Enjoy a 40 minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland, passing Green Island, Arlington Reef, Vlassoff Sand Cay, and Michaelmas Reef with views of the continental shelf and live pilot commentary.
Key Highlights
40 minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef
Pass Green Island and the outer edge of Arlington Reef
Fly towards the edge of the Australian continental shelf
View Vlassoff Sand Cay and Michaelmas Reef
Stunning aerial views perfect for photographers
Informative commentary by local pilot guides
What’s included
40 minute helicopter flight
Live commentary from pilot
Overview
Experience a 40 minute scenic helicopter flight over the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef, departing from North Queensland. You will fly east past Green Island and along the outer edge of Arlington Reef, one of the largest reefs in the area.
The extended flight path allows you to approach the edge of the Australian continental shelf, where water clarity is unmatched and the ocean floor drops dramatically to over 1,000 feet. Capture breathtaking views of the reef's vibrant colours and formations set against the clear blue ocean waters.
Your journey continues north past Vlassoff Sand Cay and onto the outer reaches of Michaelmas Reef, providing an unparalleled reef viewing experience. This route gives keen photographers unique opportunities to take memorable images from above.
Throughout the flight, local pilot guides offer informative commentary about the reefs, their history, and marine life. The massive North Queensland skies create an unforgettable backdrop for this aerial adventure.
Commonly asked questions.
The flights depart from Cairns Airport's General Aviation area, making them convenient for visitors staying in Cairns and the surrounding region
Depending on the flight selected, you can see Green Island, Arlington Reef, Vlasoff Sand Cay, Upolu Reef and other sections of the Great Barrier Reef from the air. The longer flights travel further across the reef and can include rainforest and coastal scenery as well.
The 30-minute flight focuses on the highlights of the inner reef, while the 40-minute option travels further towards the outer reef. The longer flight can include East Arlington Reef, Vlasoff Sand Cay and Upolu Reef, giving you a broader view of the reef system.
You may be able to spot larger marine animals from the air, particularly when flying over clear, shallow reef areas. Zoom notes that the additional time on its longer reef flights provides opportunities to look for larger marine life. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Flight altitude varies depending on the route. The reef flights operate at approximately 500 to 2,500 feet, while some reef and rainforest flights climb to around 3,000 feet.
The current reef flight options have a minimum booking requirement of two passengers.
Yes. Zoom's local pilots provide commentary and information about the Great Barrier Reef, its marine environment and the landscapes viewed during the flight.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera are recommended. Zoom asks passengers to bring small soft bags only, and weight restrictions apply, so passenger weights and baggage information need to be provided during booking.
Additional info by the operator.
Minimum passengers: 2
What to bring: Sunglasses, sunscreen, camera. Only small soft bags allowed. Personal items must not exceed 10 kg.
Weight restrictions apply-please follow the booking form.
