How can I visit a Great Barrier Reef underwater observatory?

For non-swimmers, a Great Barrier Reef underwater observatory can be a great way to see the coral and marine life without getting in the water. The Great Adventures tour from Cairns is one good underwater observatory option.

Some Great Barrier Reef trips from Cairns are aimed at snorkellers. For example, the Evolution superyacht cruise to Hastings Reef (BOOK HERE) makes a point of stopping at two of the best snorkelling spots.

Other reef tours are better suited for non-swimmers who want to see the Great Barrier Reef. If this is you, look for a reef tour that has an activity platform or pontoon moored by the reef – and preferably one with an underwater observatory.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.

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Great Adventures Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns

The Great Adventures reef tour from Cairns is an excellent case in point. This full day tour travels out to the Outer Reef on a high speed catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns. Morning tea is served on the way out, while a buffet lunch and afternoon tea come later.

During the journey to the Outer Reef, there’s an educational marine biology presentation, explaining how the reef eco-system has come about and what to look out for in the water.

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.

Great Barrier Reef underwater observatory

The destination is a private activity platform, where the catamaran pulls in. The snorkelling here is pretty good, and all snorkelling equipment is provided.

However, the highlight for non-swimmers is the underwater observatory, built into the activity platform. This Great Barrier Reef observatory allows you to watch the marine life flit around the coral without getting wet.

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.

Great Barrier Reef semi-submersible tour

Also including in the tour price is a trip on a semi-submersible. This boat goes partly underwater, allowing passengers to view the shoals of fish, giant clams waving coral and – hopefully – turtles while cruising around the reef.

Extra activities that incur a supplementary charge include introductory Scuba dives and helicopter flights above the reef.

Great Adventures reef tour cost

At the time of writing, the Great Adventures reef tour from Cairns costs $274 per person. For mobile-friendly tickets and instant confirmation, book online.

Alternative reef tours from Cairns include a Green Island snorkelling trip (BOOK HERE) and the Sunlover tour to Moore Reef (BOOK HERE), which also includes an underwater observatory.