Is It Better To Do A Reef Tour From Cairns Or Port Douglas?
If you’re going to make the journey to see the Great Barrier Reef, you’re going to want to do it right!
The natural world wonder stretches for over 2,300km, and is larger than the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland combined. As a result, there are a few different spots across Tropical North Queensland from which you can set out to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Two of the most popular destinations for access to the Reef are Cairns and Port Douglas.
Is it better to see the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas or Cairns?
Each spot is unique, offering totally different experiences, attractions, and tours of the Great Barrier Reef. Deciding which destination will offer you the best reef tour depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Let’s delve into the differences to help you decide the best starting point for your Great Barrier Reef tour.
Both offer extensive access to the best Great Barrier Reef sites, and provide a whole host of boat tours to take you there. It all simply depends on which sites pique your interest, and what sort of atmosphere you want to immerse yourself in. Here are some important points to consider when you’re making your decision.
Getting to the Great Barrier Reef
How long is a boat ride from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef?
Cairns is one of the easiest access points to the Great Barrier Reef. From the bustling, vibrant city, a boat trip out to the Reef can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on which site you’re exploring.
It’s also worth noting that the beauty of being based in Cairns City is that it’s highly accessible for visitors. Not only does it have an international airport and a public transport network running through the city, but it’s such a popular tourist destination that a number of Port Douglas based reef tours offer transfers all the way from Cairns to their marina.
How long is a boat tour from Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef?
One of the main advantages of taking a Reef tour from Port Douglas is that you can get out to prime Great Barrier Reef sites a little bit quicker. Tours leaving from Port Douglas can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour depending on the vessel and the tour itinerary.
The best sites in the Great Barrier Reef
What is the best reef to visit from Cairns?
Norman Reef and Flynn Reef are probably the most popular reef sites to visit from Cairns. Both spots can be found on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and are renowned for their diverse marine life. It’s common for divers and snorkelers to see turtles, reef sharks, Maori wrasse, giant clams, and a whole host of colourful tropical fish.
Norman Reef, which is one of the most popular diving spots in all of Australia, is known for its exceptionally blue waters and excellent visibility. Thanks to its depth and plethora of sea caves and coral, there are all sorts of wonders and treasures to be discovered for those willing to dive in. Meanwhile, Flynn Reef is best known for its stunning coral formations, awesome drop-offs, and protection from strong currents. These qualities make Flynn a perfect spot for novice divers and snorkellers.
What is the best reef to visit from Port Douglas?
Agincourt Reef is the most popular Great Barrier Reef spot you can reach from Port Douglas. Made up of a collection of several long and narrow ribbon reefs, Agincourt has a name for being one of the most pristine and best-protected ecosystems in all of the Great Barrier Reef, with 16 different dive sites. The range of marine life thriving among the Agincourt ribbon reefs is particularly impressive. A quick look around beneath the surface will make you feel like you’re in Finding Nemo! Think clownfish, giant clams, angelfish, sea turtles, sea anemones, rays, yellow-striped barracuda… the list goes on!
Best Great Barrier Reef Tours
Best Reef Tours in Cairns
Hop on board a cushy catamaran and be whisked out to the Great Barrier Reef. Scuba dive, snorkel, or swim through three unique Reef sites for up to dive hours. Silverswift is known as one of the quickest dive tours from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, complete with a spacious, modern deck, hot freshwater showers, and a tropical lunch.
Spend up to six hours exploring the Outer Great Barrier Reef - either by snorkelling, scuba diving, or setting off on a glass bottom boat. Included in the cost of your ticket, you can enjoy one complimentary introductory or certified dive, all scuba or snorkelling gear, a BBQ lunch, a marine biology presentation, and a glass of wine for the journey back to shore.
Perhaps one of the most popular diving tours departing from Cairns, Passions of Paradise is a modern, high-performance catamaran that has exclusive mooring at Paradise Reef. Enjoy a guided snorkel tour, an exquisite buffet lunch, and morning and afternoon tea included in the price of your ticket. In order to get the best diving or snorkelling experience, Passions also offers guests top quality scuba and snorkelling equipment.
Board a three-level superyacht vessel and spend a full five hours out on the reef, snorkelling, scuba-diving, or just kicking back and relaxing on this affordable day out. Plus, if you feel like splashing out, you can add on up to three introductory or certified scuba dives, and even a scenic helicopter tour above the Reef.
Best Reef Tours in Port Douglas
Guests who set out on Silversonic are treated to a whopping five hours on the Great Barrier Reef, across three different locations. Even though it departs from Port Douglas Marina, Silversonic guests based in Cairns will be whisked all the way from their accommodation! Silversonic takes marine explorers out to the stunning Agincourt Reef for certified and introductory dives, and snorkelling.
Learn all about marine life and ecosystems with the help of a knowledgeable crew or explore at your leisure across three reef sites on the Great Barrier Reef with Calypso. Snorkel, scuba dive, or relax on sun loungers during your day out on Agincourt, Undine, or St Crispin Reef.
Quicksilver Outer Reef Pontoon
Snorkel, scuba dive, and swim around the Great Barrier Reef from Quicksilver’s Outer Reef Pontoon. In between, enjoy a fish feeding show and an underwater observatory, chow down on a tropical buffet lunch. Feeling fancy? Why not add on an optional scenic helicopter flight over the reef or a helmet ocean walker experience?
Only interested in snorkelling? Wavelength Reef Cruises Outer Reef Tour might be the trip for you. With a focus on snorkelling and smaller passenger numbers, this tour boasts exclusive outer reef moorings so you’re sure to get the most out of your day tour. As well as whisking you off to carefully selected reef spots, your crew will take plenty of photos and keep you well fed throughout the day.
Is there more to do in Cairns or Port Douglas?
When it comes to a wider variety of reef tours, Cairns probably reigns supreme. With tours that cater to all budgets, schedules, and types of travellers, the Tropical North Queensland city has it all. As well as reef tours, Cairns is also the perfect base for day trips to iconic destinations like Daintree Rainforest and Kuranda. Plus, it boasts an impressive nightlife scene for travellers who want to keep the fun going.
Meanwhile, Port Douglas is a destination for those looking for a more peaceful, intimate, upscale experience. When visitors aren’t exploring the stunning Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, they can soak up breathtaking coastal views and lush rainforest landscapes along the Captain Cook Highway, enjoy boutique shopping, and observe wildlife.
