Great Barrier Reef Tours for Solo Travelers
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10 best Great Barrier Reef solo travel packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Barrier Reef travel expert at TourRadar
- Solo-ish Down-Under
- Best of Australia
- Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
- Great Barrier Reef Explorer (Snorkel To Adventure)
- Great Barrier Reef Explorer (Dive To Adventure)
- Australian Highlights
- Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
- Australian Highlights (With Internal Air, 2025/2026)
- Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
- East Coast Australia Adventure
The Great Barrier Reef region beckons solo adventurers to Cairns, where like-minded travelers gather for reef excursions and visits to Kuranda Village markets. This flexible itinerary allows independence while fostering group connections through shared daily activities near the reef.
Duration 25 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park, MelbourneSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $9,849
10% Off- US$8,864You save $985
Best of Australia
29 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I would rate it as a great trip. The CEO and the group of people I travelled with made it a wonderful experience.”
Pierre, traveled in September
The Great Barrier Reef region draws solo travelers to optional snorkeling at Whitsunday Islands and rainforest walks in Daintree. Guided activities and shared meals create connections while maintaining personal space.
Duration 14 days Destinations Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie, Blue Mountains, Sydney Age Range up to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $4,549
15% Off- US$3,867You save $682
Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tours that were booked for us everyday were interesting, and adventurous!”
Ashley, traveled in April
Green Island and Fitzroy Island offer shared snorkeling for solo travelers. Glass-bottom boat tours and semi-submersible experiences at Agincourt Reef unite marine enthusiasts, with an average age of 62.
Duration 12 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, Fitzroy Island, Green Island National Park Age Range 6 to 82 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 25 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
15% Off- US$2,628
Great Barrier Reef Explorer (Snorkel To Adventure)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Absolutely amazing, best instructors!”
Cole, traveled in January
Marine life encounters await in this intimate Great Barrier Reef experience, uniting like-minded adventurers aged 18-35. Professional guides lead group snorkeling sessions showcasing turtles, rays, and countless fish species. Inclusive boat life creates natural social connections.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type Group Room Type Shared Operator Contiki From
15% Off- US$535+$62 upfront costs
Eleven shared dive experiences, including night exploration, await solo adventurers at the Great Barrier Reef. Singles aged 18-35 bond over meals and berth-cabin accommodation while encountering over 1,500 fish species across multiple dive sites from Cairns.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Age Range up to 35 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type Group Room Type Shared Operator Contiki From
15% Off- US$695+$62 upfront costs
Australian Highlights
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Trafalgar exceeded our expectations!”
Tina, traveled in February
Solo adventurers explore the Great Barrier Reef with guided snorkeling or semi-submersible options. Connect with fellow travelers during tropical buffet lunches and optional Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experiences, staying in well-appointed private rooms.
Duration 13 days Destinations Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 50 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Trafalgar From $5,835
10% Off- US$5,252+$1,755 upfront costsYou save $584
Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was well organized and we were very informed on the areas visited.”
Shelley, traveled in March
Solo adventurers thrive during Great Barrier Reef visits. Join group snorkeling sessions and glass-bottom boat tours with like-minded travelers. Share sunset drinks in Port Douglas and crocodile spotting on Solar Whisper cruise with average age group of 32.
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Mission Beach, Atherton, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- US$4,515
Duration 13 days Destinations Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, Bondi, Blue Mountains, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 48 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator AAT Kings From $6,540
15% Off- US$5,559+$1,755 upfront costsYou save $981
Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a small group of like-minded people. We loved it!!”
Lorene, traveled in October
The Great Barrier Reef region welcomes solo explorers to Flynn Hotel Cairns, offering shared experiences on Kuranda Skyrail rides and Mossman Gorge walks. Small groups of 16 maximize personal attention and social interaction.
Duration 16 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Brisbane, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range up to 90 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Via Travel Australia From $7,064
15% Off- US$6,004You save $1,060
North Queensland's tropical paradise brings solo explorers together for guided snorkeling tours, Daintree Rainforest walks, and wildlife spotting at Mareeba Wetlands. Social accommodation enhances group activities throughout the Great Barrier Reef region.
Duration 19 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cessnock, Port Macquarie, Dorrigo National Park, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Springbrook, Gold Coast, BrisbaneSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From $7,390
20% Off- US$5,912You save $1,478
What people love about touring Great Barrier Reef solo
- Best of Australia
fantasitc trip seeing lots of the highlights of the east coast. great tour guide
- Great Barrier Reef Explorer (Snorkel To Adventure)
Absolutely amazing, best instructors!
What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours for Solo Travelers
What's the typical group size for Great Barrier Reef tours and will I feel comfortable as a solo traveler?
Tours along the Great Barrier Reef typically host 12-20 people. This size works well for meeting new people while having enough space to yourself. Places like Moore Reef Pontoon and the Daintree Rainforest give you chances to get to know others during activities. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Even though I was traveling solo the small group size made it easy to make friends and share amazing experiences like spotting sea turtles together on the reef."
What's included in accommodation arrangements for solo travelers on Great Barrier Reef tours?
You'll find a range of places to stay from private rooms at places like the Parkroyal Darling Harbour to shared hostel spaces in Cairns and Port Douglas. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The accommodation was wonderful and stress-free - I could choose between having my own space or sharing with other solo travelers which helped keep costs down while still maintaining comfort."
How do meal arrangements work for solo travelers on Great Barrier Reef tours?
Tours generally cover hotel breakfasts reef excursion lunches and special events like the Cairns Harbor sunset cruise. Places like Bushfire Restaurant in Cairns and Port Douglas waterfront spots set up tables that make it natural to chat with others. As one TourRadar traveler put it: "The group meals were a highlight - sharing stories over dinner after a day exploring the reef created lasting friendships."
What unique cultural experiences are available for solo travelers in the region?
Local culture comes alive through Aboriginal-led activities throughout the region. You can join bush food lessons and traditional dinners in Cairns or walk with Kuku Yalanji guides in the Daintree. Near Mission Beach Mungalla Station offers small group tours led by Nywaigi guides. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The bush food tutorial and dinner in Cairns was incredible - an experienced chef guided us through native spices and fruits explaining their traditional uses."
What transportation options are available for solo travelers between reef destinations?
Getting around is straightforward with private coaches connecting main spots like Cairns and Airlie Beach plus boats to reach reef sites and islands. Some routes offer train travel like the scenic stretch from Townsville to Cairns. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Transportation was excellent and comfortable especially the train journey along Australia's East Coast which offered amazing views."
What's the best time of year for solo travelers to visit the Great Barrier Reef region?
Plan your trip between June and September for mild weather around 75°F with clear skies and great underwater visibility. These months draw the most solo travelers with data showing they make up 60% of bookings. The weather in Cairns and Airlie Beach during this time is perfect for outdoor activities. Tour data shows December and February are also busy months though you'll find more heat and humidity then.