Cairns is one of Australia’s most exciting gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s a natural choice for those who want to see this world wonder from a new perspective. The city’s warm climate, stunning coastal scenery, and proximity to vibrant coral reefs make it ideal for helicopter flights and tours. We especially recommend the Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight for its full-day experience, which combines a luxurious reef cruise with a breathtaking aerial view. If you’re short on time but still want a memorable flight, the Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute Helicopter offers a quick, high-impact experience. For those seeking a balance, the From Cairns: Moore Reef, Fitzroy Island Tour with Helicopter provides a full day of reef exploration, island relaxation, and scenic flight. Each of these options offers a unique way to see the reef and surrounding landscapes, making Cairns a top destination for aerial adventures.
1. Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight
This full-day Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise combines the luxury of a large, modern vessel with the thrill of a scenic helicopter flight. The tour includes a 35-meter superyacht that takes you to two pristine reef locations for snorkeling and optional scuba diving, suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike. The highlight is the 10-minute helicopter flight that soars directly over the reef, giving you an unmatched bird’s-eye view of coral formations, marine life, and the vast blue expanse. After your time in the water, relax on sun loungers or enjoy cheese, biscuits, and wine as the sun sets on the return journey.
What makes this tour stand out is its combination of comfort, comprehensive reef activities, and aerial views in one package. With a rating of 4.6/5 from 838 reviews, it’s clear travelers love the balance of adventure and relaxation. The cruise’s all-inclusive nature, including snorkel and dive options, offers excellent value for a full-day experience. Perfect for families or couples wanting a mix of activities, this tour’s one potential drawback is the longer duration—if you’re tight on time, it might be less practical.
Bottom line: If you want an all-in-one reef adventure with a premium helicopter ride, this tour delivers. Expect memorable underwater moments coupled with stunning aerial vistas.
2. From Cairns: Moore Reef, Fitzroy Island Tour with Helicopter
This full-day adventure offers a mix of reef exploration, island relaxation, and a scenic helicopter flight. The day starts with a cruise from Cairns to Moore Reef, where you can snorkel in clear waters or explore via a glass-bottom boat—a great way to see the reef’s vibrant coral and marine life without getting wet. Afterwards, the tour takes you to Fitzroy Island for some downtime on its pristine beaches or a self-guided walk on the island’s trails. The highlight is the scenic helicopter flight over the reef, providing an unparalleled aerial perspective on the coral formations and surrounding islands.
This tour is rated 4.5/5 based on 10 reviews, which reflects its popularity among travelers seeking a well-rounded day. The inclusion of both reef and island experiences, combined with the helicopter ride, makes it ideal for those who want variety in their trip. The buffet lunch at Zephyrs Restaurant on Fitzroy Island** is a particular highlight, offering good value for a full-day adventure.
The main potential downside is its shorter duration—around 8 hours—including travel and activities—so it’s best suited for visitors who want a compact, full-day tour without the longer, more intensive options.
Bottom line: This is a fantastic choice if you want a full day of reef, island, and aerial sightseeing, all bundled into a comfortable package.
3. Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute Helicopter
This tour offers a 7-hour half-day escape combining a catamaran cruise with a 10-minute helicopter flight. The focus is on exploring the coral gardens of the reef, with snorkeling opportunities in vibrant waters and a semi-submarine tour that allows you to see marine life without getting in the water. The panoramic buffet lunch provides ample fuel for a day of exploration, all while enjoying views of the reef from the deck. The highlight is the aerial perspective provided by the short helicopter flight, which adds a memorable touch to a more compact tour.
This experience is rated 4.4/5 from 10 reviews, indicating solid satisfaction, especially for travelers who want a shorter, more affordable reef adventure with a scenic flight. It’s particularly well-suited for families or groups with limited time, as it offers a significant dose of reef and reef views in a shorter window. The 10-minute helicopter keeps the experience manageable for most without sacrificing the thrill of sightseeing from above.
The main consideration is that it’s a shorter tour, so if you’re craving extensive diving or island time, this might not be enough. Still, for its price and duration, it provides excellent value.
Bottom line: If you’re after a quick yet memorable reef experience with an impressive aerial view, this tour hits the mark.
How to Choose the Right Helicopter Tour in Cairns
When selecting among these options, consider your budget, time, and what you most want to see and do. For a luxurious full-day adventure with diving, snorkeling, and aerial views, the Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight is hard to beat. If you prefer a full day of reef and island exploration with a scenic helicopter ride, the Moore Reef, Fitzroy Island Tour offers excellent variety. For those short on time but still wanting a taste of the reef from above, the Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute Helicopter provides a compact experience.
Booking early is advisable, especially during peak months (June to September), to secure your preferred date and avoid disappointment. Also, check if the tour includes gear rentals or meal options to match your needs.
Final Thoughts
Cairns offers a superb range of helicopter experiences tailored to different interests and schedules. Whether you want a comprehensive day on the reef with diving and helicopter views, a mix of reef, island, and aerial sightseeing, or a quick scenic flight, there’s something for all. For most travelers, the full-day reef cruise with helicopter provides the best balance of comfort, activity, and spectacle. Those with limited time might prefer the shorter, more focused options, which still promise incredible views and memorable moments.
Don’t forget — these tours tend to fill up quickly, so book your preferred experience early, especially if you’re visiting during peak season. By planning ahead, you’ll ensure you don’t miss out on one of Cairns’ most breathtaking adventures.