Includes all tuition and equipment) | ||
All diving (Introductory & Certified) is subject to having no medical condition (past or present) or taking any medication contrary to diving on day of travel. Prior dive medical clearance may be required.Please enquire if unsure to avoid any disappointment on the day. | |||
Certified Dive Prices | Price | ||
First Dive | $80 (Includes all top equipment & complimentary dive guide) | ||
Second Dive | $40 (Includes all top equipment & complimentary dive guide) | ||
All diving (Introductory & Certified) is subject to having no medical condition (past or present) or taking any medication contrary to diving on day of travel. Prior dive medical clearance may be required.Please enquire if unsure to avoid any disappointment on the day. | |||
Transfers | Price | ||
Return Inner city Cairns | $19 | ||
Return Northern Beaches as far as Palm Cove | $29 | ||
Transfers must be pre-booked with minimum 24hrs notice, transfer cost is per person. | |||
Covid Notice | |||
Dear all - We are incredibly excited to see life continue to return to our beautiful Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region! We are eternally grateful to all the domestic support that has kept us afloat (no pun intended!) in the last 12 months and hope to have the opportunity to see you all again in the future (the more you learn about the reef the more you get drawn deeper into its clutches - so please come back for more - we love to see you all again!) and are also very excited to welcome back our International guests and see that continue to grow over the coming months. 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. Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom intend to operate daily from January 2023. We continue to operate under very flexible booking conditions (100% refundable within minimum 24 hr cancellation policy for individual bookings). We look forward to a wonderful 2023! 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. | |||
Cancellation Policy | |||
The company reserves the right to cancel the trip due to poor weather conditions or mechanical problems or, on rare occasions, to use another vessel or select the sites used. On very rare occasions, during these build up times, there may be a cancellation to a scheduled day due to low numbers. We will reschedule or endeavour to pick the other best reef options for that day to suit your preferences. However, now international and domestic borders are all open we expect this to be a very rare occurrence. If tour has been cancelled by the company a full refund given. No refund if tour cancelled or amended by customer within 24 hrs. Cancellations due to COVID restrictions/ requirements outside of minimum 24 hrs notice will however be given consideration for change/ full refund. | |||