Ocean Safari

Ocean Safari is a reef tour with a total difference! Located in Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest, these guys are the only ones running reef tours in the area and it’s all action and all adventure! Step on board a rigid inflatable boat, for a fast and furious 25 minute ride to the reef. The music is pumping and the vibe is high. They visit 2 different reef sites and give you 2 hours to swim, snorkel and explore the Great Barrier Reef. It takes just 25 guests and all snorkelling equipment and instruction is provided and included. This is a half day tour, with morning and afternoon departures and it sells out fast, so book ahead to secure your preferred dates and times.

Ocean Safari’s Daintree Reef Tour takes 25 guests to the reef, each day, visiting 2 reef sites. The morning tour checks in at 7.30am and returns at 12.30pm. The afternoon tour checks in at 11.30am and returns at 4.30pm.

Ocean Safari - Base Tour Rates

Adult
-
$197.00
Child
-
$129.00

Ocean Safari - Info

Destination
Inner Reef and Sand Cay
Tour Times
Departing from Cape Tribulation 8:15 am - 12:30 pm
Inclusions
Return cruise from Cape Tribulation and Lycra suits
Ocean Safari Tour - Why

What We Love About Ocean Safari. Everything!! Ocean Safari is a totally unique Great Barrier Reef tour, where the ride getting there is as much of an experience, as the reef sites they take you too. We’ve done this a few times and highly recommend it. The transfer to and from the reef is 25 minutes of awesome, each way. They visit 2 reef sites with unlimited snorkelling and the snorkelling is awesome, as is the scenery. Colourful corals, white sand cay and sometimes, glimpses of the Daintree Rainforest in the distance. Read Our Ocean Safari Trip Review.

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Can't Decide - We Can Help

We’ve been on all the tours we book. As a couple, as a family with a baby, then with a young child and now pre-teen. We’ve taken non-swimming friends and older relatives to the reef. So, we have first-hand experience and can help you make the right choice for your Cairns Reef Tour. Chat with us or send us an enquiry and we’ll get back to you.

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Wild ride to the reef on a rigid inflatable, with 700hp engines powering you up. Pending conditions, the crew will give you some spins and slides along the way. Seating is on bench-style seats, with the option to sit on the side for a more wild ride and the tunes will be pumping. They visit 2 reef locations, with snorkelling and exploring at both. Please note that Ocean Safari’s reef sites are in open water, waves and current is sometimes present. As such, you should be a confident swimmer with reasonable fitness. Flotation devices are available, if required.

Things to do Ocean Safari

Snorkeling - Ocean Safari

Snorkeling

Ocean Safari gives you 2 hours to explore, snorkel and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, on their half day reef tours. All equipment and instruction is provided and included. Their snorkel sites are awesome, with colourful corals and a high chance of seeing sea turtles. They usually stop at one open water site and then a sand cay destination. Water access is straight off the boat, into the sea or on to the cay.

Ocean Safari Tour - Slice

Ocean Safari Itinerary

Ocean Safari’s tour desk and office are located in the Cape Tribulation part of the Daintree Rainforest. It’s the only Daintree Reef day tour. If you are self-driving, there is plenty of free parking. Transfers can be arranged and are additional cost to the tour. Check-in for the morning tour starts at 7.30am, and the tour returns at 12.30pm. Check-in for the afternoon tour starts at 11.30am, and the tour returns at 4.30pm. There are no meals included. You should take a towel, sunglasses, hat, change of clothes and sunblock for the day, as well as cash or credit cards to make any beverage / snack purchases.

Ocean Safari - Morning Tour – Ocean Safari
8:00 am - 12:30 pm - 4 hours and 30 minutes tour duration
3 hours at reef
Ocean Safari - Afternoon Tour – Ocean Safari
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - 4 hours tour duration
3 hours at reef
Morning Tour – Ocean Safari
7:30 am

Check in commences at the Ocean Safari tour desk, which is located on Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation. It’s in the same location as the Turtle Rock Café and Safari Lodge and is sign posted.

8:00 am

Once all the guests have checked in, it’s a short walk to the beach, where the Ocean Safari rigid inflatable is waiting. Wade into the water, board the boat and get ready for your ride to the reef.

8:15 am

The captain on Ocean Safari’s rigid inflatable powers up the engines, and commences the 25 minute journey to the first reef destination of the day.

8:40 am

Fins on and into the water for snorkelling at your first Great Barrier Reef location. There’s lots to see including colourful coral gardens, giant clams, stingrays, starfish and more.

10:00 am

The Ocean Safari boat powers off to its second reef destination of the day.

10:30 am

Enjoy more snorkelling at the second Great Barrier Reef site. Pending tides and conditions on your day of travel, there’s the opportunity to relax on the sand cay and enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of your surrounds.

11:40 am

Back onto Ocean Safari for your return to Cape Tribulation. Along the way there’ll be more spins and slides and the captain will stop along the way, to point at areas of interest on the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation coastline.

12:30 pm

Ocean Safari arrives back to Cape Tribulation.

Afternoon Tour – Ocean Safari
11:30 am

Check in commences at the Ocean Safari tour desk, which is located on Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation. It’s in the same location as the Turtle Rock Café and Safari Lodge and is sign posted.

12:00 pm

Once all the guests have checked in, it’s a short walk to the beach, where the Ocean Safari rigid inflatable is waiting. Wade into the water, board the boat and get ready for your ride to the reef.

12:15 pm

The captain on Ocean Safari’s rigid inflatable powers up the engines, and commences the 25 minute journey to your first reef destination of the day.

12:40 pm

Fins on and into the water for snorkelling at your first Great Barrier Reef location. There’s lots to see including colourful coral gardens, giant clams, stingrays, starfish and more.

2:00 pm

The Ocean Safari boat powers off to its second reef destination of the day.

2:30 pm

Enjoy more snorkelling at the second Great Barrier Reef site. Pending tides and conditions on your day of travel, there’s the opportunity to relax on the sand cay and enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of your surrounds.

3:40 pm

Back onto Ocean Safari for your return to Cape Tribulation. Along the way there’ll be more spins and slides and the captain will stop along the way, to point at areas of interest on the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation coastline.

4:30 pm

Ocean Safari arrives back to Cape Tribulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour go?

Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour takes you from the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef. It visits 2 reef sites, at Mackay and Undine Reefs, providing 2 hours snorkelling.

What is the snorkelling like on Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour?

Snorkelling on Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour is excellent. These fringing offshore reefs have shallow water and good underwater visibility. Water access to and from the boat is easy and you might see sea turtles, stingrays and starfish. You will see colourful coral gardens, giant clams and a range of Great Barrier Reef fish. Please note you will be snorkelling in the open ocean, so for your comfort, it is recommended that you have reasonable swimming ability and fitness.

Can you scuba dive on Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour?

No, you can not scuba dive on Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour. They are a snorkel only boat.

Is Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No, Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. All of the sites they visit are open water sites. They do not have a glass bottom boat or semi submersible, so to ‘see’ the reef, you will need to get in the water and swim / snorkel. If you are non-swimmer looking for a suitable reef tour, then a pontoon or island tour would be better for you. These tours operate from Port Douglas and Cairns.

Does Ocean Safari have a glass bottom boat?

No, Ocean Safari does not have a glass bottom boat.

Is the Ocean Safari Daintree reef tour suitable for kids?

Yes, Ocean Safari’s Daintree reef tour is suitable for kids. We’ve taken our son twice and he LOVES IT! Your kids should be able to swim and be comfortable and confident at swimming in the open ocean.

Is the Ocean Safari Daintree reef tour family friendly?

Yes, the Ocean Safari Daintree reef tour is family friendly – there have been families on it, every time we have been. Please note this tour would not be suitable for those with infants or very young children. Your children should be able to swim with confidence in open water.

What makes Ocean Safari’s reef tour different from other Cairns Reef tours?

To start with, it’s the only operator providing Daintree reef tours. Also, the boat and ride to the reef is as much a part of action and adventure, as the snorkelling on the reef. Although it’s only a half day tour, it packs a big punch and delivers an outstanding adventure in paradise.

Is there any food provided on the Ocean Safari Daintree reef tour?

No there is no food provided on the Ocean Safari Daintree reef tour, but you can purchase snacks and beverages, which is in addition to the tour price. The Turtle Rock Café is located right by the Ocean Safari check in and do breakfast and lunch, so you can grab a meal there before and/or after your Ocean Safari Daintree reef tour.

Ocean Safari Tour - Seastar

Send Enquiry

If you have any question regarding this tour, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can help you find the perfect tour for you, we understand it can be overwhelming trying to decide. Our advice and booking service is free.

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