(07) 4082 7470

Ocean Freedom

FROM: $235
75
SingleDay
4.9 (31 Reviews)

Departure Times

Departs: 8:00am - Daily
Returns: 4:30pm - Daily

Departure Point: Cairns - Reef Fleet Terminal

Pricing Options

$255 AUD / Person - Adult (15+) (Between: 01 Jul 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
$190 AUD / Person - Child (4-14 years) (Between: 01 Jul 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
RRP $222.5 $202 AUD / Person - Family (2 adults + 2 children) ($808 Total) (Between: 30 Jun 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
$360 AUD / Person - General + 1 Intro Dive (12+) (Between: 01 Jul 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
$410 AUD / Person - General + 2 Intro Dives (12+) (Between: 01 Jul 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
$335 AUD / Person - General + 1 Cert Dive (12+) (Between: 01 Jul 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
$375 AUD / Person - General + 2 Cert Dives (12+) (Between: 01 Jul 2023 and 31 Mar 2024)
$0 AUD / Person - Infant (0-3 years) (Between: 01 Apr 2021 and 31 Mar 2025)

Cruise to Upolu Cay and the outer edge of Upolu Reef on an incredible day trip with Ocean Freedom!

  • Exciting water activities in a small group setting
  • Visit two stunning sites for exceptional snorkelling and scuba diving
  • Glass bottom boat tours are offered for a new point-of-view!
  • Six hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef

Ocean Freedom cruises in style and speed to the Great Barrier Reef, providing you with a first-class way to experience this natural paradise. Guests can enjoy personalised snorkeling, certified and introductory diving and a glass bottom boat tour. The luxury cruiser is the first boat to arrive at the pristine Upolu Cay, allowing yours to be the first footsteps on its golden beaches. You are guaranteed a ratio of two divers to one instructor on your very first intro dive to ensure you get maximum enjoyment and safety.


Highlights

  • Adventure drift snorkelling tour with a marine naturalist
  • Snorkelling tuition included 
  • Opportunity to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef
  • Top quality snorkelling equipment (masks, flippers, snorkel)
  • Buoyancy snorkel vests provided
  • Lycra suits or wet suits (depending on the season)
  • Reef presentation by marine interpreter
  • Visit two pristine reef destinations 
  • Six hours exploring the gems of the Great Barrier Reef
  • Tea and coffee throughout the day
  • Large smorgasbord lunch with seafood
  • Platters of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers and cake on way home
  • Freshwater showers on board
  • Prescription masks available 
  • High crew-to-guest ratio
  • Glass bottom boat tour

Important Information

  • Please note divers may be subject to a medical questionnaire before they are able to dive. Please click here for more diving information and to read the medical questionnaire.
  • There is a $20 reef levy to be paid on arrival. This is included in the advertised price but is not collected during booking.  

Sample Itinerary

Show Less

Board Ocean Freedom at 7:30 am at A Finger no 5. Enjoy a morning tea or coffee and Danish pastries in the comfortable lounge. Following an introductory safety brief - kick back, relax and enjoy the one-hour cruise to Upolu Cay on the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkelling
You will get plenty of time to enjoy the fun of snorkelling with Ocean Freedom! All your gear and tuition are provided, ensuring all...

Read More

Board Ocean Freedom at 7:30 am at A Finger no 5. Enjoy a morning tea or coffee and Danish pastries in the comfortable lounge. Following an introductory safety brief - kick back, relax and enjoy the one-hour cruise to Upolu Cay on the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkelling
You will get plenty of time to enjoy the fun of snorkelling with Ocean Freedom! All your gear and tuition are provided, ensuring all you need to bring along is your sense of adventure. We’ll bring you to colourful and vibrant reefs where you can explore the vast coral gardens of the marine park that are home to thousands of species of fish and coral that aren’t found anywhere else in the world! 

Couple snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

Glass bottom boat 
Hop on our glass bottom boat alongside our marine naturalist and learn all about the reef and its residents! Cruise along the top of the reef, peering in from above, seeing the fish, turtles and other marine animals as they go about their daily lives! This clear perspective gives you a chance to learn about the reef with the added bonus of a comfortable boat that allows you to stay dry.

Fish with yellow underwater tails

Scuba diving
Both introductory divers and certified divers are welcome on our day trip to Upolu Reef and Upolu Cay. This means that even if you’ve never even tried scuba diving before you can try it during your trip! There is no better experience than diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Check this item off your bucket list and hop in the water to enjoy everything the depths have to offer.

Scuba diving woman underwater in the reef

Reef sites
Upolu Cay: Ocean Freedom is the first boat to arrive at the beautiful Upolu Cay so that you can enjoy it uninterrupted! You can snorkel or enjoy a glass bottom boat tour, surrounded by stunning turquoise water and many types of corals, reef fishes, stingrays, cucumbers, and sea stars - this is a great introduction to the reef. Lunch is served buffet style at 11:30 am, with a large smorgasbord consisting of meat, chicken, prawns, and smoked salmon, along with three salads and a selection of bread. Enjoy a cruise to your second site as you indulge on a delicious lunch, taking time to enjoy the spacious decks or the air-conditioned saloon.

Upolu Reef
Wonder Wall is located on the Outer Edge of Upolu Reef. Here you will find hard and soft corals, giant clams and turtles along with a huge diversity of fish of all sizes. You can snorkel or dive here, with both introductory and certified divers welcome. There is also a snorkel tour available with our marine naturalist, who will show you all the cool things in this part of the reef!

Coral underwater with pink tips

Inclusions
Low guest numbers ensure a personal snorkel and dive experience. All guests are assessed for their diving and snorkelling abilities and are appropriately assisted to ensure all are able to experience and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. After spending approximately six full hours in the reef and cay, you'll head home as our crew serve a selection of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers and a decadent cake platter for you to enjoy after a fun day in the water.

Fruit platter with tropical fruits


More Information

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What To Bring

  • Swimwear
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Cash or card for any onboard purchases
  • Dive certification (if applicable)

What's Included

  • Adventure drift snorkelling tour with Marine Naturalist
  • Snorkelling tuition
  • Top quality snorkelling equipment (masks, flippers, snorkel)
  • Buoyancy snorkel vests
  • Lycra suits /or wet suits (depending on the season)
  • Reef talk by a marine interpreter
  • 2 Reef destinations on the day including Upolu ...

Read More

What To Bring

  • Swimwear
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Cash or card for any onboard purchases
  • Dive certification (if applicable)

What's Included

  • Adventure drift snorkelling tour with Marine Naturalist
  • Snorkelling tuition
  • Top quality snorkelling equipment (masks, flippers, snorkel)
  • Buoyancy snorkel vests
  • Lycra suits /or wet suits (depending on the season)
  • Reef talk by a marine interpreter
  • 2 Reef destinations on the day including Upolu Cay + "Wonder Wall" on outer edge Upolu Reef
  • 6 hours on the Reef
  • Tea and coffee throughout the day
  • Large smorgasbord lunch with seafood
  • Glass bottom boat tour
  • Platters of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers and cake on way home
  • Fresh water showers
  • Prescription Masks
  • Reef Talk by Marine Interpreter

What's Extra

  • $20 Reef Levy to pay on arrival (included in advertised price, but not paid during booking)
  • Coach transfers
    • $18 Inner city return per person
    • $25 Northern Beaches, as far as Palm Cove, return per person
  • Refreshments
  • Underwater cameras
  • Hire of Wet / Stinger suits
  • Merchandise 

Please note divers may be subject to a medical questionnaire before they are able to dive. Please click here for more diving information and to read the medical questionnaire.

Terms and Conditions

Important Information:

  • $20 Reef Levy to pay on arrival (included in advertised price, but not paid during booking)

All information provided at any time by Cairns Tours and our affiliates is subject to these Terms & Conditions. This includes but is not limited to tour information, pricing, blog posts, travel advice, itinerary information and availability.

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Cairns Tours/Mr Travel and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. Please refer to the specific tour page for full check-in instructions.


Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.


Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 


Transport:

It should be noted that any transport you have booked (buses, flights and ferries) through Cairns Tours is non-refundable and non-transferable. It might be possible to change flights however do note this must be done directly with the flight operator and we are unable to offer any support with this. This may incur change fees or cancellation fees, it depends on the T+Cs of the flight operators themselves. As we acted as a booking agent for you, it is possible to liaise with the airline directly should there be any unexpected events and the airline is forced to cancel your flights. If there are any changes to your flight times or days, we will get notified and send this email directly to you in a reasonable time.


Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.


Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.


Transfers:

The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies. Not all tours offer transfers, please refer to the individual product to see if this is applicable to your tour.


Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.

You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations


Client Cancellations:

All cancellations forfeit 25% of the recommended retail price (RRP) - not the discounted/sale price. No shows or client cancellations made within 24 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price. 

Cairns Tours are required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during standard business hours (9am-5pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider.

Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.


Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

All add-on activities (including but not limited to scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, helmet diving, guided snorkel tours, banana boat rides and waterslides) are subject to availability and price changing, and may not be available during your tour without notice. Guests are not eligible for refunds on the grounds of non-operating extra activities.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Cairns Tours retail outlet, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Mr Travel online department.


Refunds:

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Cairns Tours/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.


Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based on feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Cairns Tours/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.


Information & Advice:

All information, advice or pricing provided by Cairns Tours and our affiliates, or through any of our team, is subject to change. Cairns Tours articles and products are provided online for general information purposes only and are intended as guides. Any advice interpreted from information on the website (including but not limited to financial, immigration, employment and tax information) is not specialist advice and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional instruction. Cairns Tours does not guarantee that any information provided is up-to-date or accurate. Please obtain professional advice before actioning any advice, including but not limited to tax, immigration, employment, travel restrictions and finances.


Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel/Cairns Tours. If you would like any further advice, or assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the boat depart from and what time?

Check in starts at 7:15 am at the Ocean Free/Ocean Freedom desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St Cairns. The Ocean Freedom boat is located at A Finger, Cairns Marlin Marina. Boarding begins at 7:30am for an 8am departure.

How long does it take to get out to the reef?

It takes about 1 hour to get to Upolu Reef.

When do we return back to Cairns?

You will arrive back into Cairns Marina around 4pm - 4:15pm

Are special dietary requirements catered for?

Ocean Freedom offers three different types of salads and breads, but can also order a vegetarian meal for you on request. If you have any other dietary needs, please let the reservations team know when you book.

Should I be worried about sharks?

There are black and white tipped reef sharks on the reef, but they are very shy. They pose no threat to humans and we count ourselves very lucky if we see them! Seeing reef sharks is considered a good sign of a healthy underwater ecosystem.

Are transfers included?

Transfers are available for an additional cost. Return transfers from Cairns City are $18 p/p, and return transfers from the Outer Suburbs and Northern Beaches are $24 p/p. This needs to be pre-booked at least 24 hours prior to your date of travel.

What if I’m prone to sea sickness?

If you are prone to seasickness, please take a preventative medication 20 mins before you board the boat. The crew are there to look after you at all times. The boat is also mainly open with lots of fresh air, so can be a better option than some closed style boats.

How many hours do we spend out on the reef?

You will have 6 glorious hours to experience the Upolu Reef and Cay area, so there is absolutely no rush in the day. Ocean Freedom is the only Great Barrier Reef tour that offers this amount of reef time!

What if I’m not a good swimmer, can I still snorkel?

Yes, you can! Ocean Freedom has a range of buoyancy vests and aids available for you to use. There are also snorkel stations in the water for you to hold on to when you need to. If you are still in need of assistance, a member of staff can come in the water with you until you feel more confident. Ocean Freedom will have a crew member on watch at all times, keeping an eye on all snorkelers, swimmers and divers ready to offer help if necessary.

Can I scuba dive without any prior experience?

Yes! Anyone who is in general good health can experience an introductory scuba dive. In fact, diving is easier than snorkelling when taken by Ocean Freedom’s experienced instructors. There are certain medical conditions that may prevent you from diving, such as asthma, epilepsy and heart conditions. All divers must complete a dive medical questionnaire onboard the boat. Please speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. Ocean Freedom also offers a guaranteed 1:2 dive instructor to diver ratio. Most other boats offer 1:4.

Reviews

Overall Rating

4.9 / 5.0

Based on 31 reviews

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Reviews by our Cairns Tours customers

Jorge, 24 Dec 22
Next time I will try scuba diving!
Gabi, 24 Dec 22
I can't believe I got to see the Great Barrier Reef! What an amazing day snorkelling for hours. I didn't want to leave the water.
Ane, 24 Dec 22
Loved this trip. We saw a turtle and a stingray! Really good staff.
Taylor, 20 Nov 22
These guys have a lot of crew on board which I love! Really great for new divers - only two students per instructor, which is so good, as diving can be quite a dangerous activity if you aren't careful. They made sure to let everyone know that they were more than willing to give some extra attention to less confident swimmers as well - guided snorkelling was offered at no additional cost, as well as the glass bottom boat! Highly recommend :)
India
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