Great Barrier Reef Tours & Trips
Have you dreamed about snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef? Swimming with sea turtles, seeing all those colourful fish darting through coral, exploring this massive underwater ecosystem. Australia's reef stretches over 2,300km - it's huge. You'll sail between islands, dive crystal waters and tick off one of those natural wonders everyone should see.
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Julie • traveled in March
I throughly enjoyed my tour from Brisbane to Cairns. The group was mixed ages and all were great company. The tour took in all the best bits of the journey north with the whitsunday islands being my favourite, there’s plenty of free time and Justin our guide was great fun. Definitely recommend and will be looking for another tour down under soon.
Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest - 9 Day Boutique Tour - S
Svana • traveled in January, 2026
I loved this tour, saw many amazing places and our guide Jessie was perfect I reccomend this 100% if you wanna go up the east coast ?
Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays - S
Sarah • traveled in December, 2024
I‘ve just finished the 5 weeks East Coast Tour and it’s been an absolute movie. My favorite part was K‘gari. I already miss the people I met and above all my group leader Jenn. She was not only our group leader but also has become a really good friend and has always been there for us. Thanks for everything Jenn you made this experience incredible.
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
Traveler Photos & Videos from Great Barrier Reef tours
- 2 Day / 2 Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure (on Condor, Broomstick or Hammer)
- Brisbane to Cairns - 7 Day Boutique Tour
- Oz East Coast Adventure 20 days
- Sailing Adventures through the Whitsunday Islands
- Highlights of Australia with Fiji
- Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree (11 destinations)
- Oz East Coast Adventure 28 Days
- East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
- Contrasts of Australia
- Contrasts of Australia (9 Days)
- Australia: North Queensland Adventure (With Sailing)
- Brisbane to Cairns Adventure (including 75 Mile Beach)
Table of contents
- The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
- Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
- Best tour companies for Great Barrier Reef tours
- Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
- Discover Great Barrier Reef tours for every budget
- Great Barrier Reef tours for every type of group
- Top Great Barrier Reef travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Great Barrier Reef
- Contact our Great Barrier Reef travel experts
The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Barrier Reef travel expert at TourRadar
Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sailing whitsundays was the highlight! Weather wasn't fantastic to begin with but trip was so much fun and well organised.”
Lydia, traveled in March
The Great Barrier Reef opens up with snorkeling options from Cairns (approx. $170), Whitsundays ocean rafting, and sailing adventures. Airlie Beach accommodations and reef diving opportunities (approx. $270) complete the journey.
Duration 10 days Destinations Brisbane, Fraser Island, Mackay, Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, Cairns Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From $2,399
25% Off- US$1,799You save $600
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
107 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip would never have been the same without our incredible tour guide. I truly don't believe I would have experienced half as much.”
Dirk, traveled in November
Crystal waters invite snorkeling from Cairns, while sailing adventures await in the Whitsundays. Beach camping on Fraser Island, Mission Beach's rainforest, Magnetic Island's koala sanctuary, and Airlie Beach's lagoon create unforgettable memories.
Duration 36 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, Magnetic IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Ultimate Travel From
25% Off- US$4,149
Moore Reef's underwater spectacle awaits with marine biologists and crystal-clear snorkeling spots. Ride to Kuranda village via scenic railway, float through Melaleuca wetlands, and savor a farewell dinner at Ochre Restaurant overlooking Cairns Harbor.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Uluru, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Costsaver From $3,279
10% Off- US$2,951+$1,465 upfront costsYou save $328
Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were first class and the transportation safe and comfortable. The tours were excellent and very well chosen for our group.”
Allan, traveled in February
The Great Barrier Reef region comes alive through snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and Whitsundays sailing. Observe reef marine life, relax at Whitehaven Beach, and walk through Daintree Rainforest. Beachfront stays in Mission Beach and Port Douglas provide comfort.
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Mission Beach, Atherton, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park Age Range Ages 18+ Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- US$4,925
Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had an amazing trip, very well organized. We had an amazing time and learned a lot from this great continent.”
Henriett, traveled in October
Agincourt Reef, Green Island, and Fitzroy Island showcase the reef's diversity. Semi-submersible tours, glass-bottom boats, and guided snorkeling provide different perspectives, with Southern Cross Atrium Apartments as home base.
Duration 12 days Destinations Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Manly, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Fitzroy IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd From
10% Off- US$3,291
Oz East Coast Adventure 28 Days
49 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had such a great time with Erin as our group leader. We packed so much into our four weeks - and with Erin as a leader, we didn't have to worry about anything!.”
Vibrant coral reefs stretch from Airlie Beach to Cairns. The Whitsundays' 74 islands beckon sailors, while Magnetic Island's koala trails and Mission Beach's adrenaline activities await. The journey peaks with snorkeling at two outer reef locations and chasing waterfalls in Atherton Tablelands.
Duration 28 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Bondi Beach, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Whitsundays, Whitsunday Islands, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-45 Operator INTRO Travel From
10% Off- US$3,774
Duration 14 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $2,322
5% Off- US$2,206You save $116
Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
Best tour companies for Great Barrier Reef tours
Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
Discover Great Barrier Reef tours for every budget
Great Barrier Reef tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Great Barrier Reef travel itineraries to fit your plans
3 Day Itineraries
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers76 tours- Couples63 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)17 tours
- Seniors (50+)43 tours
Best time to visit Great Barrier Reef
- Spring 2026
Spring brings clear waters and perfect reef conditions, with tours running 20-28 days from Brisbane being especially popular. These combine quality reef time with K'gari 4x4 exploration and also Whitsundays sailing. Our travelers often tell us about their guides - like Shannon who helped Julie overcome her 13-year fear of ocean swimming. The boutique options include premium vessels with space to relax between snorkels, expert naturalist guides and also high-end accommodation throughout. What really stands out in the reviews is how these smaller groups access quieter reef spots away from the usual crowds.
- 17 tours
- popular 47 tours
- Summer 2026
For prime reef tours from Sydney, summer opens up excellent multi-week journeys that pair proper reef exploration with Whitsundays sailing adventures. Five-week tours give water enthusiasts the perfect window to experience diverse marine environments, visiting multiple snorkel spots while traveling up the coast. Our backpackers tend to choose combined hostel and guided reef packages, where expert guides point out the best spots for spotting turtles, rays and also countless fish varieties. Small-group boutique options elevate the experience with comfortable hotels, private reef cruises and marine biologists sharing their expertise. The 20-28 day tours departing from Brisbane have become a favorite, blending quality reef exploration with K'gari 4x4 adventures and also Whitsundays sailing. Our travelers often mention guides like Shannon, who helped one guest overcome a 13-year fear of ocean swimming through patient guidance. Premium vessels offer peaceful spaces between snorkels, and naturalist guides know exactly how to find those quieter reef spots away from the seasonal crowds.
- 45 tours
- 50 tours
- popular 62 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Autumn delivers some exceptional Great Barrier Reef experiences, with multi-week journeys from Brisbane proving especially popular among our travelers. These tours combine dedicated reef exploration with K'gari 4x4 trips and Whitsundays sailing, giving you crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling. Our guides Shannon and Val excel at working with varied comfort levels, from helping first-timers overcome water anxiety to showing experienced snorkelers the finest coral formations. The boutique options feature premium vessels with ample deck space between snorkel sessions, specialist naturalist guides and also top-tier accommodation throughout. What our customers consistently highlight is how these intimate groups access secluded reef spots away from peak season crowds. The multi-day sailing elements shine particularly bright this season, with evenings spent stargazing from deck after full days discovering different snorkel sites. Whether you're joining an extended backpacker tour or selecting a premium small-group experience, autumn provides ideal reef conditions without summer's intensity or winter's strong winds.
- 59 tours
- 69 tours
- popular 70 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
The Great Barrier Reef reveals its best side during winter, with several tour options that really shine. Multi-week journeys from Sydney give you time to properly experience the reef as you head north into warmer waters. Our travelers particularly love the 5-week tours that blend proper reef exploration and Whitsundays sailing. If you're watching your budget, the mixed hostel and guided reef tours work well - you still get expert guides who know exactly where to spot turtles, rays and also different fish species. For a more refined touch, small-group boutique options include comfortable hotels and private reef cruises with marine biologists leading the way.
- 53 tours
- 55 tours
- popular 62 tours
Contact our Great Barrier Reef travel experts
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Expert in Great Barrier Reef at TourRadar
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