Great Barrier Reef News & Updates

Reef and Island in One Day: A Family Review of the Combined Tour

Nov 6, 2024

teenager enjoying the seawalker helemt dive

Richard, Julie and their son Ethan run the local Cairns blog I Love Cairns, and spent a day on Sunlover’s combined Reef & Fitzroy Island Day Tour — the Outer Great Barrier Reef in the morning, Fitzroy Island in the afternoon. Here’s their day, in their own words.

Quick answer: what’s included on the Reef & Fitzroy Island Day Tour?

An 8am departure from Cairns, a morning at the Moore Reef pontoon (snorkelling, waterslide, and an optional Seawalker Helmet Dive), a buffet lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant on Fitzroy Island, then a few hours free on the island — including the Secret Garden rainforest walk and Nudey Beach — before returning to Cairns.

Key takeaways

Departs Cairns at 8am, arrives at Moore Reef pontoon by 9:30am.
The Seawalker Helmet Dive — a guided underwater walk along the reef floor — is a good option for anyone who isn’t a confident swimmer.
Lunch is a buffet at Zephyrs Restaurant on Fitzroy Island: salads, seafood, hot dishes and tropical fruit.
Free time on Fitzroy Island includes the Secret Garden Walk (a rainforest path) and Nudey Beach, where you can snorkel straight off the sand.
The underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat at the pontoon mean children who are not ready to snorkel still see the reef.
This combined day is the only way to visit both the Outer Reef and Fitzroy Island with one operator in a single day.

Morning at Moore Reef pontoon

“The day starts early, with an 8am departure from Cairns, and by 9:30am we were at the Moore Reef pontoon,” Richard writes. “This floating platform is packed with activities that cater to everyone, from avid snorkelers to those who just want to relax and soak in the views. The coral gardens here are vibrant, showcasing a wide variety of hard and soft corals, anemones, and giant clams, all within an easy swim from the pontoon.”

The family’s highlight was the Seawalker Helmet Dive: guided by supportive divers, they walked along the reef floor surrounded by sea fans and colourful fish, with an underwater photographer capturing the moment. Ethan, meanwhile, rated the waterslide that drops straight into the reef water.

“For anyone who isn’t a confident swimmer, this is an amazing way to experience the reef.”

Richard — I Love Cairns

Lunch and leisure on Fitzroy Island

After the reef, the boat heads to Fitzroy Island for a buffet lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant — fresh salads, seafood, hot dishes and tropical fruit. With a few hours free afterwards, the family took the Secret Garden Walk through the rainforest, then made their way to Nudey Beach, regularly ranked among Australia’s best. “We enjoyed a swim in the crystal-clear waters and did some snorkelling right off the beach,” Richard writes. “The water was teeming with soft corals, boulders, and even a stingray nestled under the rocks, making it a fantastic snorkel spot for all ages.”

The trip back

“As we cruised back to Cairns with ice creams in hand — the boysenberry was a hit — we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the day,” Richard writes. “The crew was friendly and knowledgeable, making sure everyone had a comfortable and memorable experience.”

The day in numbers

Richard’s account covers what the day feels like. Here is the shape of it, for planning purposes:

7:00am — Check-in at the Cairns Marina
8:00am — Depart Cairns
9:30am — Arrive at the Moore Reef pontoon
11:45am — Depart the pontoon for Fitzroy Island
12:45pm — Buffet lunch at Zephyrs on the island
3:30pm — Head back to Cairns
4:30pm — Back at the marina

It is a full day. Most children fall asleep on the way home, which a fair number of parents count as part of the value.

What to pack if you are bringing children

Everything you would take on a standard reef day, plus a few things specific to having an island afternoon on the end of it:

Closed walking shoes if Nudey Beach or the Secret Garden Walk is on your list
Reef shoes — the island beaches are coral rubble rather than soft sand, and they are hard on bare feet
A second towel, because the first one will still be wet from the morning
Snacks to bridge the gap between the pontoon and a 12:45pm lunch

Leave the pram at home if you intend to walk any of the island trails — they are not stroller-friendly. A carrier works far better.

What’s the difference between this tour and a Moore Reef–only day?

The Reef & Fitzroy Island Day Tour adds an afternoon on Fitzroy Island — lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant, the Secret Garden Walk, and Nudey Beach — to the same Moore Reef pontoon morning as the standalone reef trip.

What is the Seawalker Helmet Dive?

A guided underwater walk along the reef floor wearing a diving helmet, supported by crew — no swimming or snorkelling experience needed, which makes it a good option for anyone who isn’t a confident swimmer.

Can you snorkel off Nudey Beach?

Yes — it’s shore snorkelling rather than a boat-based reef, with soft corals and marine life visible close to the sand, weather and visibility permitting.

Should I bring a pram?

Best left at home if you plan to walk any of Fitzroy Island’s trails — they are not stroller-friendly. A baby carrier is the better option.

Is it suitable for young children who cannot snorkel yet?

Yes. The glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory at the Moore Reef pontoon mean children who are not ready to snorkel still see the reef, and the island afternoon runs at a much slower pace.

Is this tour suitable for families?

Yes — this account is from a family with a school-age son, covering both the reef pontoon (with its waterslide and helmet dive option) and the calmer afternoon on Fitzroy Island.

Source: adapted from I Love Cairns’ review of the Sunlover Reef & Fitzroy Island Day Tour, shared with permission.