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Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef Tours

Port Douglas Reef Tours - Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon - Quicksilver

Port Douglas Reef Tours operate 365 days of the year taking visitors to the best outer Barrier Reef site known as the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs for a day of snorkelling and adventure on an interactive floating pontoon. 

Considered as the best reef from Port Douglas this part of the Great Barrier Reef is said to be the most pure body of water in the world free of pollution and home to some of the most spectacular snorkelling and scuba diving in the world.

With the crystal clear water you can see the myriad of fish species, colourful and not so colourful corals in all shapes and sizes.

The Quicksilver catamaran is specifically designed to cut thru the waves and offer guests a much smoother transfer out to the activity platform that is permanently anchored on the reef - making this Pontoon Day Tour a popular Port Douglas reef tour!

Once on the pontoon activity platform you can then go off and begin your days adventure that may combine, optional scuba diving, an Ocean Walker Helmet diving experience, a scenic helicopter flight or a snorkel with a Marine Biologist who will teach you all about the reef.

Foating pontoons or activity platforms are great for families with children as they can move around on the platform and they can also snorkel in a safe environment, it's also a popular option for non-swimmers.

A Port Douglas reef tour on a pontoon offers so many activities including a semi-submersible submarine tour, fish feeding displays, plus the underwater observatory located under the platform for viewing the range of tropical fish and marine life.  You can even choose to take a scenic helicopter flight from the pontoon to watch it all from above (to be pre-booked).

For those guests that may have some disabilities this is the perfect reef day tour for you also.

For the utimate end to the day imagine flying back to Port Douglas by scenic helicopter over the reef - choose the Cruise/Fly option and for those who do not like boats at all then you can fly out and back by helicopter which offers spectacular views in both directions - choose the Fly/Fly Port Douglas Reef tour option.      

Book online or speak to a local on 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Reef Tour - Snorkel & Dive Silversonic

Departing Port Douglas to the Agincourt Ribbons Reefs this Port Douglas Snorkel & Dive tour visits 3 exclusive reef sites in one day offering 5 hours on the reef and an opportunity to experience some of the best snorkelling and dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef.   Experience a day of adventure with a guided snorkel tour plus snorkel briefs at each reef site to ensure you see a variety of coral and marine life on your Great Barrier Reef day tour.   

The skipper chooses these 3 locations based on the weather, winds, tides and currents along with the current marine activity specifically the giant Humpback Whales and the inquisitive Dwarf Minke Whales that come to the Great Barrier Reef to calve during the months of July to September.

This Port Douglas reef tour is one of only 7 boats in the world with a permit to swim with the Dwarf Minke Whales so as you can imagine this boat is very much in demand by visitors over these months.

Another special feature of this boat is the smooth control ride system which makes the boat move similar to a hover craft along the water in rougher conditions providing a lot more comfort for guests. There are also hot showers on board and the buttet lunch includes hot & cold food to refuel after the morning in the water.  

If you are a certified mad keen scuba diver then this is a boat for you, if you are a snorkeler wanting to see the best the reef has to offer then this day tour is also for you and if you are ready to try an introductory open water dive then this is one place you really want to give it your first go. Certified scuba divers can enjoy up to 3 dives and intro scuba divers can enjoy up to 2 dives.

If you are taking your family out the reef we would not recommend taking young children on this reef tour as you do not visit any island or any land during the day. Families may prefer the Pontoon Reef tour, or to Low Isles. For all water activities you enter the ocean from the rear of the boat from the hydraulic deck.  

Book online or speak to a local on 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Reef Tour - Low Isles Island Tour - Wavedancer

This Port Douglas Reef Tour is the perfect relaxing reef tour that departs from Port Douglas on a daily basis taking guests across the ocean over to the idyllic Low Isles and Woody Island.

She is a large catamaran with fully air-conditioned saloon and wide beams providing plenty of space for guests to spread out and take in the glorious scenery whilst having the wind flowing thru their hair under the brilliant sunshine.

This Port Douglas reef tour is suited to families both young and old as it caters perfectly to everyone. Take a glass bottom boat tour around the island to the passage between Woody Island and Low Island and see all the sea turtles as they cruise around in the waters below or snorkel from the beach into the deeper waters so you can swim alongside with them.

Enjoy a guided snorkel tour plus a guided beach walk on Low Isles with a marine biologist. There is also an historical lighthouse that you can explore with your boat crew to learn all about the history of the island of yesterday and today. You will be fascinated by all the stories of the historical and scientific significance that this little Isle has contributed to our knowledge of the marine environment.

A great relaxing Port Douglas reef day tour on Low Isles for everyone.

Book online or speak to a local on 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef Tours - Poseidon

This much loved Port Douglas reef tour that departs from the marina in Port Douglas on a daily basis taking visitors to snorkel and dive only the best locations on the outer Barrier Reef in and around the Agincourt Ribbon Reef systems.

This Port Douglas reef tour also has a roving permit allowing its skipper to plan the days cruising destinations based on the weather and marine activity as they too have one of the rare swim with whale licences that allows the guests to hop in the water 10 minutes at a time holding onto a rope whilst the Dwarf Minke Whales swim all around you.

The swim with whale’s season occurs in the months of July to September and as they are wild animals the interaction is of course at their discretion and the visitors and boats are not allowed to actively pursue them the whales have to approach you on their terms only.

Visiting 3 snorkelling and scuba diving locations giving the guests the full Great Barrier Reef experience - great for keen snorkellers and scuba divers.  This reef tour is perhaps not the best for families with young children as there is no mooring near land or a pontoon and young children need space and plenty of things to do to keep them occupied and happy.             

Book online or speak to a local on 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959  

Port Douglas Luxury Low Isles Island Tour - Sailaway

This Port Douglas reef tour offers a choice of luxury catamaran cruises to ensure a luxury reef tour experience.  The two custom built Lagoon 500’s specifically chosen to ply the waters of the Great Barrier Reef to Low Isles for a relaxed reef experience.

Choose from the the Luxury Reef Tour departing in the morning (8.30am to 4pm) or the afternoon Luxury Reef & Sunset Tour  (1.30pm to 6.30pm) which includes a sunset cruise on the return journey.  The afternoon Reef & Sunset Tour is for adults only, catering to guests 13 years and above.

Another great adults only option is a Luxury Sunset Sailing Tour (5pm to 6.30pm) a lovely way to enjoy a tropical Port Douglas sunset with a complimentary glass of wine and canapes. 

The luxury sailing catamarans carry a maximum of only 33 guests keeping the day more bespoke and personalised with only your reef experience top of mind with the crew. The morning sail is more suited to families with children under 16 year of age as they like to keep the afternoon tour more for the adults to enjoy the peace and tranquillity in the company of other adults with total holiday relaxation time in mind.

The afternoon tour then also enjoys a sunset sailing experience giving guests the opportunity to see the brilliant shapes and colours of the sky, the mountains and the ocean all giving a show of their own to the awe of all guests on board the boats.

Should you wish to take your whole family including the younger one’s ensure to book the morning departure. Travelling with a large group or extended family, ensure to ask us about a private charter.

Low Isles is famous for guests seeing turtles so if that is one of your goals whilst visiting the reef then book a luxury Low Isles day tour.

Read our blog things to do on Low Isles and is Low Isles worth a visit. 

Book online or speak to a local on 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Half Day Reef Tour - Low Isles with Calypso

Experience a half day Port Douglas Snorkelling Tour to Low Isles, only a short 30 minute cruise from Port Douglas.

Enjoy your half day tour with a walk to the historical lighthouse, admire the spectacular sea birds and enjoy snorkelling the clear waters around Low Isles.  This half day tour also includes a guided snorkel tour, plus a glass bottom boat tour to view the marine life from above.

A great half day tour for the whole family to enjoy and perfect for those short on time is definitely the Low Isles.

Read about the things to do on Low Isles.

Book online or speak with a local on  1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Snorkel & Dive Reef Tour - Calypso

On this Port Douglas reef tour you can mix up the day with a bit of snorkelling and a bit of scuba diving. If you are not a certified scuba diver then you can jump in the open water and do an introductory dive to see if you like the experience and then possibly at a later stage go on and do your full scuba diving licence over a 5 day period.

This vessel will take you out into the much deeper waters of Agincourt Ribbon Reefs where you will encounter much larger species of fish and other marine life such as the Hump head Maori Wrasse who are quite inquisitive, black tip reef sharks that are more scared of you than you are of them, turtles and much more.

During the months of July to September the mighty Humpback Whales and the Dwarf Minke Whales come to the Agincourt Ribbon Reef region to calve in the safe coral lagoons away from predators so you have a high chance of seeing mothers and their calves at this time of year 

Read more about whales and swim with whales on the Great Barrier Reef.  

Book online or speak to a local on 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Reef Tours - Private Charter Boats

For the ultimate in luxury Port Douglas reef trips we have a wide selection of Port Douglas private charter boats and luxury yacht charters.  Charter options can be tailored to suit your requirements and charters available as half day, full day and extended overnight charters.  

Explore secluded sand cays, Low Isles, snorkel pristine reef sites, or ask about our scuba diving charters and fishing charters for your Port Douglas reef experience.

Call our local Port Douglas holiday specialists to discuss 1300 761 612 or 07 4059 5959

Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef Tours

Port Douglas Reef Tours offer some of the best reef tours on the Great Barrier Reef - for a day of snorkelling, scuba diving and even for non-swimmers. The nearest point for snorkeling from Port Douglas is a beautiful little island called Low Isles and there are a small number of Island Day Trips and half day tours that take visitors to this island each day. The journey is around about 45 -60 minutes from Port Douglas, dependant on the type of vessel.

The next destination for some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving is the pristine waters of the outer Barrier Reef at Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. These waters are known as some of the most pure and cleanest waters in the whole world and as such provide the scuba diver and snorkellers with the most dramatic underwater experiences seen on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Best Reef from Port Douglas

The best reef site from Port Douglas is considered to be Agincourt Reef due to it's close proximity to Port Douglas and pristine coral and marine life.  Agincourt Ribbon Reefs are popular for Scuba Divers with a variety of dive sites along with great snorkelling.

Cairns and Port Douglas is the only reef location in Australia where guests can get in the water and snorkel with the cute and inquisitive Dwarf Minke whales during their annual migration which is in the months of June and July and it is the location the whales choose to safely have their calves.

Please take a look at our Port Douglas Reef trips and if you have any questions or you would like more information on your Port Douglas reef tour or a Port Douglas private boat charter please do not hesitate to call and we will be only too pleased to assist.

Make your reservation here online or call us for more information during business hours on 07 4059 5959.   Should you wish to change the days that you have booked your reef tour just make sure you let us know at least 48-72 hours before the date of travel to ensure availability for your new date.

The Tour Specialists