Full Day Reef Cruise And 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight

A must , amazing day trip to the Great Barrier Reef with a helicopter ride!! Crue was simply amazing and professional 😊

Very well organised and such a great experience! Kids had a blast too! We did the additional snorkelling guided tour with Amber & the 10min heli ride - well worth it! Snorkelling was the BEST!

The day was very breezy on the reef but who cared. The wind might have cancelled the helicopter part of the day but honestly the vibe was too cool to care. From Britte at check-in to Eddie and Cptn Tim the team just make your day. Your international crew do Queensland proud. I loved your bar ladies even when my aussie slang floored the Swedish lass Cptn Tim was there to translate. Eddie ...mate...thanks for the Bundy shout for my wedding anniversary. What an ambassador. You guys for a local Cairns really punch above. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Great experience from the get go. Alex was great diving instructor and Edy was a great guy all round and helpful

Excellent experience from start to finish. Everything is well organized and thought through. The staff is very helpful and friendly. Both reefs were amazing, and the lunch was great with many choices, the introductory dive was pretty good, and the helicopter ride was icing on the cake. Highly recommended for the day out to the GBR from Cairns!

Wonderful! Everyone was fantastic the dives were great! Every staff member was friendly, kind, caring and patient. 1000% recommend the crew and company. They all took the time to make sure everyone was comfortable in the water. They took care to accommodate our dietary requirements.

amazing staff that made the experience well worth it. was at the solo traveler table they organized, met a bunch of good lads. took another cruise while in Cairns and this one was so far superior

Planning to visit the Great Barrier Reef? Go with Down Under Cruise and Dive. Seriously! Over the past year, I’ve visited the reef four times with four different tour operators, so I have something to compare. Out of all of them, Down Under Cruise and Dive was by far the best. From the moment we boarded, the entire team was energetic, professional, and incredibly well organised. They worked so hard to make sure every guest had a smooth, safe, and unforgettable experience. You can really tell they care about what they do. We did our very first introductory scuba dive with Phil. As complete beginners, we were quite nervous, but Phil was patient, reassuring, and explained everything so clearly. By simply following his instructions, we were able to experience the reef up close in a way we’ll never forget. It was one of the most amazing moments of our lives. At the second reef, we also took the 10 minute helicopter flight. Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from above was absolutely breathtaking. It felt surreal watching those famous turquoise reefs and coral formations with our own eyes instead of through photos. If your budget allows, I highly recommend adding the helicopter flight. It’s worth every dollar. A special shout out to Eddie. Throughout the entire day, he was everywhere, making sure guests were looked after and that every activity ran smoothly. With so many people doing different activities, I was genuinely impressed by how hard he worked and how positive he stayed all day. Thank you Eddie! Gamsahamnida! If I visit the Great Barrier Reef again, I’ll definitely choose Down Under Cruise and Dive again without hesitation. I’ll also be recommending them to all of my friends and family. If you want to experience the very best day on the Great Barrier Reef, this is the team to go with.

The highlight of our trip to Cairns! Diving in the reef was a once in a lifetime experience, then coupling it with the helicopter flight... There are no words for it. The crew were exceptional; friendly, accommodating and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this trip to any and everyone.

Perfect team, planing and experience. The food was perfect, we had snorkeling, diving and helicopter with them and all went perfect.

I was skeptical at first because I'm not a strong swimmer, but the crew were incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the trip. They took us to two reef locations, and there was also an optional scenic flight available. I chose the helicopter ride back to Cairns, and it was absolutely magnificent. Boarding a helicopter from the middle of the ocean was such a unique and unforgettable experience. I would highly recommend going with Down Under Cruise and Dive.

Exciting day of adventures hosted by a wonderful crew. Unexpected amenities made the day comfortable and enjoyable. Loved the snorkeling and helicopter ride. One of our top excursions ever and well-worth the cost.

The crew were amazing and so kind assisting my 74 year old Mother to get her sea legs and get around & about. The lunch was tasty. Fantastic job, Captain Tom and Crew!

Super nice staff. Everything was excellent. The helicopter flight was absolutely worth it. Nothing to complain at all.

Fantastic experience, reef stops were spectacular and helicopter add on was worth it to see the reefs from above and to experience the sheer volume. The staff on board were amazing, most went above and beyond and were so welcoming and humorous. The only slight negative comment I have to make is the photographer was not very approachable or helpful, thousands of photos taken and it was a case of scrolling through and looking, when most people were wearing stinger suits and masks it was like looking for a needle in a haystack and she was not interested in helping anyone, in fact was quite unapproachable and rude. The rest of the crew more than made up for it though, so helpful and funny. The food and drink was delicious and plentiful.

Great day at the barrier reef. Great snorkelling spots with loads of coral and wildlife to see up close. Friendly and helpful staff. Lovely food provided for lunch.

The crew on the down under is amazing ; they go above and beyond to make you comfortable . The catamaran is very fast and waters are choppy ; people get sea sick and they take care of them as family . Will give a special shoutout to brooks she was amazing ; keep it up young lady you will go far if you stay this kind PS My son says special thanks

Wonderful trip to the reef on the best boat in cairns . All the crew were absolutely fantastic and made the trip so memorable and to top it all off with a helicopter ride was an amazing experience. I highly recommend this company. 😎😊

An amazing experience on the snorkel and helicopter tour to the Great Barrier Reef. The helicopter flight was beautiful and gave us an incredible view of the reefs and snorkeling in and around the two reefs was unforgettable. The crew was friendly, fun, professional, and made the whole day run smoothly. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Cairns!

This was an incredible experience. The crew was amazing. Very helpful and their whole team worked well together. they were full of joy and very knowledgeable. Everything was well coordinated and perfectly timed. Lunch buffet was delicious and catered to every type of food choices.

What a great way to experience the Great Barrier Reef and meet some amazing new people. Two stops to snorkle, a short Heli, and terrific meal…highly recommend this journey!

The Down Under Cruise & Dive experience aboard the luxury superyacht Evolution is a high-speed, high-style masterclass in reef exploration that proves you don’t need to be a billionaire to see the Great Barrier Reef like one. From the moment you check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, the operation is flawlessly organized and the vessel itself is impeccably clean, offering three decks of air-conditioned comfort and sun-drenched lounges. What truly sets this apart as the best full-day trip in Cairns, however, is the superstar crew; their warmth and deep local knowledge are matched only by their dedication to passenger support, ensuring everyone from nervous snorkelers to seasoned divers feels completely safe and pampered. Between exploring vibrant coral gardens and indulging in a gourmet BBQ feast of steak and prawns, the seamless service and high-octane vibes make for an unforgettable adventure. It’s a polished, "Gold Class" journey where the staff’s expertise shines as bright as the tropical sun, turning a simple boat ride into a world-class hospitality experience.

The staff and crew of the evolution which is the name of the ship we used for full day reef cruise and 10-minute helicopter scenic flight was great. The pitfalls Viator Noah mentions that you were booking with down under cruise and dive. they in turn when they sent instructions did not include the specific location to check in And I went to the actual ship I had to be turned around and go back to a building to check in. basically the flaw is the details they send in the email. other than that food the quality of the ship and the gear provided for snorkeling or diving. all seem to be excellent

This was a very special all day experience to the Barrier Reef on a boat of around 150 people. Very well organised with safety being a main issue. Great food , snorkelling and a helicopter ride at a very reasonable price plus a bit of sunbathing on the way back. Very well run and would recommend it.

Absolute must-do reef cruise! The whole experience was incredible, and the friendly, helpful team made the day extra special. Everything was well organised from start to finish. I took the option to try an introductory scuba dive which I loved so much I did a second dive in the afternoon. The helicopter flight was unforgettable. The lunch was fantastic, there was so much food, safety was a top priority at all times and the amazing on-board photographer captured the memories so beautifully. Don't hestitate to book with Down Under Cruise and Dive!

Really fun crew. I felt as a first time diver that the briefing was very informative and made me feel safe. I am inspired to become certified now! Highly recommend this once in a lifetime trip. It was a dream. The only thing that could have made it any better was if the amount of passengers was more limited, however, the crew handled the expedition and keeping everyone on track well. Lots of safety checks!

The boat was amazing, the food was great , the reefs even better and the crew were very sweet, supporting and friendly. Phil Jr was our diver instructor, also the helicopter was very smooth and nice , beautiful reefs and an unforgettable experience!

The helicopter experience is a must do. The crew on board the Evolution were amazing. The whole package was great value

Great. Can't be missed. Include helicopter! Great reef spots, perfect service, beautiful ship. Incredible!

I truly have to say this was a trip of a lifetime. The reef and the overall experience were absolutely worth it. What made it especially meaningful was that my father, who has mobility issues, was so well taken care of and was even able to go snorkeling. The level of safety was second to none. Although there were around 160 people on the boat, it never felt crowded. All equipment was provided, and there was an abundance of staff available at all times. You could even speak with a marine biologist if you had questions about the fish or the reef. There were options for private snorkeling tours, with the marine biologist as well as a glass-bottom boat for those who wanted to experience the reef without getting wet and be taught all about the reef and how the eco system works. Everything about the trip was amazing, but the helicopter ride was truly breathtaking seeing the reef from both below and above the water was unforgettable. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone.

helicopter ride is a MUST!!!!!! Driver has a good and stable driving skills. Diving is a little scary for the first time, but they led me very well and made me feel calm. Staff are all experts about the ocean things, passionate, friendly and willing to help. The activities worth the price. Remember to take medicine first if you have sea sick lol.

Top notch, extremely professional. The entire crew was amazing! I would highly recommend this to anyone!

Excellent fun, do it. Helicoptor gives a great view over the reef and a bit of time in the water. Good food on the boat and friendly staff. Very busy on the boat and in the water. Weather might be an issue for the Heli in the wet season.

everything is good. it's a fantastic tour. thanks for the wonderful services. I'll tell my friends to choose this tour in future

Sunday, November 30, 2025 - Full Day Reef Cruise and 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight with Down Under Cruise and Dive If you are in a rush to get on this tour, let me give you the immediate things to pack: 2 towels per person, Underwater camera, wet suit (or something to help put on a suit that is already wet), water shoes, nausea pills, long pants or equivalent, water proof watch, reef safe sunscreen. The highlight of Australia is the Great Barrier Reef and there is no better way to experience the reef than a trip with the Down Under Cruise and Dive Team! In summary, you want to book the marine excursion and the helicopter ride. Your day starts off in the terminal for a brief check in. You will be assigned a number for the day, and you need to commit this number for memory. If I had a marker to write it on my hand I may have done so. This number is important for your safety and fun with the Down Under Cruise and Dive team. Armed with your number you will also have a brief questionnaire to take with you to the boat. This document is a brief survey about your previous diving and snorkeling experience. It is for your safety so best to fill it out as best you can. It will ask for any prescription medications you are taking. Obviously, this is used if you need first aid on board. If you happen to bring a pen with you, that is great, otherwise you can fill it out on the boat as they provide a pen. You board their amazing vessel designed by MEC powered by twin 3000HP Volvo engines. As of November, 30, 2025 they had just swapped them out for new motors and these things can get the boat moving fast! Upon boarding you will be assigned a table for the day and can take in the light muffins, coffee and tea. Using your assigned table, this will be a great way to interact with other guests and give you a defined spot to eat and store your materials. The agenda starts off with the traditional safety speech about the boat and the passenger count activities that will take place throughout the excursion. The passenger count occurs several times throughout the trip and just has you remain in your area while they tally the guest count on board. It does not take long and gives one comfort for the safety that Down Under Cruise and Dive puts into their agenda. The boarding process also allows you to obtain your mask and fins for the day. Watching the crew clean and sanitize the equipment at the end of the trip gave me great comfort that they take all precautions available for safety even with the gear. Armed with your gear you will place that in a cubby hole that corresponds to the number you were assigned when you checked in. This location is in the back deck and is designed for water related items. Please note, you can place your towel in the rack as well for handy access when you come out of your first stop. During the travel to the first reef stop, the crew will provide the opportunity to obtain a full wet suit. This garment will provide protection against any stings that may occur from the marine wildlife. Please note, the suit is likely wet from the previous trip and will be hard to put on. If I had to do it again, I would have watched a YouTube video on how to put on a wet, wet suit! In addition to the wet suit distribution, the day will allow you to take in a dedicated marine excursion with one of their knowledgeable guides. This does come at an additional cost and I would recommend it. On November 30, 2025, we were fortunate to benefit from the knowledge shared by Brianne. Not only is she passionate about the marine life at the reef, but takes into consideration the well-being of all on her tour. She constantly checked in with all of us to make sure we were OK and solicited questions throughout the journey. When the MEC reaches the first reef stop, the crew will take about 10 minutes to lay out the boundary and position all the safety gear. During this time, the back deck will get busy with people putting on the wet suits and starting the plunge into the water. If you signed up for the marine excursion, you will be given a time to join your guide. The crew from the deck will call out your time slot and you will meet your guide. They will take you slightly outside of the boundary where you will have less people and a dedicated time to view the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef. When you have completed your first snorkel trip you will return to the boat and peel off your wet suit, fins and snorkel. You will put those in the cubby hole where they can dry. Now it is time for the amazing lunch! While you were busy snorkeling the crew was cooking up a delicious meal of steak, fish, pasta and assorted salads. You will not go hungry on this adventure. It is served buffet style with solid flatware and plates! No cheap paper plates on this journey! Lunch is complimented with the cash bar that has a great assortment of soda and alcoholic beverages. Having conquered your first reef, the MEC motors onto the second location. Now you need to pay attention. If you booked the helicopter ride you have a specific time slot and you need/REALLY REALLY want to be dry for the helicopter tour. Based on the time slot you will have a chance to snorkel before the helicopter ride or after. Either way you need to pay attention to the time. The crew does not remind you to get out of the water and dry yourself off. If you are going snorkeling, you can choose to wrestle with a now VERY wet, wet suit or choose to risk it. Given the 30 minutes it took me to put it on and take it off, I choose to only use it once. Since I had the helicopter ride, I did not want to come out of the water one hour earlier to deal with extracting myself from the suit and drying off. I found the best spot to dry was at the front of the boat. Don’t forget to apply reef proof sunscreen when you are sitting outside. The sun is extremely powerful out here! When the time approaches for your helicopter journey, you will line up on the side of the boat and get a quick safety speech on how to operate the life vests. You will board a tender that will take you to the platform. During this time, all instructions become hand signals. You need to pay close attention to where to stand and how to board. On November 30, 2025, we were fortunate enough to have the Bell 427 for our transportation. Our pilot Nathan was accommodating of all questions about the helicopter. I know I should have more questions about the reef, but I REALLY enjoy helicopters and he was extremely informative about the vehicle. He gives a great 10 minute tour to see the reef from above. When complete, you touchdown on the platform and the tender takes you back to the boat. Overall, this is a great way to close your experience at the Great Barrier Reef. Regarding the helicopter, I do know that it is an option to fly home. I did not take this option, and I am glad I did not. I enjoyed the boat and interacting with the crew on the way back. They are amazing individuals and passionate about the reef. During your snorkeling stops, a team member is in the water to take a professional photo of you. This was definitely a great souvenir. If I had to do it again, I would have coordinated a meeting spot to make sure we go this photo. It was by pure chance we saw her deep below us and signaled for a photo. She carries a memorable sign and it is one of our favorite memories from the day. While the crew, food and excursions make Down Under Cruise and Dive an amazing way to see the reef, the boat itself makes the day that much more enjoyable. The boat has several full-service rest rooms with running water and soap to wash your hands. I made sure to wear my water shoes into the head and therefore that is part of the reason they are on my packing list. The boat has several decks for relaxing. Remember, the higher you go, the more motion you will feel. If you have not been on a boat in a while, take it slow and maybe hover on the back deck until you feel comfortable with your day. When you return to port, take a moment to think what a great day you had and how a team of people kept you safe and fed for an entire day. While they are passionate about what they do, a gratuity is well deserved for their efforts. After all these are the people that allowed you to see one of the amazing wonders of the world all while keeping you entertained and safe for an entire day. For the crew on the November 30, 2025 trip, I say thank you. I want to especially thank Eddie (this guy could write a book on all of the things he has seen), Brianne (our marine biology excursion expert) and hopefully I get this right, but Dillon, who was the leader of the crew for the day. Honorable mention to John, the engineer that allowed me to peek into the engine room and shared some of the history of the vessel. All of the crew deserves a shout-out and I missed all their names, but they were equally important to my amazing day. To each of you, I say Thank You! In summary, Down Under Cruise and Dive deserves a five-star review and you should book a trip to Cairns to experience this first hand!

One of the best travel experiences. The crew was also amazing! Such a great time and fun all around :)

Our family had a blast on this cruise. The crew was fantastic and that made the trip even better. The snorkeling and the helicopter ride was amazing. I recommend the helicopter ride purely because you get a view of the reefs that you can't ever imagine. Truly breathtaking.

It was incredible! Easy to find the meeting point, very clear instructions and friendly staff. We Snorkelled and took the helicopter. As someone with glasses, we especially loved the availability of prescription masks which greatly enhanced the snorkel experience! The importance of safety was consistent throughout each activity. If you experience even the slightest bit of motion sickness, best to be prepared. They had some meds on board however it is best taken before the boat departs. The underwater photographer was a nice add-on. Excellent views from the air and the sea.

Great experience. I highly recommend the helicopter add on. Very well organized with a great staff..

We had the most amazing time, the food was brilliant, and the drinks at the bar were really cheap. The helicopter flight was great and so efficient we didn’t miss any snorkel time at all. The parts of the reef they take you too are beautiful especially the first site, we saw multiple turtles and others saw reef sharks. The staff on board really made the experience though they were so helpful and friendly, would recommend this company to anyone wanting an awesome day at the reef, brilliant value and excellent memories !!!

The crew is so helpful as they totally pay attention to detail and really care you are having a good time. Boat in great shape. They take fewer than capacity so it does not feel crowded. Service superb. Reef is amazing! I recommend that you bring something for motion sickness if there is any chance that could happen to you. I highly recommend doing the helicopter ride!

Amazing trip - stunning reefs, incredible helicopter ride and amazing staff. The whole crew is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, they make ir super fun but you can also tell how serious they are about keeping everyone safe and looking after the reefs. They've thought of everything- sea sickness tablets, drinks, snacks, lunch, equipment, suncream, waterproof phone cases, everything. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good day out

It is the best in the business all round great day on the reef staff are very friendly and all do a great job to make you have a good day

It's a long lineup at check in as they only have 2 counters checking in ~100 passengers. Once checked in, we boarded Evolution which is a very nice boat and we have the same assigned seats for the whole trip. The big problem is the organization with the 10min helicopter ride. We paid an extra $260 for this option. We were Group 3 of the helicopter ride and were told not to snorkel before the ride as there would be lots of time afterwards for snorkelling. NOT TRUE! By the time we came back from the helicopter ride, they were already announcing that people should get back to the boat as the boat would be leaving the Hastings Reef soon. We quickly put on our snorkeling gear and got in the water. But no sooner than we got in, they called us back to the boat. The Hastings Reef is way better than the first reef. We saw in a few minutes more biodiversity than the first Saxon reef. Too bad we didn't get to enjoy this beautiful reef. For the 2 of us, we opted to pay $90 for all our photos of the day. But because of the poor organization, they didn't take any photos of our helicopter ride nor snorkelling at the Hastings Reef. Really disappointed, this is the most expensive tour we took in Australia and we didn't get to snorkel at the beautiful Hastings Reef.

A friendly, meticulous staff guide you through a perfectly paced day of relaxation and recreation out to and around the Great Barrier Reef. They have so many different options for comfort, ability and interest level that leaves no one behind and excluded from the fun. DEFINITELY do the helicopter option if possible — it’s a highlight of our entire trip to Australia.

Great experience. Everything was well organized and was over the top. Instructors and whole team are professionals.

Great day out. Staff were magnificent and supplied a fabulous lunch. We did the added helicopter flight which was so worth it. Would recommend this day trip.

Enjoyable and attentive crew are amazing! Very well planned and professional and great sites. Food is good. Do read carefully about what is included and not and be prepared to be nickeled and dimed for an extras. But if you want a well-planned and executed, enjoyable, safe trip, then this is a great one!

Amazing trip, friendly staff and very well organised. Great lunch and amazing snorkel tour with the marine biologists.