Nothing prepares you for the reef’s scale until you see it from the air, which is exactly what every flight on this list is for. Most loop over Green Island, Arlington Reef and a sand cay or two in 30 to 60 minutes. Morning flights tend to get glassier water and truer colour.
Experience stunning aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef on a 40-minute scenic flight from Cairns, with expert commentary and potential whale sightings.
Most Popular★ 4.9“It was amazing experience! Everyone was very friendly and helpful.”
★★★★★★★★★★
2,912 reviews40 minFrom $169by Air Tours Australia
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Experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef like never before with a thrilling cruise and scenic helicopter flight in Cairns. Don't miss out, click now!
★ 4.7“We really enjoyed this boat tour. Even though it was a little bit rocky at the beginning to get there, but the staff was caring and very helpful! We were given masks as well as fins and a suit for the protection.. Lunch was good…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,003 reviews8.5 hoursFrom $279by Down Under Cruise and Dive
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Experience the ultimate adventure in 2023 with a full-day cruise, scuba diving, and helicopter ride to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore Cairns & the Tropical North like never before!
★ 4.5“A lot of people but the staff were very nice and friendly. The helicopter was the best of this experience!! I recommend”
★★★★★★★★★★
340 reviewsFrom $283.31by Down Under Cruise and Dive
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from above. Join us on a 40-minute scenic flight and see this natural wonder like never before.
★ 4.5“Ethan is an excellent pilot. Great overview of the reef and cairns area. Would highly recommend Wonderful”
★★★★★★★★★★
207 reviewsFrom $185.77by GSL Aviation
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from above with our Outer Reef Odyssey scenic flight. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
★ 5.0“The 40 minute reef Odyssey tour is in a small helicopter, perfect for a couple because it's a private experience with no others in the helicopter with you. The views are excellent and the staff on the ground and the pilot were excellent. Easy to…”
★★★★★★★★★★
73 reviewsFrom $376.55by Zoom Helicopters
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of Port Douglas from above with our scenic flights. Discover stunning views and create memories that will last a lifetime. Book now!
★ 5.0“It was a must see on our bucket list whilst visiting Australia and the Great Barrier reef. The staff are super friendly and accommodating . We took the 30 minute ride and we saw the reef with sharks and turtles. Great experience !”
★★★★★★★★★★
63 reviewsFrom $326.35by Nautilus Aviation
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest from a whole new perspective. Join our 45-minute helicopter tour today and soar above paradise!
★ 5.0“From the get-go my wife Kim and I were made to feel like part of the family. The tour company is a very Professional team of people with state of the art, up to date aircraft. Component management and skilled pilots make this company a…”
★★★★★★★★★★
59 reviewsFrom $451.29by Nautilus Aviation
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Barrier Reef from a whole new perspective. Join us for an unforgettable private helicopter flight over Cairns & the Tropical North.
★ 5.0“Absolutely amazing experience, jacques and the rest of the team were very professional and accommodating, would definitely recommend👍🏻”
★★★★★★★★★★
52 reviewsFrom $297.66by Zoom Helicopters
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from above with our 30-minute scenic helicopter tour. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
★ 4.5“Équipe d'accueil dĂ©diĂ©e, timing de vol respectĂ©, un pilote très pro fournissant pleins d'informations pendant le vol. Paysage survolĂ© Ă voir d'en haut c'est sĂ»r. A ne pas manquer.”
★★★★★★★★★★
36 reviewsFrom $328.54by Nautilus Aviation
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Experience the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns with a scenic helicopter flight, snorkeling, semi-submarine tour, and a buffet lunch—all in one unforgettable day.
★ 4.6“All crew members were very nice and polite. For the time you will spend on platform is enough of activities to enjoy your day. Flight is definitely one of the best parts (if not the best). On the boat they have tablets for motion sickness.”
★★★★★★★★★★
25 reviews7 hoursFrom $332by Great Adventures Reef & Island Cruises
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Experience the ultimate luxury with a private helicopter tour, snorkel in stunning Reef Island waters, and indulge in a gourmet picnic lunch. Unforgettable adventure awaits!
★ 4.5“Amazing!! We ended up on Turtle beach, had our breakfast there and went snorkeling a bit. It was super nice and relaxing. The pilot was great and amazing she took us for a tour around the reef, just beautiful.”
★★★★★★★★★★
22 reviewsFrom $833.98by Nautilus Aviation
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Experience Cairns' highlights from above with a 45-minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest, offering unforgettable views.
★ 4.8“The tour was amazing, the views were incredible and the driver was very good at telling us history and what places were! However I would’ve expected the flight to be less crowded for what we paid. Just think it’s pretty expensive and we were jammed…”
★★★★★★★★★★
22 reviews45 minFrom $442by Nautilus Aviation Pty Ltd
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Experience the Great Barrier Reef with a full-day cruise on a stylish catamaran, snorkel, and enjoy a scenic 10-minute helicopter flight—perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
★ 4.7“We didn’t see anything particularly different while snorkelling but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We thought it was very well organised and put together. Lunch was poor.”
★★★★★★★★★★
18 reviews7 hoursFrom $348by Quicksilver Cruises
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Discover the Great Barrier Reef with a full-day Cairns tour featuring a helicopter flight, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat, and Fitzroy Island’s beaches and trails.
★ 4.5“Lots of inclusions. Plenty of snorkel/swim time. Lunch was good. Very informative and helpful crew. it was an amazing day.”
★★★★★★★★★★
14 reviews8.5 hoursFrom $336by Sunlover Reef Cruises
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Lift off on a thrilling aerial escapade over Cairns, revealing unseen treasures in just 10 minutes - what secrets lie beyond the horizon?
“I bought the zoom 10min flight due to affordability....my son rode shot gun with the pilot.it was amazing having this opportunity.the pilot was very smooth flying.extemely enjoyed.......thankyou.xxxxxx”
★★★★★★★★★★
13 reviewsFrom $125.52by Zoom Helicopters
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