Depends on what you wat. Large or small groups, do you need a semi sub, are you happy snorkelling from boat, or islands, sandy cays, pontoons?, they do vary quite a lot. Yes, have been on Quicksilver as well as many other boats out of both Port Douglas and Cairns, Quicksilver uses a pontoon, has a semi, and does take a lot of passengers.

If you're interested in diving (certified or introductory) Wavelength out of Port Douglas does not provide this.

I had the same question.

Also - any benefit (cheaper?) to booking once you arrive? Or should I just book online in advance.

Thanks,

Moai12, I gave KatherineShaw my recommendation for a snorkel-only tour to the GBR out of Port Douglas and some information about the Quicksilver tour when she first posted this questions on November 30th. (Not sure why the exact same question was re-posted a day later.) Take a look at my response there.

Also, I have not found the GBR tours to be any cheaper by booking online, but it's possible some of them are. If you have several days available for your GBR trip, I would not book in advance because you want to choose a day with the best conditions. If you will be there for several days, I'd contact the company you want to use on the first day you're there and they can help you choose a good day weather-wise for your booking. If you are only there for a day or two, you might want to book in advance, especially if you have chosen one of the smaller boats for your trip.

I had the same kind of question before my trip. I opted to book once I got to Cairns. The best advice I was given which is similar to Longhorn55, check the weather. You want a day which is as calm as possible. It gets very choppy going to the outer reefs. I choose to go on two smaller boats. I did not want a large boat with a gift shop.

The first day I went with Seaquest $145 they included the wet suits in the price. The second day I went with Compass $89 they did not include wet suits in the price. It made no difference to me as I snorkel without a suit.

The crew on both boats were excellent and very caring. You can opt for dives on both of them

Seaquest is newer and a bit larger, it was also easier to get in and out of the ocean on. I liked Compass, we had more time at the reefs they also served wine and cheese on the way back but it is an older boat and as an elderly person I had problems getting out of the water, since I am not as agile as I used to be.

Hi Katherine and Moai12

I live in Cairns and have done a lot of the different reef trips and there is everything from the small person sailing boat carrying 15 people right up to the big boat carrying 400.As someone mentioned above it's really down to what you like.

Quicksilver is really good and they have a few different boats including the Silver Series and Great Adventures which does a great trip that goes to the outer reef and Green Island from Cairns. Out of Port Douglas Quicksilver's Silversonic is a good reef trip and so is Calypso. If you were wanting to go to Low Isles Sailaway is really nice and personal.

Out of Cairns there are a lot more options. Sunlover, Reef Magic and Great Adventures have big pontoons on the reef with all sorts of activities and a great for families. One of my personal favorites is Passions of Paradise, new boat and they go to a coral cay (Michaelmas Cay) and the reef so you get two destinations. Seastar cruises also go to two destinations as well and are a great trip. Big Cat goes to Green Island which is nice. If you do a bit of research online you can find all the extras, semi subs, snorkel tours etc.

Moai12 either way is good and has it's benefits. You can get good prices online and when you get to the destination from the wide range of tour desks in Cairns City and at the hotels. Similar really in that their are websites with deals and desks with deals. When you get to the destination is good because you can check the weather but also trips could be booked out so you just have to watch that and if you do book online you can usually change the date closer depending on availability. Booking online secures your seat but if you're in Cairns for a while then you can usually get a spot depending on the season. Busy season is May - October.

A few sites you can check out for information and deals are:

http://www.cairns-greatbarrierreef.org.au/
http://www.tourstogo.com.au/hotdeals/62-cairns/
http://www.cairnstouradvice.com/

I hope this helps and have a great time in Tropical North Queensland!!

Are the box jelly fish a problem in March April?
John

Also check out the Australian government site on what tour operators they recommend - http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/visit-the-reef/choose-a-high-standard-operator/high-standard-tourism-operation

John as long as we get a normal wet season the box jelly fish should not be an issue then but seek local advice.

I was just off Magnetic Island snorkeling and the jellyfish had just started to come in (early January) and will then last for the wet season. I saw one with a fish in its tentacles and decided It was time to stop swimming for another year. I then went down to Sydney and saw all the moon jellyfish in Darling Harbor as I was sitting mesmerized by the fish going up to them and taking little nibbles, while everyone around me was mesmerized by a giant yellow duck...