On this 8-hour tour from Cairns, cruise out to an activity platform on the outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of exploring this natural wonder in different ways.
Reef Magic's location is selected for its water clarity, coral quality, and diversity of marine life, which you can see while snorkeling or taking a tour by glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel.
Learn about the wildlife from on-board marine biologists, and choose to participate in more activities, if you wish, like scuba diving or a helicopter ride (additional expense). All ages and swimming abilities are welcome. Buffet lunch is included as well as morning and afternoon tea.
Posted By : Robert_B
The experience was great. Communication leading up to it could have been better. We were able to add the helicopter experience on on the way to the pontoon when the helicopter operator came and found us. Very nice. My wife enjoyed the experiences that didn’t require swimming while I enjoyed the snorkeling. Was able to see many beautiful fish and coral right off the pontoon. Lunch was good as well
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Posted On : 2024-02-18 01:57:28 
Posted By : FellowTraveler826364
Everything was great! The boat ride is slightly long but once at pontoon, you’re provided equipment and immediate access to a beautiful coral reef, excellent visibility, the friendliest fish and WALLY, the mascot maori wrasse! The food was also very decent, buffet style with hot and cold foods and fresh fruits. Beverages for purchase only. Ocean was wonderfully warm so you can just drift and watch the fish for hours. Fun underwater viewing room, best during fish feeding. We enjoyed the water too much to do glass bottom boat so no commentary there. When you’re done, outdoor shower available for rinse off and changing rooms. We also went to Lady Elliott Island and though it has its own merits, we would choose to do this pontoon trip again over the Island! Didn’t love the picture selling process - we wanted to buy but there seemed to be an hierarchy of who got to view the photos first. Photographer told me they’d make an announcement but never did, meanwhile, I saw them asking certain people to come look at the photos 🤔Highly recommend this excursion regardless.
Tip: arrive early if you prefer to sit front facing.
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Posted On : 2024-02-16 19:38:18 
Posted By : Don_T
We had done three of these types of tours during our 2-week trip. One on the south end of the reef, one in the middle, and this one. This was by far the most colorful and interesting siting of the tours.
They do provide stinger suits, masks, and fins for use when in the water.
This was the first GBR tour we were on that they had a phone cover to purchase versus a camera with SD card you could use to get photos. The camera person was great to explain how to use the cover. Got several great photos and video of the reef and fish. And now have something I can use for pictures in the water or rainy days.
The intro dive we did was cool but frustrating. Personally, thought the instructor could have been more attentive and understanding to what we knew and needed before we went out. Do not believe they had the weights right for my wife and he kept adjusting her mask during the dive that was not right for her. We are certified divers but just had not been out for a while. We did see a sea turtle during this.
Lunch was okay but pay attention to the time it is available.
As with most of this type of tours we did, it was rather crowded with people.
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Posted On : 2024-02-01 11:20:23
Posted By : Laramber
As an Aussie you can do a few trips to the reef as time goes by and this time we needed it quick and simple. A fast boat straight there to a pontoon with lots of space. The pontoon is on a beautiful part of the reef and I have to say I was the most impressed I've been on all my trips which have included a scuba diving live-aboard.
Great day!
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Posted On : 2024-01-31 16:24:16
Posted By : joannetH3581OD
Highly recommend reef magic for a first time visit. The pontoon was a benefit along with the under water viewing where we could see our son get ready for his introductory dive. He loved this experience and would do it again, very lucky to get a 1:1 dive. The younger children enjoyed the snorkelling and still had the opportunity to see the reef and fish of different sizes and colours. The snorkel area is managed by life guards in and out of the water to make sure you are ok. I was feeling sea sick and the staff checked on me through out the day. Recommend sitting at the top level of the boat when heading to and from the pontoon if you get sea sick. Lunch was decent and plenty to go back for seconds. On the return trip you hear from the cultural guide playing the didgeridoo which was very interesting. Throughout the day it was clear safety is well managed by reef magic.
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Posted On : 2024-01-28 02:52:58
Posted By : Sharon_E
What a fantastic day, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef is a day I will not forget. The staff on the boat were brilliant, they made everyone who was snorkeling feel reassured & comfortable. They looked after everyone's needs. There is also a submersive boat for those who didn't snorkel to see the reef as well .
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Posted On : 2024-01-22 01:52:55
Posted By : paulthompson383
This was the fourth time we've visited the reef, and this experience was by far the best. The team on board were exceptional. Welcoming, supportive, cheerful and always helpful. The boat was great too, spacious enough with helpful screens viewable from every seat. The presentations on the way there and back were a great touch.
The resident Marine Biologist gave some great insights and the cultural presentation was a brilliant and engaging addition.
The pontoon was faultless. So easy, safe and reassuring to be able to step down into the reef - it really helped our kids feel at ease.
The tours and viewing platforms also added to the overall experience.
The fact that the lunch was so delicious was another welcome surprise (I recommend the veggie curry!)
Overall it was faultless. We'll be back!
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Posted On : 2024-01-18 22:21:52
Posted By : Sharon_E
What a truly amazing experience this was. It met with all of my expectations & more. The staff were fantastic and very helpful to everyone's needs. Even if you don't swim there is enough things for you to enjoy. Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef has been a dream come true
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Posted On : 2024-01-18 18:33:28
Posted By : Claimat
We loved our day with Reef Magic. The journey out to the pontoon was smooth and enjoyable. Once on the pontoon there was plenty to do; you could spend the day snorkelling in the designated area, which is safe, but large enough to be continually enthralled with the beauty of the reef and it’s wildlife. There is an underwater observatory on the pontoon, and glass bottom boat trip provides another perspective to the reef, and trips in a semi-submersible are also offered. There are also diving activities offered at an extra cost. The lunch provided offered plenty of choice and was good. There were even cultural and scientific talks available on the return journey. The staff were all friendly, professional and very helpful and you felt safe at all times. A very enjoyable and highly recommended day out.
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Posted On : 2024-01-18 06:12:01
Posted By : Preran_K
Reef Magic covers everything, from communication to ensuring a great experience at the Great Barrier Reef. The crew is very well-trained and shares everything you need to know before you begin the experience. Becks, the Marine Biologist, went to great lengths to answer our questions about the reef and help with the Snorkeling experience. We took the helicopter ride, which was optional, and I highly recommend it to everyone. You will be here once in a lifetime, most of you at least, and it is totally worth the money. The only thing that could have been better is to have been informed about the health requirements for scuba diving in advance. We would have gotten the doctor's certificate - we had to miss out on the diving experience because of this requirement.
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Posted On : 2023-12-07 19:55:54
