Down Under Cruise & Dive

Down Under Cruise & Dive departs from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns aboard Evolution, a 35-metre, three-level catamaran. Check-in runs from about 7:15am, with the boat away by 8am and back around 4:30pm, and up to five hours at the reef in between. Each day's itinerary calls at two of the three outer reef sites the company runs to: Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef.

The trip is built to suit both snorkellers and divers on the same boat: snorkel gear and a guided snorkel tour are included, and certified or introductory scuba diving is offered alongside it. Optional extras on top of the standard fare include a scenic helicopter flight and a semi-submersible tour for viewing coral without getting in the water.

Saxon Reef, one of the three sites, is smaller than the others at under two square kilometres. A hot lunch and morning and afternoon tea are served on board, and lycra suits are included as standard for every guest at no extra charge.