Best Cairns Tours & Day Trips
Cairns is the gateway to two World Heritage listed natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Most visitors base in Cairns and take day tours out. The city also has the Kuranda rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, and Cape Tribulation as day trip destinations. Sightseeing Tours Australia Cairns tours start from $70.
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Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns
Reef day tours depart from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Most sail to the outer reef, about 1.5 to 2 hours by fast catamaran. Options include snorkelling, guided snorkelling tours, and certified and introductory scuba diving. Pontoon tours give a glass-bottomed boat option for non-swimmers. The reef is best visited in the dry season (May to October) for visibility and conditions, but tours run year-round.
See Great Barrier Reef tours from Cairns.
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation day tours depart Cairns hotels in the morning and run approximately 11 to 12 hours. Itinerary: Daintree River crocodile cruise, rainforest boardwalk, Cape Tribulation beach stop, Mossman Gorge option.
Kuranda and Atherton Tablelands
Kuranda is a rainforest village 25km north-west of Cairns, reached by the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Popular half-day and full-day tour options. The Atherton Tablelands covers waterfalls, crater lakes, and wildlife, usually run as a full day from Cairns.
What Cairns Tours Cover
- Great Barrier Reef: snorkelling, diving, glass-bottom boat, outer reef pontoon
- Daintree Rainforest: river cruise, rainforest walk, Cape Trib beach
- Kuranda: scenic railway, Skyrail cableway, rainforest village markets
- Atherton Tablelands: Millaa Millaa Falls, Yungaburra platypus spotting, Lake Eacham
- White water rafting on the Tully and Barron rivers
- Fitzroy Island: day trip from Cairns with reef snorkelling
Best Time to Visit Cairns
Dry season (May to October): best weather, best reef visibility, low humidity. Peak tourist period. Book ahead.
Wet season (November to April): humid, tropical downpours in the afternoon, some tours modified. Stingers (jellyfish) in the coastal waters from November to May. The rainforest is at its greenest during the wet season.
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Tours in Cairns
21 tours found
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Price
Tour Duration
Tour Type
Tour Style
Accommodation Style
21 tours found
Tours in Cairns
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Cairns Tours Package
A great value package of our two top Cairns day tours – the Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Rainforest.
Best Seller Hiking/Bush Walk Kid Friendly Premium Snorkelling/DivingDuration 2 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise, Small Group
Available Now
From$410
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1 Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise Deluxe
Ultimate Great Barrier Reef tour including a dive, snorkelling, meals & more!
Adventure Best Seller Kid Friendly Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$280
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1 Day Cape Tribulation and Daintree Tour
A day filled with rainforest walks, swimming, wildlife spotting, and lunch on a beautiful beach.
Beach Best Seller Hiking/Bush Walk Kid Friendly WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise, Small Group
Available Now
From$195
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Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Adventure
Explore the reef from a floating platform with an undersea observatory and heaps of fun activities!
Adventure Beach Best Seller Kid Friendly Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$302
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Atherton Tablelands & Waterfalls Tour
Enjoy this action-packed day tour of swimming & discovering the natural treasures of the Tablelands.
Best Seller Budget Hiking/Bush Walk Swimming WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Small Group
Available Now
From$165
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Kuranda Skyrail & Scenic Rail Experience
Admire the incredible views from the Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail with transport from Cairns.
Best Seller History and Culture Sightseeing Skip the LineDuration 1 Days
Tour type Attraction, Large Coach
Available Now
From$210
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Great Barrier Reef Small Group Day Tour
Be amazed as you snorkel or dive at Upolu Reef on our small group cruise limited to 20 travellers.
Adventure Best Seller Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise, Small Group
Available Now
From$265
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1 Day Fitzroy Island Tour from Cairns
Spend a day in paradise exploring the pristine beaches and fringing reef of Fitzroy Island.
Beach Best Seller Budget Kid Friendly Snorkelling/Diving SwimmingDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$104
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Great Barrier Reef Premium Snorkelling Tour
Climb aboard the stylish sailing catamaran to snorkel amongst the corals and colourful marine life.
Adventure Kid Friendly Premium Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$265
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1 Day Cape Tribulation Tour with Port Douglas
Wander incredible beaches, enjoy a crocodile cruise, and bathe in a rainforest freshwater stream!
Beach Best Seller Budget Hiking/Bush Walk Swimming WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Small Group
Available Now
From$229
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1 Day Green Island
Swim among the corals that border this stunning island, or relax on the beach beside the rainforest!
Beach Best Seller Budget Kid Friendly Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$120
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Great Barrier Reef Tour from Port Douglas
Snorkel two incredible reef sites near Port Douglas to discover the array of colourful marine life.
All Inclusive Sightseeing Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$319
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2 Day Cape Tribulation & Atherton Tablelands Tour
Explore the waterfalls and lush rainforests of two top Cairns locations on this all-inclusive tour.
All Inclusive Best Seller Hiking/Bush Walk Swimming WildlifeDuration 2 Days
Tour type Small Group
Available Now
From$449
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Cairns Dinner Cruise
Sail among Australia’s finest seascapes while indulging in first-rate cuisine on our dinner cruise.
Food and Wine SightseeingDuration 3 Hours
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$139
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Green Island Sail Tour from Cairns
Join an exclusive reef and island experience, and discover the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.
Kid Friendly Snorkelling/Diving SwimmingDuration 1 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Available Now
From$255
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Hartley's Crocodile Adventure Day Tour
Get to know the formidable animals of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with transfers from Cairns.
Best Seller Sightseeing WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Attraction
Available Now
From$125
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1 Day Outback Tasting Tour from Cairns
Enjoy the flavours of Far North Queenslands’ outback with local produce tastings at 7 spots.
Food and Wine Premium WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Small Group
Available Now
From$245
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1 Day Outback Tasting Tour from Port Douglas
Enjoy local food and wine while spending a whole day in Queenslands’ outback. Includes 7 stops
Food and Wine Premium WildlifeDuration 1 Days
Tour type Small Group
Available Now
From$245
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3 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Tour
Dive and snorkel morning, noon, and night if you wish, and see the reef like never before!
Best Seller Sightseeing Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 3 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Currently Unavailable
From$865
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2 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Tour
Stay the night on the Great Barrier Reef to spend two days snorkelling and exploring top reef sites.
Adventure Snorkelling/Diving WildlifeDuration 2 Days
Tour type Boat/Cruise
Currently Unavailable
From$625
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What Our Customers Are Saying about Cairns Tours
Cairns Tours Information
| Tours | 21 |
|---|---|
| Tours Prices From | AU$94 |
| Tours Reviews | 15898 |
| Tours Ratings | |
| Location | Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia |
Cairns Tour Photos
Cairns Tour Map
Frequently Asked Questions about Cairns Tours
What are the best Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns?
These are the best Great Barrier Reef Trips from Cairns:
What are the best places to visit around Cairns?
These are the best attractions in Cairns:
What should I bring on a Cairns tour?
Almost all our Cairns tours offer the opportunity to swim, so be sure to bring your own swimwear and a towel. We also recommend bringing adequate sun protection. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring a rain jacket and a change of clothes. Check your confirmation email for any specific requirements for your tour.
What should we do if we are running late?
Please ensure you arrive at your meeting point early. Tours run on a tight schedule and cannot wait for latecomers. If you’re running late, please call our office on 1300 661 225. Unfortunately, if you miss your pickup or boat departure, you will miss your tour with no opportunity for a refund.
Is there parking at Marlin Marina?
Paid parking is available at several locations around the Marlin Marina. The Shangri-La and Hilton hotels offer all day parking for about $15. The Pier Shopping Centre and Cruise Terminal carparks also offer paid parking. Parking doesn’t need to be pre-booked. But please ensure you leave plenty of time to arrive at your meeting point before departure.
What happens if it rains?
You get wet! Cairns is a tropical location with plenty of rain. But that doesn’t mean your tour will be ruined. Storms are usually brief, and your guide knows how to make the most of the weather to offer you the best experience. If it is raining on the day of your tour, bring along a rain jacket and a change of clothes.
Unless it’s unsafe, tours will run regardless of the weather. On the very rare occasions when we do need to cancel a tour for safety reasons, we’ll contact you to offer a change of date. If you can’t travel another day, we’ll process a full refund.
What happens if I want to cancel a Cairns tour?
If you decide to cancel your tour, it will be subject to our cancellation policy. It may be possible to change the date of your tour, subject to availability. If you need to cancel or make any changes to your booking, please contact our reservations team.
What is the best day trip from Cairns?
The Great Barrier Reef is the most popular day trip from Cairns. The Daintree Rainforest is the second most popular, and Kuranda is a reliable half-day option.
Can I see both the reef and the rainforest on the same trip to Cairns?
Yes. The reef and Daintree are both achievable as day trips from a Cairns base. Most visitors spend 3 to 5 days in Cairns to cover both.
Do you need to be a strong swimmer to do a reef tour from Cairns?
No. Pontoon tours include glass-bottomed boat viewing for non-swimmers. Snorkelling gear, life jackets, and supervised sessions are available for those who want to try the water.
What is the best time of year to visit Cairns?
May to October (dry season) for best reef visibility and comfortable weather. The wet season runs November to April with high humidity and afternoon rain.
How far is the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns?
The outer reef is about 1.5 to 2 hours by fast catamaran from Cairns.
Are Cairns day tours suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Most Cairns tours are small-group format and well-suited to solo travellers. Reef tours in particular are social by nature.
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