Tours for cruise ship passengers
Cairns & Yorkeys Knob Ports
Cairns Cruise Ship shore excursions from Cairns and Yorkey’s Knob are designed especially for cruise ship passengers visiting our region. Choose your cruise ship from the below list for all tour options available for your Cruise ship.
As a locally owned and operated Cairns business, we’re based right here on the ground. We understand cruise arrival times, tender processes and local conditions, and we’re available if you need assistance before or during your visit.
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Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal – located in the heart of Cairns city, just a 7 minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal are easily accessible for Great Barrier Reef Tours, Kuranda & Skyrail Rainforest Tours, Green Island and Fitzroy Island tour departures.
- Yorkeys Knob – is a tender port 25 minutes north of Cairns, with shuttle transfers provided by the cruise ship to Cairns city for easy access to Great Barrier Reef and Island tours. Some tours will collect you from Yorkeys Knob
Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Adult $209 |Child 6-14yrs $159
Family 2A+2C $670
Depart Cairns Daily 12 noon – 5.00pm
Cairns newest & fastest purpose built vessel to the Outer Barrier Reef. Only 40 snorkelers per trip. Join our expert snorkel team, made up of Master Reef Guides and Marine naturalists, on a crowd-free adventure with over 2 hours of snorkelling time. Get ready to discover the Great Barrier Reef.
Adult $209.00 | Child 6-14yrs $159.00 | Family 2A+2C $670.00
Adult $195.00 Child 4-14yrs $165.00
Departs Cairns 7.40am – 2.00pm
Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun
Half-day Outer Reef Snorkel & Dive Tour allows you to visit the Outer Great Barrier Reef on a small-group snorkel and dive tour limited to 60 guests. Enjoy up to 2 hours in the water with expert marine guides. Option to try a Scuba Introductory Dive – all gear included.
Adult $195.00 | Child $165.00 4-14yts | Family 2A+2C $660.00 2A+2C | $10.00 Fuel levy payable on the day
This half-day tour offers the magic of the reef in a timeframe that works perfectly for cruise ship visitors with 3 departures from Cairns Marina daily at 8am, 10am or 1pm.
The tour takes place in open water, confident swimming is recommended to get the most enjoyment and comfort.
Tour runs for 4 hours duration with 1.5 hours of snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef
Adult $179.00 | 6-14yrs $119.00 | 2AD+2CH $535.00 | Prescription Masks $15.00
Adult $312.00 | Child $172 (4-14yrs)
Family 2A+2C $805
Fuel Levy payable direct on the day of travel $10 Adult $5 Child
Departs Cairns Daily 10.30am – 5.20pm
Discover the Great Barrier Reef and spend 3 unforgettable hours at the Outer Reef activity platform where both swimmers and non-swimmers can immerse in the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Explore a range of activities from snorkelling to underwater observatories to guided tours for a closer look. Relax as you enjoy the sundeck taking in the views of the reef with a delicious buffet lunch.
Adult $312.00 | Child $172.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $805.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child | Fuel levy payable on the day of travel
$630.00 per person 3yrs+ includes Fuel Levy
Departs daily 8am – 3.30pm
4.5 hours at the Great Barrier Reef
Experience great value on the Great Barrier Reef with two reef sites, snorkelling gear and a fresh BBQ lunch included. At Hastings Reef, step aboard a Nautilus Aviation helicopter for a stunning 25-minute scenic flight over vibrant coral and sand cays as you make your way back to Cairns.
$1189.00 per person
Departs Daily from Port Douglas
11.10am – 3.30pm
Short on time or want to experience the Great Barrier Reef on a return scenic flight. Takes in the highlights of the inner reef. There is simply no better way to appreciate the sheer size and scale of the Great Barrier Reef than from the air. Expect picture-postcard views of the reef and an abundance of wildlife – sharks, turtles, rays and even whales (July to Nov).
Spend 2 hours – 15 minutes at the Quicksilver pontoon to enjoy snorkelling, semi submersible coral viewing tour, underwater observatory and a delicious buffet lunch.
Departs Daily 10.30am – 5.45pm
Discover Kuranda with Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the rainforest in comfortable six-person gondolas and explore Kuranda in your own time. Enjoy the 1.5 hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic railroad that travels through the breathtaking World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.
Please read inclusions & itinerary for changes during Skyrail upgrade 20th July – 26 October 2026
Adult $210.00 | Child 4-14yrs $110.00 | Family 2A+2C $557.50 | Gold Class upgrade $67.00 per person
Discover the rainforest village of Kuranda with a one-way Skyrail cableway and return on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the World Heritage rainforest, enjoy free time in Kuranda, then relax on the heritage train journey back to Cairns. Timed to suit cruise ship schedules from Cairns.
Travel from 20th July to 25th October please read Skyrail modifications for inclusions
Adult $209.00 | 4-14yrs $110.00 | 2A+2C $566.00
Explore Kuranda rainforest-travel on the 11.00am Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda and return 2.00pm Kuranda Scenic Train. It’s a great option for those looking for a later start to their day. Spend 1.5 hours in Kuranda
Travel between 20th July and 25th October please read Skyrail modifications for inclusions
Adult $217.00 | 4-14yrs $115.00 | 2A+2C $588.00
Fitzroy Island Special
Adult $166+ $4 Fuel levy | Child $110 +2 Fuel Levy (4-15yrs)
Family 2A+2C $442 + $10.00 Fuel Levy
Includes Snorkel equipment + Glass bottom boat tour + Picnic lunch
Departs daily 10.15am – 4.30pm
Best value Fitzroy Island Day Tour
Discover Fitzroy Island’s natural beauty and vibrant marine life with our ‘best of the island’ tour. Perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike, this tour offers an unforgettable day on one of Cairns’ most picturesque islands.
Adult $170.00 | Child $112.00 (4-15yrs) | Family 2A+2C $452.00
From Adult $108| Child $62 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $278
Departs daily at 10.45am – Returns at 2.45pm
Escape to Fitzroy Island for a half day adventure. A quick 45-minute ferry to the beautiful coral Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Things to do on Fitzroy Island. You can hire snorkel equipment, glass-bottom boat tour, go swimming, stand-up paddle boards and sea kayaking. providing the perfect mix of natural beauty and marine experiences.
From Adult $108.00 | Child $62.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $278.00
Adult $107|Child $53.50
Family 2A+2C $267.50
Daily from Cairns & Palm Cove
8.30am to 2.30pm or
12.30pm to 5.30pm
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers a thrilling immersion into Australia’s iconic wildlife. Spanning over 10 hectares of natural habitat, the park is renowned for its focus on conservation and education. Visitors can embark on guided tours, encountering saltwater crocodiles, cassowaries, and an array of native species in their natural habitats. The park also features interactive experiences, including crocodile feeding shows and wildlife presentation.
Adult $110.00 | Child $55.00 | Family 2A+2C $275.00
Cruise ship shore excursion for Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Travel along the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive on board your luxury coach. Hear the fascinating stories of the region from an experienced local driver-guide. See massive Saltwater Crocodiles & meet native Aussie wildlife!
From Adult $108| Child $62 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $278
Departs daily – 8.30am or 10.45am
Return to Cairns- 4.45pm
Fitzroy Island Adventure is a quick 45-minute ferry to the beautiful coral Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Things to do on Fitzroy Island. You can hire snorkel equipment, glass-bottom boat tour, guided snorkel tours, go swimming, stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaking. Those more active can do the Lighthouse Trail, a steep climb with rewarding views.
From Adult $108.00 | Child $62.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $278.00
We’re passionate locals who know Cairns inside out, and we’re here to make your shore excursion stress-free and unforgettable. Whether you prefer a small-group tour or a private experience, we’ll help plan the perfect day to fit your cruise schedule.
The Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal is conveniently located in the heart of the city, just a 7–10 minute walk from the Cairns Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal, where most Great Barrier Reef and island tours depart. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops within easy reach.
If your ship anchors at Yorkeys Knob, tour options are more limited since many operators don’t collect from this location (about 25 minutes north of Cairns). However, we can arrange a Kuranda Tour on select dates, and most cruise lines provide shuttle transfers into Cairns to connect with reef and island tours.
Popular shore excursions include Great Barrier Reef cruises, scenic helicopter flights, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Paronella Park, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway with Skyrail.
For cruise-aligned tour times and personalised advice, our local team is ready to help.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our Cairns tours.
Here’s why thousands of customers loveCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Discovery Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. We make exploring Cairns stress-free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Secure your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option. Lock in your adventure today and pay in easy installments — perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 28 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Cairns with thousands of travellers, offering authentic, community-connected tour experiences.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
