Top 13 Cairns Scuba Diving

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,714 reviews · from $190Our pick

Board the Evolution in Cairns for an 8.5-hour cruise to two Outer Great Barrier Reef sites. You get about five hours in the water, equipment, a BBQ lunch, and help from an active crew. Add an introductory scuba session or 10-minute helicopter flight, and look for marine talks from guides such as Indy or Phil.

“Waves were pretty bad, but the entertainment and snorkeling were great. If big waves and strong wind skip and rebook. Great experience.”

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2.Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,895 reviews · from $181Top rated

From Cairns, Ocean Freedom carries you to Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall for six hours of reef time. You can snorkel with a marine naturalist, join a glass-bottom boat tour, or add certified or introductory scuba. Expect a maximum of 75 people, buffet lunch, careful in-water support, and a full day on the reef.

“It was an amazing day. All the crew members were very friendly and helpful all day, they had a solution for everybody in every situation.”

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3.Premium Snorkelling and Diving Reef Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,528 reviews · 8 hours · from $166

From Cairns, Divers Den takes you aboard AquaQuest to two outer reef sites at Norman, Saxon, or Hastings reefs. You get guided snorkelling, equipment, wetsuit or lycra suit, prescription masks, meals, hot showers, and time for swimming or scuba. Staff including Vanessa and Mazie help nervous first-time participants feel at ease.

“staff were very friendly and informative. snorkeling kit was good, we felt safe at all times food was decent provided us sea sickness pills (~$5)”

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4.Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,467 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $183

Board Ocean Freedom’s fast 20-metre catamaran at Cairns’ Marlin Marina for two reef visits at Wonder Wall and Upolu Cay. You’ll have guided snorkelling, glass-bottom boat trips, optional introductory or certified scuba sessions, and a full lunch with prawns and smoked salmon. Crew members including Ollie, Paul, and Tori help keep the day calm and well organised.

“I had a great diving time with ocean freedom. Ollie is a very nice diving instructor. He’s patient and attentive to detail. I felt safe and well taken care of throughout the dives. The staff were also great! They made the whole experience so enjoyable.”

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5.Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 841 reviews · from $232

Travel by fast catamaran from Cairns to Reef Magic’s outer-reef platform for snorkeling, semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat trips, marine science talks, and cultural presentations. Ella, Ethan, Kaitlin, and Takuya are among the staff praised for their care and guidance. Lunch, tea, and equipment are included, while scuba and helicopter flights cost extra.

“It was a good experience They took participant safety very seriously Well organized - friendly and helpful They went out of the way to make sure everyone got something out of the trip. The views from the chopper were amazing Highly recommend the team”

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6.Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 792 reviews · 9 hours · from $127Best value

From Cairns Marlin Marina, Reef Magic and Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel take you to two outer reef sites for five hours in the water. Expect coral gardens, turtles, rays, fish, and possible sharks, plus Indigenous stories from guides such as Jed and Kevin, reef talks, morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet lunch. A scuba option is available.

“Jen was amazing and did everything she could to make sure I had an amazing day, the whole crew were super friendly and experts in their fields which made it a really special and informative experience”

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7.Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 432 reviews · from $212

Spend about 10 hours aboard Silverswift, a 29-meter catamaran from Cairns, visiting up to three outer reef sites near Flynn, Milln, and Thetford reefs. Snorkel, try one or two introductory scuba sessions, or complete up to three certified descents. Guides such as Matilda, Paul, and Vanessa help beginners feel at ease.

“This was an absolutely amazing tour. We did two introductory scuba dives and also did snorkeling. Matilda was tremendous in making us feel comfortable with all aspects of the diving experience. She was OUTSTANDIN!G! We highly recommend this to first timers.”

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8.Best Value All-inclusive Reef Trip With Scuba Dive

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 307 reviews · 1 day · from $184

Join Reef Experience for a full-day Cairns reef cruise aboard a 24-meter catamaran. You get breakfast, BBQ lunch, a marine biologist talk, one introductory or certified scuba session, unlimited snorkelling, and wine with cheese on the return. Guides including Tia, Dan, Dylan, and Alexandra are praised for calm, careful instruction.

“The scuba intro was an amazing experience! Make sure you opt in for the additional dive as they let you go off on your own a little bit more. An experience I won’t forget!!!!”

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9.Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · from $197

Take Ocean Spirit’s 8.5-hour catamaran cruise from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay, where you can snorkel from the sand, join a semi-submersible reef tour, or try an introductory scuba session. Marine biologists explain the cay’s seabirds and reef life. Guides such as Jayden, Luiza, and Kevin have been praised for their personal help.

“This is one of the most fantastic things we have ever done. The snorkeling is beyond compare. The water is crystal clear and the giant clams, tropical fish, and lovely coral are the best I have ever seen. The boat ride was fabulous and beautiful and the food was GREAT. The semi sub ride was a spectacular experience. The birds take up most of the island so do not plan on sunbathing. There is definitely a bit of an odor and many feathers on the sand. The area for the birds is roped off and there are surveillance cameras...so no sneaking over to the bird side! If you love birds…”

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10.Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $165

Spend about nine hours sailing from Cairns to Moore Reef, then Milln or Flynn Reef, with Indigenous guides including Jed, Jacob, and Glen. Hear a Creation Story, see cultural tools, snorkel for about five hours, and enjoy equipment, marine biology talks, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.

“Excellent experience with many qualified staff to help. We also had a talk about indigenous customs with music demonstrations and a fish feeding show. Tour was done very professionally with a caring staff. Lunch and afternoon sweets were also served which was delicious. Highly recommend!”

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11.4-Day PADI Open Water Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · 4 days · from $704

Train with Divers Den across two pool and theory days, then complete four open-water sessions on the Great Barrier Reef. You receive equipment, PADI materials, instruction, reef trips, and selected Cairns transfers. Instructors such as Matt and Catalina are praised for patient, clear teaching. A 200-metre swim and medical clearance may be required.

“Fantastic! Catalina, my instructor, was great. Knowlegeable, professional and fun. Safety is a priority and I have discovered a new passion.”

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12.4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course – Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $677

Train in a small group with instructor Frankie, starting with classroom and pool sessions before two outer-reef cruises aboard Evolution. You will complete four guided reef dives, receive a free fun dive, and earn an internationally recognized PADI Open Water certificate. Hotel transfers, equipment, training materials, and onboard lunches are included.

“Excellent!!!If I can give 50 starts review,I would.The best thing I did to myself was booking this course.I always have fear of deep water and just in four days I was able to dive down to 16 meters.I still can’t believe I did that.All this thanks to FraRead more”

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13.Pro Dive Great Barrier Reef 3 Day/2 Night Dive Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 3 days · from $739

Join Pro Dive Cairns for three days and two nights aboard a premium liveaboard, visiting 19 sites across four Outer Reef locations. Certified scuba divers can take up to 11 sessions, including two at night, while snorkelers can enjoy the reef at a gentler pace. Staff such as Daniel and Matthias provide course support and safety guidance.

“This was an incredible trip. It was well organised, the staff were fantastic and the dives themselves were amazing. The food was delicious, plentiful and well prepared. The guides provided great direction (I had Daniel for the Advanced Open Water) training and gave me the confidence to dive unguided (but with a buddy). On that note it is self guided unless you are on a course. The direction from the dive leader is great (Matthias), but would recommend a refresher if you haven’t gone for a while and need a reminder on how to use diver computers and navigation. Would 100% recommend this trip - great value for money and…”

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