Being OWNER OPERATED means we take an active interest in the safety and well being of our customers, and our crew are considered a part of our family. We take great pride in delivering enthusiastic and friendly hospitality to our guests. We aim to visit two sites (weather permitting), allowing plenty of time to snorkel, scuba dive or just simply relax in the bow nets on the boat.
This was an amazing experence! We wanted a smaller group experience, and Reef Daytrippers nailed it! personalized trip, individual attention and an stunning experience on the reef. I can not say enough about the group. book it!!
Great crew. Highly informative and lots of fun. Very patient and encouraging. All gear supplied. Good food.
If you are looking for a small group or eco tour, this is the company for you. This tour takes a maximum of 20 people, so you won’t feel like you’re in a cattle car. We had beautiful weather and the staff was great. My husband also enjoyed his introductory dive.
We had an absolutely mind-blowing experience with Reef Daytripper yesterday! From start to finish, the trip was amazing, and we couldn’t have been happier with the experience and the outcome. The crew were fantastic, professional, friendly and made the whole day enjoyable and comfortable. The reef was incredible, and the snorkelling experience was something we’ll remember for a long time. Most importantly, my son absolutely loved it, which made the day even more special for us. Seeing his excitement and enjoyment was honestly the highlight of the trip. A huge thank you to the entire Reef Daytripper team for an unforgettable day. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Cairns..
We loved our time with Mikayla, Florencia, and Julian. We intentionally booked a smaller experience, with less crowd, compared to some of the larger vessel options. We are so glad we did! We got to know the crew, and the other family who participated. They were hands on and helpful in this beautiful and unique experience. We felt safe and prepared the whole time, plus the on board toilet and delicious meal/snacks were a huge plus! This full-day excursion was well worth the money paid, I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a Great Barrier reef snorkeling experience.
Lovely day at the reef, beautiful views, great team. 100% recommend
The trip was wonderful. Fantastic crew that was very attentive and helpful. We really wanted a smaller group experience and that is what we got with eight in total on our boat. One was diving, the rest of us snorkeling. It was very chill and you could snorkel alone or with the guide but they didn’t really point out much to see. Food was plentiful and decent. The afternoon snorkeling was better on our trip, as the tides were lower. The only complaint was that it took super long to get back as the boat doesn’t go very fast so the last hour was a bit of a drag as we puttered into port. We didn’t return until 5:15 which made the trip about one hour too long and we were ready to be off the boat. Overall a nice experience !
Was an awesome day, the staff were friendly and helpfull, my 13 year old daughter loved the whole experience. having everything provided in the price made it simple and stress free. I hightly recommend this operator if you would like a smaller groups and a more intimate experience.
Fantastic day, great diving! Superfriendly Crew, excellent service!
Very happy nice service highly recommend. The crew members ware really helpful and agent was very helpful too
The crew is amazing, they are very caring and informative. They have a great system and they work their butts off.
Genuinely so much fun. I really enjoyed the relaxed feel of the tour- you could go in and out of the water as much as you would like which was nice. It was also great that the guide was there in the water with us, however we were allowed to venture off and explore the reef, not having to stick right next to him. I loved the amount of food options that we had for lunch and throughout the day. The boat was very nice as well- clean and lots of places to catch some rays.
We booked a family dive/snorkel trip for my retirement-60th birthday trip. About 4 months before our trip my adult son with high functioning autism had a grand mal seizure (no prior history and it was incredibly scary) and received an Epilepsy diagnosis. He is a great swimmer and was really looking forward to the trip so with doctor clearance we contacted reef day trippers but were understandable apprehensive about the trip. The team could not have been more kind and professional. My son was given a life jacket, held onto a life ring and was given a customized reef tour that was the highlight of our trip. In addition, they were able to find my husbands original PADI certification and re-certify him and he and my other sons did an intro dive. A larger boat might be fancier and have more bells and whistles but we were given customized individual attention and they met the individualized needs of each person on the boat. There is an expression Go big or go home, but in this case going smaller is better. Thank you!
Staff were friendly, fun, professional and safety conscious. Snorkelling was great, lunch was lovely, small group size - highly recommend!
Unorganized start. Boat was docked at a different pier than listed on pickup point information due to dredging. No update was sent to passengers. We needed to wait for food and water to be loaded, which was a 30 minute delay. Sailboat motored there and back. No sailing.
Had the most amazing day! It was my first time diving and everything was explained really well, which made the whole experience so enjoyable. The snorkelling was fantastic and the team were super friendly and funny. They made the day a solid 10/10!
Excellent experience. Crew went above and beyond to make sure we had the best possible snorkel experience. Food and boat were nothing special but for the price we were very happy. My only suggestion would be need more detail on the meeting place, as they just gave an address, and address is the entire marina with countless boats.
Had a great day, the team were helpful and fun. Instructions were clear and helpful. All kit provided. I’m not a confident swimmer but was able to hold onto the ring and keep up with the snorkel tour. Lunch and afternoon snack provided were lovely and soda and beer available to buy as additional. If you have any alcohol then that’s the end of your snorkelling which is fair enough. Towards the end of the tour it became apparent there wasn’t the facility for card payments that day (for additional drinks). Some of the group had no cash or card to use at atm as expected to be able to pay by Apple Pay. Weirdly the vibe changed then and team were a lot less friendly, maybe stressed out but also not the guests fault the equipment had failed. Kind of a dampener on an otherwise great day.
Small group which was nice. Great crew, favorite experience in Australia so far, reefs were gorgeous. Highly recommend.
Booked a day trip several months in advance with Reef Daytripper after doing extensive research. Was cancelled the day before because the company did not think we would make it to the tour on time as we were on a cruise ship. The ship was in dock for several days and there was no issue in getting there at designated time. Left us day before without our trip to barrier reef which was the purpose of my voyage from North America. Was fortunate to find another company that did not discriminate and made it to the boat and dock near the Daytripper well before their passengers arrived. Needless panic and confusion, and chaos. Very upsetting that was unnecessary. Lack of communication, poor management and customer service.
The crew was awesome. They were very helpful and created a great day for us on the reef. Would definitely recommend!
What a way to end 2025!! We couldn't have asked for better weather and the crew are so incredibly professional and highly skilled as well as very friendly. The small group is also ideal as it is a more personalised experience and you get to meet people you might not meet in the large boats. It felt like being out with mates. Plenty of room to stretch out too. Fantastic experience.
Fantastic trip, highly recommended! The crew was so helpful all day, we had great food on the boat and lots of time for snorkeling in two different parts of the reef. I would always choose this again, especially because you’re traveling with a small group.
Do not do another snorkeling event other than this one! Mikaela and Luke were the best! We were very lucky to have a small group which made it feel very special. 12/10 recommend.
The crew did a great job answering all our questions and making sure everyone was happy; the skipper even helped me out with my leaky mask so that I could go scuba diving (which I highly recommend you do if you get the chance, especially first-timers)! The talk about the marine life was so informative and really interesting, with laminated sheets handed around so you could look at all the wildlife you were about to see on the reef. Saw so many different fish and corals, and the giant clams were especially awesome. We even had a swim-by from a substantially sized shark while we were all on the boat! Really nice, small group of people on this trip—got chatting with folks from all over. Excellent experience for a first visit to the reef.
My wife and I went out with the Reef day tripper yesterday and had a fantastic day. The boat, the crew and reef location for snorkelling was a perfect day out. The lunch and snacks were great and to round the day off we had champagne, cheese, biscuits and fresh fruit. Luke our guide for the snorkelling was very patient especially with the the not so confident snorkelers in the water, he stayed with you, The reef was beautiful and it was like being in a fish tank with all the fish. The skipper Mikyla and Jamie the other diver was amazing too. Thank you Richard & Susan.
A lovely personal experience on the reef with operators that truly care for and respect the reef. I saw more fish and live coral than I expected. I’m 62 and a good swimmer but found the current at this particular reef very strong so it was tiring trying to swim against it all the time.
Paul, Julian, and Luke were a great crew, and the small group was such a great, personal, and intimate way to share the reef with people! We had a fabulous time at both spots and really enjoyed the slow stroll out and into Cairns that gave us time to enjoy all the beautiful views and conversations!
We had a great snorkling trip. Friendly crew who explained things very well. The provided all we needed, including wetsuits and made it simple. We visited two areas saw lots of fish, a turtle, shark, coral...plenty of variety of marine life big and small. The captain and 2 crew were very attentive to each person on board helping as much or as little as needed. My wife and I would definitely recommend.
This tour was absolutely amazing. The small group made it feel personal and relaxed, and the guide was fantastic—friendly, helpful, and full of great info. Sailing on the yacht was smooth and peaceful, and snorkelling over the reef was unforgettable. The colours, the fish, and the calm water made it feel like another world. A simple lunch was provided, which was great—one less thing to worry about during the day. One suggestion: it would be nice if the snorkelling included a few pause points, so people could catch up or just float and enjoy the view at their own pace. Overall, a beautiful day out on the reef. Highly recommended!
Highly recommended, a perfect group size for a relaxing trip to some great spots on the reef. The crew were attentive and knowledgeable about the reef, and made sure to point things out throughout the trip. The food was also great. Highly recommend!
Beautiful experience, highly recommended! The crew was professional and super attentive. I will return one day in the future.
Amazing experience in a small group. Really spectacular! Don’t miss out if you can possibly take this excursion.
What an awesome trip to the Great Barrier Reef with an awesome crew! Lunch was simple but filling and you can go for seconds, cheese nuts n crackers pair with champagne !!! Cheers! You have it all! Plus it’s privately owned so you get better service because we are the select few not 100 patrons on board.
Avoid if 65 or older. Firstly, the crew were wonderful, food was great. However, the policy that anyone 65 years or older must wear a "snorkelling vest" is disappointing on two counts as there was no proviso for strong swimmers and experienced snorkellors to prove themselves. The "snorkelling vests" are just life jackets which make snorkelling unpleasant and deep diving is impossible. They DO NOT provide snorkelling vests, a specialised vest that fits more securely than a life jacket and can be fitted so it does not ride up in the water like a life jacket, no matter how tight it is made. This spoilt my day. Conditions on the reef were very cloudy and rough, so that added to the disappointment of the day. If you do decide to do this tour, do take some sort of motion sickness treatment. 6 out of 8 of the people were motion sick due to the rough conditions on the day - one to the extent that he was unwell, was throwing up in the water as we were trying to snorkell, and then slept for the rest of the day. It's around a two hour trip out under a small sail and motor, perhaps a bit quicker back in depending on conditions. Once again, a fantastic, caring crew. The owner of this business was not present but his crew were great.
Great day in spite of rough waters. The crew was amazing, and the food was good. Very safety conciouse, boat was well equipped and gear was on good shape
The captain and female instructor were excellent and very professional. One of the male instructors was less personable and gave me the wrong wetsuit size twice without apologizing. The trip offers a lot to see, but the travel time to and from the reef felt quite long. I recommend bringing motion sickness tablets, as they aren’t available onboard. I appreciated the crew accommodating my request to bring my own lunch and keeping it cold. Despite the hiccups, it was an unforgettable experience, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do it.
I had an amazing day, the spots on the outer reef were great and the staff is really nice and friendly.
Was totally awesome! Did snorkelling in the morning and scuba diving in the afternoon. With Mikayla at the wheel Luke and Sandie as the crew we were in great hands. I was a little freaking out at first Abt diving but Sandie patiently and expertly guided me thru the whole thing step by step giving me an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
Real nice Tour, with cool spots and good food. Like it very much. My hole family was fascinated about the tour with a small group of tourists.
Paul and the team really looked after us well and a great trip - intimate trip with a total of 20 guests, great snorkelling and highly recommended
Fantastic trip with a superb crew, can recommend it highly enough. If you are looking for a trip this is max 20 people so the crew can certainly give you lots of attention
Great staff, great personal experience, captain Paul was very well knowledgeable of the area stop to see a huge turtle.
A great day, with members of the party one having sand issues and another deep water issues, Luke gave them a great tour on the safety ring. A second tour was too much for the deep water one but the boy with the sand issues went out on the second one without his mum. Amazing they only made it waste deep at Fitzroy island.
Reef Daytripper helped us to experience the beautiful Great Barrier Reef as it should be. A small boat which takes just 15 guests, but with plenty of space for everyone. Took us to excellent spots on the reef for snorkelling. Excellent personalised service by the crew, especially Luke, who took great care in providing for the special needs of one of our group members. Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits were all good quality and newish. Lunch was great. Excellent experience!!!
Very professional and relaxed crew. Good boat, good choice of reef location especially for beginners new to snorkelling or scuba diving. We were lucky with the weather too, not that this factors into the service as such. Plenty of snorkelling/swimming time, you never feel rushed.
Sailing out to the Great Barrier Reef with a smaller group was an unforgettable experience. The intimate group size made a huge difference—not only was the day more relaxed and personal, but it also meant our individual needs were met with ease. Whether it was help with gear, spotting marine life, or just sharing fun facts, the crew was always there and happy to help. The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. You could tell they genuinely care about the reef and want to share its beauty in a way that’s respectful and sustainable. Their passion really came through, and it made the experience even more special. We saw so many incredible things—vibrant coral, countless fish, even a turtle! It was hands down one of the best snorkeling trips I’ve ever been on. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a meaningful and awe-inspiring day on the reef.
O yeah, some water, sails, bit of linen white shirts, Richard Gere in the 80s, mate. Cool wind, boat goes fast, yeah nah yeah nah yeah, you know how it is. Some good ol’ aussie old mate adventures, proper stuff. Could do it again maybe. Wind in the hair, vibes were there, but like, what’s the deal, is it fun. I reckon yeah. Why not, give it a crack.
Our day was amazing with snorkeling the great barrier reef. We were the only people on the boat and the food, made vegan for us, was delicious!
Such a great day experience !! For anyone wanting to skip the crowds and have a more down to earth experience, this is for you. The crew were all so super helpful and ready to assist in any way they could. Also a great comfort in the water and lovely that they guide you around the reef or allow your own exploration (with a buddy of course). Everything was very well explained, from the schedule to snorkel safety and the great humour and thoughtfulness of the crew really made the trip. The reef was amazing to see but of course unpredictable (as all wildlife-based trips are). On our trip we were surprised with a couple of green turtle sightings as well as giant clams, clownfish and a variety of other fish and coral. I had however a small issue finding the boat in the morning. The meeting point in the confirmation email I received is set for the reef fleet terminal but we ended up meeting at the actual boat which was at the end of finger C in the marlin marina. However I feel I cannot downgrade their rating for this as the rest of the day more than made up for my initial confusion. I’m just happy I made the trip and as a solo female traveller this was a lovely, relaxing experience- I’d deffo recommend. Thanks again guys !
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email