Escape into a world of surprises to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. From the comfort of the stable reef activity platform, this is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and dive, visit the underwater observatory and cruise in a semi-sub, or just relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch.
| Vessel | Activities available on this boat | Ports | Choose from these sailing dates: | ||||||||||||
| Reef King 2 | Snorkelling Swimming Sunning Exploring Sightseeing | Departs: Cairns Returns: Cairns Click on locations for more info |
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Whether you choose to get wet and meet “Wally” our resident Maori Wrasse, or stay dry and explore from the comfort of the semi-submersible, you can experience the reef in so many ways and at your own pace.
Get wet and meet the locals…
Snorkelling
Snorkel directly from the semi-submerged snorkel platforms into beautiful coral gardens. It’s easy, fun and one of the best ways to experience the amazing underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Be sure to watch the snorkelling demonstration or just ask one of our friendly crew for some tips to get the most out of your experience. Snorkel in confidence as the lifeguard safety officers are on hand to supervise. Your snorkelling equipment – mask, snorkel, fins and buoyancy vests are all available on the platform. If you would like to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef, you can join a guided snorkel tour as an optional activity.
Or stay dry and discover…
Semi-submersible coral viewing tour
Explore the vibrant reef from the comfort of the air-conditioned semi-submersible coral viewing tour with informative commentary. Our friendly crew are ready to share their knowledge and passion for the Great Barrier Reef with you. As the semi-sub meanders slowly through beautiful coral gardens, you’ll experience the remarkable life below the surface. The semi-sub tour takes approximately 25 minutes and departs every 30 minutes, or as announced, from the rear of the platform.
Underwater Observatory
From the underwater observatory you will be able to view corals, giant clams and be mesmerised by a myriad of colorful fish and marine life before your eyes. Here you can explore at your own pace or join the Eco Reef talk with the Marine Naturalist. Be sure to check out the extensive interpretive posters in the underwater observatory too. You’ll be identifying Nemos and parrotfish in no time! From the viewing area, you can also watch divers as they descend into the water for an underwater adventure from the specially designed dive platform.
Includes:
- Return air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
- Morning tea and coffee served until departure from Cairns
- Morning tea cake selection
- Three (3) hours at Outer Reef Activity Platform
- Snorkelling equipment
- Use of buoyancy vests
- Reef education presentation
- Hot and cold buffet lunch
- Semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour
- Underwater Observatory
- Guided Eco Reef Talk in the underwater observatory
- Afternoon tea and coffee available whilst at the platform, cheese and biscuits on return journey.
From 9.30am
- Check-in at Great Adventures Reservations Counter inside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to obtain your boarding pass.
10:10am
- Vessel boarding.
- Complimentary morning tea/coffee served on boarding.
- For your safety hot drinks are not served once the vessel is underway.
10:30am
- Depart Reef Fleet Terminal for the Outer Great Barrier Reef platform via Green Island.
11:20am
- Cake selection served on forward journey.
- During your journey to the reef, a Reef Presentation is shown on the vessel’s monitors.
- Snorkelling demonstration by crew.
12:30pm
- Arrive at the Outer Great Barrier Reef platform
- Reef activities commence…
- Semi-submersible coral viewing tour with informative commentary departs every 30 minutes or as advised.
- Snorkel directly from the platform. Collect your snorkel gear and buoyancy vests once on the platform.
- Underwater observatory is open throughout the day for coral and fish viewing.
- Pre-booked optional activities including introductory diving, Scuba-Doo and scenic helicopter flights commence as advised.
1.00-2.30pm
- Hot and cold buffet lunch is served.
- Time for more reef activities or just relax on the sundeck and take in the views!
- Tea and coffee is available whilst at the platform
3:30pm
- A blast on the ship's horn will signal the time when all passengers should return to the vessel ready for departure.
3:40pm
- A passenger count is conducted before leaving the Reef. Crew will announce when this commences and we ask all passengers to co-operate during this very important procedure by not moving about the vessel.
3:45pm
- Departure to Cairns via Green Island.
- Complimentary cheese and biscuits served on homeward journey.
5:30pm
- Arrive Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.
With the widest range of Great Barrier Reef experiences, The Operator offers a choice of award-winning day trips to the magnificent Outer Barrier Reef and the idyllic Low Isles.
The Operator was founded in 1979 with one vessel, a catamaran, which took guests to the Low Isles. This was the first ever commercial trip to these idyllic coral cays, and visitors coming to the small fishing village of Port Douglas, just north of nearby Cairns, were quick to embrace the concept. Just a few years later in 1983, The Operator pioneered Australia’s first true Outer Barrier Reef cruise, travelling right to the ribbon reefs at the outer edge of the Continental Shelf - one of the very best locations to experience the full majesty and elemental force of this unique natural wonder.
Today, The Operator has become a highly sophisticated company with a fleet of the most advanced Australian made cruising vessels. The Operator hasbeen honoured many times with awards and voted Australia’s best tour operator, but The Operator can only take half the credit. Nature provides the reef and we're proud to take you to where the very best of nature's work is found.
The Operator is committed to sustainable environmental practices and ongoing conservation for future generations to enjoy. Our Reef Biosearch environmental division is led by the largest team of marine biologists outside of a government agency! In fact, Reef Biosearch has the longest logbook database of marine observations on the Great Barrier Reef, ongoing for over two decades. All of our tours are accredited with Advanced Ecotourism Certification and each day, our team of marine biologists are also on hand to ensure our guests gain an appreciation of our World Heritage environment.
It is sure you will enjoy your day with The Operator, experiencing nature's finest with Australia's best.
Snorkelling
Swimming
Sunning
Exploring
Sightseeing
Important information about your voyage
Payment Policy
A deposit is payable upon confirmation.
The balance of payment is required in full upon arrival for your departure.
Cancellation Policy
The initial deposit paid is non-refundable. In addition to forfeiting your deposit, the following charges also apply:
Cancellations received within 3 days prior to travel will be subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
Definitions
The following definitions apply for the Terms and Conditions for this vessel.
- The Supplier or Operator means the operator who supplies this vessel to you on arrival.
- The Client is also referred to as the renter (s) or hirer (s)
General Conditions
- All schedules, activities and prices may be varied without notice.
- Listed fares in Australian dollars include Goods and Services Tax.
- Prices valid to 31 March 2010.
- Children: 4 -14 years. 3 years and under free of charge.
- Cancellations: The initial deposit paid is non-refundable.
- Govt Environmental Management Charge of $5pp is levied for all adults and children 4 years and over entering the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area. This charge is payable direct on day of travel.
- With fluctuations in world oil prices, it may be necessary to apply a fuel surcharge to the ticket price. In such cases, any charge will be payable direct on the day of travel.
- The operator does not accept any liability in contract or tort for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which are beyond control, or which are not reasonably preventable by reasonable diligence on the part including but not limited to war, civil disturbance, fire, flood, severe weather conditions, acts of God, acts of government or of any authorities, accidents to or failure to machinery or equipment or industrial action (whether or not involving the employees and even though such action may be settled by acceding to the demands of a labour group).
- Liability of the operator is limited with respect to both personal injury and damage to or loss of property to the full extent permitted by law and in terms of any ticket conditions issued. In no event will the responsibility or liability for loss of baggage or personal effects exceed $100.
- COMPULSORY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CHARGE: is AU$5.00 per person. This fee will be collected upon arrival.
Advice For Water Activities
- Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity. Please use caution and inform our crew of any medical conditions.
- The minimum age for Scuba Diving in Queensland is 12 years. Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from participating.
- Certified Divers: Evidence of dive certification and medical fitness to dive is required from all divers.
- Introductory Divers: Subject to medical questionnaire.
- After a single dive a wait of 12 hours is recommended before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater. An interval of 24 hours is suggested for multiple dives.
Please note: Pets are not allowed onboard. Smoking is not acceptable on the vessels.
Terms of booking on this website
Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or a supplier's error. In such a case, if you book with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.
Liability
To the extent permitted by law we/the owners of this website will not be liable to you or to any third party (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including but not limited to any accident, injury, delay or loss of enjoyment) arising out of your reliance upon information contained on this website, including but not limited to your use (or inability to use) any products or services described or procured through this website.
On departure day, before you commence your trip, you may be required to sign a rental agreement (in the case of boat charters) with the supplier of the vessel. Your rental and use of the vessel will be governed by the terms of the rental agreement and any other documentation or information provided to you by the supplier at the time you pick up your vessel. The rental agreement is between you and the supplier and we will not be liable to you or to any third party in relation to the terms of the supplier rental agreement or any other documentation provided to you by the supplier at the time of pick up.
While we will make reasonable efforts to ensure we are representing only reputable suppliers, we make no warranty about the fitness or suitability of any third party (supplier) product or service and will not accept responsibility for the quality or fitness of any vessel. We welcome feedback from our customers on their experience with our suppliers. We may, at our discretion, provide you with reasonable assistance in resolving any dispute you may have with a supplier.
Our total liability to you in relation to your use of this website and the information contained on this website will not exceed the dollar amount of the deposit we have received from you in relation to your booking/rental. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather. Again, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. Your use of this website is governed by the laws of New Zealand and the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
Booking information
To make a booking, you must complete our no-obligations reservations enquiry form which is easy to follow and secured with the latest encryption technology. Once we receive your enquiry, we will contact you via phone or email, to advise of availability and confirm the final price is correct - and discuss payment options. A booking is confirmed when you have been emailed a confirmation notice and at this stage the deposit is processed on your credit card and becomes non-refundable and any cancellation fees stated in the terms apply. Upon receipt of your confirmation, please check your details carefully and notify us immediately if there are any incorrect details, as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date.
Please note we accept Visa and Mastercard and the credit card fees are:
1) 1.75% for the deposit amount.
2) 1.75% for the balance of payment.
If you are booking via phone, please first make sure you have read the terms and conditions of your selected sailing adventure. Our reservations consultant will ask you if you have read the terms and agree to them before proceeding. The onus is always on the renter to ensure they make themselves fully aware of the terms displayed on our website.
Information disclosure
In booking on this website you acknowledge that we disclose your information to your selected Supplier in order to provide the requested rental, trip or charter services.
Amendments
Please check the terms of each vessel to see whether amendment fees apply. Please also note that for some vessels an amendment is treated as a new booking and the rate current at the time the amendment is made to recalculate the entire booking amount (not just the days changed). In the case of boat rental/yacht charter, if the hire or number of days is increased, an additional deposit may be required, while reduction in rental periods or price may reduce the total, but the deposit amount will remain unchanged.
Vessel Capacity and fitness to charter (for Bareboats only)
Under no circumstances are you permitted to carry more passengers than the vessel you charter is legally registered to carry, and if you do your insurance may be invalidated. The number of passengers allowed is indicated next to each vessel on this website. It is your responsibility to choose a journey that is within your capabilities. A boat or trip supplier can refuse to hire a vessel to any person who is in their opinion unfit to skipper or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances we will have no further liability to you.




