Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a list of frequently asked questions that will help ensure you make the most of your cruise to the Great Barrier Reef:
How do I get to the Reef Fleet Terminal?
Coach transfers are available from Cairns hotels as well as Northern Beaches Hotels. Passengers are picked up by My Town Tours company and transferred in full air-conditioned buses from hotels in Cairns and the northern beaches to the Reef Fleet Terminal.
If you prefer make your own way to the to the check-in desk, we are located at 1 Spence Street in the Reef Fleet Terminal.
What time does the tour begin?
Check-in time at the Reef Fleet Terminal opens at 8am. Boarding is from 9:15-10am. Departure is at 10am
What should I bring?
Food, refreshments and snorkel gear is provided. All you need to bring is:
- Hat & sunscreen (SPF 30+).
- Sun protective clothing.
- Swimming costume
- Beach towel.
- Cash for drinks at the bar (soft drinks, beer, wine)
- Credit card for onboard shopping and optional adventures
- Your camera (at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Focus Reef Imagery Centre specialises in underwater digital camera hire... so you can capture those amazing underwater moments)
What happens on the boat on the way out to the reef?
- Free morning tea & coffee is available at time of boarding.
- Mini Bar (supplying soft drinks, beer, biscuits, swimming gears, gifts, etc.) is open.
- Multi-lingual broadcast of safety and general information (in English, Chinese and Japanese)
- High speed travel to the Outer Great Barrier Reef on board our air-conditioned catamarans with seating capacity of 360 passengers.
- Professional Great Barrier Reef presentation by our Marine Naturalist
- Expert fun loving multi-lingual crew (English, Chinese and Japanese) to meet all your needs
How much time will I spend at the reef?
The catamaran arrives at the Reef pontoon on Moore Reef at approximately 11:30am.
Departure is approximately 4.5 hours later at 4:00 pm.
What activities are available once the boat arrives at the pontoon?
- During the 4.5 hours at the reef, passengers will enjoy the following:
- Delicious Hot and Cold buffet Lunch including Seafood served between 12-1:30pm
- Free guided coral reef viewing cruises from our Glass bottom boat (15-20 minutes)
- Free guided coral reef viewing cruises from our Semi-submersible boat (15-20 minutes)
- Free snorkelling (with masks, snorkel, fins and snorkel vests provided free of charge)
- Free marine life touch tank (guests can hold and touch various sea creatures while on the pontoon)
- Free underwater Observatory (view various fish and coral during fish feeding presentation at approximately 1520hrs)
- On board shopping
Additional activites are available for an added fee. These include:
- Seawalker diving (15-20 minutes)
- Introductory dive (20-30 minutes)
- Certified dive (30-40 minutes)
- Guided snorkel tour (20-30 minutes)
- Sunlover helicopters scenic flight (10 minutes)
- Professional photography - our partners at Calypso Productions will be onboard capturing some of the highlights of the day. These professional images will be available for purchase.
What is served for lunch?
Our guests are treated each day to a delicious buffet lunch catered by Rydges Tradewinds Catering in Cairns. Choose from a wide selection including:
- Freshly baked bread with butter
- Chilled prawns wiht lemon wedges and seafood sauce
- Home cut coleslaw
- Potato salad finished with wholegrain mustard sauce
- A selection of cold meats
- Beef curry
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Chicken and white wine caserole
- Boiled new potatos with herb butter
- Chefs selection of fresh local and tropical fruits
When will I arrive back in Cairns?
The high-speed catamaran leaves the Reef pontoon at 4:00pm and arrives in Cairns at approximately 5:30pm. During the trip back to Cairns, the passengers will have free afternoon tea & coffee with biscuits as well as the opportunity to View and purchase the photos by taken by our professional photographers.
Upon arrival in Cairns, passengers requiring coach transfers will be taken to their hotels and dropped off in full air-conditioned buses.
If you want more information don't hesitate to call or email our friendly staff freecall 1800 810 512 or