Ocean Free - $135

The water at Pinnacle Reef is very shallow, so you can see everything clearly as soon as you jump into the water, with no deep sections to swim over and a very short swim to the nearest corals. The reef is very healthy and colourful here, with abundant marine-life – turtles, stingrays and small reef sharks are commonly seen here.

This company is an excellent choice for experienced or novice snorkellers alike, and is one of the best cruises to try your first ever scuba-dive. The crew is so personal, that they have become quite well known for taking non-swimmers, not just snorkelling, but actually scuba-diving!

If you are medically fit to do so, you really should try an introductory scuba dive! On arrival at the reef you are put into small introductory diver groups. The maximum group size on Ocean Free is 3 divers per instructor; 2 divers per instructor if you are a bit nervous and if you’re absolutely terrified they will even offer you 1:1 instruction!! Ocean Free is the only company to offer such small numbers as well as friendly personalised instruction.

If you choose to visit Green Island, $15 will gain you entry into a privately owned crocodile park called Marineland Melanesia located on the island, which is actually home to the largest crocodile in captivity in the entire world! Green Island is the only coral sand cay on the Great Barrier Reef that has a rainforest living on it! There are interpretive walks throughout the island, which can be completely walked around in only 35-40 minutes. There are also toilets, showers and changing rooms available for your use.

For your money, you get morning tea, a big buffet lunch and a fabulous afternoon tea consisting of cheese and tropical fruit platters, three or four different kinds of cake and a complementary glass of wine, snorkelling equipment hire, a guided snorkelling tour and transfers to/from Green Island – AND one of the best crews in Cairns! A pick-up service is available, but at an additional cost of $10 per person. However, we provide a free shuttle each morning to the marina. Reef tax included.