Great Barrier Reef - Cruises & Flights

The reef itself is about 70 km from the mainland and about 55 km from the outer islands.

The Great Barrier Reef is so unique, over 2000km long, running along our coast.

We daily have two cruise companies visiting the Barrier Reef, being Fantasea (operating 17+ years) and Cruise Whitsundays (operating 7+ years). These boats go through the Whitsunday Islands but may only stop to pick up more guests at some resorts along the way – you can not get off. You will not see Whitehaven Beach.

Both cruise in large catamaran vessels and offer sophisticated floating pontoons upon arrival with underwater viewing chambers, snorkelling, submarines and more. Both include bus pick-ups, lunch, morning and afternoon teas.

Cruises vary from 1 ½ to 2 ¾ hours to get to the reef and spend about 3 ¾ to over 4 hours out there.

Seaplane and helicopter flights take about 30 minutes to get to the reef with the bonus of panoramic views over the Whitsundays, the added benefit of small groups of people and an all round shorter time frame – usually from a minimum 1 hour scenic or 3 hours if stopping on the reef.

As an alternative to the Great Barrier Reef the enriched Whitsunday Islands offer “fringing island reefs” that in areas around Hook and Hayman Islands are quite popular – however it must be said there is nothing quite like a day to the extraordinary World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef.