A young man wearing headphones and a life jacket looking at the coral reef through the window of a helicopter.
An elderly couple, smiling and embracing, stand in front of a red helicopter on a floating platform in the ocean.
Passengers smiling and making the peace sign from inside the helicopter.
A split-screen shot showing a sea turtle swimming near the surface with the catamaran in the background.
Two men wearing headphones and sunglasses, smiling and gesturing at the camera inside the helicopter cabin.
A view from inside the helicopter showing the clear windows and the large turquoise reef from the air.
A view from the water of the white catamaran with passengers ready to participate in water activities.
A sea turtle swimming toward the surface with the sun's rays shining behind it in crystal-clear waters.
A pilot flying the helicopter with panoramic views of the turquoise reef off Cairns.
A bird's-eye view of a red helicopter flying over the reef formation and turquoise waters.
A family of four posing in front of the red helicopter on the floating helipad.
A family with children on the rear deck of the boat, smiling in their scuba gear.
A red helicopter taking off from a marine heliport near the catamaran in the open sea.
A woman snorkeling next to a purple anemone and a clownfish in the waters off Cairns.
A young woman giving the thumbs-up from the window of a red helicopter in Cairns.
A man on one knee, proposing to his partner next to a red helicopter on a platform over the sea.
An underwater close-up of a colorful fish with orange and blue patterns peeking out from a crack in the reef.
An attendant helping tourists board a red helicopter parked on a marine platform in Cairns.
A variety of salads, seafood, and hot dishes served at the buffet counter on the sightseeing boat.
A girl swimming in crystal-clear waters alongside colorful fish over a coral reef formation.
A person snorkeling over a turquoise coral reef, with a boat visible on the surface.
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Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

Great Barrier Reef cruise with snorkeling, 2 Outer Reef sites and a scenic helicopter flight

Location
Cairns
Duration
1 day
Language
English
This page has been automatically translated.

Tour highlights

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

Immerse yourself completely in the grandeur of the Great Barrier Reef by viewing it from two contrasting perspectives: the ocean’s surface and a bird’s-eye view.

The Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns combines a cruise on a luxury superyacht with a snorkeling experience and a scenic helicopter flight lasting about 10 minutes.

Plus, you’ll enjoy the full cruise experience: snorkeling among pristine coral reefs, a barbecue lunch prepared on board, and relaxing on the boat’s deck. It’s the most comprehensive and breathtaking way to experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in a single day.

🚁 Want to discover more secrets of this area or try more activities on the Great Barrier Reef? Check out all the Cairns tours available on Howlanders and turn your trip into an unforgettable adventure.

Tour details

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

Starts
7:15 a.m. from the meeting point in Cairns.
Ends
4:30 p.m. at the meeting point in Cairns.

Included

  • Cruise aboard a luxurious superyacht
  • Reef Conservation Rate
  • Buffet-style barbecue meal
  • Snack on the way back
  • Helicopter ride (10 min)
  • Snorkeling gear

Not included

  • Pickup/Drop-off Service to/from Accommodations

Important information

FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Helicopter flight suitable for passengers 13 years of age and older. Subject to weather conditions. Maximum weight allowed: 286 lb (130 kg).

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you’ll receive a 100% refund. After that time, or if you don’t show up, no refunds will be issued.

Tour itinerary

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

7:15 AM

Check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns

Your adventure begins at the Cairns terminal, where you’ll complete the check-in process at the counter. You’ll set sail at 8:00 a.m. on a 108-feet (33 m) luxury catamaran.

During the 90-minute cruise across the Coral Sea to the outer reef, the crew will provide a safety briefing about the boat and the activity. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a welcome tea or coffee in the lounge or on the open-air decks.

A view from the water of the catamaran's stern, with tourists and divers on the boarding platforms.

First stop: snorkeling and relaxation at Norman Reef or Saxon Reef

We’ll arrive at our first spot on the outer reef, chosen based on the best visibility conditions. If you’d like, you can put on your snorkeling gear and jump in from the boat’s hydraulic platform to explore the corals and marine life.

💡 Howlanders Tip: Help us preserve this unique ecosystem. Don’t touch the coral, and keep a safe distance from marine animals.

A person snorkeling over a turquoise coral reef, with a boat visible on the surface.

Freshly Prepared Barbecue-Style Lunch

Back on the boat, you’ll recharge your energy with a freshly prepared barbecue-style buffet lunch. The menu includes meat, fish, shrimp, and a variety of tropical salads, with options available to accommodate special dietary requests made in advance.

A variety of salads, seafood, and hot dishes served at the buffet bar on the sightseeing boat.

Cruise to Hastings Reef and Scenic Flight

We’ll head to our second destination of the day: Hastings Reef. During this short journey, you can sunbathe on the loungers on the upper deck or relax in the yacht’s salons.

Upon arriving at the private floating platform with a helipad, you’ll take off in a helicopter for a spectacular low-altitude flight over the outer reef.

As you take off over the Coral Sea, the turquoise hues and coral formations reveal patterns impossible to see from the water, and you’ll have a high chance of spotting sea turtles, manta rays, or humpback whales from the air (depending on the time of year).

💙 Howlanders Tip: We invite you to take a close look at the sea. From the cockpit, you’ll see coral formations and the turquoise hues of the ocean, and you’ll have the chance to spot turtles, rays, reef sharks, or even humpback whales.

A panoramic aerial view of a red helicopter flying over the turquoise waters of the coral reef in Cairns.

Return Cruise to Cairns with Snacks

We begin the return cruise to Cairns. To round out the day, the crew will serve a glass of wine accompanied by cheese and crackers while you take in the views of the Coral Sea during the trip.

We are scheduled to arrive at the Cairns terminal around 4:30 PM.

A large group of tourists in swimsuits waving cheerfully from the ship's outdoor deck on the open sea.

What to bring

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

The climate in Cairns is warm and tropical year-round, with a rainy season from November through April and high humidity levels. To ensure you enjoy your day at sea worry-free and make the most of your flight experience, we recommend packing the following in your backpack:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen.
  • Sunglasses.
  • A cap or hat.
  • Swimwear (preferably worn under your clothes).
  • Towel.
  • Change of clothes.
  • Credit card or cash for drinks at the onboard bar or optional purchases.

Where does the tour start

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

Your Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns departs directly from the main terminal in Cairns.

Note on transportation: Transportation to and from your accommodation is not included. The terminal is located in downtown Cairns, so you can walk or take a taxi or local transportation there before your check-in time.

Questions & Answers

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour from Cairns

  • Where does the helicopter take off from, and how long is the flight?

    The scenic flight lasts approximately 10 minutes and takes off directly from a private floating helipad located on Hastings Reef, right in the middle of the outer reef. This allows you to enjoy the most spectacular aerial views at the spot with the highest concentration of marine biodiversity.

  • Are there any restrictions on boarding the helicopter?

    For safety reasons, the maximum weight allowed per passenger is 130 kg. In addition, the minimum age is 3 years.

  • What happens if the helicopter flight is canceled due to bad weather?

    Helicopter flights are subject to favorable weather conditions and operational visibility. In the exceptional case that conditions do not permit the flight for safety reasons, the amount corresponding to the helicopter activity will be refunded, and the day’s sailing and snorkeling activities aboard the yacht will proceed as scheduled.

  • Will I see marine animals during the flight?

    Visibility from the air over the crystal-clear waters of the outer reef is exceptional. Sea turtles, stingrays, and reef sharks are often spotted from the cockpit, and between July and September, it’s even possible to spot humpback whales.

  • Can I combine the helicopter ride with the scuba diving experience on the same day?

  • What's the food like on board? Can I request a special meal?

    We serve a freshly prepared barbecue-style buffet lunch on board that includes meat, fish, shrimp, a variety of salads, and vegetarian or vegan options.

    We also offer gluten-free and dairy-free options. If you need a special or vegan meal, please request it at least 48 hours in advance.

  • What is the ship's capacity, and what are its facilities like?

    Our superyacht is 33 meters long and can accommodate up to 160 passengers. It features three open-air decks for sunbathing and two climate-controlled indoor lounges, ensuring a spacious and comfortable environment throughout the entire voyage.

  • Which reefs are visited during the tour?

    The crew selects the stops each day based on visibility and wind conditions. Usually, in the morning we visit Norman Reef or Saxon Reef for our first snorkeling session, and in the afternoon we head to Hastings Reef, where the helicopter landing pad is located.

  • Is snorkeling gear included?

    Yes, the tour includes the use of a complete snorkeling set (mask, snorkel, and fins), Lycra or neoprene wetsuits, and the free rental of prescription diving masks (with a deposit).

  • Can I take photos of my underwater experience?

    Yes, there's a professional underwater photographer on board who captures your best moments underwater. Plus, on the boat you can rent professional underwater cameras or buy special waterproof cases to use your own cell phone underwater.

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter from Cairns tour reviews with Howlanders

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