Cairns Tropical Zoo, Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour and Cruise

Get close to nature and explore the Great Barrier Reef from all angles on a fantastic combination tour from Cairns. Meet native wildlife at Cairns Tropical Zoo, before a spectacular 30-minute scenic helicopter tour to the reef. Finish your day with a range of underwater activities before cruising back to Cairns with a glass of wine in hand. By the end of the day you'll know your kangaroos from your wallabies, and appreciate just how difficult it was to find Nemo!

Enjoy a morning exploring Cairns Tropical Zoo where you can get to know Australia's native wildlife. Wildlife shows and keeper talks are held throughout the park, including the chance to cuddle a Koala (additional cost). That's right, Queensland law allows interaction with Koalas supervised by qualified zookeepers!

Leave the zoo and head to the heliport for a 30-minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. There's no better way to see the vast scope of this amazing ecosystem, which can be seen from space.

You've seen the reef from above, now its time to see beneath the surface. Land at an exclusive pontoon at North Hastings Reef and spend the afternoon snorkeling in the world famous Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Swim amongst colorful schools of tropical fish and an amazing array of coral formations. Snorkel instructors are on hand to help you out and all snorkeling equipment is provided.

If you prefer not to get wet, you can take an informative semi-submersible tour (weather dependent) to see and learn about the delicate coral reef ecosystem. Divers are not forgotten either with scuba diving available for both beginners and experienced divers at an additional cost.

You'll have around two hours to enjoy the underwater activities and a tropical buffet lunch is served on the boat. As your day draws to a close, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine on the cruise back to Cairns where transport to your hotel awaits.

Schedule details

Departure Point:

Tour departs from selected Cairns centrally located hotels.

Outside of Cairns, hotel transfers are available for an additional cost, payable direct to the driver on the day of travel. Round-trip hotel transfer costs are as follows:

• Trinity Beach and Smithfield: AUD$24 per person (minimum 2 passengers)
• Palm Cove/Clifton Beach/Kewarra Beach: AUD$25 per person (minimum 2 passengers)
• Trinity Beach and Smithfield: AUD$24 per person (minimum 2 passengers)

Departure Time:

• 8:30am

Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Return Details:

Tour concludes 5:00pm at original point of departure

Pricing information

Click the link below for a price quote on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Additional information

Inclusions:

• Hotel pickup and drop off from Cairns city hotels
• Cairns Tropical Zoo admission
• Scenic Helicopter Tour (30 minutes)
• Snorkeling, semi-submersible and glass bottom boat (weather dependent)
• Tropical lunch
• Australia's Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Exclusions:

• Beverages can be purchased onboard
• Hotel pickup and drop off outside of Cairns (payable direct)
• Optional Introductory or Certified Dives, payable direct on travel date

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• All passenger weights MUST be advised at time of booking
• If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call the flight operator and advise them of this information directly. The operator contact details will be on your voucher once you have a confirmed booking. Any individual weighing over 110kg will be required to pay an extra 50% of an additional seat in order to fly
• Certified divers must show a 'C' card

Itinerary:

Snorkeling:
Please consider wind strength or the roughness of the sea. Please be aware that snorkeling may be a strenuous activity. Your level of fitness and any existing medical conditions should be considered prior to snorkeling. Buoyancy vests are available onboard the vessel.

Diving:
For both first time and certified divers - a history of asthma, ear and heart conditions and any other medical conditions may preclude a passenger from scuba diving unless a current Australian Diving Medical can be shown to the instructor. It is advisable to discuss any existing medical condition with the staff before embarkation. All intending divers over the age of 65 years must provide a current Diving Medical certificate. All divers must complete a medical questionnaire/declaration on board the vessel prior to diving and their fitness to dive will be assessed by the diving instructor. The minimum age for the Introductory Dive is 13 years.(Additional charge)

Flying:
In the interest of safety, we recommend you do not fly on high altitude flights within 48 hours of your last dive. It must be noted that all helicopter flights are low altitude flights, flying to less then 500ft.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.