Great Barrier Reef Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,523 reviews)- Choose from 100+ Great Barrier Reef tours
- 400+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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Table of contents
- The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
- What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours
- Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
- Top operators in Great Barrier Reef
- Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
- Great Barrier Reef tours for every group
- Top Great Barrier Reef travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Great Barrier Reef
- Contact our Great Barrier Reef travel experts
The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Barrier Reef travel expert at TourRadar
Oz East Coast Adventure 28 Days
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It is the best month ever! I got to experience so many new things and make some amazing memories along the way.”
Emma, traveled in October 2024
Vibrant coral reefs stretch from Airlie Beach to Cairns. The Whitsundays' 74 islands beckon sailors, while Magnetic Island's koala trails and Mission Beach's adrenaline activities await. The journey peaks with snorkeling at two outer reef locations and chasing waterfalls in Atherton Tablelands.
Duration 28 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Mission BeachSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operated in English Operator INTRO Travel From $3,374
10% Off- US$3,037You save $337
Best of Australia
28 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The variety of activities on the tour were fun and the sights we saw were amazing.”
Lisa, traveled in October 2022
The Great Barrier Reef region unfolds with Whitsunday Islands boating and optional snorkeling excursions. The ancient Daintree Rainforest reveals itself through guided indigenous walks in Mossman Gorge, with nights spent in rainforest cabins and local cultural immersion.
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 Operated in English Operator G Adventures From $4,349
17% Off- US$3,610You save $739
Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a small group of like-minded people. We loved it!!”
Lorene, traveled in October 2023
Underwater worlds open up through snorkeling adventures and glass-bottom boat tours. Flynn Hotel Cairns serves as base for ventures into Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, and Cape Tribulation, featuring Kuku Yalanji cultural immersion.
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 Operated in English Operator Via Travel Australia From $6,660
40% Off- US$3,996You save $2,664
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
106 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I really enjoyed getting to know my fellow travelers. I would highly recommend Ultimate as a travel company.”
Dervilia, traveled in November 2024
Crystal waters invite snorkeling from Cairns, while sailing adventures await in the Whitsundays. Beach camping on Fraser Island, Mission Beach's rainforest, Magnetic Island's koala sanctuary, and Airlie Beach's lagoon create unforgettable memories.
Duration 36 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, Magnetic IslandSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operated in English Operator Ultimate Travel From
40% Off- US$3,159
10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Hotel locations was perfect near city center, hotel is clean and perfect.”
Lilbeth, traveled in June 2024
Fitzroy Island's coral gardens welcome snorkelers, while glass-bottom boats reveal underwater mysteries. The ancient Daintree Rainforest, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, and tropical markets complete this adventure from comfortable lodgings.
Duration 10 days Destinations Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns Age Range up to 70 year olds Operated in English Operator Vio Travel From $1,368
5% Off- US$1,300You save $68
What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours
- Best of Australia
Great tour, saw amazing places, met great people, experienced a few adventures and conquered some of my fears! I would definitely do it again.
- Best of Australia
This was a fun trip. Got to see so many amazing things. The guide Karly was amazing. She was definitely the icing on the cake of this tour.
- Best of Australia
Brilliant experience. First time travelling alone and it was fantastic. Darcy provides a lot of information and made the whole experience really brilliant. The itinerary did feel a little rushed and could have done with an extra night in most places however we did manage to pack a lot in.
Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
Explore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Great Barrier Reef. We have 9 adventures that vary from 5 days to 19 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Coach / Bus toursDiscover hidden gems and off-the-beaten paths with over 108 adventures available in Great Barrier Reef.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 86 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Great Barrier Reef with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided toursExplore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Great Barrier Reef. We have 28 adventures that vary from 4 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Partially Guided tours
Top operators in Great Barrier Reef
- 5.0 (22,793 reviews)
"For the price and the time we had, this tour was hands down the best choice! The group was fun and very welcoming, but I want to shout-out Lauren, our guide. She wasn’t just incredibly knowledgeable and organized; she felt more like a close friend who made every moment special. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better tour!
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 2h
- Response rate
- 76%
- Average price
- $423
- 4.5 (11,924 reviews)
"Nice and easy to book. Had a great time ?
- Tours
- 8 tours
- Age range
- 5 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 8h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $536
- 5.0 (15,752 reviews)
"Such an enjoyable trip up the East Coast! Completely stress free and includes really fun once in a lifetime activities!!
- Tours
- 4 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 55 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 27h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $188
Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
Choose the city in Great Barrier Reef you want your tour to start in:
Great Barrier Reef tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
110 tours in Great Barrier ReefExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Great Barrier Reef. We have 112 adventures that vary from 3 days to 36 days. With the greatest number of departures in November, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
16 tours in Great Barrier ReefVisit Great Barrier Reef with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
14 tours in Great Barrier ReefEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private Great Barrier Reef tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 14 itineraries to choose from.
Top Great Barrier Reef travel itineraries to fit your plans
Cairns, Great Barrier Reef
Airlie Beach, Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton
Brisbane, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Cairns
Demographics
Our East Coast reef tours running 20-28 days really click with solo travelers. The guides have a knack for creating that perfect group vibe - they know how to get everyone comfortable both on land and in the water. You'll explore multiple reef spots with guides like Shannon and Val, who are great at helping complete beginners feel confident swimming. The journey includes nights under the stars on K'gari (Fraser Island), quiet coves on Magnetic Island and sailing through the Whitsundays. The hostels become social hubs where travelers often form friendships that last well beyond the tour.
If you opt for the 5-week version, you get more time to sink into reef life. You'll visit different snorkel spots across various regions, noticing how the marine life changes as you move along the coast. Tour leaders like Corey and Caro balance group activities with free time nicely - they're good at bringing everyone together while giving you space when you need it. Our travelers really like how they can join group dinners and activities but also have time to do their own thing with new friends.
Couples tend to love our smaller boutique reef tours - they're the right mix of relaxed and active. You'll travel on premium reef boats with marine biologists onboard, stay in quality spots and follow well-paced daily plans. The itinerary takes you to quieter reef areas away from the busy spots, includes evening sails and adds special touches like private wildlife encounters. Our guides know how to create a friendly group feeling while giving couples their own space. The balance of planned activities and free time to explore together is something our travelers mention often.
The 28-35 day active reef tours are particularly popular with young adults. You'll get plenty of water time - from snorkeling hidden spots to multi-day sailing in the Whitsundays. The schedule includes chances to try scuba diving, night snorkeling and spotting marine life from glass-bottom boats. Between reef visits, you'll drive 4x4s on K'gari's beaches, hike to Byron Bay's lighthouse for sunrise and learn to surf. Guides like Zack and Shannon create a fun atmosphere while making sure everyone feels good about pushing their comfort zone in the water.
The social side is just as good - you'll hang out at beach bars, hostel common rooms and group dinners. Everyone loves the overnight sailing parts; sharing stories on deck after a day of snorkeling as the sun sets is pretty special. Our travelers tell us they like having structured reef activities mixed with free time to explore with their new friends.
The 17-day boutique reef tours work really well for our senior travelers. These smaller groups use nice hotels and have guides who adjust the pace to suit different fitness levels. You'll experience the reef in various ways - from glass-bottom boat rides to guided snorkeling with marine experts. The schedule includes walks through rainforest paths, time with Aboriginal guides and wildlife watching. Our travelers appreciate how everything runs smoothly while keeping a laid-back pace that lets them really take in each place.
Solo Travelers82 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples52 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)15 tours
- Seniors (50+)51 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Great Barrier Reef
- Spring 2025
Spring brings vivid coral spawning and milder water temperatures. It's a bustling season, ideal for snorkeling along colorful fish and photography.
- popular 61 tours
- 59 tours
- 54 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer sees warmer waters and some rain, perfect for long, relaxed drives. It's the best time for underwater clarity but be ready for jellyfish.
- popular 60 tours
- 55 tours
- 55 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn offers comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists, ideal for a relaxing vacation. Enjoy excellent diving conditions and catch the tail end of coral spawning.
- 68 tours
- 71 tours
- popular 73 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter is ideal for diving; the water is clear and cool. You can also go whale watching without the crowds, making for a great vacation.
- 39 tours
- popular 52 tours
- 50 tours
Contact our Great Barrier Reef travel experts
Isabeau
Expert in Great Barrier Reef at TourRadar
Isabeau is one of our seasoned Great Barrier Reef Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Great Barrier Reef tours answered!
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