10 of the most environmentally conscious Great Barrier Reef tours

By Kristie Lau-Adams
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Be treated to world-class snorkelling and diving, or just sit back in total awe, by signing up for one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours.

Sprawled across more than 348,000 square kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef flows with rainbow coral gardens, robust marine life and sparkling turquoise waters. While the reef’s health has notably deteriorated in recent decades, coral restoration and water improvement efforts are working to secure the Far North Queensland marvel’s future. The best Great Barrier Reef tours are also doing a superb job in educating visitors while immersing them in its unique beauty.

Amid the admirable initiatives happening here, a string of environmentally responsible Great Barrier Reef tours are working to shine a light on the reef’s intricacies while showcasing just how special this place is. Focused on paving a sustainable future for the world’s largest coral reef system. Here are ten of our favourite tours to sign up for.

1. Reef Magic’s Reef Indulgence Package

abundant fish and coral reefs at Reef Magic Pontoon, Great Barrier Reef

Discover the horseshoe-shaped Moore Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

Hear the ins and outs of conservation efforts straight from the horse’s mouth thanks to Reef Magic’s Reef Indulgence Package. Departing from Cairns via a chopper and destined for the company’s own pontoon located on the outer reef, the tour takes a bird’s eye view of this stunning corner of the world before guests take part in a lab tour led by a marine biologist. While fascinating intel is provided, so are canapes, champagne, a private snorkelling tour followed by lunch and a glass-bottom boat tour before guests are swept back up and over the reef to Cairns. Prices start from $1,499 per person with a two-guest minimum.

2. Wavelength’s Full Day Outer Reef Snorkel Tour

vibrant and abundant coral reefs in Port Douglas

See vibrant coral reefs on a snorkel tour with Wavelength. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Departing from: Port Douglas

Speaking of first-hand wisdom, Wavelength’s Full Day Outer Reef Snorkel Tour offers a leisurely day on the outer reef led by marine biologists. While reef talks offer a genuine debrief on the Great Barrier Reef and the environmental threats it faces, guided snorkelling across three locations is also steered by the experienced experts. Expect morning tea, gourmet rolls for lunch, complimentary underwater photos and, if you’re travelling in the cooler months, even the odd whale sighting as the Great Barrier Reef tour familiarises guests in style. Prices start from around $298 per person.

3. Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Reef & Island tours

a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover Reef Cruises

Go on a scenic flight over the reef with Sunlover Reef Cruises. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Reef & Island tours offer travellers an action-packed immersion while adhering to strict environmentally responsible practices. Choose from two varieties: the ’10-Minute Scenic’ which includes a 10-minute scenic flight over the reef, a buffet lunch at Fitzroy Island and plenty of time for snorkelling, or the ‘Fly Out | Cruise Back’ which includes a 25-minute flight from Cairns to a private pontoon, buffet lunch at Fitzroy Island, snorkelling and a catamaran cruise back to Cairns. Prices start from $475 per person.

4. Quicksilver’s Great Barrier Reef Tour

Departing from: Port Douglas

Spend a day onboard Quicksilver’s Great Barrier Reef Tour, where a catamaran will escort you to the underwater wonderland of Agincourt Reef, one of the best snorkelling and diving spots on the Great Barrier Reef. Prefer to stay dry? An underwater observatory and semi-submersible coral reef viewing platform means you can experience a diver’s view of the reef in air-conditioned comfort. A marine biologist presentation is also included, as is morning and afternoon tea, a buffet lunch and all snorkelling gear. Prices start from $325 per person.

5. Sailaway’s Great Barrier Reef tours

a Great Barrier Reef tour with Sailaway

Explore the dreamy Mackay Cay onboard a luxury catamaran. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Port Douglas

Leading eco-tourism operator Sailaway offers snorkelling tours with marine biologists as well as relaxing sailing tours, which – running mostly on wind power – offer the most sustainable way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Various tours are on offer, including explorations of dreamy Mackay Cay and the white sand Low Isles coral cay, while your mode of transport comes in the way of luxury catamarans. Afternoon tea and a buffet lunch, plus snorkelling equipment and reef talks, are typically included. Prices vary a lot so check the website to find your tour’s current cost.

6. Passions of Paradise’s Full Day Great Barrier Reef Tour

a 25-metre sailing catamaran, Great Barrier Reef Tour with Passions of Paradise

All aboard the 25-metre sailing catamaran with Passions of Paradise. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

With its 25-metre sailing catamaran and a deep desire to spread reef protection education, Passions of Paradise’s Full Day Great Barrier Reef Tour is a great example of sustainable reef tourism. Journey from Cairns to two outer reef locations in search of sea turtles, colourful fish and a variety of corals. The Great Barrier Reef tour also provides an opportunity to meet with an eco-accredited marine naturalist, while all snorkelling gear, a chef-prepared lunch and fruit, morning and afternoon tea are also included. Prices start from $260 per person.

7. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

diving at the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

Join local Indigenous sea rangers on a Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel day tour. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

One of the few Great Barrier Reef tours to embrace Indigenous culture and creation stories as part of its reef showcase, Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel delivers a deeper understanding and appreciation of the largest living coral reef structure on Earth. You’ll visit two outer reefs within Gunggandji Sea Country, not before being treated to an Indigenous welcome and acknowledgement, and a morning tea spread. Then, once the first snorkelling location wraps, a buffet lunch will be served and it’s straight onto the second reef. Taste bush foods along the journey, too. Prices start from $225 per person.

8. Ocean Spirit Cruises’ Discover Michaelmas Cay tour

a sea turtle swimming at Michaelmas Cay

Swim with sea turtles at Michaelmas Cay. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

Combine boat and beach time on a chilled day out from Cairns with Ocean Spirit Cruises’ Discover Michaelmas Cay tour. A two-hour motorised sail onboard a 32-metre sailing catamaran will land you at Michaelmas Cay, a small sand cay encircled by a spectacular fringing reef. It’s also a protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Once here, opt for a snorkel in the cay’s shallow waters, try an introductory scuba dive, cruise the semi-submarine for a diver’s perspective on the reef, watch a fish-feeding presentation, observe the bird life or simply relax in your own little slice of paradise. This is both an eco-friendly and family-friendly option, with prices starting from $276 per adult and $144 per child.

9. Big Cat Green Island Reef Tours’ Full-Day tour

guests admiring marine life from a glass-bottom boat, Big Cat Green Island Reef Tours’ Full-Day tour

See the reef from a glass-bottom boat. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

For a day out on a rainforest-clad coral cay, just say yes to Green Island, 28 km off the coast of Cairns. Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises’ Full-Day tour whisks you over to snorkel, dive and swim in its bath-like warm waters, plus you can pay a little extra to see the reef from a semi-submarine or a glass-bottom boat. Green Island holds traditional and contemporary significance for the Guru-Gulu Gungandji people, so expect to learn how its Indigenous roots work in harmony within the wider Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. While you’re on the tiny island, snap up the chance to visit a crocodile sanctuary, home to the largest captive varieties. Prices start from $120 per person.

10. Frankland Islands Reef Tour

the Frankland Islands Reef Tour, Great Barrier Reef

Take a cruise to the pristine white sands of the Frankland Islands. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Departing from: Cairns

Start the day with a rainforest river cruise before a quick skip – the shortest open water crossing of any day tour from Cairns – to Normanby Island in Frankland Islands National Park on board the Frankland Islands Reef Tour. The Great Barrier Reef tour will place you right on the Great Barrier Reef with its vibrant fringing reefs teeming with all manner of marine life, including turtles, octopuses and anemone clownfish. Lunch and transfers from select Cairns accommodation are also included with prices starting from $250 per adult.

For more travel tips and itineraries, read our ultimate guide to visiting the Great Barrier Reef

Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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This Great Barrier Reef tour is the best thing I’ve done in Australia

    By Rachael Thompson
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    Evegreen Editor Rachael Thompson travelled to the world’s largest coral reef system for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    I recently headed up to Hamilton Island to stay at the island’s newest resort, The Sundays. What I thought couldn’t be a more perfect couple of days exploring the luxury accommodation and Whitsunday Island became an even more incredible adventure after I was also invited to jump on a helicopter for the Journey to the Heart Tour to see Heart Reef.

    The adventure began on Hamilton Island. Only six people can do this experience at any given time, so we hopped in a helicopter, ready to be treated to spectacular Whitsunday views. After about 30 minutes of flying, seeing Hamilton Island and the pristine Whitehaven Beach from above, we reached the striking boundary where the reef begins, with turquoise waters and clusters of coral coming into view.

    A view of Whitehaven beach from a helicopter.

    Aerial views of Whitehaven Beach. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    Eventually, the pilot informed us that we were about to fly around the Heart Reef. Heart Reef was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot. This exquisite natural phenomenon is approximately 17 metres long and, as the name suggests, is shaped like a heart. I’d seen photos of Heart Reef before, on postcards and marketing campaigns. But nothing compares to witnessing its distinctive shape in person. It’s the kind of moment that makes you pause – not just to take a photo, but to truly take it in.

    We circled above Heart Reef a couple of times to take in the full view before landing on a luxurious, sustainably designed pontoon in a nearby lagoon — the whole experience felt very James Bond-esque.

    Aerial view of Heart Reef

    Heart Reef from above. (Image: Jason Hill and Tourism & Events Queensland)

    We headed downstairs, where there were tables and lounges for relaxing and taking in the idyllic views. Paddi, our friendly tour guide, greeted us and ushered us onto a small boat. Paddi drove us around the surrounding reef (you can’t get too close to Heart Reef), educating us on the species living in the area. It was here that I noticed myself feeling like my child-like self who visited the reef with my family when I was 10 years old. As Paddi pointed out colourful fish and coral through the boat’s glass bottom, I found myself gasping and exclaiming, “Look how cute it is!” I felt incredibly excited and lucky to witness the workings of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

    A pontoon sitting on the Great Barrier reef near Heart Reef.

    Your tour guide will take you on a boat around the reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

    We then headed back to the pontoon to get our snorkelling equipment and enjoy approximately 45 minutes in the water. Visitors are unable to snorkel or dive at Heart Reef due to its protected status, but the surrounding reef area is truly spectacular.

    At a delightful 26.6 degrees Celsius, the water felt perfect. Parrotfish, Blue Stripe Clarkii Clownfish and needlefish playfully swam around, a large piece of coral proudly showed us its vibrant purple colour and giant clams rested serenely on the sandy seabed. With only six of us snorkelling, it was quiet and the energy was peaceful. 

    A pontoon with a helicopter in the Great Barrier Reef.

    Swim in pristine water and discover a myriad of marine species. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    To top off the experience, once we had finished snorkelling, we were treated to a glass of bubbles back on the pontoon, where we exchanged stories of how incredible the experience had been for each of us. 

    It’s worth noting that there are no restroom facilities on the pontoon. As the excursion lasts approximately three hours, it’s advisable to plan accordingly before departure.

    A view from a pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef.

    Relax and enjoy a glass of bubbles while you admire the azure waters. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    At $1400 per person, this tour is definitely on the pricier end. But to be honest, it felt like a billionaire experience. Moments like this make me fall in love with Australia all over again and highlight even more how desperately this iconic part of the world needs to be protected.

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