Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Scenic Helicopter Flight

About This Experience

Down Under Cruise and Dive runs this day on Evolution, a 35-metre superyacht that leaves the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns for two outer reef sites. What sets it apart is the helicopter: the flight is not from Cairns but from a helipad out at the reef, so you snorkel, fly and rejoin the boat without losing any of your reef time.

The day opens with tea, coffee and welcome refreshments, then an 80-minute cruise to Saxon Reef. You get about two hours there to snorkel or, on the dive package, make your pre-booked scuba dive. Lunch is a barbecue prepared on board, with steak, fish, prawns, salads and bread, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options.

After a 30-minute hop to Hastings Reef comes the second two-hour session, and this is where the 10-minute scenic helicopter flight takes place. From the air you see the shape of the reef, the coral gardens in shades of blue and green, and sometimes turtles or rays in the shallows. On the 1.5-hour cruise home the crew serve a glass of wine with cheese and biscuits.

It suits couples and first-timers who want a full outer reef day plus a taste of flying, without booking two separate trips. It is a big boat, though. One reviewer mentions snorkelling alongside more than 100 other guests, so anyone after a quiet small-group day should look elsewhere. Several guests praise the food and the crew.

The helicopter has a 130 kg weight limit, and if wind grounds it the flight is refunded while the reef day carries on. Hotel transfers are not included but can be requested at extra cost. Divers fill in a medical questionnaire, and divers aged 65 and over need a doctor's clearance. Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a camera.

Highlights

• Take a 10-minute helicopter flight that lifts off at the reef itself
• Snorkel or dive at two outer reef sites, Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef
• About two hours in the water at each reef
• Barbecue lunch cooked on board with steak, prawns and fish
• Cruise on a 35-metre superyacht with three deck levels and air-conditioned lounges
• Wine, cheese and biscuits on the ride back to Cairns

What's Included

• ✓ Around five hours at two outer reef sites
• ✓ 10-minute scenic helicopter flight at Hastings Reef
• ✓ Snorkelling and scuba equipment, plus a Lycra stinger suit
• ✓ One pre-booked dive if you choose the dive package
• ✓ Barbecue lunch with fish, prawns, steak and salads, with dietary options
• ✓ A glass of wine with cheese and biscuits on the return journey

Not Included

• Hotel transfers (available on request at extra cost)
• Additional dives, which can be added on board
• Scuba diving unless you book the dive package

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Camera
• Seasickness tablets if you are prone

Good to Know & Caveats

• The helicopter weight limit is 130 kg per passenger.
• If wind or weather grounds the helicopter, the flight is refunded and the reef day continues.
• If the weather cancels the whole cruise before departure, you can rebook at no charge or take a full refund.
• Divers must complete a medical questionnaire, and divers 65 and over need written clearance from a doctor. The listing also says diving within 24 hours of your flight is not allowed, so ask the crew how dive and helicopter timing works if you want both.
• This is a large boat and reef sessions can be busy. Sea conditions on the way out can be rough.
• Stinger suits are provided and recommended in stinger season, roughly November to May.

Meeting Point

Check in for Evolution at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront; transfer guests are collected from their hotel if they booked that add-on.