- Telephone
- Email
Sunlover Reef Cruises Great Barrier Reef day tour packs a big punch when it comes to inclusions. It leaves Cairns at 10am and gives you 4 hours at the Moore Reef pontoon. The ticket price includes all your snorkelling equipment and instruction, unlimited snorkeling, glass bottom boat tour, semi submersible tour, underwater observatory, enclosed ocean pool for the little kids, waterslide, fish feeding and marine naturalist presentation. This Cairns reef tour also includes a hot and cold buffet lunch.
Should you want to add more into your day, there’s lots of optional extras available too. Certified and introductory (no previous experience necessary) scuba diving, seawalker helmet dive, scenic helicopter flight and guided snorkel tour. This is a great day at the reef and gets you back to Cairns at 5.30pm.
What We Love About This Tour. This tour is great for families and/or friends travelling together who are a combination of scuba divers and snorkelers, and/or snorkelers and non swimmers (or all of the above). Their Moore Reef pontoon has lots of facilities, which allows it to provide a great day at the reef for people of all ages and interests. The surrounding reef has good coral cover and is home to a diverse array of marine life, including turtles and humphead maori wrasse. Double bonus, it has a 10am departure time so you can start late. Read Our Sunlover Trip Review.
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.
Get In Touch Chat With UsYou have 4 hours to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, from Sunlover’s Moore Reef pontoon. The ticket price includes unlimited snorkelling, semi submersible tours, glass bottom boat tours, the underwater observatory, reef presentation and fish feeding, marine naturalist presentation and waterslide. Lots of optional extras available too.
Snorkelling is done from the outer reef pontoon. Water access is via a platform with bench seat, which is lowered into the water. This allows you to easily put on your mask, snorkel and fins, before swimming over to the adjacent reef to explore and see more. Sunlover’s Moore Reef pontoon is moored in a protected coral lagoon, and as such, there is usually not much current or waves. However, there are flotation devices and buoyancy vests available if you need them. You can expect to see hard and soft corals, and a wide array of marine life including turtles, stingrays and large humphead maori wrasse. You can enjoy unlimited snorkelling during your time at the pontoon. Snorkelling equipment and instruction is provided and included in the tour price.
There is also the option to book a 35 minute guided snorkel tour at the pontoon. This is in addition to the tour price, but allows you to gain a greater understanding of what you are seeing and the chance to ask questions. You also access areas not accessible to others. Maximum 6 guests.
For those who have never scuba dived before, there is the opportunity to try an introductory dive at Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Moore Reef pontoon. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old and there’s no previous experience necessary. The introductory dive is in addition to the day tour price and includes your dive equipment, instruction and dive guide. The ratio between students and dive instructor is a maximum 4 to 1. Your dive is from the pontoon and goes no deeper than 12m.
Please note certain health conditions can prevent you from trying scuba diving, this includes but is not limited to: asthma, epilepsy, chronic sinus conditions and ear problems, heart disease and sugar diabetes. It is not advised to try scuba diving if you are pregnant.
Sunlover Reef Cruises provides certified scuba divers the opportunity to go diving from their Moore Reef pontoon. Scuba diving is in addition to the tour price and includes all of your equipment, dive site briefing and dive guide. There is no unguided diving on Sunlover’s Moore Reef pontoon. Water entry is down a set of stairs from the dive deck on the pontoon, which takes you into the water. Once everyone is ready, you descend down the lines and follow your guide around the reef. Scuba dives generally last around 50 minutes and dive depth varies, but is generally no deeper than 18m.
Certified divers will be required to show evidence of your certification to the Dive Crew. You are also required to complete a safety waiver, prior to dive (and snorkel) activities.
Glass bottom boat tours run throughout the day from the ponton, and are guided by one of Sunlover’s reef crew. These tours are suitable for people of all ages and non-swimmers. The glass bottom boat tour is included in the ticket price. The crew on board will point out various marine life throughout the tour, providing information on the Great Barrier Reef and its protection. The glass bottom boat has a shallow draft, so the reef is only 0.5m beneath the glass at some points, ensuring good views and clarity.
Semi submersible tours are another way non-swimmers can explore the Great Barrier Reef, during a Sunlover Cairns reef pontoon tour. These tours operate throughout the day and are suitable for people of all ages. The large windows run down both sides of the semi submersible, ensuring people seated on both sites will enjoy uninterrupted views of the reef. Sunlover’s semi submersible tours are guided, with the crew pointing out corals and marine life of interest.
The semi submersible tours are included in your Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Cairns reef pontoon tour price. You do not need to pre-book them.
This is another optional extra activity on Sunlover’s Cairns reef pontoon tour. A 10 minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef provides yet another perspective of this natural wonder and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The scenic heli flights are run by Nautilus Aviation, a respected Cairns aviation company. The price for the scenic helicopter flight is in addition to the tour price, and includes tender transfers, to and from the pontoon to the helicopter platform.
Please note there is also limited availability each day for guests to either take a one-way scenic heli transfer to and/or from Cairns to Sunlover’s Moore Reef pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef, or a round trip. A brilliant option for those who suffer sea sickness.
Seawalker helmet diving is another optional extra on the Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Cairns reef pontoon tour. On this tour, you place a helmet over your head (which is like a modern day pearl diving helmet and provides you with a constant air supply) and descend 3.5m below the surface, to walk along an underwater platform. During this time you’ll be surrounded by the corals and fish of the Great Barrier Reef and an underwater photographer will get some great images of you. You are guided on your seawalker helmet diving tour by some of Sunlover’s dive instructors, who are with you the whole time, ensuring your safety and comfort. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old.
There’s no previous experience necessary – and you can enjoy this tour, even if you can’t swim – you won’t even get your hair wet.
The Sunlover Reef Cruises’ outer reef pontoon is the only of its kind to have a waterslide, from the pontoon into the sea. This 30m spiral waterslide is perfect for kids and fun loving adults. The waterslide is supervised by life guards, to ensure safe operation. You have unlimited access to the waterslide, during your time on the Moore Reef pontoon. This is a really fun addition to the reef activities, making the pontoon a popular choice with families. Use of the waterslide is included in the Sunlover ticket price.
The Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Reef pontoon tours, depart Marlin Marina every day. Prior to boarding the catamaran, you will need to collect your tickets from the Sunlover Reef Cruises desk, which is located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal. Check in opens at 8.30am with boarding from 9am and a 10am departure from Cairns. Snorkelling equipment, a hot and cold buffet lunch and tea and coffee are provided and included in the tour price. As are all of the activities outlined above. 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 purchases.
Check in at the Sunlover Reef Cruises Desk, inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Boarding commences at the Sunlover Reef Cruises catamaran, which is moored at the Cairns Marlin Marina. A photographer will get a quick souvenir photo, and be around during the day, on the pontoon and in the water, taking photos. You have the chance to review these on the way home and can purchase them, if you like them. The photos are in addition to the tour price and are a great souvenir of your day at the reef. Tea and coffee are provided on arrival, on the boat.
Depart Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef. During the transfer from Cairns to the reef, you will complete any necessary snorkelling and/or scuba diving paperwork and be advised of the timing of these activities. You will also be provided with a schedule for the day and map of the Outer Reef Pontoon. The transfer time on the catamaran is just over 90 minutes and may vary, pending weather.
Arrive at the Sunlover Reef Cruises Pontoon. Activities commence, including snorkelling, semi submersible tours, glass bottom boat tours, access to the underwater observatory and waterslide. If you have booked scuba diving, seawalker helmet diving, a guided snorkel tour or scenic helicopter flight, times will be advised for these activities.
A hot and cold buffet lunch is served on the pontoon. Chairs and tables are located on the pontoon, and you can choose to sit in the shade or on the sundeck. Drinks are available to purchase on the boat, which is moored to the pontoon for the duration of your time here.
The boat will blast its horn, which is a sign for all guests to return to the catamaran.
When all guests are aboard, a passenger headcount is completed and then the boat commences its return to Cairns. Ice creams and beverages are available to purchase on the boat, in addition to the tour price.
Arrive back into Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.
There are lots of inclusions in the Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Moore Reef pontoon day tour.
You can do lots on your visit to Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Great Barrier Reef pontoon, located at Moore Reef. Unlimited snorkelling from the pontoon and use of the waterslide, semi submersible and glass bottom boat tours, visit the underwater observatory, attend the reef presentations and relax on the sundeck. These are all included in the ticket price. Optional extras are a guided snorkel tour, scuba diving, scenic heli flights and seawalker helmet dive.
Yes, you can snorkel at Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Water access is on a lowered platform with bench seating, making it easy to put on fins. The reef is a short swim away from the pontoon, in a sheltered coral lagoon. The water is usually flat with little to no current, but flotation devices are available, if they make you feel more comfortable.
The snorkelling from the pontoon is excellent. The coral gardens have excellent coral cover, featuring hard and soft corals, anemones and giant clams. When we snorkelled, we saw several different types of anemonefish, parrotfish, rabbitfish, chromis and wrasse of all sizes. Unlimited snorkelling is included in the ticket price. If you want to learn more about what you are seeing, there is the option to join a 35 minute guided snorkel tour, which takes you to some areas of the reef not accessed by other snorkelers. This cost is in addition to the tour price.
Yes, you can scuba dive at and from Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Moore Reef pontoon. Please note all Sunlover Reef Cruises diving is guided and is in addition to the ticket price. The diving price includes all equipment, dive site briefings and dive guide. Water entry is via the dive deck on the pontoon, walking down some stairs which take you into the sea. The dive time for certified divers is usually 50 minutes and you do not go deeper than 18m. If you are not certified, but want to try scuba diving, then you can book an introductory dive. There’s no previous experience needed. Must be aged 12 years old or older to participate. Please note some health conditions will preclude you from diving, this includes but is not limited to asthma, epilepsy, chronic ear and sinus conditions and more. Diving is not recommended during pregnancy.
Yes, Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Moore Reef pontoon tour is suitable for non-swimmers, providing lots of great opportunities to experience and explore the Great Barrier Reef. Staying dry and included in the ticket price, you can visit the underwater observatory and take both glass bottom boat tours and semi submersible tours. There is an enclosed ocean pool, where you can stand or sit and see Great Barrier Reef fish around you. You can also join the fish feeding and marine naturalist presentations. If you want to increase your engagement, there are a range of optional extra activities. These include the seawalker helmet experience, which is walking on an underwater platform around 3.5-5m under the water, with a helmet providing air. Dive instructors are in the water with you the whole time, ensuring your safety and enjoyment – you don’t even get your hair wet. Finally, a scenic helicopter flight over the reef provides a completely different perspective.
Yes, Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Moore Reef pontoon tour is suitable for families. The catamaran can accommodate prams. Infants and young children can take a semi submersible tour, glass bottom boat tours and visit the underwater observatory. They can also paddle in the enclosed ocean pool. Older children can snorkel over the reef and children aged 12 years and up, might like to try scuba diving or seawalker helmet diving. No prior experience necessary.
Lunch on the Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Moore Reef pontoon features an array of hot and cold dishes, including fresh prawns. There are breads and salads, deli meats and cold chicken, as well as hot dishes and vegetarian options.
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.
When your crew is a combination of scuba divers and snorkelers, and you want the best Great Barrier Reef experience possible, an outer reef pontoon is the answer for you. Sunlover’s Moore Reef tour packs a good value punch, with diving, snorkeling, sliding and so much more. Great reef location. Lots of inclusions. Lets go!
More
If you can’t decide between a Cairns reef or island day tour – no problem – do them both in one action packed day with Great Adventures. This full day itinerary includes 2 hours at Green Island and 3 hours at the Outer Great Barrier Reef, with buffet lunch and semi-submersible tours. It ticks all the boxes. Cruise. Snorkel. Dive. Explore.
More
© I Love Cairns 2025