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Seawalker helmet dive at Moore Reef on the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover

Seawalker Helmet Dive

The Seawalker helmet dive lets you walk on the ocean floor, breathe normally and keep your hair dry — no swimming and no experience needed. It's our most popular way to get beneath the surface of the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef · Moore Reef Pontoon · Daily from Cairns · Ages 12+

Quick Answer

The Seawalker helmet dive lets you walk along an underwater platform 3.5 metres below the surface, surrounded by reef fish, while breathing normally through a clear helmet. You don't need to swim, dive or put your face in the water. It's fully escorted by our qualified dive instructors, suitable for ages 12 and over, and available daily at the Moore Reef pontoon as an optional extra on your reef day tour.

Book a Reef Day + Seawalker →

Acknowledgement of Sea Country

We acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji and Gunggandji peoples, who for thousands of years have been the first scientists and caretakers of the Great Barrier Reef. Their deep knowledge, passed through generations, continues to guide how we learn from and protect this remarkable Sea Country.

No swimming neededYou walk on a solid platform and breathe normally the whole time — your head stays dry inside the helmet.
No experience requiredSuitable for first-timers and non-swimmers. Full briefing before you enter the water.
Fully escortedGuided the entire time by our qualified dive instructors, with small numbers per group.
Ecotourism CertifiedEcotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia — independently audited — and an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member.

The Reef Without the Swim

The Seawalker helmet dive is the closest you can get to the Great Barrier Reef without needing to swim, snorkel or scuba dive. A lightweight helmet rests on your shoulders and feeds you a constant supply of air, so you breathe normally — just as you do on land. Your head and face stay completely dry.

You descend a few steps to an underwater platform 3.5 metres down, where a qualified dive instructor walks with you among the coral and reef fish. Because you're standing rather than swimming, it's calm, unhurried and easy — which is exactly why it's become our most popular way for nervous first-timers, non-swimmers and families to experience the reef up close.

Feeling nervous? Here's exactly what happens

Four simple steps — at your own pace

Briefing on the pontoon

Our dive team explains everything on the stable Moore Reef pontoon before you go anywhere. You'll know exactly what to expect and can ask any question.

The helmet goes on

The helmet is lowered gently onto your shoulders while you're supported at the surface. Air flows in continuously — you simply breathe as normal.

Walk down to the reef

You step down a short ladder to the platform 3.5 metres below, holding on the whole way. An instructor is beside you at every step.

Explore, then come back up

Walk among the coral and fish for the duration of your dive. Feel like stopping at any point? Just signal your guide and you come straight back up.

You stay in control the entire time. If it's not for you once the helmet is on, you can end the experience at any moment.

“
We thought the helicopter ride would be the highlight of the day, but somehow the Seawalker helmet dive topped it.
— Logan & Jordy, recent Seawalker guests

Three ways to explore beneath the surface

Which dive is right for you?

All three run from the one Moore Reef pontoon. Not sure? Start with the Seawalker — no swimming or experience needed.

You're here · most popular

Seawalker Helmet Dive

Non-swimmers · nervous first-timers · families

$149 per person

  • Walk 3.5m underwater — no swimming
  • Keep your hair and face dry
  • Breathe normally in the helmet
  • Fully escorted · ages 12+
Book Seawalker

Introductory SCUBA Dive

First-time divers · no experience

$149 per person

  • No experience or certification needed
  • Full training & equipment included
  • Maximum 4 divers per guide
  • Ages 12+
Introductory Dive →

Certified SCUBA Dive

For qualified, certified divers

$149 per person

  • Up to 50 minutes underwater
  • Maximum depth 18 metres
  • All equipment included
  • Bring your certification · ages 12+
Certified Dive →

Seawalker helmet dive — the essentials

Price$149 per person (adults and kids 12+). An optional extra on your Moore Reef day tour.
DepthWalk along an underwater platform 3.5 metres below the surface
Swimming abilityNone required — designed for non-swimmers
Minimum age12 years. Under 18s must have a consenting parent or legal guardian present
MedicalAll guests must review the medical checklist before booking. Guests 65+ require medical clearance from a doctor
What's includedAll equipment and full instructor guidance. An underwater photographer is available on the day
WhereMoore Reef pontoon, outer Great Barrier Reef. Departs Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns (check-in 8:45–9:45am)
Flying after divingAllow at least 12 hours before flying (24 hours if you also scuba dive). Plan helicopter transfers accordingly

Review the medical checklist →

Seawalker helmet dive — FAQs

Do I need to be able to swim?
No. The Seawalker helmet dive is designed for non-swimmers. You walk on a solid underwater platform and breathe normally through the helmet — you never need to swim or put your face in the water.
Will my hair and face get wet?
No. The helmet keeps your head and face completely dry, so it suits guests who wear glasses or contact lenses and anyone who'd rather not get their hair wet.
Can I wear my glasses on the Seawalker helmet dive?
Yes — no problem at all. Because your head stays completely dry inside the helmet, you can keep your glasses on for the whole dive and see the reef clearly. Contact lenses are fine too.
How deep do I go?
You walk along an underwater platform 3.5 metres below the surface, surrounded by reef fish, with a qualified dive instructor beside you the whole time.
Do I need any diving experience?
None at all. The dive team gives you a full briefing on the pontoon before you begin, and you're escorted throughout. It's one of the easiest ways to get beneath the surface of the reef.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12 years. Divers under 18 must have a consenting parent or legal guardian present. Guests aged 65 and over need medical clearance from a doctor.
Is there a medical check?
Yes. All guests must review the medical checklist before booking. If you have an existing medical condition or take regular medication, please seek medical advice and bring a "fit to dive" certificate. The dive team may decline participation on safety grounds.
What if I feel nervous once I'm in the water?
You stay in control the entire time. You only continue when you feel comfortable, and you can signal your guide to return to the surface at any point.
Where does it take place and how do I get there?
The Seawalker helmet dive runs at the Moore Reef pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef. The tour departs from Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, with check-in between 8:45 and 9:45am.
How much does it cost?
The Seawalker helmet dive is $149 per person (adults and kids 12+), added as an optional extra to your Moore Reef day tour fare. Please confirm current pricing when you book.
Can I get photos of my dive?
Yes. A photographer is available on the day to capture your underwater walk so you can take the memories home.

Make a day of it

Add these to your Moore Reef day tour

Introductory SCUBA Dive

Ready to go a step further? Try scuba for the first time with full training and a guide — no experience needed.

Learn more

Helicopter Flight

See the reef from above with a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef.

Learn more

Semi-Submersible Tour

Stay completely dry and view the coral gardens through the windows of our semi-submersible.

Learn more

Walk on the Great Barrier Reef

No swimming, no experience, no getting your hair wet — just you, a helmet and the reef. Add the Seawalker helmet dive to your Moore Reef day tour.

Book Your Reef Day →
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