What Is A Pontoon Tour?
A pontoon tour is one of the most enjoyable, comfortable, and fun-filled days out that you can have on the Great Barrier Reef. Offering guests total stability and space in the middle of one of the seven natural wonders of the world, a pontoon accommodates for everyone.
Embark on a thrilling scuba dive or snorkel tour, inspect the kaleidoscopic reef onboard a glass-bottom boat, soak up a birds-eye view from the comfort of a helicopter, or spend the day basking in the sunshine on the top deck. How you spend your day on a Great Barrier Reef pontoon is totally up to you. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself close to the magnificent Reef, treating yourself to a pontoon tour is a no-brainer!
What is a Pontoon?
A pontoon is a flat-bottomed man-made structure that safely and steadily floats on the water’s surface, gently raising and lowering depending on the sea level while remaining stationary. Pontoons can easily carry heavy weights and can even be used in water-based construction or military operations.
On the Great Barrier Reef, there are specially-designed pontoon platforms that are essentially giant playgrounds for swimmers and non-swimmers who want to see the Reef up-close. They are so large that they can accommodate all sorts of fun activities and amenities, making for one of the most highly-rated days out that tourists can have on the Great Barrier Reef.
What does a Pontoon tour involve?
Typically a pontoon tour begins with a cruise on a catamaran out toward the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Depending on the tour you’ve booked, your boat could leave from Cairns, Port Douglas, or Airlie Beach, and could take anywhere between an hour and two hours to reach your pontoon. On the journey, you’ll get to enjoy morning tea, a thorough briefing from your friendly crew, and an opportunity to sign up for all sorts of thrilling activities. Some pontoon activities are already included in the price of your ticket, and others come as optional extras.
When your boat pulls up to the pontoon, the real adventure begins! If you’re itching to get into the water, get suited up for snorkelling and prepare to see glorious coral reefs and an abundance of tropical marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for Maori Wrasses, sea turtles, and possibly even sharks!
Those who are better equipped for dry land can still explore the wonders of the reef through glass bottom boat tours, underwater observatories, and feeding presentations held on the deck of the boat. Adventurers who are hoping to experience a little something extra, optional add-ons typically include introductory and certified scuba dives, and scenic helicopter flights above the Reef. In the middle of the magic, pontoon visitors will get to indulge in a delicious buffet lunch and sit out on the deck and enjoy the sunshine.
Why choose a Pontoon tour?
The beauty of a pontoon tour is that it suits all sorts of holidaymakers, and there really is something for everyone. So, whether you’re travelling as a family, with young kids or older adventurers, or friends with totally different interests, you can rest assured that everyone will be leaving with a smile on their face. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef and stay swimming among the coral and the wildlife until your fingers prune, or stay bone dry all day above the surface. Swimmers and non-swimmers alike will be spoiled for choice during a day on the pontoon!
What to bring on a Pontoon tour?
If you’re setting off on a pontoon tour, you should pack sun protection essentials like a hat, sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, swimwear and a towel, and a refillable water bottle.
If you think you might want to take home a souvenir, get extra snacks, or try one of the optional add-on activities, it’s essential to pack a credit card or some cash.
Plus, if you’d like to take some photos of your Great Barrier Reef adventure, you can pack a camera, a waterproof phone case, or a GoPro. Oftentimes, tour operators will also provide a GoPro rental service or their own underwater photography team, who will take snaps of you in the midst of your snorkel or scuba dive.
Best Pontoon Tours in Cairns
Any trip to a pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef is going to be a winner, but here are some of our top recommendations.
Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Tours
Sunlover Day Trip to Moore Reef
Set off from Cairns in a catamaran and embark on an adventure to Moore Reef, where you can enjoy snorkelling, glass bottom boat tours, an underwater observatory, a 30-metre spiralling waterslide, and an enclosed ocean pool. Optional add-ons on this tour include a scenic helicopter flight, introductory and certified scuba dives, a seawalker helmet dive, and a guided snorkel tour.
Reef Magic Pontoon Day Tour
The Reef Magic Pontoon Day Tour takes guests to the newest pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef, offering guests a chance to explore an all-new underwater playground full with colourful reefs and marine life. Activities included in your tour range from an underwater observatory to snorkelling to a glass bottom boat. Plus, get a chance to observe researchers hard at work in a purpose-built science lab onboard. Optional add-ons include introductory and certified scuba dives, helmet diving, and guided snorkel tours.
Quicksilver Outer Reef Pontoon
If you’re based in Port Douglas, opt for Quicksilver’s dreamy Outer Reef Pontoon, situated in Agincourt Ribbon Reef. Snorkel, explore an underwater observatory, or cruise in a semi-submersible boat. Optional add-ons to your day include scenic helicopter flights, guided snorkel tours, ocean walker helmet diving, and introductory and certified scuba dives.
Great Adventures Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef and enjoy your thrilling pontoon day out. On board the platform, enjoy snorkelling, a semi-submersible tour, and an underwater observatory. Optional extras include scuba diving, guided snorkel tours, scenic helicopter flights, and use of the underwater scuba-doo. Plus, for just $30 extra, you can add a two-hour stopover to Green Island where you can indulge in a relaxing trip through the reef and rainforest coral cay.
Have a browse through our full list of pontoon day tours to find your perfect Great Barrier Reef adventure.
