Pontoons in Cairns - What are the main differences between them?

Cairns visitors can get very confused when deciding what reef tour to do. There are so many different options. Many people know that they want to travel to a pontoon and spend the day on a floating platform which is really comfortable. But there are 3 reef pontoons in Cairns. Which one to choose from? Which one is the best?

Tourism Cairns will make it easier for you and explain in an easy way the difference between the 3 platforms (pontoons) in Cairns. Please see the details below.

Reef Magic or Marine World:

• Departure and return time - 9:00 - 17:00
• Travel time from Cairns to the pontoon - 1h 30 mins
• Time exploring the reef - 5 hours
• Reef location: Moore Reef
• Boat Capacity - 250 people
• Pontoon Capacity - 450 guests but kept at maximum 250
• Travel time from Cairns to the pontoon - 1h 30 minutes
• Activities included on the price - All snorkelling equipment, on board marine biologist informative commentary, underwater observatory, glass bottomed boat, semi-submersible.
• Extra activities - Introductory diving, certified diving, helmet diving, guided snorkel safari. helicopter flight.
• Pontoon features - Sundeck, freshwater shower, changing rooms, lockers, marine biologist laboratory and media room.
• Food - hot/cold buffet lunch, morning & afternoon tea and also tea, coffee & water available all day.

Please click on the link below for more information.

Marine World Reef Tour

Notes from Tourism Cairns:

Marine World is a new pontoon launched in 2022. The pontoon has 18 solar panels and 3 wind turbines so this way is powered by sustainable energy. Marine World provides guests with 5 hours exploring the reef. This is the longest from all reef pontoons in Cairns.

Sunlover Cruises

• Departure and return time - 10:00 - 17:30
• Travel time from Cairns to the pontoon - 1 hour 45 mins
• Time exploring the reef - 4 hours
• Reef location: Moore Reef
• Boat Capacity - 300 people
• Pontoon Capacity - 400 guests but kept at 300 people
• Travel time from Cairns to the pontoon - 1h 30 minutes
• Activities included on the price - All snorkelling equipment, underwater observatory, glass bottomed boat, semi-submersible, fish feeding presentations, 30-metre spiral waterslide, enclosed ocean pool, marine life touch tank.
• Extra activities - Introductory diving, certified diving, helmet diving, guided snorkel safari. helicopter flight, professional photos from onboard photographer.
• Pontoon features - Sundeck, freshwater shower, changing rooms, 30-metre spiral waterslide, enclosed ocean pool, marine life touch tank.
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• Food - Gourmet tropical inspired lunch.

Please click on the link below for more information.

Sunlover Cruises Reef Tour

Notes from Tourism Cairns:

Sunlover Cruises has a 30-metre spiral waterslide, the only waterslide located in the Great Barrier Reef. They also have an enclosed ocean pool and marine life touch tank which are great for small children.

Great Adventures

• Departure and return time - 10:30 - 17:30
* Optional to add Green Island to the itinerary and depart Cairns at 8:30am for 2 hours on the island
• Travel time from Cairns to the pontoon - 2 hours (via Green Island)
• Time exploring the reef - 3 hours
• Reef location - Moore Reef
• Boat Capacity - 300 people
• Pontoon Capacity - 400 guests but kept at 300 people .
• Activities included on the price - All snorkelling equipment, underwater observatory, glass bottomed boat, semi-submersible, reef education presentation.
• Extra activities - Introductory diving, certified diving, helmet diving, scuba doo , guided snorkel safari. helicopter flight. .
• Pontoon features - Sundeck, freshwater shower, changing rooms, lockers.
• Food - hot/cold buffet lunch, morning & afternoon tea and also tea, coffee at the platform..

Please click on the link below for more information.

Great Adventures Reef Tour

Notes from Tourism Cairns:

Great Adventures offers an interesting package where guests visit Green Island in the morning for 2 hours and travel to the outer reef pontoon in the afternoon. It is the only reef tour that offers the scuba doo, an underwater scooter.

I hope you liked the above explanation. The 3 platforms are excellent and each one of them has something in particular to offer.

For more information about reef tours or any tour in Cairns, please visit our website on Tourism Cairns or email us on info@tourismcairns.com