How Many Days Do You Need To See The Great Barrier Reef?

Alison Condon

Updated Fri 18 Oct 2024

If you’re planning to visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, you’ll need at least one full day. The world famous reef system, which is the only living thing visible from outer space, is a destination on so many people’s bucket lists - and for good reason! From stunning coral islands to unique marine life, there is so much to see. This guide will help you decide how much time you should give yourself to explore the Natural Wonder of the World.

How many days do you need to see the Great Barrier Reef?

How much time you should dedicate to your Great Barrier Reef visit depends on a few factors. For example, do you want to scuba dive, snorkel, or do a scenic flight? Are you travelling solo, with a group, or as a family? And are you on a tight budget or schedule? Answering these questions will help you pick the right itinerary.

Can you see the Great Barrier Reef in one day?

You can absolutely see the Great Barrier Reef in one day - just not all of it. Remember, the Great Barrier Reef is so big that it accounts for 10% of all the world’s coral reef systems, and is larger than Switzerland, Holland, and the UK combined. There’s no way you can explore it all in one day! That being said, there are plenty of single-day tours departing from Cairns that will make sure you see the highlights if you're short on time. 

Single Day Great Barrier Reef Tours

Full-day tours from Cairns will ensure that you get to explore two or more Great Barrier Reef sites, departing early in the morning and making sure you get enough time to snorkel, scuba dive, or perhaps even take a glass-bottom boat ride. These tours typically include lunch and snacks, as well as of the necessary scuba and snorkel equipment, making it a hassle-free way to explore the underwater haven. It's the perfect day out for those who are seeking adventure but are short on time.

Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Day Tours

To see as much of the Reef as possible in one single day, the best thing you can do is a pontoon tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. These tours take you by boat to a stationary platform on Reef, where you can get involved in a wide range of activities, for both swimmers and non-swimmers! Below are some of the pontoon day tours available, and the different ways they allow you to explore the Reef!

Moore Reef Pontoon - Depart from Cairns

• Glass-bottom boat tours

• Snorkelling

• Underwater observatory

• Scuba dives

• Scenic helicopter flight

• Seawalker helmet dive

Quicksilver Pontoon - Depart from Port Douglas

• Snorkelling

• Semi-submersible boat

• Scuba dives

• Scenic helicopter flight

• Ocean walking

• Underwater observatory

Great Adventures Pontoon - Depart from Cairns

• Snorkelling

• Semi-submersible tour

• Underwater observatory

• Scuba-doo

• Scenic helicopter flight

• Scuba dives

Reef Magic Pontoon - Depart from Cairns

• Snorkelling

• Scuba dives

• Glass-bottom boat tours

• Semi-submersible

• Scenic helicopter flight

• Underwater observatory

• Helmet diving

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights

If you only have one day to see the Great Barrier Reef, why not dedicate it to enjoying breathtaking views? Rather than taking a boat tour out to the Reef, soar above it and see its famous coral formations from an impressive vantage point. Take off from Cairns in a sea plane or a helicopter and spend 30 minutes to an hour up in the sky.

Not only do these tours allow you to appreciate the sheer size and beauty of the Reef, but they'll keep you from getting wet too! Scenic flights are the perfect choice for non-swimmers and travellers who are short on time but keen to capture some magnificent photos of their visit.

Sound like the trip for you? Why not take a look through our top Great Barrier Reef scenic flight tours.

Is 2 days enough time to see the Great Barrier Reef?

Yes, spending 2 days exploring the Great Barrier Reef gives you more time to experience this stunning spot from different perspectives. Dedicating 2 days to the Reef will also make your visit feel far less rushed, without trying to squeeze too many activities or reef sites into just a few hours. This amount of time is ideal for those who are passionate about the Reef or simply want a more leisurely holiday. Below, you'll find a few 2 day itinerary ideas for you to consider.

See the Great Barrier Reef from above and below

Spend one day out on the water with scuba dives and snorkels, and another admiring the Reef from the sky! 

Set out on one of the many fun-filled boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef and spend your first day snorkelling and scuba diving at different sites. See the stunning coral systems and the colourful array of fish and other marine life up-close, before indulging in a tasty lunch onboard. On day 2, take to the skies with a scenic flight and enjoy an entirely different view of the same reef you were swimming in yesterday! Choose from planes and helicopters, and marvel at the stunning aerial view for 30 minutes to an hour.

Explore the islands

As well as dedicating one day to a Great Barrier Reef boat tour, why not spend the second exploring a nearby island on the Reef like Green Island or Fitzroy Island? Both boast gorgeous rainforests, coral reefs, and beaches, but are unique in their own ways. Check out our guide on the two stunning Cairns islands to help you decide between them.

Liveaboards

If you’re passionate about marine life and keen on exploring the depths of the Reef, a liveaboard tour could be the perfect trip for you. Whether you’re a certified diver or a snorkelling enthusiast, these tours are designed for anyone who’d like to visit a wider range of stunning Great Barrier Reef sites at a leisurely pace. There's a wide range of liveaboad tours available, ranging from 2 Day 1 Night tours to 8 Day 7 Night tours, depending on your budget and time constraints.

More time in Cairns

If you have more time to spare, lucky you! Mix and match some of the different tours above to get a more well-rounded experience of the Great Barrier Reef, or check out what else Cairns has to offer. You’ll be spoiled for choice between Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Kuranda Village, or the stunning Atherton Tableland waterfalls. 

Have more time in Cairns? Check out our Things To Do guide for some inspiration!

For more information ahead of your visit to the Great Barrier Reef, get in touch with our team of local experts, available 24/7.