Should you take a pontoon tour on the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is perfect for family holidays as you can truly find an activity that each member of the family will enjoy.

The tours offered to take you out to the Great Barrier Reef are diverse. Most companies offer a few different options depending on how you want to spend your time on the reef. For those that are travelling with young children or non-swimmers, rest assured that you too can experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef with plenty of other activities.

What activities can you do onboard the pontoon in the Great Barrier Reef?

Our Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Adventure will begin on an air-conditioned catamaran which will transport you to the pontoon you’ll be spending the day at; Moore Reef. You’ve got a heap of activities to choose from when you arrive on the pontoon. The day is essentially yours to do with as you please. You may choose to enjoy the waterslides around the pontoon and swim in the cool sea. Or take a glass-bottom boat tour and see the beautiful fish that swim below with a marine biologist.

For those with an interest in the marine life why not visit the Underwater Observatory or even go one step further and take a semi-submersible tour. For the little ones, our tour even offers a guided fish feeding tour. Or they can stick to the pool that is separated from the ocean on the pontoon. If you’re wondering where to get lunch on this tour, the answer is on the pontoon of course! You’ll be treated to a delicious tropical buffet lunch that you’re sure to love after all the day’s activities.

What if I want to snorkel or dive? 

There are patrolled snorkelling areas for those who do want to hop in the water. Or if you’re after a more relaxing experience you can sunbake on one of the loungers on board the pontoon. You also have the option to upgrade to a diving package. We also offer a Seawalker helmet dive. This amazing experience allows you to keep your face and hair dry from the water. Think of it like being underwater astronauts! This is a perfect activity for those who don’t feel comfortable snorkelling or swimming as you’ll be walking along the shallow ocean floor instead.

Where is Moore Reef?

Moore Reef is a large reef system towards the south of Cairns. It’s a popular site for visitors to the reef because of it’s stunning views below, as well as the fact that it’s closer to Cairns than some of the other outer reef sites. Our Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Adventure tour includes the opportunity to take a wonderful snorkelling tour to explore the gorgeous coral that lives along the U-shaped reef, we recommend hiring an underwater camera to capture all the colourful coral you see below.

Related article: The Magical Underwater World of The Outer Reef

Cameron Ward

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.