A local Great Barrier Reef icon!
If it’s value for money and a memorable day on the Great Barrier Reef you’re looking for then this budget cruise has it all! Enjoy an un-rushed day of snorkeling with a leisurely cruise to two beautiful Outer Great Barrier Reef locations.
Compass Cruises offer something for everyone and can be enjoyed by people of all ages – even those with limited swimming ability.
Tour Itinerary
- 07:30 – Board the boat Compass, at Cairns Marina ‘Marlin Wharf Berth 18’, for check-in.
- 08:00 –Depart Cairns to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Safety talk and snorkel briefing
- 10:30 – Arrive at your first Great Barrier Reef Location
- 12:30 – BBQ Lunch with fresh salads
- 13:00 – Cruise to 2nd Reef Location
- 15:30 – Depart the Great Barrier Reef
- 17:30 – Approximate Arrival time at Cairns Marina
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
- Up to 4 hours at two Outer Great Barrier Reef locations
- Unlimited Snorkeling and snorkeling tuition. Snorkeling mask, snorkel and fins included
- Free buoyancy aids – snorkeling vests and noodles
- Stinger suits are included throughout the season
- Delicious BBQ Lunch with fresh salads (Dietary requirements catered for)
- Fruit Platters while boarding. Tea & coffee available all day while boat stationary. Water fountain to fill your water bottle
- Glass of wine, cheese & crackers on return journey
- Assistance for non-confident swimmers from friendly crew
- Boom netting – “The Wild Ride” (weather permitting)
- Reef tax, fuel levy & national park fees for visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are included in this trip cost
- Family Friendly Tour
Optional Extras
- Scuba Diving for qualified divers (Certified) OR No-experience necessary ‘Resort Scuba Diving’ for beginners – one or two scuba dives available. Medical Conditions Apply see below
- Glass Bottom Boat Tours (weather permitting)
- Wetsuit Hire (Provide flotation and warmth)
- Underwater Digital Camera Hire
- Snack Bar Purchases
- Dive Guides for already qualified ‘Certified’ scuba divers (dive guides included for beginner divers)
- Prescription Mask Hire if you require stronger lenses to see (contact lenses can be worn in most circumstances)
- Bus transfers from accommodation to and from the Cairns Marina
What to Bring
- Cash or credit card for purchases
- Swimming Clothes, Towel, Hat, Sunglasses, Sun Cream
- Proof of qualification if you’re a Certified Diver
How to Get there
Compass Cruises departs from
Cairns Marina: ‘Marlin Wharf berth 18’ View map to Cairns Marlin Marina
Boarding commences at 7:30 am for check-in, directly on the boat ‘Compass’
Where Can I Park?
There are a number of parking stations throughout Cairns that are in walking distance of the Marina. Click here to see where
Important Information for Scuba Diving
We have a passion to show you Australia’s Great Barrier Reef so please make sure you understand the scuba diving laws.
Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world but also the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules including medical as is the law.
To avoid disappointment on your day of travel we strongly recommend that all of our passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire prior to booking as some medical conditions, age and / or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef experience.
We are very happy to help you with any questions you may have. Please Contact our office on 07 4037 2700 or email us.
Or alternatively, you may like to consult your own Doctor for a Dive Medical using the Australian Standard Forms ‘AS.4005.1
Flying after Scuba Diving
For a single no decompression scuba dive, you should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive. For multiple dives you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive. If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning you must wait 24 hours after your dive. We recommend waiting a minimum 24 hours whenever possible
Add your review for Great Barrier Reef Budget Cruise
RAINER Kroeger
1If you want to see Rea living reef, STAY AWAY FROM this tour. We swam through a reef cementary! And did not even know what to take a picture of with our under water camara. Pay $80 Aus more und get somewhere else what you came for to Cairns! - The crew was great. The boot old and slow!
James
5I booked my day reef trip with Compass Cruises, low price and good trip advisor review. Crew is excellent. The best part of the day were the reef and the food! Great food! Crew was friendly and good sense of humour.
Linsey
5Diving was the best part of my day! The whole experience was amazing. The crew were great and good at singing :)
Julia
5Lovely and amazing crew! I saw Nemo and Whales!!!
Marta
5The introductory dive with Martin was fantastic. I had tried diving with a different company at the reef, and I wasn't able to do it, but your crew helped me a lot feeling comfortable and safe! many thanks
Freya (UK)
5Have wanted to see the reef for years, so swimming so close to it was incredible. We also saw giant clams and that was really cool. Crew are very friendly and entertaining. They were great at making those less confident feel comfortable and safe in the water. The food was really nice, we appreciated the wine and cheese on the way back! Thank you for a great day, only wish we could stay longer.
Emma (Australia)
5Very lovely and helpful! The best part of the day was snorkelling! Great day! Thank you.
Peter Neale
5The day was great. The young crew were all very accommodating and were focussed on making the day as good as possible for everyone. They were especially nice to my teenage kids, one of whom was quite sea-sick and they went out of their way to look after him. A great way to experience the Reef
Paul P
5The crew were absolutely great. The personal attention and friendliness of the crew were amazing. The diving was great. Lunch was a home run and the food was delicious. Thanks for a great experience.
Rachelle
5Fantastic, all very friendly and helpful. Enjoyed every last second. Thank you so much this has been the highlight of my holiday so far!
James
5Fantastic! They are so helpful and very service minded. Really great value - 100%. Loads of fun and very full from lunch.
Anusa
5The whole day was great, I had a fantastic time especially with the friendly crew.
Wes m
5The crew were friendly, helpful, informative, and experienced. The capacity of the boat was good and the Reef snorkeling was really nice. Thank you for an amazing tour this is our 2nd trip out to the Reef during our time in Cairns and it's great to see some magnificent coral and fish!
Wendy B
5The crew were fun and so helpful throughout the whole trip! I loved snorkeling and thought they trip was well worth doing.
Kristal (NZ)
5Laid back cruisey bunch of people. Very friendly and helpful made it a very fun day. Seeing the different fish and species of coral on the reef. All around great trip - would recommend.
Campbell (NZ)
5Awesome, fun, cruisey, and professional. Was a good day out, would highly recommend.
Bradley (USA)
5The day was perfect. Staff was excellent and always willing to help. Thank you for the great experience!
Karl (Wales)
5Very good and helpful crew. Thank you for a wonderful day, will never forget it! Thank you.
Helen
5We loved compass for the cost, value for money, variety of reefs and what's included in the day. Definitely not a let down! The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, thoughtful and helpful. We loved all of it! I would recommend the trip to family and friends and would definitely return myself.
Mandy P
5The crew were fantastic. The food delicious. The best part of the day was the snorkeling; the snorkeling gear was great - good fit. Thank you from all our family for such a memorable day! :)
Kate P
5Everything made the experience great! Especially because it's the first time I didn't get sea sick. The crew were fantastic -- friendly, hospitable, funny, attractive...keep up the great work!
Rachel A
5This tour was excellent -- 10/10. It was just a perfect day, wonderful staff, great food, good weather and the snorkeling was great. The wine went down very well. A big thank you x :)
Raquel
5I booked with Compass Cruises because of the price and reviews. Crew is so fun and friendly, obviously passionate about their work. The best part of the day was the whole thing/turtles and sharks. Thank you all so much for one of the best days of my life.
Maria
5I decided to experience with Compass Cruises because I liked the program and prices. Crew was amazing: really caring, friendly and warming. The highlight of the day was snorkeling. Thank you so much for this incredible journey! Snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef is now one of the best experience of my life!
Peter
5It was a great trip and I really enjoyed it. The crew were very polite/nice and funny and always helpful if you need anything. The best part of the day was diving and swimming with a turtle!
Almelia
5The crew were lovely, the best part of the day was the glass bottom boat and the dive. Really good day out - thanks a lot! :)