Understand the different pricing options for visiting the Great Barrier Reef!
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most stunning sights on Earth. It is home to a wide range of impressive wildlife from sea turtles to colourful schools of fish. The reef stretches out across 344,400 square kilometres, with 3,000 individual reefs and 900 tropical islands in its clutches.
Due to its outstanding natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef is a popular destination for locals and travellers alike. In fact, the reef attracts thousands of visitors every year!
There are heaps of different tours available, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience on the reef. For this reason, the tours to the Great Barrier Reef can vary greatly in expense.
Regardless of which tour you choose, we can promise that you will have a fantastic experience!
Choosing the right Great Barrier Reef tour for you
- Choosing a Great Barrier Reef tour that matches your budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality. The cost of a tour fully depends on the activities you want to do and the number of days you want to spend on the reef.
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Great Barrier Reef tours on a budget
As we said before, budget doesn’t mean low-quality! In fact, it’s impossible to go wrong with any tour you choose.
Budget Great Barrier Reef tour prices typically range from the upper $100s to the lower $200s in cost. The tours include snorkelling equipment and some sort of beverage or snack. These tours are on the lower pricing end because they are not all-inclusive. This means that activities such as scuba diving cost extra as an upgrade.
With budget tours, you will have plenty of free time to snorkel and explore the Great Barrier Reef!
Our most affordable option is our small group reef experience. Another great budget option is our premium snorkelling tour. This tour is a little more expensive but includes a morning tea and afternoon lunch. The deluxe reef cruise is only slightly more expensive than the snorkelling tour and it includes breakfast, lunch, and one complimentary dive.
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Great Barrier Reef tours with a broader budget
Our more expensive reef tours range from the upper $200s for all-inclusive or the $700s for multiple days.
The Great Barrier Reef pontoon adventure is our most premium reef day trip. This tour costs more than the budget tours because of the activities offered. The boat itself is large with a waterslide and a fully-enclosed kid’s pool. You will also have lunch and plenty of time to snorkel.
This is a great tour for families because of the activities available besides snorkelling. There is also an underwater observatory, a fish-feeding presentation, and a glass bottom boat!
If you want to explore a little deeper, you can add an extra dive to the tour. -
Multi-day Great Barrier Reef tours
To truly immerse yourself in the underwater wonderland, a liveaboard tour is a must. This type of tour allows guests to not just trek out to the outer ocean but to sleep there too.
How many days you spend on the water is completely up to you. If you only have two days free, you can book a tour to spend two days on the reef. Alternatively, you can choose to spend three days on the reef for a little extra time exploring the underwater world.
The liveaboard tours are going to be the most expensive tours ranging from the $400 to $700 price mark. This cost includes accommodation, snorkelling equipment, and all meals. With the liveaboard tours, you will also have much more time to explore the reefs, visiting different reefs for different views.
Now that you have a better idea of the different tours and costs, it’s time to start planning your trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Take a look at the various tours and discover the best option that fits your needs!
Great Barrier Reef Tour Price Table
Related article: Which is the Best Great Barrier Reef Tour?
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.