Explore: Great Barrier Reef Tour from Airlie Beach

Departure Times
Departure Point: Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach
Pricing Options
Discover a magnificent underwater world on this full day Outer Reef excursion to Bait Reef!
- Snorkel & dive the world renowned Great Barrier Reef
- 2 spectacular locations with an abundance of coral and marine life
- Spacious catamaran, offering a comfortable and stable ride
- Experienced certified divers are welcome
- Smaller groups to ensure a personalised and quality experience
Explore's Full Day to the Outer Reef offers a unique and incredible day cruising to Bait Reef, relishing in the beauty one of the world's most iconic natural wonders. Depart from Airlie Beach on a comfortable catamaran, and cruise past the Whitsundays with breathtaking views of the islands and your tropical surroundings. Arriving at the Outer Reef, this once-in-a-lifetime experience offers ample time to snorkel and scuba dive at 2 world class reef sites. Take your time exploring and swimming amongst marine landscapes, colourful corals and beautiful marine life. There's absolutely no better way to enjoy your day!
Features
- Visit unique dive sites including Stepping Stone, Paradise Lagoon and Mantaray drop-off
- Minimum of 3.5 hours spent on Outer Reef with 2 different reef sites
- Spacious and air-conditioned vessel
- Onboard showers
- Healthy buffet style lunch
- Morning and afternoon tea provided
- High-quality snorkelling and scuba diving gear provided including stinger suits
- 5-star PADI rating
- All divers are personally guided by our experienced divemasters or Instructors
- Brand new custom designed dive vessel
- Snorkelling instructions for the not too confident
- Top of the line equipment and vessel
- Professional team providing informative and knowledgeable commentary
- Smaller groups to ensure a more personalised and quality experience
Snorkelling
Your full day tour to the Outer Great Barrier Reef offers the perfect opportunity to snorkel on one of the most diverse reefs in the world! With plenty of time on the reef as well as two dive sites included, snorkellers will be able to get a real feel for the reef, exploring its untouched and stunningly wild outer reefs. The shallow corals and diverse marine life provide a kaleidoscope of colour that will leave you in awe and wonder!
Scuba diving
Scuba divers will get to participate in two dives during their day with Explore, making their way to two different dive sites! The diverse reefs provide the perfect place from which to explore all that the area has to offer as you are guided around by your divemaster or instructor. Divers will be immersed in the amazing underwater gardens of the Outer Great Barrier Reef, getting up close with all the marine life that lives there!
Please note that dives are only operated on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Certified diving:
- All certified divers must produce their certification card or log book at the time of booking
- Rates include all gear hire and two dives
- All divers are personally guided by our experienced Divemasters or Instructors
- Divers need to have dived within the last 12 months prior to this tour.
Important Information
- Dives are only operated on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Please note as this is a water orientated vessel, guests must be able to swim to enter the water.
- To ensure an enjoyable experience and maximum activity time on windy or inclement weather days, days, the operator may alter the Explore: Great Barrier Reef tour to the following: A full day cruise visiting up to three locations within the shelter of the Whitsunday Islands, which may include a stopover at Whitehaven Beach and up to two snorkel and dive locations situated in the northern section of the islands.
Sample Itinerary
Show Less
Bait Reef is the closest Outer Reef to the Whitsundays and provides amazing individual reefs for snorkelling, scuba diving and exploring. You will cruise out on a comfortable and purpose-built vessel, which has plenty of space for relaxing during the ride. It has two levels of air-conditioned luxury as well as shaded outdoor areas to ensure you get to enjoy maximum comfort during your journey! ...
Read More
Bait Reef is the closest Outer Reef to the Whitsundays and provides amazing individual reefs for snorkelling, scuba diving and exploring. You will cruise out on a comfortable and purpose-built vessel, which has plenty of space for relaxing during the ride. It has two levels of air-conditioned luxury as well as shaded outdoor areas to ensure you get to enjoy maximum comfort during your journey! It will have everything you need for your day on the reef, and is an ideal place from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and all its wonders. The back of the boat even has a full beam swim platform to make getting and out of the water easy and comfortable. You will be served a buffet lunch during your trip, as well as morning and afternoon tea to keep you energised and ready to go! Both snorkelers and scuba divers are welcome on board, where they will get to spend at least 3.5 hours on the reef, getting up close with the amazing marine life, coral gardens and colourful fish.
More Information
Show Less
What To Bring
Please take a small bag only with:
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Bathers
- Change of clothes
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Money for onboard purchases
What's Included
- Buffet lunch
- Morning and afternoon tea
- 2 dives for scuba divers
- On board toilets and showers
- Two site visits
- Quality snorkelling and scuba diving gear
- All divers are personally guided by our experienced divemasters or instructors
- Price per person includes GST and $6.50 Reef Levy.
W...
Read More
What To Bring
Please take a small bag only with:
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Bathers
- Change of clothes
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Money for onboard purchases
What's Included
- Buffet lunch
- Morning and afternoon tea
- 2 dives for scuba divers
- On board toilets and showers
- Two site visits
- Quality snorkelling and scuba diving gear
- All divers are personally guided by our experienced divemasters or instructors
- Price per person includes GST and $6.50 Reef Levy.
What's Extra
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks & snacks.
- PADI ReActivate Programme or refresher course (if required)
Dives are only operated on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
As some of our location at Bait Reef are advanced dives, if your last dive was more than 12 months prior (and depending total number of dives) we may require you to complete either a PADI ReActivate Programme or a refresher programme in the pool prior to diving.
Important Note: Those undertaking a refresher programme, or Introductory dive will need to complete a 1-hour pool session the day prior to departure. This session will be held at Hamilton Island, requiring you to catch 8:00am vessel to Hamilton Island. Once you have completed the pool session, you are free to explore Hamilton Island for the remainder of the day at your own leisure, before catching the 4:30pm vessel back to Airlie Beach.
Your safety in the water is our primary concern. To ensure your comfort and safety diver will require a Divers Medical Certificate for certain medical conditions or if over the age of 45 years.
Please read the following questions carefully:
- Do you currently have an ear infection?
- Do you have a history of ear disease, hearing loss or problems with balance?
- Do you have a history of ear or sinus surgery?
- Are you currently suffering from a cold, congestion, sinusitis or bronchitis?
- Do you have a history of respiratory problems, severe attack of hayfever or allergies, or lung disease?
- Have you had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or history of chest surgery?
- Do you have active asthma or history of asthma, emphysema or tuberculosis?
- Are you currently taking medication that carries a warning about any impairment of your physical or mental abilities?
- Do you have behavioural health problems or a nervous system disorder?
- Are you or could you be pregnant?
- Do you have a history of colostomy?
- Do you have a history of heart disease or heart attack, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?
- Do you have a history of high blood pressure, angina, or take medication to control blood pressure?
- Are you over 45 and do you have a family history of heart attack or stroke?
- Do you have a history of bleeding or other blood disorders?
- Do you have a history of diabetes?
- Do you have a history of seizures, blackouts or fainting, convulsions or epilepsy or take medications to prevent them?
- Do you have a history of back, arm or leg problems following an injury, fracture or surgery?
- Do you have a history of fear of closed or open spaces or panic attacks (claustrophobia or agoraphobia)
- Are you over 45?
If any of these conditions apply to you, you will require a Divers Medical Certificate before you can scuba dive.
Please click here for a list of doctors who can provide this service.
Terms and Conditions
Important Information:
All dietary requirements must be advised at least 72 hours prior to departure.
All certified divers must produce their certification card or log book at the time of booking.
To ensure an enjoyable experience and maximum activity time on windy or inclement weather days, days, the operator may alter the Explore: Great Barrier Reef tour to the following: A full day cruise visiting up to three locations within the shelter of the Whitsunday Islands, which may include a stopover at Whitehaven Beach and up to two snorkel and dive locations situated in the northern section of the islands.
If your last dive was more than 12 months prior (and depending on the total number of dives) the operator may require you to complete either a PADI ReActivate Programme or a refresher programme in the pool prior to diving.
Your Responsibilities:
Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip.
You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.
It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.
It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.
You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time.
Scuba Diving:
Please refer to the Explore Whitsundays for Diving Terms and Conditions - https://www.exploregroup.com.au/media/1412/dive-booking-termsplusconditions-online.pdf
Prices/Extra Costs:
All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply.
The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.
We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.
Travel Risk/Insurance:
It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances.
Transfers:
The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies.
Merchant Fees:
Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.
Other:
Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages.
All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.
Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:
Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value.
E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.
You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.
Cancellations
Client Cancellations:
All cancellations forfeit 25% of the recommended retail price (RRP) - not the discounted/sale price. No shows or client cancellations made within 72 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price.
Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee.
It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.
Supplier Cancellations:
The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.
All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.
In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Sailing Whitsundays retail outlet located Airlie Beach, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Mr Travel online department.
Refunds:
All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.
Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.
You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.
Accountability/Misconduct:
All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators.
Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.
Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.
Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel/Sailing Whitsundays. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.
Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0 / 5.0
Based on 25 reviews