Cairns Reef Sites Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is the main launch point in Far North Queensland for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Off the shores of Cairns, you will discover some of the most beautiful reef sites in the world, which are home to thousands of species of fish and corals and host many stunning species such as sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, whales and more.
Your Guide To The Reef Sites Near Cairns & Port Douglas
Every reef site around Cairns and Port Douglas is unique and diverse and hosts a different array of plants and animals. Each reef site will have a different seascape and give you a view into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef in the form of coral gardens, sea beds, caves, coral walls, swim-throughs, bommies and more.
There are many different reef sites, which are unique and have specific attractions. We will recommend tours that visit each reef site. However, skippers choose their snorkel or dive sites on the day depending on the conditions, tides and weather. So a visit to a specific reef site is not always guaranteed, but this guide will highlight which tours tend to frequent certain spots.
Below we have listed the individual reef sites visited by tours that depart from Cairns and Port Douglas!
Explore the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns!
Great Barrier Reef Sites Near Cairns
Upolu Reef
- Tours that may visit: Ocean Freedom, Reef Daytripper, Passions of Paradise
Upolu Reef is a great spot for beginner snorkellers. Surrounding a glorious sandy cay (small island), you can find calm, shallow waters and a sprawling network of corals and marine life.
Thetford Reef
- Tours that may visit: Silverswift, Coral Sea Dreaming, Pro Dive Liveaboard, Passions of Paradise, Rum Runner Liveaboard
Thetford Reef is a horseshoe-shaped reef great for both snorkelling and scuba diving. Featuring coral bommies, sandy sea beds, and a variety of marine life, this 2km-long reef site has much to discover. It’s also a great underwater photography site.
Pellowe Reef
- Tours that may visit: Silverswift, Pro Dive Liveaboard
Pellowe Reef is a rare site to visit on tours from Cairns, as the conditions have to be perfect. So if you are able to get to this unique reef site, be sure to enjoy it! Common marine creatures spotted here include rays, eels, and tropical fish.
Norman Reef
- Tours that may visit: Evolution, Aquaquest, Passions of Paradise, Seaquest, Oceanquest Liveaboard, Reef Experience, Reef Encounter
Norman Reef is something to look forward to with shallow coral gardens, drop-offs, swim-throughs and caves. There is even a wreck dive at one reef sites here, making it a favourite for both snorkellers and divers. The depth variation of Norman Reef can be anywhere between 1 - 20 metres.
Milln Reef
- Tours that may visit: Coral Sea Dreaming, Silverswift, Dreamtime, Passions of Paradise, Pro Dive Liveaboard
Milln Reef sits close to the Outer Edge of the Great Barrier Reef and has a variety of plant and animal life. Common sea creatures you can spot at Milln Reef include reef sharks, parrotfish, clownfish, sea turtles, rays, or maybe even whales during the winter months!
Moore Reef
- Tours that may visit: Evolution, Aquaquest, Great Adventures, Dreamtime, Pure Snorkelling, Seaquest, Oceanquest Liveaboard, Rum Runner Liveaboard
Moore Reef ranges from 1 - 25 metres in depth, making it great for scuba diving, with plenty of reefs that are great for snorkelling. It’s a favourite reef for many visitors, as it promises a huge variety of marine life, coral formations, and reef types! The calm waters at Moore Reef make it the perfect site for a reef pontoon.
Flynn Reef
- Tours that may visit: Dreamtime, Passions of Paradise, Pro Dive Liveaboard
Flynn Reef is located near Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. This site hosts many smaller reefs, including Coral Gardens, Ski Slope, Tracey's Bommie, Gordon's Mooring and Tennis Court, all of which are visited by day and overnight trips to the reef. It has a diverse seascape and appeals to both snorkellers and scuba divers.
Breaking Patches
- Tours that may visit: Reef Experience, Reef Encounter, Passions of Paradise
Located just west of Michaelmas Reef and Cay, Breaking Patches is an amazing snorkel and dive spot. Known for its shallow waters, Breaking Patches offers a kaleidoscope of coral colours and formations paired with great visibility!
Hastings Reef
- Tours that may visit: Aquaquest, Passions of Paradise, Seaquest, Oceanquest Liveaboard, Reef Experience, Reef Encounter
Hastings Reef is great for both snorkellers and scuba divers and is huge in size. It spans about 10 square kilometres and is considered to be a patch reef. It’s host to coral overhangs, swim-throughs, coral gardens, caves and dropoffs as well as a huge variety of marine life. There are several overnight and day tours that visit Hastings Reef due to its size and its proximity to Cairns.
Saxon Reef
- Tours that may visit: Reef Experience, Reef Encounter, Evolution, Seaquest
With a collection of coral bommies and dive sites of varying depths, Saxon Reef is a favourite reef site near Cairns. Beginner snorkellers can explore the more shallow sections of the reef, with deeper sites also available for experienced divers.
Michaelmas Cay and Reef
- Tours that may visit: Ocean Spirit
Michaelmas Cay is one of the most iconic sand islands off the coast of Cairns. Boasting pristine white sands, a healthy population of seabirds, and fringing reefs surrounding the island, it's a beautiful spot for a beach day and a snorkelling session.
Green Island
- Tours that may visit: Ocean Free, Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises, Great Adventures
Similar to Michaelmas Cay, Green Island is a stunning sand island on the Great Barrier Reef. The island has beaches, walking trails, and a resort. Coral reefs surround Green Island, making it a fabulous place for snorkelling and glass-bottom boat tours.
Briggs Reef
- Tours that may visit: Pure Snorkelling
It takes just under an hour to reach Briggs Reef from Cairns. There are two snorkel sites here called The Wedge and One Fin. Briggs Reef is great for both snorkelling and diving, with varying depths and visibility levels.
Great Barrier Reef Sites Near Port Douglas
Low Isles Reef
- Tours that may visit: Wavedancer, Calypso Morning or Afternoon Snorkel, Sailaway
The Low Isles are a collection of coral cays found in the Great Barrier Reef. Within the isles you can find Woody Island, Low Island and 55 acres of coral reef. Explore the Low Isles on tours from Port Douglas!
Agincourt Reef
- Tours that may visit: Quicksilver, Silversonic, Poseidon, Calypso
Agincourt is a huge reef site that is found next to the continental shelf. Agincourt is made up of Ribbon Reefs, and since they are prone to the currents of the deep ocean found just next to it, they are lucky to have plenty of nutrients and oxygen to support a huge array of life.
Mackay Reef
- Tours that may visit: Sailaway Coral Cay Day Sail
Mackay Reef, located in the northern Great Barrier Reef near Port Douglas, is a pristine and fragile reef site that is quite rare to visit on reef tours. There is only one tour that heads here from Port Douglas. On Sailaway, you can admire vibrant corals growing up from sandy seabeds, followed by some beach time on Mackay Cay above the reef!
Opal Reef
- Tours that may visit: Wavelength
Opal Reef has several individual sites that vary in size, shape and formation and have a huge variety of marine life. It has clear water and is a great snorkel and scuba site, as you will likely have ideal visibility.
Sites here include Rayban, Mojo, Blue Lagoon, South North Opal, Sandbox, New Seagull, Bashful Bommie, Beautiful Mooring, Plato, Southside, East South Opal, The Gap, North West Opal or Long Bommie.
