Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns
Moore Reef pontoon, Fitzroy Island, or both in one day. Australian owned and operated since 1991.
Quick Answer
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area — and Sunlover has run daily trips to the Moore Reef pontoon and Fitzroy Island since 1991. Visit one, or both in a day.
Four ways to see the Great Barrier Reef
Every trip leaves from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns and is back the same evening.
Moore Reef Full Day
A full day on our pontoon on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel, ride the waterslide, see the reef from the semi-submersible and the underwater observatory.
From $317 per adultChild $177 · Family $816 · includes fuel levySee Moore Reef →
Reef & Island in a Day
The Moore Reef pontoon in the morning, then the afternoon on Fitzroy Island. The only operator combining the Outer Reef and the island in a single day.
From $347 per adultChild $195 · Family $889 · includes fuel levySee Reef & Island →
Fitzroy Island
A rainforest national park 45 minutes from Cairns. The Best of Island package includes the return ferry, snorkel gear, the glass bottom boat and an island lunch box.
From $202 per adultBest of Island · Child ·37 · Family $541See Fitzroy Island →
Reef by Sea and Sky
Cruise out to Moore Reef, then fly back over the reef with ZOOM Helicopters. About 2.5 hours at the reef and you land at Cairns Airport by 12:10pm.
From $531 per adultCruise out, fly backSee the half day →Learn to dive on the Great Barrier Reef
Sunlover is an SSI Training Centre from 1 October. Complete 9 training dives across 3 days: 5 confined-water dives in the sheltered training centre beneath the Moore Reef pontoon, then 4 open-water dives on the reef itself.
The only SSI Training Centre in Cairns where every course runs entirely on the Great Barrier Reef — no pool, no liveaboard, home every night.
Why travellers choose Sunlover
Australian owned and operated since 1991 — 35 years on the Great Barrier Reef.
Australian owned
Operating from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns since 1991.
Ecotourism Hall of Fame
Certified ecotourism operator, 20 years continuously certified with Ecotourism Australia.
Marine biologists on board
Our guided snorkel tours are led by the marine biology team, every day.
We look after the reef
Tourism Reef Protection Initiative participant and a Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre partner.
Live in a 48** postcode?
Save 30% on reef and island tours, all year, no blackout dates. One local ID covers your whole group.
Reef tours from Cairns
Welcome to Sunlover Reef Cruises, your premier destination for extraordinary Great Barrier Reef tours. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, family traveller, experienced diver or on your first trip to the Great Barrier Reef, our expert team will deliver a unique reef tour experience for you.
Discover the Great Barrier Reef at our Moore Reef Pontoon, where you can snorkel among colourful marine life, ride the iconic Sunlover waterslide, and explore the reef from every angle.
Experience the best of both worlds with our Reef & Island Tour — a full-day adventure that combines the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef with the tropical charm of Fitzroy Island.
For a completely different island experience, book a trip with Sunlover to the tropical paradise of Fitzroy Island. Just a short trip in our air-conditioned catamaran.
Based in the vibrant tropical city of Cairns, Sunlover is perfectly positioned to offer exceptional Great Barrier Reef tours and Fitzroy Island day trips. We love what we do and we’re passionate about where we get to do it – Cairns and out to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Get ready to embark on an adventure that will leave you in awe.
Questions first-time visitors ask
Which Sunlover tour is best for me?
Choose Moore Reef if you want a full outer Great Barrier Reef experience with a pontoon, snorkelling and reef viewing activities. Choose Fitzroy Island if you want a relaxed island day with beaches, walking tracks and flexible free time. Choose Reef & Island in a Day if you want both in one day from Cairns.
Do Sunlover tours operate every day?
Yes. Sunlover operates scheduled daily services to Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island, 365 days a year. All reef and island tours remain subject to weather, sea conditions, safety requirements and operational considerations.
Where do we depart from, and when do I check in?
Every tour departs from the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Check-in opens anywhere from 7:00am to 8:45am depending on which tour you are on. Getting here — times, parking and maps →
Do I need to be able to swim?
No. The Moore Reef pontoon is a good option for non-swimmers, nervous swimmers and anyone who would rather enjoy the reef without getting fully in the water. Depending on conditions, that includes the underwater observatory, the semi-submersible coral viewing tour, the glass bottom boat and the fish feeding presentation. All frequently asked questions →