Top Cairns & the Tropical North Kayaking Tours

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

Get set for a wet and wild adventure as you hurtle down the Mulgrave River on a giant tube! Hang on tight as you navigate small rapids and then soak up the scenery as you drift through the rainforest. This fun-filled morning tour includes hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns, plus around 2 hours of tubing. Best of all: there’s no experience necessary, so everyone can give it a go!

Hop aboard a luxurious, air-conditioned catamaran for a dinner cruise from Cairns, and experience a new perspective on the city from the water's edge. Sip a complimentary welcome drink as you glide along the Cairns waterfront precinct and along the idyllic Trinity Inlet, then tuck into a delicious hot and cold buffet dinner featuring seafood and fresh local produce. Vegetarian and other dietary options can be catered for.

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: With full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

Combine a reef and rainforest experience on this day trip to Green Island. Located just 45 minutes from Cairns via catamaran, this island is home to over 120 plant species and colorful birds. While there, take a self-guided walk to discover some of the island's flora. Day visitor facilities include a pool bar, restaurant, and shops. Food is also available for purchase.

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises are the only commercial operator allowed to land on stunning Normanby Island, offering ample space and time for relaxation and exploration. Customise your day trip with a variety of optional activities on our all-inclusive tour. The islands are also home to several endangered species like the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, spectacled flying-fox, and beach stone-curlews. Explore the vibrant underwater world with 200 coral species around Normanby and Mabel islands, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park's total of 600 species. On Frankland Islands, stars aren't just in the sky—they're beneath your feet! Baclogypsina sphirulata, known as Sand Stars found on Normanby Island, are typically rare and found on beaches across the Indo-Pacific. They're often considered unique to Okinawa, Japan, but it's our hidden delight that you can also discover them in a secluded spot on Normanby Island.

Reaching the outer Great Barrier Reef requires a boat, gear, and staff who can match the day to your experience in the water. Cruise out from Cairns by catamaran to three dive sites, swimming among the coral and marine life at each. All levels are welcome, with guides on hand whether you snorkel, try an introductory scuba dive, or dive as a certified diver. Buffet lunch and morning and afternoon tea are included.

The Daintree's rainforest, coast, and the rugged Bloomfield Track are spread across a big stretch of Far North Queensland, hard to cover self-driving in a day. Join a 4WD tour that links them with a guided walk through the ancient rainforest and along the sand at Cape Tribulation. Watch for crocodiles on a river cruise, cool off with a freshwater swim in the forest, and finish with a tropical fruit ice cream.

Go snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day cruise from Cairns. Relax on board your 80-foot (25-meter) luxury catamaran as your captain sails to two exclusive locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Choose to snorkel or dive, with full instruction provided by guides, and see an array of colorful fish, sea turtles, and corals. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch, with additional beverages available for purchase.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia's Tropical North Queensland on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy lunch in the Daintree Village. After lunch, join a wildlife cruise on the Daintree River where you might see a crocodile, and learn about the fragile ecosystem of this impressive, serpent-like river system. Finally, head to Thornton’s Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef.

Make exploring the Great Barrier Reef simple on this full-day tour from Cairns, which offers snorkeling or diving experiences from two different reef locations. You can choose between different options for this experience based on your snorkeling or diving levels. While out on the water, keep an eye out for marine life, including fish, rays, and turtles, and immerse yourself in the UNESCO–listed scenery.

Sail on a 2-masted schooner from Cairns to Green Island for a full day of snorkeling, swimming, and optional scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Spend time in the water around the magnificent coral reef, or laze on Green Island’s white sandy beaches. Refuel with a buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and indulge in a glass of wine as you cruise back to Cairns.

Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef at two different snorkel and dive sites on this luxury catamaran cruise from Cairns. Travel in style aboard a fast, comfortable catamaran to the outer edge of Upolu Reef, "Wonder Wall," and the Upolu Cay reef area, where you can choose to snorkel or dive (additional cost) and observe the coral that's teeming with colorful fish. Refuel with a buffet lunch on board the catamaran, ensuring there's

If you want to experience the outer Great Barrier Reef away from the crowds, this full-day sailing trip is ideal. You’ll sail to Upolu Reef and a sheltered lagoon, where you can snorkel amid a vast array of coral, tropical fish, turtles, clams, and more. A guided snorkel is included if you’d like some extra support in the sea. This Eco Certified tour reflects a sustainable approach and respect for the environment.

Travel by air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns Marina to our Moore Reef Pontoon located on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, perfectly positioned and equipped for you to explore this reef that is teeming with colourful coral and fascinating fish. Spend 4 hours exploring the reef by taking advantage of the free inclusions such as glass bottom boat tours, all snorkelling equipment, underwater observatory, fish feeding presentation, an enclosed ocean pool for kids and buffet lunch. The pontoon also features an upper sundeck to relax in the sun and look out over the turquoise waters in between activities. This is where you'll find the waterslide - the only theme park waterslide on the reef! Dial up the adventure and add on optional extras like include Introductory or Certified diving, Seawalker Helmet dive, Guided Snorkel Tour or even a Scenic helicopter flight.