Down Under Cruise and Dive

Spence St 1, 4870, Cairns
Spence St 1
4870, Cairns
(07) 4052 8300

Opening hours

  • Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns. Cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns onboard Evolution with Down Under Cruise and Dive. This Cairns Reef Tour is locally owned & operated and award-winning. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, scuba dive, helicopter scenic flights, PADI Learn to Dive Courses and more! Book your Cairns Reef Tour online now!

Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2021 and in 2020 our Reef Cruise was voted #5 Day Cruise in the WORLD and #4 Top Travel Experiences in Australia.

Saxon Reef is located in between Norman Reef and Hastings Reef and is a haven of marine life and thriving coral colonies. Relatively smaller in size than our other Great Barrier Reef destinations at just 1.9 square kilometers, Saxon Reef is a spectacular reef location not often frequented by many other tour operators and therefore is a pristine, untouched snorkelling and diving paradise. Saxon Reef offers an abundance of diverse areas to explore for both snorkelers and scuba divers.

Down Under Cruise and Dive is one of the only Cairns reef tour operators that are still locally owned and operated. During our 30 years of operation, our outstanding customer service, commitment to eco-tourism and exceptional reef tour has helped us win many awards including our latest achievement of being voted #5 best day cruise in the WORLD and #4 Travel Experience in Australia by Tripadvisor 2020.

Departing Cairns, our 35-metre luxury superyacht Evolution provides an unforgettable day on the Great Barrier Reef. Our Cairns reef tour offers the most activities for even greater value. Experience two outer reef locations with up to 5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef snorkelling and scuba diving. Dial up the adventure with a scenic helicopter flight over the reef or join one of our Semi-Submarine Tours.

The world’s largest coral reef system and world-heritage listed site is ready and waiting for you to explore! Join Down Under Cruise and Dive for an unforgettable, personalised day on the Great Barrier Reef.

The best snorkelling at the best reefs. We have selected our outer reef locations for their variety to provide the best experience for both beginners, experienced snorkelers and children of all ages.

Try scuba diving without any previous experience! That’s right, if you have never dived before, and have always wished to experience firsthand the beauty of the underwater world you can arrange an Introductory dive with one of our friendly and professional Instructors.

"The seamless operation during Covid times was flawless. My husband and I have done numerous reef trips in our glorious back yard, but this was by far the best. Evolution is a perfectly designed vessel for this type of experience, manned by outstanding staff, who give all guests an unforgettable day. I could not fault any part of the trip, from the food, professionalism, diving, weather and the relaxing attitude of the staff. There's a reason why they are in the top 5 in the world - an absolutely fabulous day out. This company has perfected the reef experience - not to take away from other operators in Cairns & Port Douglas, but this was just a cut above the rest. We loved it!" - NancyFNQ via Tripadvisor

Our comment from TraTraTravel about Down Under Cruise and Dive:

Down Under Cruise and Dive offers an unforgettable adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, characterized by its exceptional service and a friendly, professional crew. Guests consistently praise the team for their attentiveness and genuine care during the trip, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, especially beginners and families.

Key highlights include:

  • Outstanding crew: Many reviews commend the crew members for being friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, making each trip memorable.
  • Stunning reef locations: The snorkeling and diving spots at Saxon and Hastings Reefs showcase vibrant marine life, including turtles, reef sharks, and breathtaking corals.
  • Comfortable and modern vessel: The boat is spacious and well-maintained, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the spectacular views without feeling crowded.
  • Delicious food: Although there were some mixed reviews on the food quality, most guests enjoyed the plentiful and tasty meals provided throughout the day.
  • Safety and organization: The crew emphasizes safety, providing clear instructions for both snorkeling and diving, which contributes to a relaxed atmosphere.

While some reviews mentioned that certain aspects could improve, such as more attention to dietary requirements and the intro diving experience, overall, guests leave with lasting memories of an amazing day out on the reef.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the spectacular Great Barrier Reef!

Tratra.travel cannot guarantee that the companies that appear in the directory are certified travel agencies or that they have the corresponding licenses. The majority of companies that appear in the directory are travel agencies, but other types of companies also appear such as tour operators, guided tour providers, etc. We recommend that you request the Travel Agency registration number of the business you are going to attend.

Down Under Cruise and Dive: Reviews

4.9/5 (207 Reviews)
Mario Herrera 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Words cannot describe. The attention, the professionalism... Just with snorkeling we saw turtles, sharks, an eel, hundreds of fish, and corals of all colors and shapes. Then diving with very clear instructions and a splendid instructor. Finally, a semi-submarine on the second stop with a biologist on board explaining everything, clown fish... I cannot recommend it enough. I congratulate you.

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Elliott Gordon 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: An amazing day out exploring the Great Barrier Reef - couldn't have asked for more! Lots of emphasis on safety, well organised itinerary and very friendly staff. Would recommend to anyone.

Henry H 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Had an amazing experience with Down Under Cruise & Dive! The crew, especially Fifi were fantastic—super friendly, funny, and always there to help. The snorkeling spots were breathtaking, with vibrant marine life and crystal-clear water. Everything was well-organized, and they made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip. Highly recommend this company for an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef adventure!

Jay A 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Incredible experience with this operator. I booked a Fly / Cruise Half Day Tour through Nautilus Aviation after hours of research and choosing Down Under Cruise for my trip. We met the Down Under team at Hastings Reef. After we were transported from the helipad to the cruise boat, we were warmly greeted, provided with safety instructions and gear for the snorkelling activity and introduced to the team. Once geared up, we snorkelled for around 45 mins to an hour. The staff was superb!! Honestly amongst the best hospitality I have experienced anywhere in the world and I am very well travelled. They love what they do and it shows in how they treat all the guests. They all seemed excited and that got me more excited Hastings Reef was full of life, incredible colours and perfect mix of shallow and deep waters. I previously snorkelled off Hamilton Island and the reef there was badly damaged / dead so this was a breathtaking experience. The cruise boat was modern, had multiple levels with indoor and outdoor seating and several toilets. The food was okay. It is a cruise boat so I am thankful they arranged it and catered to dietary requirements. Over all, I am very impressed with the team and their operation. I highly recommend booking your snorkelling tour with them.

Kaja Koslowski 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: couldn’t have made a better choice. such an amazing crew and very organized tour! would definitely do it again

Steve Rook 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We went out on the Evolution reef cruise and it was awesome. The staff were super organised to get us set up for our dives, and the reef was fantastic. Our Dive Master was Indi and she catered for all of our group with differing levels of diving experience and made everyone feel comfortable. And…..we found Nemo. Great job Down Under Diving, and especially Indi!

Hazel Oconnor 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Fantastic Day with Down Under Cruise & Dive exploring The Great Barrier Reef. Excellent service, professional and friendly staff and just an all round 5* Day. If you’re looking for an enjoyable day exploring the Reef this is the group to go with.

Mark Hunt 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We took a school group and the tour was excellent. Everything was provided, there was heaps of staff, they personalised our trip, gave a very helpful group discount, and the reefs that they took us too was as good as any on the GBR. Excellent experience overall and would definitely recommend.

Julienne 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Me and my friend had an amazing experience with Down Under Cruise & Dive! The snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef was breathtaking, and the crew made the day even better. Indy was especially helpful; when my friend lost her GoPro, she went above and beyond to help us find it! The whole team was friendly and welcoming, especially Mike, who made us feel right at home. Highly recommend this trip for anyone looking to explore the reef!

Gav and Margarita Wilcox 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing!!!! The best full day tour I’ve been on. They accommodate for dietary requirements which was great for me being coeliac. All the staff are fantastic and really make sure you have having a great time.

Shelagh Brown 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great trip. The team really helpful professional friendly. The lunch was great, and lots of it. The chef worked exceptionally hard!! Great job! Ship plenty big enough with space to chill quietly. Bar prices very reasonable. The 2 reefs we visited were amazing. Definitely recommend Down Under for this trip.

Gino Zingone 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: New boat (compared to the competition) and comfortable, professional diving, good food, top helicopter tour. Everything is clean and well organized. Absolutely recommended.

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Sandra Gueguen 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: An unforgettable experience! The crew was exceptional, the boat was comfortable, and the dives around the Great Barrier Reef were breathtaking. The helicopter flight provided spectacular views. Outstanding service, I highly recommend this cruise!

Daniel Walsh 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend!! While there are so many options to choose from when looking at reef tours from cairns - our experience with down under was amazing The boat is very well designed and spacious. Even when it’s full there’s still lots of space to sit inside, outside, upstairs - wherever you like really! The food was plentiful and tasty - we had mini muffins for breakfast, lots of options as per the posted menu for lunch and cheese & crackers for afternoon tea on the way back. The whole crew were fantastic - 10/10!! Special shout out to Aaron & Mike for their informative and funny briefings and Eddie as well. Great spots for snorkeling (we went to Saxon and Hastings reefs) - we saw lots of fish and a turtle from the boat as well. There were people of all abilities and lots of life jackets and pool noodles etc for those who wanted.

Adam Aldrich 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had so much fun on the snorkeling tour. Just the boat ride to and from the reef is worth the money. It's about 1-2 hours out and back so you get a nice ride and get to enjoy the ocean breeze. The lunch provided was better than I expected. We had steak and fish, not a ton of flavor but still much better than most free meals. The crew was very friendly and helpful. The 2 reefs we went to were awesome. We felt safe the whole time and saw so many cool fish.

Maxi 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience with Down Under Tour and Dive in Cairns! The team was extremely attentive, providing exceptional service from start to finish. The food on board was delicious, and the boat was very comfortable. The crew’s explanations were clear, allowing us to swim safely with a lifeguard watching over us while we were in the water. I fully recommend this excursion for an unforgettable adventure. Thanks again to the entire crew for this amazing experience!

Sally Kelvin 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: The crew were amazing- really friendly, upbeat and fun! Sammy the marine biologist was so knowledgeable and approachable. The boat was great, food was awesome, and the spots we visited were just gorgeous. Thank you for an awesome day out on the reef!

MBAKB 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Very pleasant experience, scuba diving, snorkelling, Heli ride, Great Crew! food was good nice cruise ship.

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Sunny Lai 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: The weather was bad, and I didn't get to see the beautiful Great Barrier Reef! The waves were big, and I felt very dizzy! The staff on the boat were all very kind! If the weather is good next time, I would like to go again!

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Lucia Maria Hinz 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great … an experience for a lifetime! Friendly crew, well and efficiently organized, beautiful impressions of the reef while snorkeling, and as a cherry on top, a helicopter flight over the Coral Sea.

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Cory Bell 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: The service from check in to leaving the boat was amazing. Special shout out to the ladies doing the intro to scuba session. They were amazing. As were all the staff. Definitely recommend this group.

Kerri Bailey 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Fantastic day on the reef, the team was so helpful and friendly. We felt so relaxed in the water and were well looked after by Phil Jnr, Indi and Eddie. Thanks team and the food was great too, had a nicely cooked piece of steak with salad. We would recommend using Down Under Cruise and Dive.

Alysia Cesario 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Fantastic day, highly recommended. The crew were all professional, friendly and shared great information on the coral and fish. We had a tour with one of the marine biologists which was a great experience.

Natalie C 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: We went as a family and had a fantastic day out on the reef, seeing two reef locations. The food and service was great. The reef was beautiful and we saw lots of fish, and a few stingrays. Lovely lunch on the boat and top it off wine and bickies on way home. The cruise was well organised and staff lovely.

Jeff Salton 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: First rate cruise. Awesome crew made everything easy. Had a great day.

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Elli DiGiovanni 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: The Down Under Cruise and Dive was such a memorable and remarkable experience! The staff was great and truly cared about the happiness of their customers on board. We felt safe and taken care of during the duration of the excursion. Highly recommend taking seasick medication before the boat, but they sell some onboard if you forget. Would recommend to anyone wanting to snorkel/dive the Great Barrer Reef!

POYDA POYDA 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: This was an amazing experience, the staff were so good in helping inexperienced snorkelers, and the attitude and friendliness was fantastic! I would really recommend the gold class upgrade. It costs more but it was so worth it, especially if you have a small group of people. The photos they took of us was unbelievable, and also quite inexpensive. Thanks so much!

Erin Brady 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: This is our second trip on the Evolution… it was just as good. The crew were super friendly and so helpful. The reef was amazing, even on an overcast windy day. Worth the rocky trip out there. My daughter found the toilet smell in the cabin overwhelming but the rest of us weren’t that affected. Thanks team.

Deborah Weston 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Definitely the Best Reef Cruise option available! Excellent Experience, the entire crew were Professional and Entertaining. The Gorgeous Boat was the perfect size for the select amount of passengers, with ample toilets and showers. Locations and Diving or Snorkelling choices were brilliant and all the staff had Excellent Reef and Diving knowledge! Great for Certified or 1st time Divers, Snorkellers and Sunbakers or Air Con lovers!!! Salads and Seafood lunch was exceptionally fresh and plentiful with excellent options for all Dietary Requirements. Topped off by a complimentary drink on the trip back home! Loved everything about it! Heartfelt Thanks to the entire team

Dr Fahimipour 4 months ago

Positive experience: Received heaps of emails regarding outstanding balance while it has been paid! Food was good. Dive spot fine. Additional 10$ for EACH dive that also they believe that they mentioned in their advertisement which you can not find it clearly. Also almost the only company that brings you in the long queue at 7:15 am to check in then heading to the transfer, it can be because of the incident that they had but not reasonable to do it so. Dive was pleasant and staff friendly except the one who did tell me we can't let you go out of the boat if you won't clear the payment for a flight; that never has happened due to the bad weather conditions!

Alison STEELE 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: What an amazing day we had! Expertly facilitated by the crew of the Evolution. The day was exceptionally well organised transitioning seamlessly between activities and a beautiful buffet lunch. The information and safety briefings were entertaining and the expert knowledge and tips provided enhanced our experience. The reef locations were incredible. Highly recommend this tour. From The Steele family.

Millie Todd 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: I had the best day with Down Under Cruise and Dive!! You can see the staff all love the work they do and they want to make sure everyone has the best possible experience. They were all super friendly and helpful. The cruise takes you to amazing spots around the reef so you’re able to see the marine wildlife. I definitely recommend the cruise experience if visiting Cairns :)

Aaron Z 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: I had an incredible experience with this snorkeling and diving company! The staff truly care for everyone, going above and beyond to ensure everyone feels safe and included. They remembered my medical reasons for not diving and made accommodations for me throughout the trip. The entire team is friendly, responsible, and dedicated to providing a great experience. Highly recommend!

Ieva Millere 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Wonderful! Prior to the cruise, we received several emails with helpful instructions,which allowed us to prepare properly. The team was very friendly and supportive and I saw them being very attentive with those guests feeling motion sickness and just in general being wonderful. The introduction and instructions shared by the team onboard were funny and useful at the same time. The lunch on the ship was enjoyable, there was tea, coffee during the stops and drinking water was available although out the trip. They also have sunscreen and seasickness pills available on board. Sadly the more in depth snorkeling guided tour was cancelled due to the weather conditions, but such is life. 5 hours flew by! Only suggestion, if possible, would be adding more changing rooms. Of course, due to limited space on the decks this might prove tricky, but two extra cabins for this purpose would be great.

Tina Godfrey 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing trip. The boat was stunning and really comfortable for everyone. The staff were great and really attentive to everyone's needs. Whatever level of fitness or swimming ability you have the staff are there to assist you. It was very choppy on the ocean when we went and the staff looked after everyone that was sea sick so well. Top tip: if you even think about getting sea sick take the sea sickness tablets! The food was really great quality and we got a cheeky wine in the way home. Thanks for a great trip guys!

Panuschanart S. (NIGHT) 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Excellent services and facilities on the tidy boat! Before booking with Down Under, I was looking all reviews of most tour operators in Cairns, just to make sure that I could trust on them because I’ll go solo for this trip. Also, I wondered why this tour gets tons of good review. Is it possible? However, I made my decision to go with them. And yes! I understood why they got a lot of positive reviews. Staff were nice and helpful. Food was so good - I like steak so much!. I did scuba diving and I was very very satisfied with the pretty new diving gears: BCD, Wetsuit, and Reg. Plus, the photographer did a lot of nice photos and it’s worth to buy some.

Sarah Farrell 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic day, all the staff were so lovely and the reef sites for snorkelling were beautiful. We did the helicopter option and it was just amazing. Tha is so much for a great day guys!

Maila 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: I loved our cruise. Even though there were many people on the boat it didn’t feel crowded at all. Everything was well managed, the food was delicious and most importantly I did not feel rushed, could decide for myself how long I wanted to snorkel and always felts safe.

Harry Parma 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: This snorkel trip was definitely the highlight of our time down under! The boat was awesome, the reef was beautiful but the real best part of the whole thing was the staff. Everyone we met was so welcoming and nice to us Texans. Shoutout to Fifi for welcoming us in the morning and showing us some great species of fish underwater. Sammy, Jen and Tom (Joe Dirt) were truly gems as well. It was awesome getting to know all of the crew members and spending time in such a remarkable place. We also got some great pictures underwater which were nice keepsakes. Also, the food was good and plentiful! Make sure if you go to the reef, book with Down Under Cruise and Dive!

Hamish Bakhtiari 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great experience. Very supportive and kind crew. Food was very good too. They took us to two great spots for snorkeling or scuba, highly recommended.

ポン酢。 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I had never been on a boat before and was worried about seasickness. So, I took thorough precautions against it. In the morning, I drank a jelly drink and immediately after boarding the boat, I took anti-nausea medicine (TravaCalm) sold in Australia. This medicine is sold on board as well, but it might be better to buy it in advance at a store. I felt sleepy, probably due to this medicine. I could take up to 2 tablets at once, but I limited myself to 1 tablet, taking a total of 2 tablets for the trip there and back. After the boat departed, I left my seat and went to the front of the boat to enjoy the wind until we arrived. The route there was quite bumpy, and there were people vomiting outside, but thanks to the precautions I took, I managed to enjoy myself without feeling sick. In contrast, the return trip was almost smooth. Despite being in the ocean in August, the water was not cold, and I could swim in just a swimsuit. For lunch, there was a buffet with fish, steak, and vegetables. I was scared of feeling nauseous, but I couldn't resist my appetite and ate almost until I was full. It was delicious. Furthermore, before departure on the return trip, I was given wine and cheese, which made me nervous about getting sick, but I took it since it was a wonderful opportunity! As a result, I had no seasickness or other health issues and thoroughly enjoyed the ocean. Being a snorkeling beginner, it was great to have this experience to start enjoying the sea.

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Alexey Volkov 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: The second year in a row going with them to the same snorkeling spots and again it's so enjoyable!! The most magic thing is both times we left Cairns on grey rainy days, and there was absolutely beautiful sunny weather on the reef! :-) Maori Wrasse, Reef Sharks, and giant Turtle are just a few species to mention. Colourful fish of all sizes and characters, colourful corals leave an unforgettable impression!! A nice lunch and a complimentary glass of wine with cheese and crackers after snorkeling add to already 5+ stars' experience another + :-). A swimsuit was offered for hire for $10. No photos were offered this time; last year I paid for a flash drive with stunning pics!

Sophie Wynn 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Very well run, and had a great time as a certified diver on my dives with Indy. Lunch was also great!

abhi singh 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I joined this adventure with my partner and with a 2 years old infant :) Even being a non-swimmer and having a baby onboard , We never anticipated that we are going to this great experience. All the kudos to Crew members and staffs onboard . The staff assisted us to get the maximum possible experience of the Reef that given us confidence to do snorkeling in reef . Sufficient time was given for snorkeling which allowed us to have experience while the other partner is taking care the baby . The food was amazing and had a lots of verities with good quality and taste which helped my 2 years old as well . Thanks guys !

Alice Farley 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Excellent well organised tour! The reef was outstanding but what really made it was the crew. So much fun and well organised that the trip felt relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. The only thing to note is we choose this booking because it said the group would be 36. This was not the case! There was actually 150 on board! It didn't feel that busy but was frustrating that the advertising was different. Book this trip and you are guaranteed your best day ever!

Nevin 5 months ago

Negative experience: Introductory diving - total waste of time and money if you haven't done scuba diving before, These people don't have the patience to teach, The class is for the whole group and dive is in groups of 4 led by a certified diver. You will have about 5 minutes to prove your dive skills and will be disqualified if you can't pass it. Most of the first-time divers didn't make it. This makes your time spent on the class and dive waste, and you won't have enough time for snorkeling as well. I would recommend learning to dive before booking the intro dive as well. Snorkeling - the reefs were beautiful, and the weather was perfect, The staff assisting the snorkelers were of great help Buffet lunch - i would give 2 stars, food is not good. I saw people bringing their food with them and enjoying their own lunch. I think this is same with most snorkel tours Basically, they have about 160 people on board, so the staff available for diving is limited. I even had to wait behind people to get into the water for snorkeling

ann ryan 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: A wonderful day out with this fabulous company. Staff were all lovely. Gave great instructions for beginners at snorkeling. Food was fabulous. A truly wonderful experience. Highly recommend you give them a try. You won't regret it ☺️☺️

Ben Jonutz 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: What an experience! Absolute 10/10 crew. They were always happy to help. Great service, great food with the most amazing adventures. I would also highly recommend “Gold Class” which made the whole experience feel very private. Loved it!

Denys Aleksandrov 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Awesome experience! We managed to catch good weather hence snorkeling/swimming was really great. Great barrier reef spots we visited were stunning. The Cruise and Dive team and the vessel is top notch, could not recommend more!

Fiona Stokman 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: The crew were amazing. Food was delicious. And the locations were spot on. We booked expecting the minimum, and were extremely surprised. 100% to booking again.

Leanne Lambros 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Absolutely blown away!!! Thank you thank you to the crew that gave us the BEST day ever!! A bucket list item for sure, and to be on a boat with people that you can feel are there to make sure you have a great time just makes it 10 times better. We got very lucky with incredible weather. We went to 2 different reefs and even saw multiple humpback whales! An experience we will never forget, which was enhanced by a great crew with a very well organised ship

JANE KELLAWAY 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: WOW, what a sensational day we had. Staff were fantastic and very good at their respective jobs, food was tasty and plenty some, boat was comfortable and not overcrowded, well priced and the best we could find online. Highly recommended

Tobias 5 months ago

Positive experience: Great operator, handles everything smoothly, even with 150+ people on board. The reefs visited (Saxon and Hastings) are great for snorkelling, for licensed divers I'd recommend something else, as Hastings reef especially is very shallow at times, making it more fun to snorkel instead of scuba diving. Prices are definitely up there, but about the same as the competition, and still your cheapest option the get to see the outer reefs.

Caitlyn Moore 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Best experience! Even though it was pouring rain, I didn’t notice once I was enjoying my time out in the ocean! Clear boundaries, great food and snacks at the stops, and photographer underwater! Unfortunately didn’t get to Scuba dive as I forgot my medical certificate for prescription medication (don’t forget this!!) but still loved every moment of snorkelling! Amazing team - so supportive, educational and encouraging! Loved every moment of this experience :)

Paul Ricci 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend this cruise tour. The crew was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable of all we seen. The ship was very clean throughout, including the bathrooms. We had plenty of time at both stops to explore the beautiful reef’s. It surely didn’t hurt that the weather was cooperative. The only recommendation would be to not forget your underwater camera, as I did. My waterproof phone case didn’t have the clarity I was hoping for . Fun memories that will last a lifetime!

Aedeen McGrath 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Honestly one of the best experiences I did in Australia! The crew were absolutely brilliant! Did the intro dive with Leanne! She was so experienced kept everyone calm and made it such an enjoyable experience! If you do only one tour in Australia make sure its this tour!

Julian White-Davis 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: I had such a good time with Down Under Cruise and Dive. I was signed up for a PADI Open Water Dive course, but it was cancelled, so they gave me a very good discount on a full day on their boat with an Intro Dive. In the end, I wasn't able to get the dive certification due to reasons out of their control, but they still gave me a wonderful experience of diving on the Great Barrier Reef! Very kind and informed staff.

Roman Groiss 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Extremely nice and highly motivated team who did everything to make the best experience possible! Great two snorkeling and dive stops with loads of fish, corals and other marine life. Even sharks and turtles could be seen.

Anthea Quist 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: great day out, staff friendly, well organised, and very safety oriented. Food was good, snorkelling equipment good quality. Would recommend, the reef is amazing

Horacio Gómez Rey 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Magnificent experience. The crew makes the difference. Very well versed. Every moment paying attention to every person and trying to make the experience unique. Shout-out to my wonderful instructor Nani. She is a super pro. 120% recommended company and experience!

Thomas Olejniczak 6 months ago

Positive experience: Well organised and professional conduct to keep the day moving along was a strong point. The scuba teams were excellent also. However with so many to attend to in the time it wasn’t possible to do a second dive later in the day. This is more a ratio issue and I can see tricky to predict but may need more thought. Overall it still a good experience and the marine life is the highlight.

Jordan Cox 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Very well organised considering how many steps were involved and how complex it would have been for each person. The people helping were all friendly, funny, and understood what was needed before it happened. The food was nice and cooked fresh, plenty of it for everyone. Wine at the end wasn’t great but they sold drinks on board and had tea and coffee and water for free the whole day.

Leiara Ferrett 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Down Under Cruise and Dive offers an exceptional Great Barrier Reef experience. The staff is incredibly friendly and genuine, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Their attentiveness, especially when patrons are in the water, ensures a safe and enjoyable adventure. Highly recommended for a memorable day exploring the reef.

John Yap 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: I joined the snorkeling reef tour yesterday and had a fantastic time on their modern ship Evolution. From the friendly welcome at checkin, to the efficient boarding, safety measures, and the great hospitality, including food and beverage, throughout, this was an enjoyable, memorable experience. The crew are amazing, obviously well-trained, and all customer service oriented. They emphasize safety on the seas, which is sensible, and they provided effective guidance, useful information for less experienced snorkelers like myself. Seeing the Great Barrier Reef in person was a bucket-list item trip and I'm glad to have joined Down Under Cruise and Dive, thanks to my booking through Viator. Highly recommended!

Chantal Van Rooyen 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: What an amazing first experience. Lovely staff, every single one so friendly and helpful, the buffet lunch was so so wonderful! Can't recommend them enough, thank you for making the experience one to remember.

Melita Beachley 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had an incredible day with Down Under Cruise, the boat is extremely comfortable with lots of vantage points to enjoy the spectacular views. The snorkeling was exceptional, the water was warm and we saw so many incredible fish and coral. The lunch was delicious and you can eat as much as you wanted! The crew were extremely friendly and looked they loved their job! I highly recommend this day tour!!

Nalini Tipirneni 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Loved the experience! Was very doubtful about getting into the ocean, but thanks to Mike our Snorkelling leader today tried Snorkelling with a guide as per his advise! I loved the experience and didn’t hesitate a moment to do the second trip! We were very well taken care of right from checkin till we left the boat! Food was good! Felt very safe with these guys as they were guiding us as well as monitoring each and everyone at every stage! Thank you guys for the lovely experience! Would definitely like to do it once again!

Joh Honnef 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had a great day of snorkeling with Down Under Cruise and Dive, on the Evolution. We got to go to both Saxon and Hastings Reefs. We got to snorkel and explore the beautiful corals and fish for hours. There were other optional extras available (for those who wanted them) but no pushy upwelling as with some other tour operators, I'd previously experienced. The Evolution itself is a comfortable newer vessel and everything was very clean. There was plenty nice food. The crew were very professional, friendly and helpful. Will definitely recommend this trip to my family and friends if travelling to Cairns.

Judit Ildikó Stiber 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Had a great day. The boat is huge so even if there is 150 people you dont feel crowded. Organization was also great for handling so many people. Special thanks to my divemaster! Food is okay, the morning muffins were the least good of all, lunch is simple but good. The head of dive person is the only one who was weird when I asked about weather and so.. the other staff was friendly

Alex Barreras 6 months ago

Positive experience: We took the Great Barrier Reef helicopter experience, departing from Cairns at 7 a.m. Check-in was easy, and the staff was professional, efficient, and well-trained. We had a short briefing and got our gear. One hour and 30 minutes later, we arrived at our first location, where we snorkeled for an hour and had lunch. The food quality was good. Then, we traveled for 30 minutes to the second location, where we had our second dive and the helicopter experience. The flight was phenomenal and is a must for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Now, why only 4 stars? Well, I was in group 3 of 5 for the helicopter ride, so I was advised not to swim before the flight. When people were already swimming, I waited around 40 minutes to depart, and when we returned, I literally had just 10 minutes to snorkel. It was a much better location, but I couldn't fully enjoy it. With this review, I hope this company improves its process so people can enjoy the second dive to the fullest, even if they choose the helicopter flight.

Lambo “Lambonaut” Naut 7 months ago

Positive experience: Beautiful snorkeling tour to the Great Barrier Reef. Well organized. Unfortunately, a bit too many people in one place. Still, a nice trip.

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François Croquet 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great experience, but still a detail to improve (see the end of my comment). The day was amazing! The team is very cheerful and dynamic, really great people. The boat is very well maintained, cleaned after each outing at sea, and very spacious. At no point did we realize we were so many participants, thanks to the many bridges that allow everyone to spread out on the boat. Plus, as soon as you board the boat, each group is assigned its own table (on one of the two interior decks). The lunch was very good (meat + fish on the BBQ and various salads). A wonderful day, with one detail: the scuba diving descent is not interesting to me as it only lasts 20 minutes and the whole group has to hold onto each other, so there’s no freedom of movement (as you can do during other introduction to diving). Also, the corals being at 1m depth are much easier to observe while snorkeling. But the day remains a success overall! Thank you very much to the team.

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Teymour Tomsyck 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great option if you’re looking for a day trip to see the reef. Introductory scuba sessions were expertly conducted and snorkelling was a blast as well. be sure to take some sea sickness tablets (which you can buy cheaply on the boat) as a precaution though as it can get a bit choppy to and from the bay.

Ellie Seed 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had the most fantastic day. The crew were all incredible (shoutout to Eddie keeping up the good vibes), and Jack was a great intro dive instructor. All the food was amazing, and catered really well for our vegan diet. I highly, highly recommend this trip, it is worth every penny.

Karan Khurana 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Perfect for a cruise, snorkel and dive. Great staff and instructors. Highly recommended

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Ruby 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: The staff of Down Under Cruise and Dive were absolutely incredible! They made the whole experience (including the ride there and back and during the excursion) very enjoyable with their fun personalities and helpful information. They were also patient with me when I was having anxiety about the intro scuba diving experience. Would recommend!

James Fearn 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: All round amazing experience! Explored the Great Barrier Reef while also getting our PADI open water certification! 1. The first two days of practice and theory was well run with: - concise notes with digestable learning - practice dives with clear instructions and tailored advice 2. The two days out at the reef were fabulous with: - Tours to fantastic dive locations at Saxon and North Hastings Reef - Friendly and helpful crew - Great spread of food on board - Saw an array of aquatic life, my favourite was the white tipped reef sharks and giant clams. 3. Franky who ran the course was Frankly amazing. Honestly made the experience so worthwhile with great knowledge, patience and banter. If you go, I hope you get Franky! Highly recommend! 5 Star!

Brad Doig 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: A great day out snorkelling and scuba diving. This was my second time with them and my experience was just as awesome as the first. The crew are friendly, always there to make your experience great, and most importantly they are always laughing with us. And the complimentary lunch was delicious. Just a fantastic day.

Rachel Robinson 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: We did the reef cruise experience with snorkeling and had the best day!! The team a Down Under Cruise and Dive were helpful, friendly, approachable and there for us every step of the experience. Morning and afternoon snacks were included in the day along with a generous and delicious lunch. Despite a little chop in the water, we went to two reef locations for long stints of snorkeling. Make sure you budget for the photography package - absolutely worth it to keep treasured memories of not just photos with your family but also a superb selection of underwater photos with a professional edge.

Brenda J Wilson 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Congratulations to Evolution Down Under Cruise and Dive Captain and crew for an epic journey to the reefs today. This new vessel cruised effortlessly to the reefs and crew were trained in all aspects from safety to managing groups dives and snorkelling amongst the coral and felt very safe. Highly recommended. Big shout out to our Marine Biologist Sammy, great to have learnt so much of your knowledge today.

Fabian Zurbrügg 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: I had a great day! Everything worked perfectly! It was the first time diving for me and it was a great experience! The staff was friendly and helpful. The lunch was amazingly delicious, good steak! Great value for money! Would book here again in a heartbeat. Thank you so much! And a tip for those who are not sure whether to go snorkelling or diving: I found that if you only snorkel you see just as much of the reef and the fish, but the experience of diving is just very cool if you have never done it before!

Marco Russo 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Me and my partner did our 4 days Padi Open Water course here and it’s been one of the best experiences we’ve done here in Australia! Thanks to our super instructor Francesco and Freddie, that have been amazing the whole time and taught us a lot during our course! We won’t forget these fantastic 4 days together!

Jessica Richards 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Highly recommended when visiting cairns, was a great day! Staff were all lovely and helpful, great food and beverage options, which were also reasonably priced. Don’t skip the sunscreen or the seasickness tablets!

Joyce Mills 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Awesome day on the water. Very professional and fun crew. Snorkeling was amazing, they had people help guide you around so you were able to see things that you may have missed. I also did an intro dive which was intense but glad I did it. Definitely harder than I imagined lol. Food was great!

Alexandra Belicova 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: 5 stars for team Down Under Cruise and Dive! Really liked being on a big boat - made the journey to the reef feel less choppy. The team was very friendly and insightful, the food was excellent, the gear was great, the underwater photographer made fantastic photos. Really great experience overall, highly recommend.

Arthur Longhurst 7 months ago

Positive experience: The crew were professional and helpful. GOOD: Friendly staff. Snorkeling the beautiful reef. Two decent locations. BAD: The food was not great, overcooked, dry and bland. No changing facilities. If you've never scuba dived, the beginner's dive felt very rushed, if you are claustrophobic, forget it. All in all, a great day, not to be missed.

Carsten Keil 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Had an absolute blast. Super organized, super friendly and comfy. We were lucky to see giant bumphead parrot fish, stingrays, turtles and lots and lots more of fish. Food on board was also very good and plenty of. Totally recommend.

Michaela Vnuková 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great day with the crew on the boat. We went snorkeling and diving, my husband was the only certified diver and had a very good instructor Ruth. The staff was nice, informed, helpful when people were sick due to rough sea. We learned something about corals and the Great Barrier Reef. One of the best days in Australia.

Madeleine Calculli 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Today was such a spiritually healing experience. From the moment we stepped on board, to the moment we got off. Those who looked after us were so so so friendly. Travelling from sydney and randomly picking “Down Under Cruise & Dive” as my tour was something out of a hat. I am so happy with my full day experience of The Great Barrier Reef. The photos taken of me was something that could only be captured in the moment, the photographer was super generous when capturing me glide through the water, truly in my element. I saw rainbow fish, turtles & nemo! What a spectacular day.

felipe sierra 8 months ago

Negative experience: I didn't like that when I checked in they told me that the helicopter ride was not available because they didn't have the boat for that. and I wanted to live that experience but at the last minute they told me that they didn't have it available. I don't understand how they play with people who want to live the dream and they already knew that they didn't have it available but they notified until the last day that the trip was. But but the crew was excellent, very attentive and attentive to everything thanks to the boat crew.

Esteban Diaz Romero 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Truly, I loved the experience with this agency. Their staff is extremely kind and charismatic. Always attentive to provide excellent service. The lunch was buffet-style and delicious. Our scuba diving instructor was a 10, and the helicopter pilot was really kind.

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Grace Lim 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Absolutely loved this experience. As someone who has never snorkelled before, I was quite nervous but the crew take good care of you. They always keep a smile on their faces despite having quite a stressful job. The seasickness was the not-so fun part, so would strongly recommend taking anti-nausea meds at least 30 mins prior to departure! Would come back again.

Lisa Jarvis 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: What a fabulous experience. Everything I expected and more. The staff were very friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and very caring when a few passengers became seasick on the return journey. The food was plentiful and the boat was kept clean tidy and safe. Safety during the trip and the time in the water, was paramount and very obvious. My partner suggested, instead of ads on the various tv screens dotted around the boat, facts about the reef and the fish, the water depth and temp would be an asset. Highly recommend to anyone.

vanessa schap 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing!! I have been out on Evolution a few times and absolutely love it every time! My dive with Kanani was quite possibly the best I have done on the Great Barrier Reef so far. Being a local who loves adventure, that says it all! My buddy did an Intro Dive and snorkelled and equally enjoyed the experience. Thankyou to all the staff for a brilliant day and I will see you next time :)

Darren Buchanan 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Absolutely awesome trip. I have been on quite a few trips with various operators and these guys are by far the most professional. The staff are very welcoming and friendly and the food is beautiful. If you are able to do the helicopter tour I would recommend that as well Thanks for a great trip. We look forward to going out again when we come back to cairns.

margaret miltenburg 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: On 30/04/2024 we did a cruise with Down Under Cruise and Dive. It was really good, well organized and with a very friendly professional crew. During the whole day they giving attention to everyone, helping and supporting and giving confidence in the water with snorkeling etc. The lunch/dinner was great. Well prepared with big variety: so for everyone a really nice meal. We can only recommended this company if you like to have a good boat trip to the Great Barrier Rif. We had both a great day. Margaret and Yvonne

Kamni Singh 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: The experience was really amazing. The staff were really friendly.Ash was really helpful and nice to me and my son and she helped us do snorkeling as we were a bit scared. I highly recommend. One advice, they should tell us about the sea sickness before hand in an email as this was my first experience and had no idea about sea sickness and I was vomiting badly and dizzy but the staff were really caring especially the girls.

Coby Freeman 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: This was one of the most epic tours I have been on. Great schedule and management, but a lot of free time to snorkel and explore the Great Barrier Reef! Food was epic at lunch time, staff/team were funny, friendly and informative. Equipment was well looked after and clean. We will certainly be coming back with family and friends to join this tour again.

Andrew Schundler 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing day! Sadly the helicopter didn’t work out, but our 3 dives were all great. Nic our guide was excellent. Saw a couple giant turtles and clams as well as 4 reef sharks. Great food and nice boat even with the very rough conditions. Thanks again.

Kartheek Sargod 10 months ago

Fantastic experience: We booked the full day Great Barrier Reef cruise on the evolution, everything was professionally managed. The yacht is also super clean & well equipped, didn’t find anything that was missing. The staff were very helpful, they were kind enough to answer any questions & help out with the snorkel or dives. They take you two great dive locations & we get to spend ample time exploring both the locations. They also serve a great lunch on board, which is part of the package. Highly recommend!!

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