Cairns, also known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Australia. If you are on holiday in Cairns and wondering what to do, you’ve got plenty of options. This laid-back city of Queensland is filled with various attractions for tourists. The beautiful parks, water sports parks, the rainforest, and rustic bars are here for you to explore and enjoy.

The main and the biggest tourist attraction of Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on earth. It is situated off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea. It’s a must-visit place for experiencing fascinating oceanic adventures.

The Great Barrier Reef in the Coral sea is composed of 2900 individual islands, stretching over 2300 kilometers. It is home to approximately 80 species of whales and dolphins and more than 155 species of fish. The Great Barrier Reef was declared World Heritage Site in the year 1981.

Snorkeling and scuba diving at the great barrier reef with cairns to airport shuttle transfers and pickup
Butterfly Fish Species at the great barrier reef with cairns to airport shuttle transfers and pickup tours and trips

Cairns is the city where the rainforest meets the sea. There is so much to do for water enthusiasts in this fascinating place.

If you are visiting from any part of the world, here’s how to get to the Great Barrier Reef. After arriving in Cairns, you need to take Cairns Airport Shuttle to Port Douglas. You can go to the reef directly from Cairns as well but by Port Douglas, the travel will be short and much cheaper as it is closer to the reefs than Cairns. The distance between Cairns and Port Douglas is approximately 66 kilometers and it will take up to 1 hour to get there.

Port Douglas offers plenty of activities to visitors. You can visit the restaurants, bars, and golf courses along the way, and you can also visit the famous Daintree Rainforest. The distance from Port Douglas to The Great Barrier Reef is approximately 62 kilometers. There are many boat trips available that can take you to The Great Barrier reef. The average trip prices can be up to $200 for adults and $120 for children. Usually, the trips offer full-day snorkeling on the reef and scuba-diving. Some trips offer helicopter rides over the Great Barrier Reef, but it can cost a little more. The required equipment for snorkeling and diving is included in the trip, so you don’t have to bring each necessary item with you to the tour. However, you should pack basic items that you normally take when you are going on a trip.

You can pack a towel, sunscreen, hat, sandals, cash, refillable water bottles, a waterproof camera, extra clothes, sandals, and sea-sickness tablets. If you are aiming for an overnight stay at the reefs, you may need to bring warmer clothes as it gets cooler there at night.

Apart from snorkeling and scuba-diving, you can also visit Green Island. It is one of the hundreds of islands scattered along the reef. It is 50 minutes away from the coast of Cairns. This is the only island that has a rainforest and that’s what makes it unique. If you want to surround yourself with peace and calm, you must visit Whitehaven beach.