About this tour
An 8-hour Great Barrier Reef cruise from Port Douglas to outer reefs (Agincourt or Opal), suited to snorkellers, introductory divers, and certified divers alike. You'll travel on a custom-built vessel with a professional guide, enjoy a buffet lunch and afternoon tea, and explore pristine coral gardens with guided snorkel instruction included. Diving options range from no-experience intro dives to advanced certified dives, with extra dives available on the day.
Highlights
- Access to Agincourt or Opal Reef — highly regarded outer reef sites
- Guided snorkel tour with equipment and interpretive reef talk included
- Introductory dive option for those with no diving experience
- Certified diving available for qualified divers with evidence of certification
- Buffet lunch and afternoon tea and coffee on board
- Professional local guide and custom-designed vessel
- Up to three dives possible in a day; extra dives bookable on board
What to expect
You'll board the Calypso at Port Douglas and head to either Agincourt or Opal Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef. The vessel is purpose-built for reef access and carries a professional guide. Once on site, you'll participate in a guided snorkel tour with equipment provided and an interpretive talk about the reef ecosystem. If diving, you'll complete a health questionnaire before entering the water — introductory dives require no prior certification, while certified dives require proof of qualification. Lunch and afternoon refreshments are served on board. The full experience runs eight hours, giving you substantial time in and around the water exploring coral gardens and marine life.
What travellers say
- Access to pristine outer reef sites rarely crowded like inner reefs
- Guided snorkel instruction and equipment included in one package
- Flexible diving options suit beginners through to certified divers
- Onboard meals and afternoon tea remove logistical hassle
- Professional local guide adds reef knowledge and safety oversight
- Diving restricted for 48 hours after flying — timing may not suit quick trips
- Children under 12 cannot dive, limiting family dive experience
- Transfers from accommodation excluded — hidden cost and logistics burden
- Medical questionnaire and pre-existing conditions may disqualify some divers
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This suits anyone from casual snorkellers to experienced divers wanting accessible outer-reef access without hassle. Families with children are welcome (kids under 12 cannot dive, but can snorkel with an adult). Note: divers must wait 48 hours after flying before diving; some medical conditions (asthma, heart problems) may exclude you from diving, so check with your doctor first. The Environmental Management Charge of $7 per person is included. Poor weather (mainly high winds) may force cancellation with a full refund or rescheduling offered; rain alone won't cancel. Transfers from Port Douglas or Northern Beaches accommodation are not included — use public transport options or arrange separately. Soft drinks and snacks are not included. Book any specific dietary needs at the time of booking. Cancellation within 24 hours may incur fees.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.