Passions of Paradise
Departure Times
Departure Point: Cairns - Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina
Pricing Options
Make the Great Barrier Reef a passion of yours with a Passions of Paradise day trip!
- See the beautiful underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef
- Opportunity to scuba dive and snorkel amongst colourful corals and fish
- Visit two exquisite Outer Reef locations
- Fast, high-performance catamaran with full amenities
- Exclusive mooring at Paradise Reef to enjoy plenty of time in the water
Passions of Paradise offers guests the chance to dive or snorkel on an amazing day trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef! You'll get the opportunity to explore sprawling coral walls and see unique marine life at different reef locations. Sailing daily from Cairns the high-performance catamaran is the perfect vessel to enjoy the sun and sites, after a day filled with underwater adventure! Choose to dive, snorkel, or try both!
Highlights
- Fast, modern catamaran
- Visit the best reef destinations on the Great Barrier Reef
- Exclusive mooring at Paradise Reef to beat the crowds
- Free guided snorkel tour
- Dedicated snorkelling instructor
- Full buffet lunch prepared by Passions’ very own onboard Chef
- Highest-quality masks, snorkels, fins and scuba diving equipment
- Free floatation vests to aid non-swimmers
- Air-conditioned saloon
- Morning tea including freshly brewed tea, coffee and a fresh tropical fruit platter
- Afternoon tea with a cheese platter
- Onboard marine naturalist presentation on coral and marine life
- Staff trained in Advanced ECO Certification Standard
- Rates include National Park Levy
- Vessel maximum capacity 140, reduced to 90 guests for your comfort
Sample Itinerary
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Your itinerary on Passions of Paradise is action-packed! Here is a quick rundown of the day's activities:
- 7:00 - 7:50 - Check-in at Passions of Paradise desk, Reef Fleet Terminal
- 8:00 - Depart Cairns Marlin Marina for the first location
- 8:30 - Scuba Diving briefings for Introductory and Certified Divers Commence
- 9:30 - Snorkelling lesson for new and returning Snorkelers
- 10:00 - Arrival at the ...
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Your itinerary on Passions of Paradise is action-packed! Here is a quick rundown of the day's activities:
- 7:00 - 7:50 - Check-in at Passions of Paradise desk, Reef Fleet Terminal
- 8:00 - Depart Cairns Marlin Marina for the first location
- 8:30 - Scuba Diving briefings for Introductory and Certified Divers Commence
- 9:30 - Snorkelling lesson for new and returning Snorkelers
- 10:00 - Arrival at the first location (to be chosen on the day)
- 12:00 - Lunch - chef-prepared on board
- 12:45 - Transit to the second location for the second round of water activities
- 14:30 - Departure to return to Cairns
- 17:00 - Arrival back to Cairns Marlin Marina
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
Snorkel at two different dive sites and explore the world that awaits you! With intricate corals, colourful fish and playful marine life to look forward to, you will have a snorkel experience unlike any other! All of your gear is provided as well as free tuition for those who want to learn. We'll make sure you feel safe and comfortable in the water so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Introductory Diving
Introductory divers can partake in the free "try before you dive" policy which means you are welcome to join the briefings, get into the water and use the apparatus for 5 minutes before deciding to continue with your dive. This is a great way to see if you're into diving or not before taking the plunge and going in for real! No experience is necessary, all you need to do is fill out a questionnaire and bring along your sense of adventure.
Certified Diving
Certified divers will love the day trip on board Passions of Paradise! This tour offers a great way for you to explore the Great Barrier Reef and all it has to offer! Certified divers must bring along their dive cards and prepare themselves for the dive of a lifetime! All equipment is provided for all divers including fins, suits, masks and tanks.
Reef Sites
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During your day tour, you can look forward to visiting two unique sites! You'll stop at two different locations based on the weather conditions, with your captain choosing from:
- Moore Reef
- Milln Reef
- Flynn Reef
- Thetford Reef
- Hastings Reef
- Norman Reef
- Breaking Patches
- Pretty Patches
Sea turtles are common and you are also likely to see giant trevally, small blacktip reef sharks, batfish and h...
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During your day tour, you can look forward to visiting two unique sites! You'll stop at two different locations based on the weather conditions, with your captain choosing from:
- Moore Reef
- Milln Reef
- Flynn Reef
- Thetford Reef
- Hastings Reef
- Norman Reef
- Breaking Patches
- Pretty Patches
Sea turtles are common and you are also likely to see giant trevally, small blacktip reef sharks, batfish and hundreds of species of colourful reef fish. Paradise Reef is an exclusive mooring just for Passions so there are no crowds as you snorkel or dive on the outer Great Barrier Reef. It is a hard coral reef featuring a ribbon of small reefs. With depths of up to 25 metres along the edge, water clarity is good and the area is host to many exciting fish species including Wally, our resident Maori Wrasse.
Addons
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The following are available to add on to your Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef tour. See the "What's Extra" section for prices!
- Introductory and certified scuba diving
- Underwater digital ca...
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The following are available to add on to your Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef tour. See the "What's Extra" section for prices!
- Introductory and certified scuba diving
- Underwater digital camera hire
- Prescription masks
- Transfers to the Marina from the City or North Beaches
Please click here for more diving information and to read the medical questionnaire.
More Information
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What To Bring
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Towel
- Cash or card for any onboard purchases
- Dive certification (if applicable)
What's Included
- Snorkelling equipment including a wetsuit or stinger suit and prescription masks are also available upon request
- Free guided snorkel tour
- Tropical buffet style lunch of cold cuts, salads and fruit
- Morning/afternoon tea
- Complimentary tea, coffee and chilled water are available throughout the d...
Read More
What To Bring
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Towel
- Cash or card for any onboard purchases
- Dive certification (if applicable)
What's Included
- Snorkelling equipment including a wetsuit or stinger suit and prescription masks are also available upon request
- Free guided snorkel tour
- Tropical buffet style lunch of cold cuts, salads and fruit
- Morning/afternoon tea
- Complimentary tea, coffee and chilled water are available throughout the day
- Marine naturalist presentation on coral fish and life
- Hot showers
- All marine park taxes included
What's Extra
T-shirts, assorted quality beers, wine and soft drinks available for purchase
City transfers ($25pp) & Northern Beaches transfers ($45pp)
Optional extras are available on board*
- 1st intro scuba dive $90 (payable at checkout)
- 2nd intro scuba dive $60
- 1st certified scuba dive $75 (payable at checkout)
- 2nd certified scuba dive $55
- Underwater camera hire (options start from $60)
- Snacks and souvenirs priced individually on board
*Prices are subject to change without notice
Please note your 1st dive must be pre-booked at checkout.
Cash and Credit are accepted on board.
All scuba diving is subject to the completion of a medical questionnaire on board. Some medical conditions and/or prescription medication may preclude you from diving. Please call us in advance to discuss any concerns you might have. Please click here for more diving information and to read the medical questionnaire.
Terms and Conditions
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 vessel 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.
Prices/Extra Costs:
All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply.
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. All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Tour Operator. 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:
No shows or client cancellations made within 24 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price.
Group cancellation policy for 10 passengers or more:
- If cancellation occurs more than 14 days prior to arrival, a full refund applies.
- If cancellation occurs 7- 13 days prior, a 50% refund applies.
- If cancellation occurs 7 days or less of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price.
Cairns Tours is required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period (24 hours). 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 supplier's 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 Travel Shop retail outlet located in Cairns, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Cairns Tours/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 off of 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.com . If you would like any further advice, 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 from 7:00 am at the Passions of Paradise counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at Cairns Marlin Marina, end of Spence Street. The boat is located at the end of Finger A Jetty and departs at 8:00 am.
When will it return?
You’ll arrive back into Cairns around 5pm give or take 10-15 minutes depending on if the weather is suitable for some genuine sailing on the way home.
Are transfers included?
Return transfers are available for an additional fee. Unfortunately transfers are not available from Port Douglas.
Can I scuba dive without prior experience?
Yes you can! If you are in general good health you can participate in an intro dive with a guided dive instructor. Please note you will need to complete a dive medical questionnaire onboard. Some conditions such as asthma, may prevent you from diving. Please check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Will there be sharks or crocodiles?
If you’re lucky, you may see a little white or black tip reef shark cruising on by, but rest assured they are super shy and will swim away if you get near. Crocodiles prefer to hang around the murky waters of rivers, lakes and swamps. So the water is too clear for them out on the reef and is a long distance for them to swim from the mainland, making it extremely rare to see them out on the Great Barrier Reef.
Is snorkelling and scuba diving equipment included?
Yes! Everything is included. Masks, fins and stinger suits, as well as all dive equipment for scuba. Even dive computers are included for certified scuba divers!
Are special dietary requirements catered for?
Yes. Passions has an onboard chef who freshly prepares five different vegetarian salads, plus one of the two hot dishes is always vegetarian. Other special requests are sometimes possible with adequate notice prior to the day of your trip.
What if I can’t swim very well?
The crew on Passions are there to look out for you. They can supply you with a range of flotation devices to assist you while snorkelling. Some of the crew are also in the water with a flotation station if you need to rest.
Does the tour operate everyday?
Yes, the tour operates every day except for New Years Day. Finding passengers and crew at 8am first day of the new year is a bit hard!
What if I get seasick?
If you are prone to seasickness, it is advisable to take something before you board the boat. As Passions is a catamaran, the boat is a lot more stable than a monohull and the sails act as a stabiliser. Sea sickness tablets are available for purchase onboard, but please note that they are a preventative measure only, and will not help if you are already feeling nauseous.
Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9 / 5.0
Based on 29 reviews