BOOK NOW
a
Diving and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef at Moore Reef with Sunlover Reef Cruises

SCUBA & Helmet Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Three ways to get beneath the surface at the Moore Reef pontoon — for non-swimmers, first-time divers and certified divers alike. Daily from Cairns.

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

Quick Answer

Sunlover offers three diving experiences at the Moore Reef pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef: the Seawalker helmet dive (walk underwater, no swimming), an introductory scuba dive (no experience needed), and a certified scuba dive for qualified divers. Each is from $149 per person — with a second dive just $99 — guided, with all equipment included, and available daily as an optional extra on your reef day tour.

Book Your Great Barrier Reef Day →

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.

1991
Operating since
1.3M+
Guests welcomed
4:1
Max guests per instructor
18m
Max certified depth

Choose your way beneath the surface

Which dive is right for you?

All three run from the one Moore Reef pontoon — pick the experience that suits you, or ask our crew on the day.

No swimming

Seawalker Helmet Dive

Non-swimmers · nervous first-timers

$149 per person

  • Walk 3.5m underwater — no swimming
  • Keep your hair and face dry
  • Breathe normally in the helmet
  • Ages 12+
Seawalker Helmet Dive →

Ready? Book now →

First-timers

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 →

Ready? Book now →

Certified

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 →

Ready? Book now →

!

Please check you’re Fit to Dive — before you book

This is the most important step before booking any dive. Some medical conditions and regular medications can prevent you from diving on the day — and our dive team can’t make exceptions at the reef. Reviewing the medical checklist only takes a minute. If a condition applies to you, you’ll need a “fit to dive” certificate from a doctor, and guests 65 and over always require medical clearance. Checking now means no disappointment on the day.

Review the Medical Checklist →

Compare the three diving experiences

 Seawalker HelmetIntroductory DiveCertified Dive
Best forNon-swimmers & the nervousFirst-time diversQualified divers
Experience neededNoneNoneCurrent certification
Swimming neededNoBasic comfort in waterYes
Depth3.5m platform walkShallow guided diveUp to 18m
GuidingFully escortedMax 4 per instructorGuided dive staff
Ages12+12+12+
Price$149$149$149

All three take place at the Moore Reef pontoon and are optional extras on your reef day tour. First dive $149, each additional scuba dive $99. Medical checklist applies to all diving.

Diving from a pontoonYou prepare and enter from a stable, permanently moored platform — not a rolling deck — at the outer reef.
Marine-biologist-led interpretationOur marine biologists share their knowledge of the reef you’re diving.
All equipment includedEvery diving experience includes full equipment and instructor or dive-staff guidance.
Ecotourism CertifiedEcotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia — independently audited — and a Hall of Fame member.

Watch

See diving at Moore Reef

Filmed when the I Love Cairns family brought first-time and returning divers out with us.

Watch on YouTube →

From guests beneath the surface

Non-swimmers, first-timers and certified divers at Moore Reef

“We thought the helicopter ride would be the highlight of the day, but somehow the Seawalker helmet dive topped it.”
Logan & JordySeawalker helmet dive
“Scuba was much easier than I expected. It was so great to get close to the fish and corals.”
AllyIntroductory dive · first-timer
“This was the best spot I have ever been. The dive team were excellent — we felt very supported and safe.”
TimCertified diver, 26 years between dives
“I saw so much more than I ever thought I would. Now I’ve done scuba again, I really want to get back into it.”
AmandaCertified diver, returning

Diving at Moore Reef — FAQs

Do I need experience to dive on the Great Barrier Reef?
No. The Seawalker helmet dive and introductory scuba dive both need no experience. Certified divers can also dive their own qualified dives. All three run from the Moore Reef pontoon.
I can’t swim — can I still go underwater?
Yes. The Seawalker helmet dive is designed for non-swimmers — you walk on an underwater platform and breathe normally, no swimming required.
How much does diving cost?
Each diving experience is $149 per person (adults and kids 12+), added as an optional extra to your Moore Reef day tour fare. A second scuba dive on the same day is $99.
What is the minimum age to dive?
The minimum age for all diving experiences is 12 years. Divers under 18 must have a consenting parent or legal guardian present, and guests aged 65 and over need medical clearance from a doctor.
Is there a medical check?
Yes. All divers must review the medical checklist before booking. Guests with an existing medical condition or who take regular medication should seek medical advice and bring a “fit to dive” certificate.
Where does diving take place?
All diving happens 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 long after diving before I can fly?
Allow at least 12 hours before flying after one dive, or 24 hours if you do more than one dive in a day. Plan helicopter transfers and onward flights accordingly.
Which tours include diving?
On the Moore Reef Full Day tour you can add all three diving experiences — Seawalker helmet dive, introductory dive and certified dive. On the Reef & Island trip you can choose one diving experience for the reef portion of the day.
Is there diving at Fitzroy Island?
No. All diving takes place at the Moore Reef pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef. At Fitzroy Island you can snorkel the fringing reef, but no diving experiences are available there.

More ways to experience the reef

Not diving? There’s still plenty to do at Moore Reef

Snorkelling

Explore the reef from the surface with a marine-biologist-guided snorkel tour or at your own pace.

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

Get beneath the surface at Moore Reef

Whichever way you choose — helmet dive, first dive or certified dive — add it to your Moore Reef day tour. Ages 12+. Everything included.

Book Your Great Barrier Reef Day →
Gift Cards
BOOK NOW