Great Barrier Reef Travel Guides

Practical guides to planning a Great Barrier Reef snorkeling trip: where to base yourself, whether the reef is safe and worth it, what you'll actually see, and how to pick the right tour for the way you travel.

Popular Great Barrier Reef tours

Booked through the operators' own GetYourGuide and Viator listings, with live prices, hotel pickup and free-cancellation windows shown there.

Outer Great Barrier Reef & Coral Cay Snorkel/Dive Tour from Cairns

This luxury full-day cruise aboard a fast 20m catamaran takes you to two pristine outer reef sites — Wonder Wall and Upolu Coral Cay. Snorkel vibrant coral gardens, spot turtles, stingrays, and colorful fish, or join an optional guided dive. Enjoy glass-bottom boat tours, a drift snorkel, and a delicious smorgasbord lunch on board.

  • 4.8
  • 12 hours
  • 15,633+ booked

ABC Reef Safaris – Great Barrier Reef Adventure

This small-group snorkeling tour provides a more intimate and uncrowded experience on the outer Great Barrier Reef. With limited participants and a high instructor-to-guest ratio (1:6), you’ll receive personalized guidance while exploring vibrant coral and rich marine life. All snorkeling equipment is provided, along with expert marine biologist commentary, drinks, and a deli-style lunch.

  • 5
  • 7 hours
  • 15,089+ booked

Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Experience from Cairns

This popular full-day eco-adventure takes you to beautiful Green Island, a tropical paradise on the Great Barrier Reef. Explore lush rainforest, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral gardens rich in marine life and birdlife. Snorkel from the shore, enjoy a glass-bottom boat tour, swim in the island pool, or simply relax. Optional activities include scuba diving, helmet diving, kayaking, and helicopter flights.

  • 4.3
  • 9 hours
  • 1,696+ booked
★ 4.7 average across 9 Great Barrier Reef tours See the tours →