Premium Five-Hour Outer Reef Pontoon Experience

About This Experience

Reef Magic runs this full-day trip from the Cairns Marlin Marina to its purpose-built marine pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef. The draw is time: five hours at the reef on a day of about eight hours in total. It rates 4.7 from 184 reviews.

Morning tea and coffee are served on the cruise out. Once you tie up at the pontoon, the reef starts close to the surface, so you can snorkel straight over the coral gardens with the included gear, and come and go as often as you like. Turtles, tropical fish and giant clams live here, although no sighting is ever promised. The Lycra suits that come with the snorkel gear also protect against sun and stingers, a useful layer in the November to May stinger season.

If you prefer to stay dry, three ways of seeing the reef are included: an underwater observatory, a glass-bottom boat and a semi-submarine tour with guided viewing. Marine naturalists give presentations on the reef and its conservation, some of them in the pontoon's science laboratory. A hot buffet lunch is served on the pontoon, followed by afternoon tea, and shaded seating means you can take a break between swims.

The long stay makes it a good choice for first-time snorkellers who want to go at their own pace, families, and mixed groups where not everyone swims. Diving, guided snorkel tours and helicopter flights are extra. Helicopter bookings carry an $11 per person fuel levy paid on check-in, and all divers fill in a medical questionnaire; the minimum diving age is 12. Some guests find the snorkel area around the pontoon smaller than they expected, but the five-hour stay leaves time to try every activity and get back in the water after lunch.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a change of clothes and Australian dollars or a Visa or MasterCard for extras. Sea conditions decide how comfortable the crossing is, so take seasickness tablets beforehand if you need them. Prices start at $228 per person, with diving, guided snorkelling and helicopter flights paid on top.

Highlights

• Five hours at the outer reef, on a day of about eight hours
• Snorkel straight from the pontoon over coral that starts near the surface
• Semi-submarine, glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory all included
• Marine naturalist talks, some held in the pontoon's science laboratory
• Hot buffet lunch on the pontoon, with morning and afternoon tea

What's Included

• ✓ Return outer reef cruise from Cairns
• ✓ Unlimited snorkelling with equipment included
• ✓ Semi-submersible reef tour with guided viewing
• ✓ Glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory
• ✓ Buffet lunch on the pontoon
• ✓ Marine naturalist presentations

Not Included

• Scuba diving
• Guided snorkel tours
• Helicopter flights
• Helicopter fuel levy of $11 per person, paid at heli check-in (if that option is selected)

What to Bring

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses
• A change of clothes
• A camera
• Australian dollars or a Visa or MasterCard

Good to Know & Caveats

• All diving is subject to an onboard medical questionnaire; asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure and some medications may rule it out.
• The minimum diving age is 12 with parent or guardian permission, and certified divers must show their card.
• Leave 12 to 24 hours between diving and flying, depending on your dives.
• The helicopter option carries an $11 per person fuel levy paid directly to the helicopter company.
• Crossings can be rough on some days; take seasickness tablets before boarding if you are prone to it.
• Smoking is not allowed.

Meeting Point

Meet Reef Magic at the Cairns Marlin Marina, beside the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront.