Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours

Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom run day trips from Cairns Marina to the Great Barrier Reef, with options for sailing or a motor cruise. You can snorkel, scuba dive or view the reef from a glass-bottom boat, with crew guidance for different comfort levels in the water. Ocean Freedom’s trip includes up to six hours at two reef sites, including Upolu Cay, while Ocean Free is a smaller sailing option. Expect marine life such as turtles, giant clams and colourful fish, plus meals and snacks onboard.

Choose a sailing trip or motor cruise

Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom depart from Cairns for day trips to the Great Barrier Reef. The two names give you different ways to reach the reef: Ocean Free is the smaller sailing option, while Ocean Freedom is a motor cruise. Both trips give you opportunities to snorkel or dive, and crew members guide groups in the water.

Ocean Freedom’s itinerary includes two reef sites, one of them Upolu Cay, and six hours on the reef. Its schedule starts at 7:30am at the Reef Fleet Terminal and returns at about 4:30pm. The boat carries no more than 75 passengers. That’s a useful distinction if you’re comparing a reef day trip with less time at the sites or a larger group.

Ways to see the reef

Snorkeling and scuba diving are options, with guidance for people who are new to the activities as well as certified divers. If you’d rather stay out of the water, a glass-bottom boat provides another way to look at the reef. Marine life reported on these trips includes sea turtles, reef sharks, giant clams and colourful fish.

Meals are served onboard, with breakfast, lunch and snacks mentioned as part of the day. The lunch spread has included shrimp, smoked salmon, chicken and sides, followed by fruit and cookies on the return journey. Food details may differ between trips, so check what is included when booking.