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Tusa Snorkel & Dive

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40
SingleDay
Min. Age
12+
5.0 (3 Reviews)

Departure Times

Departs: 8:00am - Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Returns: 4:30pm

Departure Point: C Finger Jetty, Cairns Marlin Marina

Pricing Options

$460 AUD / Person - General (12+) (Between: 01 Apr 2025 and 31 Mar 2025)

Join Tusa Reef Tours for an amazing all inclusive day of diving and snorkelling on the mesmerising Great Barrier Reef!

  • Small group of only 40 people max
  • Enjoy two included intro or certified dives!
  • Indulge in all inclusive food and drinks
  • Cruise the reef on a comfortable and spacious vessel
  • State of the art equipment and guided snorkel tours included!

Tusa isn't your ordinary outer reef trip. From the moment you step onboard, every aspect of your day is catered for. On this exclusive, all inclusive reef trip you won't need to worry about anything else. Start the day right with a delicious brekkie spread, cruise on out to the reef and gear up for your first included scuba dive or snorkel of the day! Enjoy a guided snorkel safari with an expert marine biologist, or go solo with state of the art underwater headsets that provide interesting facts about the reef and marine life. Trips are restricted to 40 people only, ages 12 and up to ensure all guests have the ultimate reef experience! 

Tusa Reef Tours Purple Anemone

Highlights

  • Fresh chef prepared food and beverages included (incl. soft drinks, wine and beer)
  • Enjoy table service for lunch and beverages
  • Explore more of the underwater world with 2 introductory dives (uncertified)
  • Certified divers get to enjoy 2 long dives or 3 x 40min dives (guided or unguided)
  • State of the art Scubapro dive and snorkel equipment
  • Wetsuits made from eco-friendly plant-based foam
  • Take a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist
  • Stay hydrated with a Free insulated Tusa Reef Tours stainless steel water bottle 
  • Enjoy underwater commentary with prerecorded headsets on reef and marine life info.
  • Rinse off with the hot freshwater showers on board
  • Return transfers from Cairns City accommodation if required
  • With 16 dive sites to choose from, the crew will select the best spots to visit on the day for the most suitable conditions.

Tusa Reef Tours - Aerial Shot

Important Information

  • Please note: divers are subject to a medical questionnaire before diving. Please click here for more diving information and to read the medical questionnaire.
  • Certified divers are required to provide their Certification Cards upon boarding.
  • This tour is exclusively for guests 12 years and over. 

Sample Itinerary

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7:30am
Check in onboard the Tusa Reef Tours at C Finger Jetty, Cairns Marlin Marina and be greeted by the friendly crew who will be taking care of you for the day! 
An indigenous elder performs a welcome to country smoking as you board the boat. 
You'll be assigned a safety number and directed to find a seat and make yourself comfy for the journey out to the reef. 

Cairns Marlin Marina

8:00am 
Breakfast will be served...

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More Information

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What To Bring

  • Swim wear
  • Towel
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera or GoPro
  • Change of clothes 

What's Included

  • All food - breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon snacks
  • Beverages (incl. soft drinks, wine and beer)
  • Table service for lunch and beverages
  • Two introductory dives (uncertified)
  • Two long dives or three 40min certified dives (guided or unguided)
  • State of the art Scubapro dive equipment
  • All snorkel equipment - snorkel, mask, suit ...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the boat depart from and what time?

Check in starts at 7:30 am onboard the Tusa vessel located at C Finger Jetty, Cairns Marlin Marina. Departure is at 8:00 am.

Which reef sites does Tusa visit?

Depending on the day, the crew will decide which reef sites are the best based on the weather conditions and visibility. You’ll have up to 2 stops at either Pretty Patches, Michaelmas Reef, Hastings Reef, Thetford Reef, Norman Reef or Saxon Reef.

Is this trip suitable if I’m prone to motion sickness?

The Tusa vessel is a large catamaran, which offers greater stability and a smoother ride than monohull vessels. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended you take advantage of the complimentary natural ginger tablets. You can also purchase Travacalm travel sickness tablets on board. But please note that these are preventive tablets and won’t help if you are already feeling nauseous.

Is there Wi-Fi onboard?

Tusa has free Wi-Fi for you to enjoy when in range. The satellite connection has a limited bandwidth and high-speed broadband is not available.

Are hairdryers available on board?

Yes! Tusa has hair dryers that you can use on board your trip. Please ask the crew to provide you with one, if desired.

Are there showers on board?

Yes, there are freshwater showers located on the back deck and in the lower aft bathrooms.

Are special dietary requirements catered for?

A variety of high-quality dishes are served throughout the day for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. You’ll find a mix of options to suit vegetarian and gluten-free dietary requirements. If you have any other dietary requests or allergies, please let us know at the time of booking so the chef can prepare ahead of time.

What if I'm not a very confident swimmer?

As long as you’re comfortable in the water, you should be able to snorkel and even do an introductory dive. The crew can provide you with flotation/buoyancy devices to use while snorkelling.

How deep can I dive?

The maximum depth for recreational diving is 18m if you hold the standard PADI Open Water Diver Certification (or equivalent), and 30m if you hold the PADI Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent). Some of the best dives on the Great Barrier Reef, however, can be done in less than 15m of water, where stronger light can result in an even better view of the abundant marine life!

Can I Freedive on this boat?

Tusa currently does not allow freediving with the use of weight belts due to the inherent risks involved. Duck diving while snorkelling is allowed, but hyperventilation or other breath-hold techniques are not encouraged.

How soon can I fly after diving?

It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after diving before going to altitude or flying to minimise the risk of decompression sickness. Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. This includes travelling to the Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda and taking the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

What is the minimum age for this trip?

Tusa is excusively a trip for those aged 12 and above. 

Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0 / 5.0

Based on 3 reviews

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Reviews by our Cairns Tours customers

Amber-Jaed Hain, 23 Apr 24
Had an amazing day on the Tusa cruise today. The staff went above and beyond to make it such a special day. Even when we got sea sick they were right there helping us. Sandra was our snorkel guide and she was amazing. So friendly and helpful. I 100% recommend these guys for your next reef tour. Could not have been better service!!
Jacqueline Khoo, 30 Jan 24
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Tusa Reef Tours in Cairns, and I must say, it exceeded all expectations. My dive guide, Annabelle, was not only incredibly knowledgeable about marine life, but her passion for her job truly shone through. She expertly spotted all the marine animals. After the dives, Annabelle also discussed the marine animals we encountered in the waters and enriched our experience with fascinating information. The onboard experience was equally impressive. Julianne, one of the staff members, went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, pampering us with delicious food and drinks. The display of food was not only appetizing but of excellent quality, complemented by a free flow of alcohol. Furthermore, the professionalism and teamwork exhibited by all staff members were commendable. They were meticulous in their service, even assisting us with putting on and taking off our fins before and after each dive. This attention to detail truly made it feel like a holiday, and without a doubt, it was the best dive experience I've had in Cairns. Overall, Tusa Reef Tours provided an excellent service, leaving me with unforgettable memories and a desire to return.
Jess Munro, 21 Jun 23
Jumped on Tusa for the first time since the refurb and it was a beautiful boat. the crew were incredible and helpful. They offered breakfast baguettes, juice, tea and coffee on arrival. during the cruise out to the reef, divers split up into intro and certified for their briefings. I did an intro dive and had a nice small group of just 2 of us. They only take max 40 guests on the boat so nice and spacious. the weather was a little choppy, but once you're in the water itself was nice and calm. The snorkelling at Saxon reef was unreal! saw giant groups of humphead parrot fish, seargeant fish, a moray eel, reef hark, lagoon ray, christmas tree worms and other interesting marine life. Lunch was served to you by the crew with plenty of options to choose from. They also offer a "Finerella" service where they take your fins off for you as you're getting out of the water. It's all inclusive, including soft drinks which you normally have to pay extra for on other boats. Highly recommend.
Jayme
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