TNQ Writer
Check out this handy guide to find your reef style – from donning a mask and snorkel or taking your very first dive, to unique diving experiences reserved for certified divers.
You’ve come to Cairns, you want to see the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, what’s next? Choosing how to see the reef – snorkel, introductory dive or certified dive – can sometimes feel as overwhelming as the sheer size (348,700 km²) of this natural wonder itself.
Whether you’re more comfortable just cruising the surface with a mask and snorkel, yearning to experience the thrill of scuba diving or wanting to explore on a certified dive, there’s a reef tour for you.
Want to snorkel?
Snorkel with Divers Den
Don a mask and watch the Great Barrier Reef from the surface, joining Divers Den ReefQuest for a day on the outer reef. Your destination? Two different locations on the outer reef, which guarantees plenty of snorkelling action in shallow tropical waters. Don’t worry if this is your first time snorkelling – the Divers Den team will provide full instruction and can also fit you out with lifejackets and handy flotation devices affectionately known as noodles.
Expect to find Nemo, turtles, stingrays and Wally the friendly Maori Wrasse across four hours of dedicated snorkelling time.
With Divers Den, you’ll visit two sites between Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef, which your skipper will select, depending on the conditions of the day.
Swimmers, towel a hat are the only packing essentials with all snorkelling gear, sun suits and sunscreen is provided by your experienced crew, plus they’ll also feed you a delicious buffet lunch!
Want to do an intro dive?
Try diving for the first time
If you’ve tried snorkelling and have mastered the basics, why not take things up a notch with an introductory scuba dive? Join Tusa Dive to get a whole new perspective of the Great Barrier Reef, from two different outer reef dive sites approximately 50km offshore of Cairns.
If you’re thinking of taking an introductory dive, no experience is necessary, Tusa’s instructors will do the rest – provided you’re over the age of 12 and can pass a medical questionnaire. Note, those with pre-existing medical conditions or who are taking prescribed medications may need complete a diving medical prior to boarding.
You’ll have access to the same sites as the certified divers, only you’ll be restricted to a maximum depth of 12 metres as your instructor takes you on a tour of the reef.
If you enjoy yourself so much on your first dive, you can back it up with a second introductory dive in a new location too. Underwater photographers are also on hand to capture your experience and you’ll also receive a certificate of achievement to share on your socials.
Want to do a certified dive?
Potato cod at the famous Cod Hole dive site
Potato cod at the famous Cod Hole dive site
Towering coral walls at Osprey Reef
Towering coral walls at Osprey Reef
Sharks in the Dark
Sharks in the Dark
Fluoro diving with Divers Den
Fluoro diving with Divers Den
If you’ve got your open water scuba licence, you’ve got your access-all-areas ticket to a Great Barrier Reef adventure. As a certified diver your choice comes down to a single day cruise or multi-night experience where you can maximise your dives.
If time is on your side, don’t look past Spirit of Freedom’s liveaboard adventures. Their three-night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef adventure is the stuff diver’s dreams are made of – up to 11 dives packed with sightings of giant potato cod, clouds of colourful tropical fish, anemones, turtles and pristine coral gardens.
You’ll need to be an advanced certified diver or above to join their four-night Coral Sea trip, which includes the famous Osprey Reef shark dive located 240km offshore and up to 15 dives of the World Heritage-listed wonder across the trip in tropical waters ranging from 30-100m visibility.
Of course, if time isn’t on your side and you only have a day to spare, Divers Den and Tusa and all offer certified-dive day tours of the reef for up to three dives, all with all the latest gear included. Tusa also offer an unguided option if you would prefer to buddy up with travelling companion.
If you’ve been there done that, or have just one night to spare why not opt for a rave on the water aboard Divers Den’s liveaboard vessel Ocean Quest? Diver Den’s Bio Fluorescent Diving takes diving to a new (read: fluro) level.
Or, for a fright in the night, book in for the Sharks in the Dark experience, to see Australian Reef Sharks in hunt-mode. Don’t worry, they’re non-threatening!
Want a completely different view of the reef?
Spirit of Cairns Dinner Cruise
If the idea of snorkelling and scuba diving is enough to have you aborting your Cairns Mission, don’t forget not all reef cruises require physical output.
Enter Spirit of Cairns – the ultimate Great Barrier Reef dining cruise – where the only fish you’ll see are served on your plate. This 26m catamaran takes off at sunset each day, with dinner served aboard seven days a week. We’ll cheers to that!
