Moore Reef
One of the outer reefs Cairns visitors head to most, where you can snorkel from a pontoon, take a semi-submarine ride, visit an underwater observation room and try a dive, all in one stop.
Moore Reef is an outer reef about 50 km east of Cairns. Fast catamarans leave from the reef fleet terminal in the city centre and take about 1.5 hours. Several operators run large pontoons here, offering snorkelling, glass-bottom boats, semi-submarines, underwater observation rooms, helmet diving and try-dives (at an extra cost). You will often see green sea turtles, giant Maori wrasse (Napoleon fish) and schools of tropical fish. Non-swimmers can snorkel while wearing life jackets. Day trips usually include lunch and an environmental management fee, departing around 8 am and returning around 5:30 pm. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication in advance.
Opening hours
Day tours approx. 08:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Fitzroy Island
- Green Island
- Michaelmas Cay
- Frankland Islands
- Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
- Cairns Night Markets
- Rusty's Markets
- Cairns Aquarium