Visit Cairns
Need help?

Moore Reef Pontoon Full Day Cruise

from A$307
7 hours 15 mins
Great Barrier Reef
All Ages

Discover Moore Reef on a day trip from Cairns including snorkelling, marine life encounters, and family-friendly activities at a custom outer reef pontoon in the Great Barrier Reef.

Adult $307 | Child (4-15) $172 | Family (2 adults & 2 children) $786

Key Highlights

  • Exclusive access to a custom-designed outer reef pontoon at Moore Reef
  • Snorkel in a natural lagoon with vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life
  • View the reef from a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat tour
  • Experience the underwater observatory and ocean pool
  • Enjoy a 30-metre spiral waterslide into the tropical ocean
  • Easy water entry from two snorkel platforms with stairs
  • Four hours of reef time with lifeguard supervision
  • Opportunity for optional activities such as guided snorkelling, Seawalker helmet dive, SCUBA dives, and scenic helicopter flights

What’s included

  • Return cruise from Cairns Marina to Moore Reef pontoon
  • Access to snorkelling platforms and equipment
  • Semi-submersible and glass bottom boat tours
  • Use of underwater observatory
  • Enclosed ocean pool and spiral waterslide
  • Lifeguard supervision

Overview

Experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip to Moore Reef from Cairns. Board at Cairns Marina and travel to a state-of-the-art outer reef pontoon, where you can explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter marine life in crystal-clear waters.

Snorkel in the reef's natural lagoon to spot colourful fish, friendly turtles, and impressive Maori wrasse. If you prefer to stay dry, explore the underwater world on a semi-submersible tour or a glass bottom boat ride. The underwater observatory offers unique marine views.

Families and younger guests will love the ocean pool and a 30-metre spiral waterslide. Dedicated snorkel platforms with stair access and lifeguard supervision ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Enjoy four hours to relax and explore Moore Reef at your own pace.

Enhance your adventure with optional extras including guided snorkelling tours, Seawalker helmet diving, introductory or certified SCUBA dives, and scenic helicopter flights for an aerial view of the reef.

Commonly asked questions.

The Sunlover Moore Reef tour is a full-day Great Barrier Reef experience travelling from Cairns to a permanent pontoon on the Outer Reef. The tour includes approximately four hours at Moore Reef with snorkelling, reef viewing activities, a waterslide, underwater observatory, semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours, plus lunch.
You first check in at the Sunlover reservations desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street, Cairns. After check-in, Sunlover staff direct passengers to the vessel at Cairns Marlin Marina.
The catamaran cruise from Cairns to Moore Reef takes approximately 90 minutes. Morning tea is served during the journey, with the vessel arriving at the Moore Reef Pontoon at around 11:45am.
You have approximately four hours at the Moore Reef Pontoon, from around 11:45am until 3:45pm. This gives you plenty of time to snorkel, explore the reef, enjoy the included activities or simply relax on the pontoon.
No. You do not have to be a confident swimmer to enjoy the tour. There are several ways to experience the reef without swimming, including the underwater observatory, semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat and enclosed ocean pool. Snorkelling equipment and buoyancy jackets are also provided.
The tour includes return catamaran travel, snorkelling equipment, a Lycra suit, buoyancy jacket, snorkelling from the pontoon, glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, fish feeding presentation, waterslide, enclosed ocean pool, buffet lunch and use of the pontoon facilities. Morning tea and afternoon tea are also included.
There are plenty of alternatives. You can see the reef from the glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible or underwater observatory, or enjoy the pontoon's enclosed ocean pool, waterslide and sundeck.
Yes. The pontoon offers a range of activities suitable for families, including snorkelling, the enclosed ocean pool, waterslide, semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat.
Yes. Introductory and certified scuba diving are available as optional additions to the Moore Reef tour. An introductory dive requires no previous diving experience, while certified divers must provide an internationally recognised dive licence. Scuba diving has a minimum age of 12 and medical and safety requirements apply.
Yes. A guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist is available as an optional extra. It is suitable for non-swimmers and has a minimum age of five years.
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing and a change of clothes. A light jacket can also be useful for the boat trip, particularly in cooler or windy conditions. It is also recommended to bring a camera and some money or a card for optional activities and onboard purchases.

Additional info by the operator.

  • 8:45am-9:45am - Check in at the Sunlover desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal
  • 10:15am - Depart Cairns aboard Sunlover's air-conditioned catamaran
  • 10:15-11:45am - Cruise to Moore Reef with morning tea served onboard
  • 11:45am - Arrive at the Moore Reef Pontoon
  • Enjoy approximately four hours at the Outer Great Barrier Reef, including snorkelling, glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, waterslide and ocean pool
  • 12:00-1:00pm - Buffet lunch served on the pontoon
  • 3:45pm - Depart Moore Reef
  • 5:30pm - Arrive back to Cairns
Departure Details
  • Check-in: 08:45-09:45 at Sunlover Cruises counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal
  • Boarding: 09:30-10:00
  • Depart Cairns Marina: 10:15
  • Arrive at Moore Reef Pontoon: 12:00
  • Reef Time: 4 hours
  • Depart Moore Reef Pontoon: 16:00
  • Arrive back at Cairns Marina: 17:30