Things to do in Cairns: Exploring the best of both worlds
This VIP Getaway: 2-Day Reef & Rainforest ✨ takes two days to complete. You can do it in any order.
On your first day, you will travel to the Outer Great Barrier Reef onboard our fast catamaran, the Reef Experience.
Enjoying a more personalised, private and relaxed day as you begin your day in style in the exclusive Captains’ Wheelhouse Top Deck Lounge” to our first pristine Outer Great Barrier Reef Location.
From the moment you board until you wave goodbye, you can relax in the knowledge that we will take care of all your needs.
On day two, you will explore the oldest living tropical rainforest in the world. This tour includes the best locations, such as Mossman Gorge, the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.
Enjoy the view from spectacular lookouts, spotting crocodiles on the Daintree River, and native wildlife throughout the day, all aboard a luxury vehicle in a small group with a friendly, very knowledgeable guide who will explain our unique flora and fauna.
(minimum of two passengers per booking required)
Day 1 Your Top Deck Reef Experience ✨
Discover the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, your Valet caring for you in and out of the water!
Reef Experience Top Deck Inclusions
A private Valet assigned to you for the day
Personalised Snorkel or Scuba guide (SSI Professional in the water just with you!)
Access to the exclusive Captain’s Wheelhouse Top Deck Lounge
A-la-carte breakfast served to your table
Lunch (Special Menu)
A glass of champagne, cheese and fruit plate on the return journey
Plunger coffee, Tea and Juices
Unlimited snorkelling at two sensational locations
Up to 5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Biologist presentation (combined with other passengers)
All snorkelling and diving equipment, including wet suits
Return inner-city bus transfers to the marina
All Government Reef Levies and Taxes
Reef Experience Top Deck Itinerary
07:30 – Board Reef Experience vessel at the Cairns Marlin Jetty
08:00 – Depart Marlin Jetty for the Outer Great Barrier Reef
08:30 – à la carte breakfast served on the way out to the Outer Reef
09:30 – Arrive at our first spectacular reef site,
12:30 – à la carte lunch
13:00 – Cruise to our second location
15:00 – Depart the Great Barrier Reef
15:30 – Glass of Australian sparkling wine, tropical fruits, cheese & biscuits
16:30 – Arrive back in Cairns
What to Bring
Towel
Swimming clothes
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Certification card if you are a certified diver
Cash or credit card for any extra purchases
Day 2 Your Luxury Daintree Experience ✨
Visit the oldest rainforest in the world, which offers an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna.
Daintree Experience Inclusions
Full Interpretation and commentary by naturalist guides.
Port Douglas. Flagstaff Hill lookout with views over 4 Mile Beach.
Mossman Gorge. Guided walk and swim in the cool waters of Mossman River.
Morning Tea & Lunch. Choice of meals at lunch.
Daintree River Cruise. 1-hour cruise.
Daintree River Cable Crossing. Both ways.
Alexandra Lookout. Amazing photo opportunity.
Daintree Rainforest. Oldest surviving tropical rainforest on earth.
Botanical Walk. Through the Daintree Rainforest.
Cape Tribulation Beach and Lookout. Where Reef meets the rainforest.
Attractions and all national park fees and permits as per itinerary.
Small Group Touring in comfortable, late model, air-conditioned vehicles.
Daintree Experience Itinerary
Scenic drive along one of the nicest coastal drives in Australia
Rex Lookout- Stunning Mountains and Ocean Views
Morning tea at Spectacular Mossman Gorge
Port Douglas – Flag Staff Hill lookout and town tour
Delicious a la carte lunch
Daintree River Cruise spotting crocodiles and other wildlife on one of the most diverse river systems in the world
Alexandra Lookout – breathtaking views towards the Great Dividing Range, Daintree River mouth, Snapper Island & Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef
Cape Tribulation – Kulki Lookout and Cape Tribulation beach “where the rainforest meets the reef.”
Guided Rainforest walks discovering the complex functions of a tropical mangrove, shaded by its canopy of enormous fan palms.
Daintree Ice Cream Company – optional and popular local stop (Own Expense)
Cross the mighty Daintree River by cable ferry
What to Bring
Camera
Comfortable clothing and footwear
Water Bottle
Insect Repellent & Sunscreen
Swimmers
Towel
*Please note seasonal weather conditions and operational requirements may cause a variation in the tour itinerary.
*Children’s prices are for ages 4-11 years. Please note the Cape Tribulation tour is not suitable for children under four years
A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any date and/or name change will incur a $20 administration fee.
We are 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 our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to: [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 24 hours or more before departure
100% cancellation fee within 24 hours before departure and for "No Show"
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather, etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation, and medical cover.
In the unlikely event we are not able to operate a tour, due to weather conditions or unplanned operational events, an alternate travel date will be offered, or a full refund processed.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
Adults Fare: Passengers 15 years of age and older.
Child Fare: Passengers aged between 4-14 years (inclusive).
We are not liable for changes to tours, pricing or itineraries, all of which are subject to change without notice.
Neither this site nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, loss of personal belongings, property damage, delay or personal injury.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation, evacuation, and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical or other expenses are the financial responsibility of that passenger.
Please inform us of any special requirements prior to your date of travel; such as dietary requirements, allergies, mobility and disability issues. This can be done in the 'Booking Message' section of your online reservation or by contacting our friendly reservations team.
A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any changes to the booking (date, names, etc) incur a $20 administration fee.
We must notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to ensure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 24 hours or more prior to departure
100% cancellation fee within 24 hours prior to departure
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. No refund or compensation will be issued for unused equipment, prepaid/pre-booked courses and/or Scuba dives, or guides if you cannot complete the entire tour. Please see Scuba Diving – Important Information below.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
Check-in: If you are Making your own way (no return transfers booked), please check-in and board at 7.30 am. Reef Experience is located on A Finger, at Cairns Marlin Marina.
Terms and Conditions:
A minimum of 2 adults are required to book the Top Deck Club service, per booking.
Children’s prices are from 4 to 11 years of age. If booking as a certified diver, adult rates apply.
If you have used a credit card to purchase your ticket for either Reef Experience or Reef Encounter directly from our websites, email or phone, please have this card present along with a matching valid photo ID of the cardholder at check-in. Boarding will be denied without them, or you may be asked to pay again.
Open-Dated Ticket: In certain cases, Open-Dated tickets may be issued. These tickets are valid indefinitely but are non-refundable. Any fare increase must be paid at the time of rebooking. Once a customer accepts an Open-Dated ticket, the cancellation policy applicable to the original booking date will remain in effect.
Schedules, vessels, dive locations, and itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances, with full consideration for your safety and enjoyment. We reserve the right to adjust tours, schedules, prices, and itineraries at any time without notice. We are not liable for any changes, cancellations, or delays, and we accept no responsibility for any loss, additional expenses, or out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result, whether caused directly or indirectly.
Neither this site nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, any loss, any damage, delays, deaths or personal injury.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase Comprehensive Travel Insurance that covers personal injury and the events, including but not limited to your cancellation for any reason and the cancellation or alteration to the scheduled itinerary for reasons involving weather or passenger, crew or vessel safety. Please read your insurance policy's wording carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. Please be aware that all travel insurance companies do not cover scuba diving and other in-water activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical expenses, or other expenses are the passenger's financial responsibility.
The passenger acknowledges and consents to Reef Encounter taking photographs or video recordings during the course of this activity/tour. The passenger acknowledges and consents to Reef Encounter receiving and using images of the passenger from third parties and using these images for marketing and promoting its services.
Please inform us of any special requirements 48 hours before your travel date, such as dietary requirements, allergies, mobility and disability issues. This can be done in the ‘Booking Message’ section of your online reservation or by contacting our friendly reservations team.
Scuba Diving – Important Information:
All Certified Divers must present a valid Certification Card. Failure to present a Certification Card may result in the customer being unable to participate in scuba diving. They can enjoy snorkelling activities instead. No refunds would be offered.
The minimum age for Introductory Diving is 12 years old. The minimum age for certified diving and Open Water Courses is 10 years old. All junior divers must either be accompanied by a certified parent or guardian or must dive with a dive professional at an additional charge. If the diver is under the age of 18 years, parental or guardian consent is required for that diver to undertake a dive. The parent or guardian should sign the medical declaration as witness.
Upon arriving at our vessel and before commencing any dive activities, all passengers must complete our liability forms. All information provided must be strictly accurate. If during the tour, it becomes apparent that a form has been incorrectly completed, either by omission or false statement, we reserve the right to prevent any customer from undertaking any scuba diving or snorkelling activities while on board our vessel. Any decision made in this regard will be at the absolute discretion of the Dive Crew aboard the vessel.
The dangers and risks associated with scuba diving in an open ocean environment under variable conditions apply to our tours. We reserve the right to prevent any customer from participating in scuba diving if we determine that they are physically or medically unsuitable to do so or if it is in the best interests of our crew or other scuba divers. Our crew are trained professionals, and it is up to their sole discretion who they take diving and/or snorkelling. No refunds would apply.
Please remember you must allow 24 hours from your last dive before flying.
Medical Conditions & Medications:
Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world but also the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules, including medical, as is the law.
All passengers participating in any Scuba activities must complete a
Medical Questionnaire
. If you’ve answered yes to any questions or take any prescribed medication, you will need further medical clearance. This must be arranged prior to your day of departure.
Medication: DO NOT presume that by taking medication is controlling your medical conditions, and you should be fine to scuba dive, as it is the medication that can be the problem when scuba diving. Particularly prescribed medication may require a medical clearance.
The medical certification should be provided in English, preferably by a medical practitioner with experience in diving medicine, within 90 days prior to the scuba dive. The certificate must state that the person is medically fit to dive.
No refunds are given for uncompleted dives due to medical conditions and/or prescribed medications or changes of mind.
Peak Season Surcharge - To be paid onboard on the day of travel:
➢ A Surcharge of $100 per person applies to 25 December 2025 & 2026 – Christmas Day
➢ A Surcharge of $50 per person applies to the following days:
• 18, 19, 20 & 21 April 2025 – Easter weekend
• 26 December 2025 – Boxing Day
• 3, 4, 5 & 6 April 2026 – Easter Weekend
• 26 December 2026 – Boxing Day
Included
Daintree Rainforest Tour
Cairns, Beaches, Port Douglas
Experience World Heritage-listed location in style and comfort on this one day Daintree Rainforest package.
Departs
Reef Experience Top Deck Club ✨
VIP Reef Cruise
Looking for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with that “Celebrity Feel”? Then our Great Barrier Reef “Top Deck Club” VIP Day is just the thing for you.
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