Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns

Ultimately, it depends. The Great Barrier Reef is aptly named, covering almost 350,000 square kilometres in total. If you’re taking a boat trip to one of the reef’s islands nearer the mainland, it will generally take you around 45 minutes to get there from Cairns. However, if you’re venturing further afield, it can take anywhere between 1-2 hours depending on the type of marine vessel you’re travelling in. 

In Cairns, Great Barrier Reef tours generally depart from the Cairns Marlin Marina, with a range of tour boats travelling to the reef from the marina daily. The marina is situated close to the Cairns Esplanade lagoon and numerous hotels and public transport options are also located nearby, making it a very easy spot to get to. 

The Great Barrier Reef’s tourist season is at its peak between May and October, and for good reason! During this time, the water is a pleasant temperature, the lower humidity makes for a pleasant swimming experience, and there are far fewer jellyfish lurking in the waters.

You can see a vast range of different sea creatures at the Great Barrier Reef, including turtles, clownfish, manta rays, and much more. If you’re extra curious about the diverse marine life you might encounter, check out our blog on the top Great Barrier Reef animals to look out for on your trip!