DISCOVER THE REEF,
YOUR WAY.
Book a charter with Reef Unlimited and discover the reef your way. We provide a range of vessels and activities, personalised itineraries, CSR programs and catering for all occasions.
All our Cairns Experiences depart from the Cairns Marlin Marina, and we have the option of Outer Reef or Island experiences.
Explore the options below or click the button to get in touch with our Charter team.
EXPLORE CHARTER OPTIONS
The Reef at your Fingertips
Reef Magic offers easy water access, and a range of activities onboard. Enjoy the underwater observatory, a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkel safari's or a semi-submersible journey. We also have a scientific lab onboard the pontoon - Reef Magic offers something for everyone.
A cruise for all occasions
Suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers alike, our vessels and pontoon can cater for small groups, as well as large delegations of up to 250 guests.
Take your event to the next level...
Explore our CSR-inspired activity program Reef Connect with a focus on Conservation, First Nations Culture and Marine Conservation.
Let our experienced event manager tailor a cruise to meet your individual requirements, schedule and budget.
Depart direct from Cairns on a fast, stable catamaran providing a smoother ride and reduced travel time, leaving more of your day to experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef. Unique to Reef Magic, our modern fast catamarans are never filled to capacity ensuring unmatched space, comfort & attentive service.
The all-weather brand new platform caters for all activity levels. Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, join our Marine Biologist on a Guided Snorkel safari, or go scuba diving (no experience necessary)
Not a confident swimmer? Stay dry and view the reef from the semi-submersible, glass bottom boat or underwater observatory. You can keep your hair dry with the SeaTREK Helmet Dive for a scuba-style experience, or soar above it all on a spectacular Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight. With 5 hours at the reef there is time to do it all.
If simply relaxing & soaking up the tropical warmth is more your style then take time out on our spacious sundeck and enjoy an afternoon beverage at the Drift Bar. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Inclusions
- 5 hours at Moore Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef
- FREE semi-submersible and glass bottom boat tours
- Air-conditioned underwater observatory
- Snorkel equipment and lyrca stinger suits
- Platform activities catering for all ages and swimming abilities, including non-swimmers
- Lunch included
- Fish feeding (great to watch in Underwater Observatory)
- GBR Marine Biology reef talks
- Flotation vests available
- Prescription masks available for snorkelers and divers. Magnifications: -1.5 to -8.0.
Optional Extra's
The following options are available on Reef Magic Charters for an additional charge.
- Guided snorkel tours
- Diving
- Reef scenic helicopter flight
- Underwater Camera Hire, includes 4 GB card to keep - available at an additional charge
- Dive/Snorkel photographer - available at an additional charge
Quick Facts
- Capacity: 240 pax
- Minimum time required: 5.5 hours
- Outer Barrier Reef Experience
- Licensed bar onboard
- Diving and snorkelling available
- Suitable for swimmers & non-swimmers
- Full Buffet lunch or custom menu available
Itinerary:
8:15am - Arrive. Check in at the Reef Magic vessel at Marlin Marina, Cairns
9.00am - Departure. Sit back and relax and talk to our friendly team while you cruise to Moore Reef
10:30am - Arrive at Moore Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef - 5 hours at the reef to enjoy a range of wet and dry activities as well as a buffet lunch.
- Enjoy a Glass Bottom Boat Tour, exploring the reef without getting wet
- Try a SeaTrek - walk on an underwater platform around the pontoon and see marine life up close, without getting your head wet!
- Underwater Observatory - watch the marine life, a great front row seat during fish feeding.
- Scuba diving - whether you are wanting to learn on an intro dive, or have a PADI license and want to explore with our equipment.
- Snorkel Safari Tours - our Marine Biologists can guide you on a 50 minute snorkel safari tour in some of the prime reef locations near the pontoon.
- Semi-submersible tour - sit below the water line and watch the fish go by in our semi-sub!
- Snorkel from the platform
- Relax on the sundeck and enjoy a beverage from the Drift Bar onboard
3:30pm - Depart Moore Reef for Cairns
5:00pm - Arrive back in Cairns
Premium Dive Sites
We select the best reef spots on the Outer Reef each day, with mooring options on Milln, Flynn, Hastings, Saxon, Norman or Thetford Reef.
Exclusive Snorkel & Dive Cruise
With a maximum of 65 guests, you are guaranteed to have an exclusive and personal experience. Why not try scuba diving while visiting the Outer Reef? Diving can be added to your charter experience.
Experience First Nations Culture
Let our First Nations Cultural Guide take you on a Dreamtime journey and explore the reef through a cultural lense.
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel is a unique Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkelling experience incorporating the world's oldest living culture and the stories Traditional Owners have passed down over the tens of thousands of years.
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel invites you to step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Cultural Guides on a day tour to two spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Reef sites visited may include Milln, Flynn, Hastings, Saxon, Norman or Thetford Reef.
Cultural rangers recount the Dreamtime stories of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Gunggandji, Mandingalbay and Yirrganydji people to help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of this diverse ecosystem. The sea country of these four Traditional Owner groups stretches from Port Douglas to the Frankland Islands and includes the two sites you visit.
Once at the Reef, you will have the opportunity to explore the underwater world with included snorkelling experiences, or choose to splash out with extra activities like an introductory or certified dive.
Experience Co acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land and Sea on which our business operates on throughout Australia.
We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.
Inclusions
- Indigenous welcome and acknowledgement
- Great Barrier Reef creation story
- Two premium outer reef sites
- Guided Snorkel Tour
- Morning and afternoon tea
- Marine Biologist presentation
- Snorkelling equipment
- Wet and lycra suits
- Freshly prepared buffet lunch
Optional Extra's
The following options are available on Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel for an additional charge.
- Scuba Diving
- CSR Activities - Reef Connect Program
Quick Facts
- Capacity: 65 pax
- Minimum time required: 5.5 hours
- Outer Barrier Reef Experience
- Diving and snorkelling available
- Suitable for those comfortable to snorkel in the water
- Full Buffet lunch or custom menu available
8:15am - Arrive. Check in at the Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel vessel at Marlin Marina, Cairns
9.00am - Departure. Enjoy a delicious breakfast burger as you board and receive your snorkelling equipment for use throughout the day. Safety briefing, Indigenous welcome and acknowledgement.
10:30am - Arrive at our first location. Morning tea is served. In water activities commence, snorkelling and diving
12:30pm - Lunch is served before we make our way to our second site for the day. Enjoy a delicious array of cold dishes.
1:00pm - Approximate arrival at the second location for snorkelling and diving. Afternoon tea will be served before departing the reef to head home.
3:30pm - Depart the reef and interact with the Indigenous Guides as we travel back to Cairns.
5:00pm - Arrive back in Cairns
Perfect for anyone short on time
Situated only an hour off the coast of Cairns, Green Island is perfect for a half-day visit. Or stay the day and explore the Island and surrounding reef with our Marine Biologists and Cultural Guides.
Tailored to suit you
Let our experienced event manager tailor a cruise to meet your individual requirements, schedule and budget.
Green Island is a tropical island paradise on the Great Barrier Reef and approx 1 hour off the coast of Cairns. Cruise to Green Island in comfort aboard our modern air-conditioned catamarans.
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises offer full and half day cruises departing daily from Cairns at 9am, 11am & 1pm- perfect if you have other tours you'd like to complete in Cairns. Morning and afternoon tours are ideal for half day leisure options.
Available activities include snorkeling, semi-submarine, and glass-bottom boat coral viewing tours as well as a full buffet lunch, relaxing on the white sandy beach and exploring the walking tracks that lead through the National Park.
Inclusions
- Cruise transfers to and from Green Island by modern air-conditioned catamaran
- Morning tea / coffee
- Choice of a glass-bottom boat tour or use of snorkeling gear for the day
- Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)
- Free choice of Glass Bottom Boat tour OR Snorkel equipment with standard fare
Optional Extra's
The following options are available on Reef Magic Charters for an additional charge.
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour
- Snorkel Hire
- Semi-submersible Boat Tour
- Lunch
- Snorkel Safari Tour
- Snorkel Experience Tour
Quick Facts
- Capacity: 330 pax
- Minimum time required: 4.5 hours
- Suitable for swimmers & non-swimmers
- Full Buffet lunch or custom menu available
Itinerary:
8:30am - Arrive. Check in at Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns
9.00am - Departure. Sit back and relax and talk to our friendly team while you cruise to Green Island
10:15am - Explore the Island. Walk the rainforest, visit Marineland and find a good spot to settle in
10:30am - Snorkeling or Glass Bottom Boat. Snorkel right off the beach around the island! If you prefer a more adventurous learning experience, sign up for a Guided Snorkel Experience
12:30pm - Lunch. Enjoy the cool air conditioned and comfortable seating inside the large catamaran for lunch.
1:30pm - Semi Submarine. Explore the depths of the surrounding reef around Green Island with an expert guide
2:15pm - Snorkel Safari. Drift snorkel on the outer wall section of Green Island, famous for its extensive coral formations and schools of fish with a marine biologist commentary.
3:15pm - Relax and Shop. Green Island has various shops for that ice cream break or souvenirs. Showers etc are available too
3:45pm - Depart Green Island. Review photos, relax and cruise back to Cairns
5:00pm - Arrive back in Cairns.
Short on time? We have a half day option available with Reef Rocket!
Spend half the day exploring the beautiful Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef with a half day tour departing Cairns at 9am. Aboard the 'Reef Rocket', you'll make your way over to Green Island, a coral cay on the reef which is just a short 45 minute journey from the mainland.
Once you've reached the island you'll be able to enjoy a total of 2hrs 15mins exploring the tropical rainforest on the island and the reef surrounding. Guests will also be given the choice of snorkelling equipment to use during your stay on the island or a ride on the glass bottom boat (excludes Transfer Only option) to see the reef from a dry, comfortable position.
Departing Cairns from 9am or 1am, with an 11am departure available as well.
Full and Half Day Options
Just a short boat ride from Cairns, we offer ferry transfers for a full or half day at Fitzroy Island
Suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers
With protected beaches, guided snorkel tours and rainforest walks - there is something for everyone at Fitzroy Island.
Tailored to suit you
Let our experienced event manager tailor a cruise to meet your individual requirements, schedule and budget.
This spectacular island is easily accessible from Cairns and features an array of beautiful natural features – such as an immense range of marine life and coral species – that make visiting a dream.
Unlike smaller coral cays or sandy islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy was once part of mainland Australia.
The island is largely untouched and protected as Fitzroy Island National Park, with walking tracks through the rainforest, heathland and open forest to Nudey Beach and the Summit.
Inclusions
- Indigenous welcome and acknowledgement
- Great Barrier Reef creation story
- Cruise transfers to and from Fitzroy Island by air-conditioned catamaran
- Morning tea / coffee
- Choice of a glass-bottom boat tour or use of snorkeling gear for the day
- Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)"
Optional Extras
The following options are available for an additional charge.
- Snorkel Experience Tour (35 mins ) ideal for first-time snorkellers
- Snorkel Safari Tour (50 mins) Ideal for those comfortable snorkelling in the water
- Snorkel Equipment Hire
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour
- Freshly prepared Picnic Lunch
Quick Facts
- Capacity: 330 pax
- Minimum time required: 4.5 hours
- Suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers
- Custom catering available
- Full and half day tour options
Half Day Sample Itinerary - Depart 8.30 am or 10.45 pm
- 45 minute ferry to Fitzroy Island
- Over 2 hours to explore Fitzroy Island
- Great option if you wish to stay dry
- Swim at various beaches
- Walk through the rainforest
- Depart Fitzroy at 2pm
Full Day Sample Itinerary - Depart Cairns at 8.30am (or 10.45am)
- Up to 6 hours to explore Fitzroy Island
- 45 minute ferry to Fitzroy Island
- Depart Fitzroy at 4pm
- More time to explore, relax and play!
- Enjoy more optional extras
- Walk through the rainforest"
LOOKING FOR a private charter DEPARTING FROM PORT DOUGLAS?
Looking for options departing from Port Douglas instead? Check out our range of experiences and vessels departing from Port Douglas by clicking below.
