20 of the Best Great Barrier Reef Tours for Families

A family day trip to the Great Barrier Reef is an unmissable bucket-list adventure. From toddlers to grandparents, all ages will love experiencing the vibrant marine life and stunning natural beauty of this iconic World Heritage Site.

With so many incredible tours available, it can be tough to decide which one is right for your family. Plus, not every tour caters to all ages, which is why we’ve done the legwork and handpicked the best ones accessible to families.

Whether you want to depart from northern access points like Cairns or Port Douglas, explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef from Bundaberg, or leave from somewhere in between, we’ve got you sorted! Read on to discover our top picks for Great Barrier Reef holidays for families and get ready for the experience of a lifetime!

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Tours from Cairns

Cairns has the biggest range of Great Barrier Reef tours for families. It’s also a fantastic option for those coming from abroad, since the city has an International airport.

Green Island and Fitzroy Island are two of the cheapest Great Barrier Reef tours available, and they’re accessible to all ages!

Great Adventures Green Island snorkelling or glass bottom boat trip

Marvel at marine life and coral reefs from a glass bottom boat or opt for snorkeling equipment to explore the underwater world on this Great Adventures all-ages trip to Green Island from Cairns.

During your day trip, you can explore the lush rainforest on a self-guided walk and enjoy the island’s day-use facilities, including the swimming pool and pool bar. Plus, food is available for purchase from the island restaurant and other food outlets.

Fitzroy Island

Visit Fitzroy Island from Cairns by booking return tickets on the 45-minute Fitzroy Flyer Ferry service. Opt for snorkelling equipment to explore the crystal-clear waters around the island, relax on gorgeous beaches, and enjoy hiking the rainforest trails.

The ferry departs Cairns at 8 am, and you get a full day to explore and relax before the ferry leaves Fitzroy Island at 5 pm. This trip is a fantastic option for all ages to discover the reef’s beauty.

Cairns and Fitzroy combined

Another option is to combine both of these stunning islands into one unforgettable day trip. Spend over six hours on the reef, split between the two islands, when you book this family-friendly 8-hour combination tour from Cairns.

From Cairns, travel by Catamaran to Fitzroy Island (45 minutes), where you’ll have 2.5 hours for sightseeing. Then travel by Catamaran to Green Island (30 minutes) for 3.5 hours of sightseeing time. Finally, head back to Cairns by Catamaran (75 minutes).

Options include snorkel gear for both islands and a glass bottom boat tour at Fitzroy. For an extra fee, you can add a boxed lunch at Fitzoy or a buffet lunch at Green Island.

Check the latest prices and book your combo trip to Green and Fitzroy Islands here.

Great Barrier Reef pontoon

Another exciting option for families is this 8-hour tour to a Great Barrier Reef pontoon, offering a wide range of activities from a reef activity platform. Travel by Catamaran from Cairns with Reef Magic Cruises. Enjoy the reef your way, with options for diving, snorkelling, or enjoying the underwater world from a glass boat.

You’ll also enjoy fish identification with a marine biologist and Indigenous Cultural Guide Presentations, making the tour both educational and fun. Even the youngest adventurers are catered to with an infant swimming enclosure.

Other family-friendly snorkelling tours from Cairns

If you’re short on time, this half-day snorkeling trip offers an excellent reef tour experience for families with kids aged six and older. Travel to the reef on a fast vessel before enjoying 1.5 hours of guided snorkelling. Snacks are provided, and drinks are available for purchase.

Or, discover the outer reef on this full-day all-ages tour including lunch, drinks, and snacks. You’ll visit two outer reef sites and enjoy five hours of snorkelling time. This trip also includes a scuba diving option. Whether you choose snorkeling or scuba diving, you’ll get all the equipment you need for a memorable day on the reef.

Flight options

Those who prefer an aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef will love this 40-minute all-ages flight. Fly over Green Island, Arlington Reef, Middle Cay, Oyster Reef, and more, enjoying spectacular outer edge reef views through a large window.

Alternatively, enjoy the best of both worlds with a combined Great Barrier Reef Cruise and scenic flight. You’ll get five hours on the outer reef at two incredible locations, plus a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight at the second reef. A BBQ lunch is provided, and a dive package option is available.

Tours from Port Douglas

For Port Douglas reef cruises, choose from two great options for families. All ages can join this 4-hour Low Isles Glass Bottom Boat and Snorkelling Tour with Calypso Snorkel & Dive. It includes round-trip transport by glass bottom boat, snorkelling equipment, tea, coffee, and snacks.

Those with kids aged six and older can visit the outer reef from Port Douglas on this full-day reef snorkelling cruise. It includes a reef presentation with a marine biologist, snorkel gear, lunch, snacks, and complimentary photos.

Tours from Mission Beach

From the charming small town of Mission Beach, discover the pristine waters of Beaver Reef. This 8-hour small-group tour from Mission Beach, with a maximum of 50 passengers, includes a presentation from a marine biologist en route to the reef. It’s suitable for all ages and includes morning tea, lunch, snorkeling gear, 3-4 hours at Beaver Reef, plus a 1-hour shore visit at Dunk Island.

Tours from Townsville

If you’re heading to Townsville and Magnetic Island, don’t miss this 10-hour MOUA & Reef Snorkeling Experience . Departing from either Townsville or Magnetic Island, get ready to spend a full day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

The tour is suitable for those aged six and older. First, you’ll visit the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) located offshore on the John Brewer Reef. At this fascinating underwater site, you’ll learn about reef conservation and indigenous culture. Choose from a snorkel or scuba diving option (for ages 12 and older), with all equipment, lunch, and snacks included.

Or, this 10-hour Reef Explorer Snorkel Trip (from Townsville or Magnetic Island) is an excellent alternative. It also features a diving option for ages 12 and older, and includes lunch, snacks, and equipment.

Tours from Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is an idyllic coastal town between Mackay and Townsville. It’s one of the best places to access the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands. If you close your eyes and think of the most quintessential tropical island you can imagine, the Whitsundays are probably it!

Choose from three amazing family-friendly tours from Airlie Beach. Firstly, this all-ages Whitehaven Beach day tour includes a speedboat to the Whitsunday Islands National Park for an hour of swimming and snorkeling. You’ll then travel onwards to Whitehaven beach for five hours of free time, including lunch. The day finishes with a 45-minute guided walk at South Whitehaven lookout before heading back to Airlie Beach.

If your kids are six or older, this outer Great Barrier Reef snorkeling day trip is a winner. Transport is via a fast, air-conditioned catamaran, and your booking includes lunch, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and suits.

Prefer an aerial view of the reef? Ages three and older will love this top-rated scenic flight departing from Airlie Beach.

Tours from Rosslyn (Yepoon)

Rosslyn is a small coastal town, about 9km south of Yepoon. It’s home ot the Keppel Bay Marina, the departing point for trips to the Great Keppel Islands, and a spectacular section of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Discover the turquoise waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef on this 6-hour all-ages snorkeling tour to Great Keppel Island. It includes snorkel gear, stand-up paddle boards, and an inflatable pontoon, perfect for relaxing above the reef. Enjoy relaxing on the beautiful white sands of a secluded beach and snorkeling in crystal clear waters teeming with tropical fish. The tour includes lunch and snorkeling gear.

Another great option is this 7-hour all-ages snorkeling tour to Great Keppel Island. It includes transport on a fast ferry (30-minute trip), a glass-bottom boat tour, BBQ lunch, tea, coffee, and snacks.

Tours from the Town of 1770

Seventeen Seventy, also called 1770 or the Town of 1770, is a small coastal town in the Gladstone region (between Rockhampton and Bundaberg). It’s an ideal launching point for visiting the pristine, remote Lady Musgrave Island.

This all-ages snorkelling tour includes transport to Lady Musgrave Island on a fast catamaran. The trip takes 90 minutes each way and includes a glass bottom boat tour, guided island walk, snorkel gear, lunch, drinks, and snacks.

Tours from Bundaberg

Bundaberg is your other departure option for visiting Lady Musgrave Island. This 10-hour all-ages tour includes a catamaran cruise, morning and afternoon tea, lunch, snorkel gear, a guided island walk, a glass-bottom boat tour, and access to warm showers.

After leaving Bundaberg Port Marina, you’ll travel by Catamaran to Lady Musgrave HQ, an eco-certified pontoon for diving and snorkelling. It features an underwater observatory, the perfect way for non-swimmers to observe marine life such as sea turtles and reef sharks, without getting wet. Those who wish to can swim or snorkel. Dive options are also available for purchase.

The Best Great Barrier Reef Tours for Families | In Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many family-friendly Great Barrier Reef discovery tours for all ages and interests, from thrilling snorkelling adventures to leisurely glass-bottom boat cruises. With a range of departure points, you’re spoilt for choice on how to explore this natural wonder. These well-structured tours ensure families can create unforgettable memories while connecting with the vibrant marine life of the reef. We hope you enjoy a memorable trip ahead!

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