Vlasoff Cay on a Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour from Cairns
The best way to visit Vlasoff Cay, Queensland, is on a Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour from Cairns. Nautilus Aviation runs private helicopter flights to this Great Barrier Reef sand island.
Vlasoff Cay is one of the most stunning sand bar islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Just north of Green Island, and part of the Vlasoff Reef, this Great Barrier Reef island has become something of a bucket list destination.
Great Barrier Reef helicopter tours from Cairns
That’s partly because it’s where Nautilus Aviation’s Great Barrier Reef helicopter tours land. Taking off from Cairns, these private helicopter tours fly out over the rainforest and coastline. The helicopter then continues over the Coral Sea, and the stunning patterns of the Great Barrier Reef come into view.
The helicopter pilot offers commentary on the way to Vlasoff Cay, pointing out the wildlife below. Come between July and September, and you might see migrating humpback whales. For the rest of the year, keep an eye out for manta rays, dolphins, turtles and big schools of pelagic fish.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
Picnic on Vlasoff Cay, Queensland
Once at Vlasoff Cay, the helicopter lands, and you’ve got two hours to enjoy paradise. You can go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, paddle in the shallows or tuck into your gourmet picnic hamper.
A key part of the Nautilus Aviation experience is lunch. Guests are served a gourmet picnic hamper under a private beach umbrella. There’s also sparkling wine to enjoy.
The Vlasoff Cay picnic experience costs $860 per person. This is serious honeymoon blowout or special occasion territory. This includes return transfers from Cairns accommodation, protective lycra suits for swimming in the wet season, all snorkelling equipment and beach chairs.
The Great Barrier Reef helicopter flight to Vlasoff Cay lasts about 20 minutes each way. Bookings should be made online.
Find your ideal Great Barrier Reef tours by location
Great Barrier Reef tours run from numerous destinations along the Queensland coast. Different tours cater to different tastes – some make sure they go to the best snorkelling spots, others build in beach time and some throw in extra such as underwater observatories and glass bottom boat tours.
Use the following links to start picking the best Great Barrier Reef tour options where you’re going on holiday.
- The best Great Barrier Reef tours in… 1770 | Airlie Beach | Bundaberg | Cairns | Cape Tribulation | Mackay | Magnetic Island | Mission Beach | Palm Cove | Port Douglas | Townsville.
More Queensland travel
Explore the Cape Upstart National Park on the Bowen to Townsville drive.
Sleep underwater at Lady Musgrave HQ near Bundaberg.
Stay at Sarina Beach on the Yeppoon to Airlie Beach drive.
Take in the sunset from One Tree Hill on Hamilton Island.
Is it worth taking the Nambour to Brisbane train?