Great Barrier Reef Tours & Trips
Have you dreamed about snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef? Swimming with sea turtles, seeing all those colourful fish darting through coral, exploring this massive underwater ecosystem. Australia's reef stretches over 2,300km - it's huge. You'll sail between islands, dive crystal waters and tick off one of those natural wonders everyone should see.
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I‘ve just finished the 5 weeks East Coast Tour and it’s been an absolute movie. My favorite part was K‘gari. I already miss the people I met and above all my group leader Jenn. She was not only our group leader but also has become a really good friend and has always been there for us. Thanks for everything Jenn you made this experience incredible.
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATEThe guide in Daintree Rainforest was not too good, but the one on The Great Ocean Road was great. The hotels were adequate overall with great locations. I would recommend 4 nights, rather than 3 given transfer time.
Aussie Icons Fly Stay TourWe had an amazing trip - Sydney & Great Barrier Reef Tour - , very well organized - thank you again @Russ for your great support. In Sydney our appartment had offer everything, you ever need on a holiday. On all our trips crew was always extremely friendly and supportive. We had an amazing time and learned a lot from this great continent. Thank you guys!
Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
Traveler Photos & Videos from Great Barrier Reef tours
- Essence of Australia 14 Days
- Brisbane to Cairns - 7 Day Boutique Tour
- Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree
- Sailing Adventures through the Whitsunday Islands
- East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
- Contrasts of Australia
- 2 Day / 2 Night Prosail Whitsundays Sailing Adventure (on Condor, Broomstick or Hammer)
- Oz East Coast Adventure 28 Days
- Oz East Coast Adventure 20 days
- Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
Table of contents
- The best Great Barrier Reef tour packages
- Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
- Best tour companies for Great Barrier Reef tours
- Popular Great Barrier Reef Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
- Discover Great Barrier Reef tours for every budget
- Great Barrier Reef tours for every type of 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
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
“These 6 weeks that I spent with my wonderful travel group were some of the best things I have ever experienced.”
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 Ages 18-35 Operator Ultimate Travel From
- US$4,049
Aussie Icons Fly Stay Tour
“TourRadar did an outstanding as an travel agency.”
Theresa, traveled in June
Pristine reefs await at exclusive moorings, while ancient Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation's beaches create perfect contrasts. The Abbott Boutique Hotel provides luxury between Far North Queensland adventures.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Daintree National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd From $3,093
15% Off- US$2,629You save $464
Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
“We had an amazing trip, very well organized. We had an amazing time and learned a lot from this great continent.”
Henriett, traveled in October
Agincourt Reef, Green Island, and Fitzroy Island showcase the reef's diversity. Semi-submersible tours, glass-bottom boats, and guided snorkeling provide different perspectives, with Southern Cross Atrium Apartments as home base.
Duration 12 days Destinations Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Manly, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Fitzroy IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd From
15% Off- US$3,211
Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest - 9 Day Boutique Tour
“Very good overview of what Queensland can offer, spectacular views.”
Yves, traveled in July
Vibrant coral reefs reveal themselves through snorkeling adventures and glass-bottom boat tours. Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas serves as gateway to Daintree Rainforest's Cape Tribulation, featuring Solar Whisper cruise guidance.
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach, Atherton, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman GorgeSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Via Travel Australia From
15% Off- US$4,155
Oz East Coast Adventure 28 Days
“Really incredible experience, done some incredible things, seen amazing places.”
Jack, traveled in July
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, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-45 Operator INTRO Travel From
15% Off- US$3,699
Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
“The small group tour with lovely Hotels/Resorts on top level was the best tour in Australia so far for me.”
Kirsten, traveled in February
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 Ages 12+ Operator Via Travel Australia From
15% Off- US$7,507
Welcome to Australia: East Coast
“the mix between activities and free days where perfect”
Enya, traveled in June
Duration 30 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Magnetic IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator Welcome To Travel From
15% Off- US$3,316
Travel Great Barrier Reef your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Great Barrier Reef tours
Popular Great Barrier Reef Cruise Ships
Best places to start your Great Barrier Reef tour
Discover Great Barrier Reef tours for every budget
Great Barrier Reef tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Great Barrier Reef travel itineraries to fit your plans
3 Day Itineraries
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers86 tours- Couples70 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)18 tours
- Seniors (50+)48 tours
Best time to visit Great Barrier Reef
- Summer 2026
For prime reef tours from Sydney, summer opens up excellent multi-week journeys that pair proper reef exploration with Whitsundays sailing adventures. Five-week tours give water enthusiasts the perfect window to experience diverse marine environments, visiting multiple snorkel spots while traveling up the coast. Our backpackers tend to choose combined hostel and guided reef packages, where expert guides point out the best spots for spotting turtles, rays and also countless fish varieties. Small-group boutique options elevate the experience with comfortable hotels, private reef cruises and marine biologists sharing their expertise. The 20-28 day tours departing from Brisbane have become a favorite, blending quality reef exploration with K'gari 4x4 adventures and also Whitsundays sailing. Our travelers often mention guides like Shannon, who helped one guest overcome a 13-year fear of ocean swimming through patient guidance. Premium vessels offer peaceful spaces between snorkels, and naturalist guides know exactly how to find those quieter reef spots away from the seasonal crowds.
- popular 56 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Autumn delivers some exceptional Great Barrier Reef experiences, with multi-week journeys from Brisbane proving especially popular among our travelers. These tours combine dedicated reef exploration with K'gari 4x4 trips and Whitsundays sailing, giving you crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling. Our guides Shannon and Val excel at working with varied comfort levels, from helping first-timers overcome water anxiety to showing experienced snorkelers the finest coral formations. The boutique options feature premium vessels with ample deck space between snorkel sessions, specialist naturalist guides and also top-tier accommodation throughout. What our customers consistently highlight is how these intimate groups access secluded reef spots away from peak season crowds. The multi-day sailing elements shine particularly bright this season, with evenings spent stargazing from deck after full days discovering different snorkel sites. Whether you're joining an extended backpacker tour or selecting a premium small-group experience, autumn provides ideal reef conditions without summer's intensity or winter's strong winds.
- 61 tours
- 66 tours
- popular 73 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
The Great Barrier Reef reveals its best side during winter, with several tour options that really shine. Multi-week journeys from Sydney give you time to properly experience the reef as you head north into warmer waters. Our travelers particularly love the 5-week tours that blend proper reef exploration and Whitsundays sailing. If you're watching your budget, the mixed hostel and guided reef tours work well - you still get expert guides who know exactly where to spot turtles, rays and also different fish species. For a more refined touch, small-group boutique options include comfortable hotels and private reef cruises with marine biologists leading the way.
- 59 tours
- 61 tours
- popular 69 tours
- Spring 2027
Spring brings clear waters and perfect reef conditions, with tours running 20-28 days from Brisbane being especially popular. These combine quality reef time with K'gari 4x4 exploration and also Whitsundays sailing. Our travelers often tell us about their guides - like Shannon who helped Julie overcome her 13-year fear of ocean swimming. The boutique options include premium vessels with space to relax between snorkels, expert naturalist guides and also high-end accommodation throughout. What really stands out in the reviews is how these smaller groups access quieter reef spots away from the usual crowds.
- popular 66 tours
- 52 tours
- 40 tours
Contact our Great Barrier Reef travel experts
Sulu
Expert in Great Barrier Reef at TourRadar
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