Snorkel & Dive The Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

Firstly check in - one poor girl checking in 270 passengers- wasn’t her fault but why was there so many staff on board and only one poor girl checking in so many people at the one time with a huge line in the rain? Once on board it was hectic as too many people on board - people were allowed to put their bags on seats to then sit outside and my family of 5 struggled to get a seat together. We ended up moving 2 bags to be able to get a seat- none of the staff seemed to care as they were too busy trying to count us all. And the counting of heads was pure stupidity! I think I counted them counting us 8 times as they just couldn’t get it right. It was actually embarrassing and made me feel unsafe before I even left the dock! The next part was just a comedy of errors- thankfully my family is sea hardy but we watched person after person throwing up, almost falling up and down the stairs and I can only honestly say the whole experience with all these people walking around throwing up sliding down the stairs and crawling up them was just so unnecessary. Mind you the poor staff did a great job at dealing with the number of customers throwing up- some of them refused to go out on deck which just added to the chaos and the smell just meant more threw up! The business should have made the decision when seas are rough and rains torrential to pull the pin v money grabbing as I can only say we are now going back with a horrible taste of the Great Barrier Reef. Next part of our tale: We then arrive at the pontoon -which looks nowhere near as plush as it does on the website- with everyone seasick to torrential rain and lightning and being encouraged by staff to jump in and have fun! I didn’t allow my kids to go in until the lightening subsided even though it wasn’t on top of us I was worried whilst we were in the water it would come over us. I then asked the staff if we could do the safari tour earlier as girls were cold only to be told no we have a program and no changing it- even though half the boat of customers was sitting on the boat trying to stay warm and recover! End result at 130pm out of 15 customers booked for the snorkel safari who had paid for the tour -surprise, surprise only my son and I did it! Suggest don't book the additional safari and just ask to do it when you get there as they offer No refunds. As a last comment I can’t actually believe they tried to get a helicopter up! I think they may have done one trip then realised how bad it was! Again was obvious to blind Freddy the day was going to be a disaster when the poor girl shortly into our journey kept reminding us every 5 minutes that we have sick bags and to get on the first deck out the back of you feel sick and they went down like a set of dominoes! I have dived and snorkel the great barrier reef and many places in the world and never received such poor service and felt unsafe in the waters.

What a great experience, can not fault any part! The service from the crew was excellent they were attentive and knowledgeable with very high safety standard's. Lunch was surprisingly good and snacks and drinks through the day was a nice touch. Snorkelling, observation deck, glass bottom boat and semi sub were well organised and a real treat. Highly recommend this experience.

Magic time incredible experience staff couldn't be be helpful

The staff was quite impressive. They were all friendly and informative plus there were plenty. Farron was a great guide as well as taking time out to talk to us about his indigenous ancestry. The platoon is very nice with all the things needed for a fun day on the reef!

A very well-organised tour from start to finish, with excellent communication both before and during the trip. The staff were professional, friendly and clearly committed to the highest standards of health and safety, while also making sure everyone had a memorable experience. Once we arrived at the pontoon, the day was very relaxed and enjoyable. The equipment was good quality, and the lunch was delicious. The highlight for us was definitely the snorkelling, which was fantastic. A real bonus was the captain taking the time to slow down and allow us to do some whale spotting on the way out. It was a wonderful addition to an already excellent day.

We did two tours with Reef Magic: To the pontoon and to Fitzroy Island. Both were great, and customer service was five stars. On the morning of the Fitzroy Island tour, one in our party was sick, and I had to call in and cancel. Per their conditions it was too late to cancel, but they booked us on the next day instead (I called 45 minutes before departure). The pontoon was really good, the reef was amazing. Be prepared for a 90-minute boat ride in somewhat rough seas to get there, take medication in advance if you are prone to getting sea sick. They do sell it on board, but it’s probably too late for full effect if you take it at the time of departure. There were some waves out in the reef during snorkeling as well, so I would probably not do it with small children who have never snorkeled before. Our 9yo who has snorkeled before was fine.

We had a great day with Reef Magic and got everything we wanted from this bucket list experience! The check-in process is quick and easy. It's about a 90 minute ride from Cairns to their spot on the reef, and the ride can be quite bumpy, so if you are prone to motion sickness take something before you even get on the boat. The staff is very friendly and helpful - many people were feeling ill and they are walking around to help. They do offer snacks on the ride there (as well as the ride back!) and I always find it's helpful to have something in my stomach. When you arrive at Reef Magic's pontoon, know that it can be a bit of a rush of people trying to snag a table, get their wet suits, and get into the ocean. By the end, you realize there's plenty of time to do all the things, so my advice would be to prioritize finding a spot where you can put down your things and let people get themselves sorted. We paid for a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist which I highly recommend - my kids loved learning about various corals and fish they were seeing. The glass bottom boat and semi-submersible rides are both fun, just make sure you get in line. There is a good buffet for lunch. I was also impressed with the staff - they have plenty of workers so everything flows seamlessly. Overall, a great day, would do it again!

We did the pontoon visit as our family included a 5 and 8 year old. The whole thing was very well organized and executed- there were tons of staff everywhere all the time to answer questions or help you with anything. Our little kids couldn’t really manage the snorkeling though we tried but the semi submarine let them see a shark and sea turtle amongst others which made it a success as far as they were concerned. It is a long day for little ones so make sure and bring some coloring or games to pass some of the day. The adults loved snorkeling on the reef and seeing the gorgeous animal life. Make sure and take a motion sickness pill an hour prior to each boat ride to the pontoon if you are prone to motion sickness. Overall we found this a great way to be able to see the Great Barrier Reef while having young kids with us.

It was pretty cool. Loved the sustainability but it felt like they packed in too many people personally and the space for snorkeling wasn't that large sadly . Great for kids though

What an excellent day out with Reef Magic! The staff were attentive, friendly, and professional from start to finish, and the facilities were fantastic. The buffet lunch was fresh and plentiful, making the day even more enjoyable. I chose to do 2 scuba dives with Lou Lou. Although I'm certified, I don't have a lot of experience, and she made me feel completely comfortable and confident throughout the dive. The marine life was incredible, with the highlight being a black-tipped reef shark. An unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experience that I would highly recommend!

We had a pleasant day in paradise. Reef Magic Cruises did a top notch job in facilitating a fun filled day at the Great Barrier Reef. This cruise offered Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Underwater Observatory, glass bottom boating, and so forth. The facilities were clean and maintained well. The staff worked together in giving us a great atmosphere. They were friendly and helpful, knowledgeable, patient with beginners, and kept the focus on safety first.

Spent a day in April 2026 on the reef. Water was choppy on the way out, and some passengers got seasick. Out of the staff's control, but kudos to the staff who were wonderful, supportive and compassionate. Good quality snorkels, fins, and suits, flotation vests and pool noodles. Snorkeling on your own is limited to a area within the buoy line they set up, but it's a fairly large area and there are staff (including a lifeguard) keeping a watchful eye to ensure everyone was safe. Due to the winds, water at the reef was a bit choppy, but I still really enjoyed snorkeling there. Lots to do on the pontoon, including some add-ons for those interested. Lunch was delicious and plentiful. Note the pontoon is anchored and thus sways much less than the boat, but does sway a bit. Would recommend motion sickness meds on windy days for those prone to motion sickness. Overall a lovely day, and would recommend with the above precautions! Thanks again to the wonderful crew!

An action packed enjoyable day. The friendly crew work cohesively together to make sure you are well taken care of. Thank you for your hospitality and the wonderful opportunity we had exploring the Great Barrier Reef.

I did a scuba dive with JT and the dive supervisor (who's name I forgot-sorry). They did an excellent job looking after me and keeping me safe.

Very good tour, lots to do and see, all equipment provided, good items for lunch, knowledgeable crew. Only issue was the extra fee for the snorkel tour of the reef wall, was a surprise. Did pay it and it was very good.

Wonderful day out on the reef, staff, food and boat excellent. Really lovely staff, so helpful and friendly, very enjoyable experience, highly recommend.

The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. I appreciated having the cultural staff on board to teach about the aboriginal history. Snorkeling was well organized and equipment was in good repair. Would love to return again.

Friendly staff and a very well organised operation. The crew were knowledgeable and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. The pontoon has good facilities and plenty of space to relax between activities. The weather was not the best on the day, but the team did a great job making the most of it and keeping everyone informed. Unfortunately the helicopter flight could not operate due to the weather, but the staff handled it very professionally, offering a prompt refund and keeping me updated so I did not miss out on other activities. Overall a great experience and a very well run reef trip. I would definitely recommend Reef Magic.

Unfortunately TripAdvisor did not forward our email to Reef Magic so we had a panic scramble in the morning. Otherwise, the tour was fine. Be very careful if booking via TripAdvisor.

We spent a very enjoyable day out at the Great Barrier Reef with this organization. The staff, boat, activities and pontoon station were all excellent. The staff goes out of its way to ensure that you take advantage of all the activities out at the reef. The snorkeling is set up for all levels of experience and there is an option to snorkel with a staff member for beginner snorkelers. The staff also emphasize safety for everyone and closely supervise the activities. We also enjoyed the underwater observatory on the pontoon, the glass bottom boat and the semi submersible. Lastly, you are well fed all day with a nice lunch and morning and afternoon snacks.

Excellent day which was very well organised and informative. Great snorkelling as well as the glass bottom boat and semi submersible.

A really good trip. Lovely boat to take us out to the pontoon. Loved the snorkelling, semi submersible and glass bottom boat excursions. Lunch was delicious. The staff were so good, we especially liked the guys doing the indigenous info talks. We recommend it!

Outstanding! The support from the staff, the trip out, and the experience was amazing. The food was great and plentiful as well.

I would highly recommend this tour with Magic Reef. I signed up for the escorted snorkel experience and Ella and Ethan were outstanding! Ella was very informative and Ethan went the extra mile and took underwater videos and pics with the camera I rented on the boat. I can’t thank them enough. They are a very credible, safety oriented company, with a focus on an educational, customer-focused experience. Thanks for a day I’ll always remember!

Amazing experience visiting the Great Barrier Reef . The crew was superb! Great glass bottom boat and submarine ride . Truly beautiful to see the reef and Angelina was a sweetheart . I was afraid of getting in the water and she helped and stayed with me ! Must go on this tour if you are in Australia !

I joined a Reef Magic reef tour on Saturday, 6 December with two other Chinese friends. We are all certified divers and had planned to dive that day. The food on board was good, and the snorkelling experience was enjoyable. Most of the crew were friendly and helpful. However, the dive briefing led by one guide, Kimia, was uncomfortable. She abruptly asked another Chinese guest to put her phone away and then unnecessarily questioned her by asking, “Do you speak English?” Her tone felt dismissive. Throughout the briefing, her attitude toward Chinese guests was noticeably colder, while she was polite and friendly with white tourists. Although we have extensive diving experience, we were completing dive forms during parts of the briefing that covered very basic skills. The guide addressed us rudely, threatened that we would not be allowed to dive, and repeatedly questioned me about air-level hand signals, all of which I answered correctly, before rolling her eyes and continuing. We later observed her interacting warmly with white guests, which highlighted the contrast in treatment. In the end, we were unable to dive due to capacity issues. Overall, the tour itself was good, but this experience left us feeling uncomfortable and disappointed. I hope Reef Magic will review this matter seriously.

Absolutely awesome place, with a fabulous crew giving me an absolutely fantastic memory I will cherish forever. Not a great swimmer but the snorkel experience was unbelievable and spent almost all my time in the water. Special mention to Anna the snorkel supervisor who was a great help. I would definitely recommend them if you were planning to visit the Reef.

Our best adventure tour in Australia. This is a must do excursion. The staff are super attentive and genuinely caring. We did the snorkeling safari and saw so many cool fish! And we also did the helicopter experience. This was an unforgetable once in a lifetime day!

Book it and experience the reef from above and below. We did helicopter tour and then safari snorkeling tour. Both additional cost options with this day long excursion. Well worth it. Exceptional staff, great service and good lunch buffet. Highly recommend this experience!

Helicopter ride was good. Different way to see the reef. Our pilot kept us out a little longer because he spotted a shark. We were unable to do the glass bottom boat though because the timing didn’t work out so that was disappointing. The semi submersible sub was good and we could see a lot. It started to get really warm in there towards the end.

Fantastic trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The boat trip out to the pontoon & back was smooth & well organised & the pontoon too. Snorkelling equipment & the reef area were excellent. A highlight of our trip to Australia!

Fun and relaxing, friendly and knowledgeable staff! Entertaining all day, great food, well organized, on time schedules.

Amazing experience! Beautiful reef, friendly and professional staff, excellent food, knowledgeable biologists guiding the snorkel. Couldn't fault it. We did the extra "Snorkel Safari" which was added cost but definitely worth the money. We also tried SunLover a few days ago but Reef Magic is better in every aspect (boat, platform, people, entertainment, reef, and food). Make sure you get there on time and read the ticket info. It leaves earlier in the morning than the others, and your boarding pass is emailed to you so you don't need to queue with the million others in Reef Cruise Terminal.

This is by far the best experience I’ve had on the reef. Boat - well equipped, fast, smooth & friendly staff. Treats on the way out & snacks served on the way back were spot on! Didn’t try the toilets. Pontoon - this is the most kid friendly reef experience. They have everything for kids of all ages to experience the reef if they aren’t confident swimmers or snorkelling. Semi sub was mint, knowledgeable tour guide & calling fish/turtles out as we saw them. Fish feeding was amazing to watch with the GTs hitting high speed in & out of the water. Reef - excellent shallow reef to explore with some deeper sections for snorkelling. Food - perfect & something for everyone! Staff - super friendly & approachable. Good laughs had with them. Shout out to Francis the captain, getting amongst the tourists & kids. Making sure we all had a good time! Yes it seemed fully booked but not overcrowded. Overall 5/5 stars.

Reef Magic delivers an exceptional reef experience that combines professionalism, comfort, and genuine care for the environment. From the moment we boarded, the crew set the tone with their friendly service, clear safety briefings, and impressive knowledge of marine life and reef conservation. Every detail of the day was well thought out. The equipment provided was high quality, the facilities were clean and accessible, and the lunch and refreshments exceeded expectations in both quality and variety. Staff were attentive and supportive throughout, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests. The reef was absolutely gorgeous with crystal blue waters and beautiful views of the different reefs. I would highly recommend doing this tour 10/10 it was unforgettable

We enjoyed a day at the reef with the Reef Magic. The staff are very helpful and cheerful, and the ferry to the reef platoon is clean and well maintained. There was a big group of school children joining us for this tour (as a school trip) however the platoon is huge that we don't feel cramped or crowded at all. There is enough space for everyone. We like the activities such as the half-submerged submarine, the bottom glass bottom boat tour and also the underwater observatory. The staff are very knowledable when guiding us for these activities. There is a space at the platoon where you can swim or snorkel on your own, under their watchful eyes. We also managed to see different types of fishes and corals during this trip. I highly recommend joining this activity when in Cairns.

Well organized and provides options for everyone from novices to pretty skilled divers. We really enjoyed the snorkeling and the diving helmets. All the staff was super friendly and helpful. Only complaint is that they do push a lot of add-ons sales so just be prepared to say ‘no thanks’ to a lot of extras.

Had an unforgettable day! The staff was incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable—they went above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing and safe experience. I still can't believe we swam in the Great Barrier Reef and actually saw Nemo! 🐠❤️ Truly a surreal moment. I can’t recommend this group highly enough. The Indigenous cultural presentation was powerful and beautifully done, and the farewell greeting from the entire staff was the perfect finishing touch to an already incredible day.

We had the best day out with Reef Magic! My 7 year old LOVED watching the marine biologists, the snorkelling was wonderful and excursions in the semi-sub and glass bottom boat fantastic!! The snorkel safari with Jake was fascinating and it was so good to hear about the reef and coral from someone who understands it. Also shout out to Ethan for making me feel much calmer on the boat when my face had a slight wobble at the Skippers announcement that it was going to get choppier on the way out! Fed all day, good food, and a team that worked perfectly 👌🏽 “10/10. Best day ever!” Phoebe, 7

Going snorkeling was amazing! I highly recommend it. My experience was a bit different than most experiences, because, for most of the time, my mask wasn't working. It let in too much saltwater, making my eyes sting. That made me unable to go in the water to dip my head a lot. It was really difficult, because snorkeling is all about looking in the water! But I rated this experience five stars, because the snorkel supervisors were really kind, helping me to fit my mask correctly, and giving me new ones when one didn't fit. Once you have your mask on correctly, you can see AMAZING coral ecosystems, and SO.MUCH.FISH! If you go snorkeling, go here!

Absolutely amazing way to see the reef. Thoroughly recommend particularly if you only have one day to see it, or if you are not a confident swimmer/have kids. You can snorkel as much or as little as you like for the day, and the platform is literally right on the reef. So you step off and put your face underwater and there it is! Excellent for building your snorkelling confidence. We also did the snorkel safari with Jen the marine biologist who was so enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. The whole day was amazing - even lunch was delicious. We saw all kinds of beautiful fish, plus giant clams and a shark, plus lots of cool reef stars rebuilding reef damaged by cyclones. Thoroughly recommend!

My daughter and I were booked to do the Reef Magic Pontoon Cruise, including the Introductory Dive. Unfortunately during the night, before the trip, my daughter fell violently ill. I emailed the company in the early hours of the morning to explain my situation and followed up with a phone call in the morning, before the cruise was about to leave. The staff at Reef Magic demonstrated true empathy for what I was dealing with. I cannot thank Jasmine and her supervisor enough for the support and care they provided me. We will certainly rebook this trip when we return to Cairns.

The weather forecast didn’t look good and as someone with a chequered history at sea I was anxious about going on this pre-booked tour. So glad I went! Everything about the day was magical! The magic reef team were amazing! Their skills, knowledge and attention to detail was so reassuring - safety was their first priority but it didn’t get in the way of having fun. The trip out on the catamaran to the pontoon was great and when we reached the pontoon it was totally stable so nothing to worry about there! My husband went snorkelling and had the best time. I am a nervous swimmer so opted not to go in the water but had a thoroughly entertaining day as there were so many activities on offer. The glass bottom boat tour with Isaac, one of the cultural guides, was really good as was a trip on the semi-submersible which enabled me to properly appreciate the magnificent reef. There was a short fish feeding session too which could be viewed from the underwater observatory. Lunch was lovely and there were hot and cold drinks available all day. On the trip back to Cairns the Cultural Guides gave an informative and entertaining talk about some of the historical aspects of their culture which was really enjoyable. I would totally recommend Reef Magic to everyone - young, old, swimming enthusiasts and nervous novices alike. Thank you for a memorable day out.

The reef was amazing. The trip was very well organized. The highlight was the helicopter tour! Lunch was tasty. We absolutely loved this tour

Fabulous crew, great facilities, and great section of reef. Semi sub and snorkel Safari were definitely highlights! It was a very busy day in the middle of the school holidays, but there were soooo many crew on board to help and make sure everyone was catered to as best as they possibly could. Would love to do it on a less busy day, but highly recommend regardless!

This is the best company to use if you want to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef! They provided wet suits, googles, and snorkeling equipment. They have Marine Biologists on board to help you identify fish that you saw. Everyone is very friendly and responsive. The food they serve is buffet style and it was delicious. They offer vegetarian options. We also took a glass bottom boat tour and saw turtles. I highly recommend this tour company. You won’t be disappointed. My teens said they were going to snorkel for only a few minutes but once they got in the water they stayed out for hours. We researched many tour companies and glad we chose Reef Magic!!

It was an amazing experience. The staff are all very helpful, accommodating and patient. Our daughter got very seasick, and Francis and the other staff were all very accommodating to o do whatever they could to make her as comfortable as possible. I did the scuba intro dive with Sherry was amazing and patient with me, she was on a time crunch to get me moving and was awesome to get me going to make the most out of my experience.

Even on a mostly-cloudy day, a great trip. Semi-submersible was awesome. Saw lots of fish snorkeling. Observatory is nice too, glass-bottomed so-so. The big boat stays with the pontoon, so if it rains there is indoor space for all. Water was a bit chilly in June. Ticket counter saleswoman was very honest about choppy weather, warned us instead of trying to sell us... and it was choppy but great. Good equipment, good lunch. Unfortunately, had to stop at Fitzroy Island in both directions which costs some time.

Our cruise (Magic Reef 2) went to Flynn reef and it was spectacular and beautiful. However, I wanted to do the dive but this is where the company fails. They provide snorkel equipment and tell you that you can purchase a dive package. However, the boat only had 14 tanks and the compressor was broken to refill the tanks. With about 20 people wanting to partake, and an American family whose mom was belligerent talking about how she spent 20k to to take her family on the cruise made a scene. The boat then stopped at another dive boat and borrowed extra tanks to accommodate everyone. The ones who wanted to do the introductory dive took the necessary training and test, then were told that we would get a time to come back and dive. However, we never heard back and only the first two groups (including the family) took all of the time available. Leaving the final group paying all the $ to just snorkel. My partner and I ended up paying the extra $ to do the guided snorkel tour, which was decent. But the overall operations of the boat was disorganized and it was an expensive trip to be told we can dive but left nearly empty handed.