Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 1,069 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour worth booking?
Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour is a 7.5-hour experience in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia, from $180 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,069 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (1,069)
- Duration
- 7.5 hours
- From
- $180 per person
A maximum of 36 people. Guided Snorkel Tours. Glass Bottom Boat. Optical Masks Included. Free Facebook Photos (Posted daily).
What you get
About this experience
A maximum of 36 people. Guided Snorkel Tours. Glass Bottom Boat. Optical Masks Included. Free Facebook Photos (Posted daily).
What's included
Included
- Buoyancy vest and noodle
- Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise
- Lunch
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour at Michaelmas Cay
- Island access to world famous Michaelmas Cay
- Morning & afternoon tea
- Wet-suit or stinger-suit (seasonal)
- Guided snorkel Tour at Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef
- Mask, Snorkel and Fins
Not included
- Return Bus transfer - Cairns City Area or Northern Beaches and Outer Cairns City Area
- Cold drinks and snacks
- Introductory Diving and Certified Diving available as optional Extra
What you'll see and do
Seastar Cruises Reef Day Trips
Check in at 7.30 am at Cairns Marlin Marina, E finger directly on board Seastar.
30 minutes here
Michaelmas Cay
Located 22 nautical miles (40 km) from Cairns, the same as the distance across the English Channel, and close to the outer reef systems, Michaelmas Cay is the largest of the uninhabited coral cays in the Cairns region; in fact it is huge in comparison. Seastar is the first vessel to arrive at Michaelmas Cay. Very few tour vessels are now permitted access to this sensitive island and now there are only two which travel daily that are permitted the right to use and access the Cay.
120 minutes here
Great Barrier Reef
Our second location where we stop is Hastings reef, part of the outer Great Barrier Reef. Hastings Reef is located 30 nautical miles out from Cairns and is a typical outer reef, on most days a line of breakers marks where the deep ocean swells break onto the reef wall. The reef itself is shallow on top, with steep sides reminiscent of cliffs falling away into the surrounding water.
120 minutes here
After visiting Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef and enjoying the food provided on board our air conditioned vessel, we will drop you back off at the Esplanade, hoping you had a fantastic experience with us!
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cairns & the Tropical North
Departure Point: Check in 7.30 am E Finger Cairns Marlin Marina on board Seastar Return at approx 4 pm
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Departure Point: Check in 7.30 am E Finger Cairns Marlin Marina on board Seastar Return at approx 4 pm
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- zh-TW, en, zh-CN
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Seastar Cruises
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Introductory Divers note, Some medical conditions, medications and recent operations can and may prevent you from Scuba Diving. You may require a Dive Medical to Australian Medical Standard AS4005-1.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,069 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
1,069 verified traveler reviews for Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour Operator | Much better than Passions of Paradise
I absolutely loved the Seastar tour. I went on another Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour with a different operator, Passions of Paradise, later on in my trips to Cairns, and they were no where near as good as Seastar. The Seastar crew were all lovely to be with, they were immensely nice and gave good vibes all around. This tour is incredibly personal compared to the other snorkel tour operators from Cairns. Other tours have +100 people on their boat, Seastar seemed to be in the 40 - 20s so you are getting a much better experience. The reef around Michaelmas Cay was much better than the other tour I went on. It helps that only 2 groups including Seastar go to Michaelmas, so you are getting more of an untouched reef. The snorkel experience was amazing. In total, we had 3hrs of snorkeling on our tour which is more than enough for anyone. We also got a real guided snorkel tour where our guide asked us what we were interested in and specifically pointed out where we could find these things. I was particularly interested in soft corals and Nemo fish. I have been on MANY snorkel tours and never had a truly guided experience like this. For those less confident swimmers, they also offered a short glass bottom boat tour so everyone could experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, strong swimmer or not. This seemed rather unique to me and I appreciate it even though I did not take it. They also post free photos of their tour each day on their Facebook for you to download. Granted, these photos aren't the best quality and remind me of the mid 2000s, but hey, they are free so you can't complain. This is in contrast to the other tour I went on with Passions of Paradise, where the only photo options available were paid, boooo. If anyone were to ask me for recommendations, I would highly suggest Seastar. Thanks to Tim, Chris, Minnie, the girl from Canberra whose name I forget, and the rest of the crew. You all truly made my trip to Cairns an experience I will never forget.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to write your detailed review, it is very much appreciated. We're very happy to hear you enjoyed your day at the Great Barrier Reef at Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef with Seastar we cater for a small group of 36 passengers. We hope to have you back on board sometime in the future
via Tripadvisor
Disappointing
Disappointing, long queues at desk to get ticket, nearly missed the boat. The trip on the glass bottomed boat was only 30 minutes which consisted of the guide spending 10 minutes talking about sickness and not identifying all the fish. Was also given the wrong meeting place by one of the guides on the ship. The island itself was over run with people and over commercialised, with rip off prices for food. Only able to see small part of island due to restricted access.
via Tripadvisor
Great Barrier Reef, Even Better Crew
Great Barrier Reef, even better crew! The staff were friendly, fun, and incredibly helpful from start to finish. The small group size made the whole day feel relaxed and personal, and the reef itself was unforgettable. We would absolutely do this trip again.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to write your review, it is very much appreciated. We're very happy to hear you enjoyed your day at the Great Barrier Reef at Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef with Seastar we cater for a small group of 36 passengers. We hope to have you back on board sometime in the future
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
Amazing experience. Windy day but the crew handled it like professionals. Lunch was very tasty. Highly recommend this tour
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to write your review, it is very much appreciated. We're very happy to hear you enjoyed your day at the Great Barrier Reef at Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef with Seastar we cater for a small group of 36 passengers. We hope to have you back on board sometime in the future
via Viator
Amazing snorkeling experience!
This was our favorite tour out of cairns. It didn’t hurt that we had the most amazing conditions, but it was such a treat to get out on the reef in two spots! The crew was great with everyone on the boat (even some folks who were a bit stressed snorkeling for the first time) and we couldn’t have had a better day
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to write your detailed review, it is very much appreciated. We're very happy to hear you enjoyed your day at the Great Barrier Reef at Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef with Seastar we cater for a small group of 36 passengers. We hope to have you back on board sometime in the future
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $180 to $280
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 374
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairns & the Tropical North.
How much does Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour cost?
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Prices start at $180 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairns & the Tropical North usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour take?
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Plan for about 7.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cairns & the Tropical North is not rushed.
Is Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,069 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Cairns & the Tropical North, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour?
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Around 374 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cairns & the Tropical North can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cairns & the Tropical North and add a light layer if any part of the 7.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cairns & the Tropical North within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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On Outty we rank every Cairns & the Tropical North experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran, Ocean Freedom: Great Barrier Reef Stylish Snorkel, Dive Reef Tour, Tully River Full-Day Rafting: Cairns, Mission Beach or Self-Drive. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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