Snorkel, Dive and Relax in Cairns
If you are looking for extra diving, snorkelling, or other Cairns activities before or after your trip with Spirit of Freedom, we can recommend these day trips from Cairns. There’s so much to do in the Cairns region. Whether you want to explore the Great Barrier Reef, or a relaxing day between diving and flying home, or want to expand your scuba skills, here are our top picks to stay and play in Tropical North Queensland.
Visit a Great Barrier Reef Island
The Frankland Islands are a group of five national park islands just southeast of Cairns, and something of a hidden gem. Frankland Islands Reef Cruises has an exclusive commercial permit to visit Normanby Island, with only 100 visitors per day, so you can visit an unspoiled Great Barrier Reef island without the crowds. It’s also the perfect way to experience Tropical North Queensland’s highlights in one day, starting with a rainforest river cruise before snorkelling on the reef and exploring the islands’ rainforest and tidal pools.
The fringing reefs surrounding the islands are teeming with healthy coral and diverse marine life. Highlights include an abundance of sea turtles, huge patches of cabbage coral, clownfish living in rare blue anemones, manta rays, and more. It’s the perfect Cairns Island day trip.
Snorkel right off the beach or hop in the tender for a drift snorkel along the island’s western side. With a crew of expert local guides, there’s so much to see and learn, both in and out of the water. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch served right on the beach and while away the day swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. Explore the island on foot or by kayak and paddleboard.
Visit the Frankland Islands website or chat with our Concierge team for ideas and to help plan your Cairns vacation.
Spirit of Cairns Dinner Cruise
The perfect way to end a day in Tropical North Queensland is with a delicious meal on the water. For the ultimate in waterside dining, we recommend a dinner cruise on board Spirit of Cairns.
Step on board this luxurious sailing catamaran and enjoy a welcome drink as you stroll the decks and enjoy the views. During your cruise, you’ll sail along the Trinity Inlet and the Cairns waterfront, watching as the sun sets and the city lights begin to twinkle. Then sit down to a delicious buffet meal with the best view in town. A fully licensed bar offers a wide range of beer, wines, and spirits including an ever-changing menu of custom cocktails.
Visit the Spirit of Cairns website or chat with our Concierge team for ideas and to help plan your Cairns vacation.
Outer Reef Day Trips
Got a day free before or after your trip? Visit the outer Great Barrier Reef on a day trip with our sister vessel, Tusa Reef Tours. You’ll receive the same outstanding service as Spirit of Freedom, visiting two exclusive outer reef dive sites during your scuba diving Cairns day trip and enjoy a gourmet breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea including local wines and beers for the journey back from the outer reef. Enjoy up to three dives during the day with all equipment provided. This trip is also a great option for snorkelling Cairns, with exclusive waterproof bone-conducting headsets with educational reef commentary to enjoy while you explore the pristine reef sites.
For more information on premium Cairns dive day trips, visit Tusa Reef Tours or enquire with our reservations team.
Dive Courses
Looking to enhance your scuba skills while you’re in Cairns? Our friends at Divers Den are the Cairns scuba diving experts since 1974 and offer the full range of PADI dive courses, from beginner to professional. They’re even recognised with PADI’s 5-Star Instructor Development Center and 5-Star Career Development Center status.
If it’s been a while since your last dive or we’ve recommended a refresher course before you join us on board, head to Divers Den’s well-appointed dive school with its covered, heated pool and get back up to speed.
While we offer the Advanced Open Water Course and Enriched Air (Nitrox) dive courses on board Spirit of Freedom, it’s worth checking out Divers Den’s range of advanced and pro dive courses (including the popular Rescue Diver course) if you’re ready to keep progressing as a diver. Divers Den courses are flexible and many include your choice of a day trip or liveaboard trip to fulfill the practical dive components of your course.
Divers Den also offers day trips to the Outer Reef onboard AquaQuest, and overnight liveaboard experiences onboard OceanQuest.
Visit the Divers Den website or chat with our Concierge team for ideas and to help plan your Cairns vacation.
