Great Barrier Reef Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
- What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours
- Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
- Best tour companies for Great Barrier Reef tours
- Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
- Great Barrier Reef tours for every 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
- What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours & Trips
The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Barrier Reef travel expert at TourRadar
Best of Australia
28 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I loved the itinerary, the places we saw and the people involved. Can't recommend this tour/company highly enough.”
Sally, traveled in October
The Great Barrier Reef region unfolds with Whitsunday Islands boating and optional snorkeling excursions. The ancient Daintree Rainforest reveals itself through guided indigenous walks in Mossman Gorge, with nights spent in rainforest cabins and local cultural immersion.
Duration 14 days Destinations Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie, Blue Mountains, Sydney Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
- US$4,349
Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a small group of like-minded people. We loved it!!”
Lorene, traveled in October
Underwater worlds open up through snorkeling adventures and glass-bottom boat tours. Flynn Hotel Cairns serves as base for ventures into Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, and Cape Tribulation, featuring Kuku Yalanji cultural immersion.
Duration 16 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Brisbane, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Via Travel Australia From $6,778
20% Off- US$5,423You save $1,355
A high-speed catamaran whisks you to the Great Barrier Reef with expert guides. Take your pick between snorkeling and semi-submersible viewing of coral gardens. A buffet lunch and afternoon refreshments complement your reef visit.
Duration 9 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $4,105
10% Off- US$3,695+$805 upfront costsYou save $410
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
106 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Some of my highlights were Frazer island, sailing around the Whitsundays, skydiving and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef.”
Rachel, traveled in July
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 18 to 35 year olds Operator Ultimate Travel From
10% Off- US$3,531
Duration 3 days Destinations Cairns, Cooktown, Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From
10% Off- US$1,259
What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours
- Best of Australia
Great tour, saw amazing places, met great people, experienced a few adventures and conquered some of my fears! I would definitely do it again.
- Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
I'm in my 60s...this tour was a mix of comfortable accommodation and enjoyable light activities. It was a small group of like minded people. We loved it !!
- East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
This tour was a fantastic experience, making new friends and seeing what the east coast has to offer. Lots of fun along the way and incredible sights and adventures up Australia's east coast.
Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
Explore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Great Barrier Reef. We have 9 adventures that vary from 5 days to 19 days. With the greatest number of departures in November, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Our multi-week East Coast tours blend reef experiences with coastal discoveries, running from Sydney or Brisbane all the way to Cairns. You'll spend 2-3 days out on the Great Barrier Reef, visiting different sites to see varied coral formations and marine life. What's great about these tours is how they work for everyone - our guides have a special way with first-time snorkelers, and many end up going back in the water multiple times. The journey mixes up water time with rainforest hikes, wild koala spotting on Magnetic Island and also Aboriginal cultural experiences in the Daintree.
Select from our extensive range of 92 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Great Barrier Reef with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Great Barrier Reef. We have 35 adventures that vary from 4 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Best tour companies for Great Barrier Reef tours
The Great Barrier Reef really comes alive when you've got the right guides showing you around. From our experience booking these trips, Intro Travel tends to be a favorite - their guides Val, Eilish and Shannon consistently get mentioned in traveler feedback for going above and beyond with local knowledge and good energy. If you're heading to Byron Bay, Ultimate Travel knows how to do it right with their beachfront setup. Their guide Caro has this way of making everyone feel part of the group while keeping things moving smoothly through the day's activities. G Adventures takes a different approach - they've built solid relationships with local communities and focus on keeping things sustainable. Their guide Karly has a real knack for showing travelers the lesser-known spots and handling all the small details that make a big difference. Each of these operators brings something unique to exploring the reef. The nice thing about all three is they've found that sweet spot between being well-organized and letting you actually experience the place properly, rather than just rushing through the usual tourist stops.
Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
Most of our travelers hop on their reef trips from Sydney, Cairns and also Brisbane, though plenty of our Melbourne folks make the journey up north too. Some prefer starting from Airlie Beach since it's closer to the action. Looking at thousands of our bookings, we've found that booking about 85 days out hits the sweet spot - it gives you enough time to lock in the exact dates and activities you want, which really matters when the good tours start filling up. May through October is when you'll get the clearest water and most reliable weather. The water sits at a nice 21-25°C (70-77°F) during these months, and the winds tend to behave better around the Whitsundays, making for smoother sailing. Our repeat visitors often tell us they love May and September best - you get all the good conditions but with noticeably fewer people around.
Great Barrier Reef tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
125 tours in Great Barrier ReefExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Great Barrier Reef. We have 125 adventures that vary from 3 days to 36 days. With the greatest number of departures in November, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
15 tours in Great Barrier ReefOur most popular reef tours blend intimate groups with expert naturalist guides, thoughtful vessel selection and carefully chosen reef sites. The boutique options span 10-17 days with marine biologists leading snorkel sessions at 12 reef locations, selected daily to match conditions and group preferences. The guides, including Shannon and Val, receive consistent praise from our travelers for helping novice snorkelers build confidence while maintaining a personal atmosphere. Premium vessels provide ample deck space between water activities, quality dining options and also access to less crowded reef sections. Additional touches often include private wildlife encounters and evening harbor cruises. The extended 5-week journeys allow travelers to fully experience the changing marine life across different reef zones, with chances for night snorkeling, wildlife observation and also glass-bottom boat tours. Our small-group approach lets guides adapt the pace and activities to match each participant's water comfort, whether you choose a focused reef experience or longer coastal exploration.
Private / Personalized
18 tours in Great Barrier ReefFor complete flexibility, private tours running 10-14 days let you set your own pace. Having dedicated guides means you can take your time getting comfortable snorkeling at spots like Green Island. The experience includes nice extras like evening harbor cruises in Sydney, local Aboriginal guides sharing their knowledge and also special access to wildlife sanctuaries. Our travelers really like how everything's taken care of - from airport pickups to restaurant bookings - while keeping things flexible enough to match their interests and energy levels.
Top Great Barrier Reef travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 3-day reef-focused trips pack in maximum water time for travelers on a tight schedule. You'll spend two full days exploring carefully picked reef sites with great visibility and rich marine life. The water teems with more than 1,500 fish species, 411 types of hard coral and plenty of rays gliding past. These boats come equipped with quality gear and experienced guides who help everyone feel confident in the water, from complete beginners to seasoned divers. At the end of each day, you'll head back to your comfortable Cairns accommodation to rest up for another day on the reef.
Week-long tours from Brisbane blend reef time with Queensland's tropical highlights. You get a full day exploring the Great Barrier Reef - snorkeling multiple spots, learning about conservation and watching marine life from glass-bottom boats. These trips stand out for their variety - sailing the Whitsundays, spending time on Whitehaven Beach, discovering waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands and also visiting Mission Beach where wild cassowaries sometimes wander past. Our guests particularly value the guides who share their deep knowledge about the reef ecosystem and local wildlife throughout the journey.
The 10-day trips give you proper time at both the reef and Whitsunday Islands. You'll spend multiple days exploring different outer reef spots, each picked for its coral formations, fish populations and clear waters. The tour also takes you through the Daintree Rainforest, includes cultural learning at Mossman Gorge and features crocodile spotting on the Daintree River. Our customers really appreciate how these tours mix scheduled activities with free time to explore Port Douglas, Mission Beach and also Cairns independently.
Demographics
Our East Coast reef tours running 20-28 days really click with solo travelers. The guides have a knack for creating that perfect group vibe - they know how to get everyone comfortable both on land and in the water. You'll explore multiple reef spots with guides like Shannon and Val, who are great at helping complete beginners feel confident swimming. The journey includes nights under the stars on K'gari (Fraser Island), quiet coves on Magnetic Island and sailing through the Whitsundays. The hostels become social hubs where travelers often form friendships that last well beyond the tour.
If you opt for the 5-week version, you get more time to sink into reef life. You'll visit different snorkel spots across various regions, noticing how the marine life changes as you move along the coast. Tour leaders like Corey and Caro balance group activities with free time nicely - they're good at bringing everyone together while giving you space when you need it. Our travelers really like how they can join group dinners and activities but also have time to do their own thing with new friends.
Couples tend to love our smaller boutique reef tours - they're the right mix of relaxed and active. You'll travel on premium reef boats with marine biologists onboard, stay in quality spots and follow well-paced daily plans. The itinerary takes you to quieter reef areas away from the busy spots, includes evening sails and adds special touches like private wildlife encounters. Our guides know how to create a friendly group feeling while giving couples their own space. The balance of planned activities and free time to explore together is something our travelers mention often.
The 28-35 day active reef tours are particularly popular with young adults. You'll get plenty of water time - from snorkeling hidden spots to multi-day sailing in the Whitsundays. The schedule includes chances to try scuba diving, night snorkeling and spotting marine life from glass-bottom boats. Between reef visits, you'll drive 4x4s on K'gari's beaches, hike to Byron Bay's lighthouse for sunrise and learn to surf. Guides like Zack and Shannon create a fun atmosphere while making sure everyone feels good about pushing their comfort zone in the water.
The social side is just as good - you'll hang out at beach bars, hostel common rooms and group dinners. Everyone loves the overnight sailing parts; sharing stories on deck after a day of snorkeling as the sun sets is pretty special. Our travelers tell us they like having structured reef activities mixed with free time to explore with their new friends.
The 17-day boutique reef tours work really well for our senior travelers. These smaller groups use nice hotels and have guides who adjust the pace to suit different fitness levels. You'll experience the reef in various ways - from glass-bottom boat rides to guided snorkeling with marine experts. The schedule includes walks through rainforest paths, time with Aboriginal guides and wildlife watching. Our travelers appreciate how everything runs smoothly while keeping a laid-back pace that lets them really take in each place.
Solo Travelers88 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples58 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)15 tours
- Seniors (50+)48 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Great Barrier Reef
- Spring 2025
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.
- 51 tours
- 55 tours
- popular 59 tours
- Summer 2025
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.
- popular 64 tours
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- 61 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
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.
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- popular 79 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
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.
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- popular 62 tours
Contact our Great Barrier Reef travel experts
Tassanee
Expert in Great Barrier Reef at TourRadar
Tassanee is one of our seasoned Great Barrier Reef Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Great Barrier Reef tours answered!
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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours & Trips
Is the Great Barrier Reef really dying?
You know what's amazing about the Great Barrier Reef? It's actually doing better than you might think. This incredible UNESCO site has over 3000 individual reefs and supports an incredible variety of marine life. We're talking about 1500 different types of fish and 411 species of hard coral. Sure it faces some challenges like coral bleaching but this ecosystem is pretty resilient.
Where's the best spot to see coral and marine life?
If you're looking to experience the best of the reef Cairns is your go-to starting point for the Outer Great Barrier Reef - it's got these amazing coral gardens full of fish turtles and giant clams. The Whitsundays especially around Border and Dumbell Islands are fantastic for snorkeling and diving. For something really special there are six exclusive mooring spots that tour operators pick based on weather and water conditions they're absolutely phenomenal with amazing reef contours and marine life.
Can I learn to surf near the reef?
While the reef itself isn't surfing territory you'll want to head down to Byron Bay for that. The 28-day Oz East Coast Adventure tour includes surf lessons with real Aussie instructors. Byron's got this perfect laid-back vibe and beautiful beaches that make it ideal for learning how to catch your first waves.