sunlover cruises moore reef

Great Barrier Reef Experience

Moore Reef from Cairns

Experience an incredible outer reef tour with us, where the Sunlover catamaran ties up alongside a docked pontoon in a peaceful lagoon surrounded with vibrant coral. Our marine biologists, dive instructors, qualified lifeguards and cruise attendants have only one goal: to share their passion for the Great Barrier Reef and ensure you make memories that will last a lifetime.

Full Day Reef Tour

All inclusive.

Adult $285  |  Child $165  |  Family $735

Immerse yourself in the marvels of Moore Reef with Sunlover’s Great Barrier Reef day trip. With a wide range of inclusive activities and exclusive access to our custom-designed outer reef pontoon, visitors of all ages and skill levels can explore and delight in the wonders of this extraordinary natural wonder. Moore Reef offers crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral gardens, abundant marine life, and friendly resident turtles and Maori wrasse, creating the ultimate destination to experience the magnificence of the outer reef.

Choose your preferred way to discover the reef, whether  snorkelling  in the natural lagoon or stay dry with our  semi-submersible  and  glass bottom boat tours . Explore the fascinating underwater world at our  underwater observatory , where you can marvel at the most impressive natural fish tank and engage with marine life during our captivating fish feeding presentation. Younger guests can enjoy fun-filled moments in our enclosed ocean pool or experience the thrill of swirling down Sunlover’s 30-metre spiral waterslide into the tropical ocean. A trained lifeguard is always on watch from an elevated lifeguard station, and there’s easy entry to the water from two snorkel platforms, both of which are accessible by stairs. Calypso Reef Imagery is on board all day to capture your favourite reef memories, both on board and underwater. All photos are available for purchase during your trip home – no waiting for photos to develop; the photos are sent straight to your phone!

For those who want even more adventure, you can add to your experience a  guided-snorkel tour ,  Seawalker helmet dive , introductory and certified  SCUBA dives  or take to the sky for a  scenic helicopter flight .

Download  the brochure

Pricing valid between: 01/04/24 -31/03/25

Included in your tour

• Snorkelling & equipment
• Semi-submersible tour
• Glass bottom boat tour
• Underwater observatory
• Fish feeding presentations
• Enclosed ocean pool
• Gourmet tropical inspired lunch
• Guided snorkel tour
• Seawalker helmet dive
• Scenic helicopter flight
• 8:30 AM Check in opens
• 9:30 AM Check in closes
• 10:00 AM Depart Cairns Marina
• 4 Hours of Pontoon Fun
• 5:30 PM Arrive Cairns Marina

*Check-in & collection of boarding passes must be completed between 8:30-9:30AM at the Sunlover desk inside the Reef Terminal at Cairns Marina (located at the corner of Spence St & Pier Point Road). Passengers failing to check-in by 9:30AM may miss the final boarding and a refund will not be granted.

Add an Fitzroy Island Adventure

Experience the most of the Great Barrier Reef by booking a two-day package to Fitzroy Island and Moore Reef. These distinctly different reef adventures can be booked within seven days, so you have plenty of time to rest in between. Add a short ride from Cairns to Fitzroy on our catamaran and upgrade your trip with activities like paddleboards, kayaks, glass bottom boat tours and snorkel gear.

I’m sold, but tell me more about…

Scuba diving, seawalker helmet diving, fitzroy island, what our guests say.

This was such an amazing trip on the great barrier reef for us as a family. Both my 4 and 10 year old boys absolutely loved it 😍 We will never forget this experience and hope other families out there will get to one day be as lucky as we were and get to snorkel in the great barrier reef for the day.

Mia Hoff – Google Business Review

Sunlover Moore Reef & Fitzroy Island Full Day Package

Departure Times

Departure Point: Cairns Marlin Marina

Pricing Options

Let Sunlover Reef Cruises take you on the ultimate Great Barrier Reef and island combo with their full day Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island Package!

• Spend up to 2 hours out at Sunlover's Moore Reef activity pontoon
• Explore Fitzroy Island with 2 hours free time to swim, snorkel and relax on the beach!
• Full day package includes buffet lunch, glass bottom boat, snorkel gear and more!

If you're short on time and want to see both the Great Barrier Reef and visit one of the islands, then Sunlover's Full Day Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island package ticks all the boxes . Spend an activity-filled 2 hours at Moore Reef pontoon and choose your own adventure! Snorkel, play on the waterslide, join a boat tour, view marine life from the underwater observatory, and more! Then head over to Fitzroy Island for lunch and enjoy 2 hours how you like; relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkelling, or maybe even walking up to the lighthouse. It's the perfect excursion with something for everyone!

Features and Highlights

• Return ferry on a spacious air conditioned catamaran
• Up to 2 hours free time exploring Moore Reef activity pontoon
• Up to 2 hours free time snorkelling, swimming and relaxing at Fitzroy Island
• All snorkelling equipment including stinger suit and instruction
• Glass bottom and semi-submersible boat tours
• Waterslide and underwater observatory at Moore Reef pontoon
• Fish feeding presentations
• Tropical buffet lunch at Fitzroy Island
• Self-guide hikes up to Fitzroy Island lighthouse and lookouts
• Beautiful beaches for relaxing, swimming and snorkelling

Sample Itinerary

More information, what to bring.

• Small day bag
• Sun protective clothing
• Reusable water bottle
• Card or cash for optional food / activity purchases
• Light jacket for cool/windy days. 
• Comfortable walking shoes for hiking trails on Fitzroy Island

What's Included

• Return catamaran cruise
• Tea and coffee while stationary
• Snorkelling equipment
• Expert instruction
• Lycra stinger suit
• Full bar on b...
• Full bar on board vessel
• Free Wifi on board vessel
• Full access to Sunlover waterslide
• Ocean pool enclosure for children
• Glass bottom boat tours
• Semi-submersible tours
• Underwater observatory
• Marine naturalist presentations
• Changing rooms

Fitzroy Island

• Tropical buffet lunch on board vessel
• Self-guided walking trails to lighthouse and lookouts
• Freshwater beach showers
• Beautiful beaches to relax on

What's Extra

• Any optional activities 
• Any additional food and beverage purchases
• Coin operated lockers at Moore Reef Pontoon
• Prescription masks

Terms and Conditions

Important Information:

• Minimum age requirements for optional activities such as scuba diving. Please  click here  to read the Diving Medical Questionnaire, to ensure you are fit to dive before the tour day.
• The water is accessible by stairs fitted with handrails. Guests are required to be able to move freely around the pontoon and catamaran.
• All ages and abilities are welcome aboard. The pontoon has a specially built ocean-enclosed pool for smaller children. 
• Infants aged 0-3 travel for free, however, you need to advise if there is an infant travelling when making your booking.

All information provided at any time by Cairns Tours and our affiliates is subject to these Terms & Conditions. This includes but is not limited to tour information, pricing, blog posts, travel advice, itinerary information and availability.

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Cairns Tours / Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. 

Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply. 

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.

Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Tour Operator. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 

It should be noted that any transport you have booked (buses, flights and ferries) through Cairns Tours is non-refundable and non-transferable. It might be possible to change flights however do note this must be done directly with the flight operator and we are unable to offer any support with this. This may incur change fees or cancellation fees, it depends on the T+Cs of the flight operators themselves. As we acted as a booking agent for you, it is possible to liaise with the airline directly should there be any unexpected events and the airline is forced to cancel your flights. If there are any changes to your flight times or days, we will get notified and send this email directly to you in a reasonable time.

Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.

The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies. Not all tours offer transfers, please refer to the individual product to see if this is applicable to your tour.

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees. You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

All cancellations forfeit 25% of the recommended retail price (RRP) - not the discounted/sale price. No shows or client cancellations made within 24 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price. 

Cairns Tours is required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during standard business hours (9am-5pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider.

Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.

Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

All add-on activities (including but not limited to scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, helmet diving, guided snorkel tours, banana boat rides and waterslides) are subject to availability and price changing, and may not be available during your tour without notice. Guests are not eligible for refunds on the grounds of non-operating extra activities.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Travel Shop retail outlet located in Cairns, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Cairns Tours/Mr Travel online department.

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Cairns Tours/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.

Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Cairns Tours/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.

Information & Advice:

All information, advice or pricing provided by Cairns Tours and our affiliates, or through any of our team, is subject to change. Cairns Tours articles and products are provided online for general information purposes only and are intended as guides. Any advice interpreted from information on the website (including but not limited to financial, immigration, employment and tax information) is not specialist advice and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional instruction. Cairns Tours does not guarantee that any information provided is up-to-date or accurate. Please obtain professional advice before actioning any advice, including but not limited to tax, immigration, employment, travel restrictions and finances.

Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel / Cairns-Tours.com. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! There are a large number of activities included at Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island that allow non-swimmers to experience the reef. Such activities include semi-submersible and glass-bottom boat tours, an underwater observatory, fish feeding and touch tank presentations or simply relaxing on the upper level sundeck. Fitzroy Island has walking tracks and beautiful beaches to chill out on. 

Sunlover catamarans are equipped with gangways for boarding from the Cairns Marina and to the pontoon. These gangways are narrow, so please contact the team prior to travelling to ensure your ability to board comfortably and safely. Disabled toilets are situated on the aft deck of Sunlover boats. There are also portable ramps to assist in wheelchairs crossing hatchways, and the gangways as required. However please keep in mind that at Fitzroy Island, there is limited to no wheelchair access.

A full tropical buffet lunch is included for all guests on board. Any dietary requirements need to be advised at the time of booking, or at least 3 days prior to your travel date, to ensure the crew can assist in catering for your requirement. You can also bring your own snack food with you if needed, however there are no cooking/reheating facilities onboard.

Yes, WiFi is available onboard the Sunlover catamaran free of charge. See the team on board for login details. Moore Reef is 47km offshore so mobile reception coverage may be available, depending on your provider.

Even the most experienced sailor can sometimes get sea sick, however this is usually easy to prevent. You can take a medicated tablet called TravaCalm (not available to minors without parental supervision/consent) or natural ginger tablets. These can be purchased at the bar onboard the Sunlover catamaran. Please note that tablets are a prevention, not a cure, so we recommend taking them as soon as possible for it to take effect prior to sailing. Alternatively, discuss the best option for you with your doctor or pharmacist.

A pontoon is a flat man-made structure that floats on the surface of the water. The Sunlover pontoon is two stories and is permanently moored in a coral fringed lagoon at Moore Reef. Large and spacious, it provides a safe and stable platform for our guests to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. Our pontoons are custom designed to make the coral gardens and marine life of the Outer Great Barrier Reef easily accessible for visitors of all ages and swimming abilities.

The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours cruising direct to the pontoon.

Check in is between 7:00am -7:30am inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at the Sunlover reservations desk. The boat is located at Cairns Marlin Marina. Boarding is from 7:30 and will depart at 8:00am.

Yes you can. The Sunlover team will be able to provide assistance when getting on and off the catamaran. However, keep in mind, as space is limited onboard, it is encouraged to pack light or use a baby carrier where possible. There are also limited sealed pathways on the island that are suitable for prams.

Day visitors to Fitzroy Island have access to all of the island including bathrooms, freshwater showers and Foxy’s Bar and Restaurant. Some facilities such as the pool, are reserved for in-house guests staying at Fitzroy Island Resort.

OUR CAIRNS EXPERTS ARE READY TO HELP YOU

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Booking For Sunlover Moore Reef & Fitzroy Island Full Day Package

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Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Moore Reef

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Sunlover Reef Cruises offer fantastic day cruises to Moore Reef where you will have plenty of time to be amazed and inspired by the unsurpassed beauty and splendour of the Great Barrier Reef. Located just off the Tropical North Queensland coast of Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef is an awe inspiring underwater spectacle of brilliantly coloured corals and more than 10,000 diverse and unique marine species.

On this Great Barrier Reef tour, travel in luxury aboard the modern air-conditioned catamaran. Enjoy 4 hours on the outer reef pontoon, snorkelling, viewing the coral from the glass bottom boat or experiencing one of the fantastic optional extras available, such as the Seawalker Helmet Dive.

Enjoy a 20 minute, fully air conditioned semi-submersible trip, with a dedicated guide on board to explain the coral and marine life that inhabit the area. Experience coral viewing like never before as the semi-submersible cruises close by.

While aboard this Great Barrier Reef cruise, a delicious tropical lunch box is served at the pontoon, topping off an excellent day at this underwater playground off the coast of North Queensland.

Itinerary Options

Additional charges apply for the below options.

Introductory Dive : See the amazing coral and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef with an introductory dive. No experience is necessary, however only available for children over 12 years of age.

Certified Dive : You have not scuba dived until you have dived amid the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef. Sunlover Cruises visits a range of amazing locations guaranteed to excite even the most experienced of divers.

Seawalker Helmet Dive : Unlike traditional scuba diving, Seawalker enables you to breathe through your nose and mouth as you would above water. This option also allows you to keep your face and hair dry while you experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Scenic Heli Combo : This combo tour offers an additional 10 minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef with Nautilus Aviation. Pick-up and drop-off is from the Sunlover Pontoon for a fantastic flight to experience the reef from a bird's eye view.

• Coral viewing from semi-submersible craft
• Glass bottom boat tours
• 4 Hours at Moore Reef
• Marine Life touch tank
• Underwater observatory
• Fish Feeding Presentation
• Snorkelling enclosure
• Fully enclosed kids pool
• Pontoon Waterslide
• 4 hours reef time
• All snorkelling equipment and tuition
• Tea and coffee
• Semi-submersible tours
• Free WiFi on board vessel

Operates : Daily Check-in : 8.15am - 9.10am Departs : 9.30am from Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns Returns : 5.30pm

Additional Info

Children : 4-15 years are charged at the child rate Operated By : Sunlover Reef Cruises

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Cairns Reef Tours

• The Reef Fleet Terminal

Sunlover | Moore Reef Tour

The Sunlover Great Barrie Reef experience departs daily from Cairns. Our state-of-the art Moore Reef Marine Base is perfectly positioned and fully equipped so that any age or ability can fully experience the magic of the reef with its abundance of colourful coral, fascinating fish, turtles & more.

When you travel with Sunlover Reef Cruises you will have 4 hours on to explore the great barrier reef surrounding the Moore Reef Marine Base. There is plenty of time to take advantage of all of our free inclusions. The kids (or big kids!) will love the Sunlover Sunslide – the only water slide on the reef.

Instant Booking & Mobile Friendly Tickets Check availability & book here to secure your spot on Sunlover Sunlover Moore Reef Tour is frequently fully booked. Pre-booking is essential. Please do not turn up without a booking.

Features & Inclusions

• Sunlover Moore Reef Features & Inclusions
• 4 hours at the outer reef
• Tropical buffet lunch including fresh seafood, hot dishes, salads and tropical fruits
• All snorkelling equipment and expert instruction
• FREE Glass bottom boat tours
• FREE Semi-Submersible tours
• Free tea and coffee on boarding the vessel
• Marine naturalist presentation
• Underwater observatory
• Fish feeding presentation
• Afternoon tea
• Freshwater showers and change rooms
• Stinger Suit

Your Day With Sunlover

08:30am – Check in Starts 09:30am – Check in closes 09:45am – Boarding closes 10:00am – Departs Cairns 11:30am – Arrive Moore Reef Marine Base 12:00pm – Tropical Buffet Lunch 04:00pm – Depart Moore Reef Marine Base 05:30pm – Arrive Cairns Marina

Sunlover Semi-Submersible Tour From the dry comfort of your seat, experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef as you cruise over stunning hard and soft corals, past staggering drop offs and coral gardens at a depth of 8-10 metres underwater. The incredible water clarity at Moore Reef means you can spot an array of marine life, from angel fish and yellow tail fusiliers, to green sea turtles, spotted rays and even the occasional reef shark.

The tour is fully commentated by one of our passionate marine experts. Learn interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef and the coral and marine life that call Moore Reef their home.

The tour lasts 20 minutes and departs regularly during your four hours on the Moore Reef Marine Base.

Best of all, the semi-submersible Great Barrier Reef tour is included in your Moore Reef full day tour, so you can go on the tour as many times as you want for free!

Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef  Due to the coral's proximity to our Marine Base, our Great Barrier Reef snorkelling is great for swimmers of all abilities. Haven't snorkelled before? Take a life vest and snorkel closely to the Marine Base. Guided Snorkel Safaris are also available for those who are not confident snorkelling on their own.

Our friendly team are also happy to teach you how to use your snorkel equipment and assist you in fitting your mask and fins.

All snorkel equipment is included in your reef trip, including snorkel, fins, mask and life vest. Lycra suits, wet suits and prescription masks are also available to hire.

When it comes to Great Barrier Reef snorkelling, it doesn't get much better than our Moore Reef snorkelling area! A whopping 300 square metres of pristine hard and soft corals which is home to hundreds of marine life species, the snorkel area offers the best the outer Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

Moore Reef offers crystal clear visibility and shallow depth of 1-4 metres so you can truly experience the splendor of the Great Barrier Reef while staying on the water's surface.

Glide along our snorkel area and explore intricate mosaics of colourful coral, including boulder corals, coral bommies and staghorn corals. The outer edge of our snorkel area features a breathtaking coral drop off, highlighting the sheer grandeur and size of the Great Barrier Reef.

At Moore Reef, your Great Barrier Reef snorkelling adventure is sure to be full of many animals on your Australian bucketlist, including clown fish (Nemo), green sea turtles and our resident giant Maori wrasse; "Wally". Dive in off our Moore Reef snorkel platform into dozens of colourful yellow tail fusiliers, spot giant clams and relax and listen to the sound of parrot fish crunch on coral within metres of you.

The Sunlover Sunslide Our Moore Reef double-storey Marine Base is home to the only waterslide on the Great Barrier Reef.

Swirling 8 metres down from our sun deck, on a 30 metre spiral into the tropical ocean, this theme-park-style waterslide is a hit with big kids and little kids alike. Kids under 5 can enjoy it too when accompanied by an adult.

The Great Barrier Reef Waterslide is a complimentary so the children can slide as many times as they like.

Sunlover Glass Bottom Boat Experience Glass bottom boat tours allow you to enjoy viewing the spectacular coral and marine life of the reef without even entering the ocean. This makes it perfect for non-swimmers or those who just want to view the Great Barrier Reef from a different perspective.

Glide across the Great Barrier Reef in our open-air glass bottom boat and see corals and fish in every shade of the spectrum through the large glass panels.

As the reef is only 0.5-3 metres under the glass, the tour offers a clear and close-up view of hard and soft corals, giant clams, anemones and more. Watch in awe as a variety of colourful tropical fish swim under the glass bottom boat, including yellow tail fusiliers, blue tailed garfish, butterfly fish and many more. You may even spot a green sea turtle or a white spotted reef shark!

Enjoy a full commentary from one of our marine experts as they educate you on the Great Barrier Reef and the various inhabitants that you spot during the tour.

The tour lasts 20 minutes and departs regularly throughout the duration of your time at the reef Marine Base. Best of all it is a free inclusion in your day at the reef and you can take unlimited rides!

Fish Feeding Presentation Watch an array of fish swarm the waters beneath you during a fish feeding presentation conducted by our marine naturalists.

The presentation occurs towards the end of your time at the reef and is included free as part of your day tour experience. During the presentation our marine expert sprinkles approved fish food into the water. From your vantage point on the Marine Base you can watch the feeding frenzy and spot colourful fish such as yellow tail fusiliers, blue tailed garfish, giant trevally and angel fish.

Our marine expert will tell you all about the the fish you are seeing and answer any curious questions you may have.

Underwater Observatory The Sunlover Underwater Observatory entry is included as part of your day tour and is open for the duration of your time at the reef.

From the ground floor of the Marine Base, descend a set of stairs and find yourself in the world's most impressive natural 'fish tank'.

Take advantage of the theatre-style seating to relax in the darkened room and watch the fish swim by. Get lost in an underwater world and spot yellow tail fusiliers, red bass, giant trevally, 7 barbed butterfly fish, angelfish, goatfish and more!

Make sure you head to the underwater observatory during the fish feeding presentation. Our marine experts also provide a scheduled talk for a more in depth experience.

Kids Pool Our ocean enclosed and shallow kids' pools at Moore Reef is a fantastic option for young children wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef in a safe environment.

Plus, our resident yellow tail fusiliers often like to pop in and take a swim with the children!

The pools are located next to the snorkel platform and lifeguard tower, and are open for the duration of your time on our Great Barrier Reef Marine Bases.

Sunlover Sun Deck Relax, rejuvenate and unwind on the upper level sundeck at our Moore Reef Marine Base. It is the perfect place to chill out and soak up some tropical rays with a cool drink. Lie back on a sun lounger or giant bean bag, in between snorkelling and all the other activities available during your 4 hours on Moore Reef.

The sun deck offers the best vantage point to take spectacular photos of the blue skies, azure waters and brilliant reef. We even have a Great Barrier Reef selfie wall so you can share your amazing reef experience with envious friends and family. 

Tropical Buffet Lunch Keep your energy levels up to make the most of all the activities on offer at Moore Reef with our Tropical buffet lunch that is included as part of your day.

Our standard buffet includes selections for most dietary requirements. (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten & Lactose Free). Please advise of any passengers travelling with Nut Allergies – a separate meal shall be prepared for these passengers to avoid any traces of nuts that may be found the dressings / spices used on the regular dishes.

Served from midday - 1.30pm on the lower level of the boat. If you have any food allergies please notify us at least 48 hours prior so we can ensure we can accommodate your requirements.

Departures:  Make your way to the Reef Fleet Terminal on 1 Spence Street, Cairns.  Check-in starts from 8.30am and closes at 9.30am for a 10am departure. Arrives back in Cairns at 5:30pm.

What to Bring What to Bring on the Sunlover Reef Tour Simply pack a bag as if you were going to the beach for the day.

• Hat & sunscreen 
• Sun protective clothing, like a t-shirt or rash vest
• Swimming costume
• Beach towel

About the Sunlover Moore Reef Marine Base Our double-storey Moore Reef Marine Base is anchored at Moore Reef, 47km off Cairns. The base has been custom designed so all ages and abilities can explore and enjoy the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.  

The base is 50 metres long with a capacity of up to 400 people, and was recently refurbished and enhanced to now feature a large upper-level sundeck, which is the perfect spot to relax in the tropical sunshine, and prime position to look out over the turquoise waters and mosiac of the reef. The sundeck is also where the Sunlover Sunslide starts on its 30 metre spiral descent into the tropical waters.  

On the lower level, there is plentiful seating in the shade. The boat docks alongside the base and gangplanks provide seamless access between base and air-conditioned boat.

Moore Reef Marine Base features:

• Fully powered
• WIFI and cellphone coverage (dependent on conditions and provider)
• Air-conditioned 60 tiered-seat underwater observatory that can also be used for presentations
• Built in SCUBA dive station, with all equipment & diving platform
• Two snorkel platforms
• Plentiful tables and seating
• Glass bottom boat
• Change-rooms
• Fresh water outdoor showers
• Ocean enclosed children’s pool
• Sunlover Sunslide - only waterslide on the reef
• Two levels - shaded lower level and upper level sundeck
• Scenic helicopter pad

Linda Stewart

Took my kids and grandchildren ages 6mths through to 32. They catered for everyone and we had a fantastic day

Kasey Garrison

A great experience!

Michelle Parker

Second time for our family of 7 to the reef with Sunlover Cruises and will be back again. Staff are amazing and food is great, first trip food was individual lunch packs this time it was buffet and was a great selection to choose from.

Francesco Ruscio

great booking and trip experience

Debbie Christensen

Emily who sailed the glass bottom boat, was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the reef. Made this experience special and memorable.

Sohini Bhattacharya

It was a great experience. Though the 2 hour ride to Moore Reef was very choppy and we all got sea sick but in the end it was all worth it!!

More Reviews

Departures: Make your way to the Reef Fleet Terminal on 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Check-in starts from 8.30am and closes at 9.30am for a 10am departure. Arrives back in Cairns at 5:30pm.

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Sunlover Cruises

The only pontoon in Cairns with a waterslide. Spend the day at beautiful moore reef, wonderful diving, snorkeling, helmet diving and scenic helicopter reef flights available.

Book Online Call : + 61 7 4041 1638 or Try our Tour Finder

All Prices in Australian Dollars.

Camera Special

*FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE

Book this trip with us, you must spend over $550.00 AUD to receive our 1 x Free Cairns Underwater Camera Hire. Only when you book online thru our website. You must come into our Cairns Esplanade Shop to pick up the camera the day before departure day before 5:30 pm . You also need to supply your own SD Card. Reserve your camera today!

*Not valid for any tours visiting the islands. Fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!

Please Remember there is no other way to collect our cameras! All passengers must come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm.

Do you need help choosing a trip?

Can't decide? We have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour , to suit your experience and budget.

Tour Type:   Full Day | Operates:   Everyday | Departs:   10:00am | Returns:   6:00pm | Transfers: No

Highlights:.

Sunlover Reef Cruises combines a fast catamaran ride to the Great Barrier Reef with a comfortable, permanently moored outer reef activity pontoon for a great day tour. Sunlover has also built the latest state-of-the-art floating pontoon. It is, in fact, the only pontoon company in Cairns that has a waterslide. You can enjoy a range of activities including snorkeling and diving (for more information on these, please see the below tabs), glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours, underwater observatory, touch tank, fish feeding, helmet diving, and scenic helicopter flights. All of these activities are completed on the reef pontoon: some are included in the ticket price and some are optional extras: for more information on inclusions, please see the rates table below.

This day tour starts a little later than most, with a 10:00 am departure from Cairns. Check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal starts at 9:00 am. This means you can have a sleep-in and still enjoy up to four (4) hours on the Great Barrier Reef. Transfers to and from Cairns are completed on a fast, comfortable catamaran, which was recently refurbished in 2016. The boat has two levels of air-conditioned interior and exterior sun decks. The boat returns to Cairns at 6:00 pm.

The Sunlover pontoon is located at Moore Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. This single-level pontoon provides shaded seating and comfortable water access through lowered platforms and stairs. Morning and afternoon tea and the hot/cold buffet lunch are all served on the catamaran, which is moored to the pontoon throughout the day. Sunlover Cruises has ecotourism accreditation through Ecotourism Australia.

PLEASE NOTE: Sunlover is the only pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns with a waterslide!

All prices in Australian Dollars. Can't see the prices on your mobile? Click the Green Circle with the + Sign.

Check-in for the Sunlover Reef Cruises day tour opens at 9:00 am, but boarding is not until 9:15 am, so there is no need to rush. Check-in is completed inside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal and it’s just a short walk to the Sunlover Reef Cruises catamaran, which is moored at Cairns’ Marlin Marina. Tea and coffee is served on board the catamaran and the boat is scheduled to depart at 10:00 am. Introductory, safety and activity briefings are all provided on the way to the reef pontoon. The trip takes about 90 minutes. A Marine Biologist presentation is also provided on the journey to the reef, which sees you arrive around 11.30 am. You have four (4) hours to enjoy the in-water and out-of-water activities.

The hot/cold buffet lunch, which includes curry, noodles, cold meats, prawns and salads, is served on board the boat from 12-1.30 pm. Glass bottom boat and semi-submersible tours run throughout the day and you can visit the touch tank and underwater observatory whenever you want. There are freshwater showers and change rooms on the pontoon and a fish feed is conducted around 3.20 pm. Everyone is asked back on the boat around 3.30 pm for final headcount and preparation for a 4:00 pm departure, which gets you back into Cairns around 6:00 pm.

Sunlover Reef Cruises offers up to two (2) scuba dives per day, at the Moore Reef pontoon. All dives are guided and all equipment is included in the dive price. There is the option to try an introductory dive (no previous experience necessary) or book certified scuba diving.

INTRODUCTORY DIVES: This is a great opportunity to try scuba diving for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef. No experience is necessary and all equipment, tuition and training is included in the introductory dive price. Introductory dives last around 20-30 minutes and generally go no deeper than 8m. You may even get to dive with turtles.

CERTIFIED DIVING: All certified diving on Sunlover Reef Cruises is guided and completed from the pontoon. Water entry is easy, via stairs descending directly into the water. You can choose one (1) or two (2) guided dives which will last around 40-minutes and reach a maximum depth of 15m. All equipment is included: dive medical paperwork and dive briefings will be completed on board. You will be required to show your dive license.

Snorkeling:

Pontoon snorkelling is suitable for people of all experience levels. The Sunlover Reef Cruises pontoon is moored just metres from the reef and is in sheltered waters. Access is via a submerged platform, making it easy to get in and out of the water. There is a lot of marine life to be seen here including hard and soft corals, colourful parrotfish, rays, sea turtles and even reef sharks. All equipment (mask, fins and snorkel) is included in the ticket price, including flotation devices if required. Lycra / wet suits are available for hire onboard and are recommended for sun protection.

Customer Reviews:

Customer tour reviews & feedback.

Customer reviews are written by our customers using our 1 x FREE Digital Underwater Camer Hire Service.

We booked our Sunlover Outer Reef cruise from Richard at Cairns Dive Adventure. Cairns Dive Adventure has a great website, which helped us understand the various types of tours and what to expect. Richard got us a better deal than we could have gotten on the Sunlover website! The ride out was a bit rough, so take a sea sick tablet just to be safe….

Full Reviews:

Cairns dive adventures trip reviews.

Sunlover Cruises 10-Minute Helicopter Flight Review

By clint | april 27, 2024.

Sunlover Cruises offer the chance to enjoy semi-submarines, glass bottom boats, underwater observatory, snorkeling and 10-minute scenic Helicopter reef flights.

Sunlover Reef Cruises Review

By richard | march 16, 2017.

Sunlover is a great reef day trip to Moore Reef. Suitable for families (of all ages) and guests that want to mix it up with a range of diving and non-diving activities.

Sunlover Cruises – A Rainy Day Review

By julie | april 4, 2011.

Sunlover Reef Cruises provides snorkel and dive tours to the Great Barrier Reef for people of all ages. On our day, guests ranged from 2 months old to 75 years, and were a combination of tour groups, families and couples. The coral gardens were excellent for snorkeling and despite poor weather (rain did come and...

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All prices in Australian Dollars. We accept VISA & MC with no booking fees. Choose your options on the booking form. Press the red book now button.

Tour Notes:

Remember to try any form of scuba diving everyone needs to be medically fit with no asthma and not be taking any prescription medication. PADI recommends allowing up to 24 hours after diving before flying in an airplane. Some tour operators have a no refund policy for any dives not completed for whatever reason. Please note the art of freediving is not permitted on any of the day boats or liveaboard dive boats from Cairns & Port Douglas. With the high instances of (shallow water blackout) companies do not allow this for safety reasons.

Do you have Medical Issues:

Please note if you have any medical issues you will need to go see your local GP where you live and get them to write you a letter on the practice letterhead signed and dated by your doctor that you are “ Fit to dive ” If you have one of these letters then all dive companies in Cairns will take you diving. Please note these letters are only valid for three months from their date of issue.

Specials: Helmet Dive, Certified Dive, and Intro Dive Special is  Non-Refundable . Remember to try any form of diving you must be medically fit, with no asthma, and not be taking any prescription medication. Sunlover has a strict no refund policy if you fail the dive medical questionnaire. 

Child Age: Please note child’s age is 4 – 15 years old.

Family: Please note family is classed as (2 x Adults + 2 x Children) age is 4 – 15 years old.

Inclusions: Between 4 to 5 hours at the reef, Delicious hot and cold buffet lunch with seafood, Glass bottom boat cruise & Semi-submersible coral viewing, Marine Touch Tank: Where you can touch some of the reef’s unique marine creatures, Onboard reef ecology presentation by Marine Naturalist, Children’s wading pool, All day snorkeling including equipment, Underwater Observatory, Environmental Management Charge (EMC).

FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE*

Spend over $550.00 AUD on your Great Barrier Reef tour with us and receive the latest Digital Underwater Camera Hire. Take amazing High-Resolution images and 1080 HD Video. Only when you book online thru our website. 

Not available for any tours to the Islands as fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!

You need to come into our shop located on the Cairns Esplanade the day before departure to pick up the camera before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Camera Card and drop the camera off back at our shop before 5:30pm.