12 Scenic Flights in Cairns to Build a Day Around

1.Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,912 reviews · 40 min · from $169Our pick

Take a 40-minute fixed-wing flight from Cairns with a window seat, headset, and live English commentary. You’ll fly over Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Upolo Reef, Pixie Reef, Arlington Reef, and more. Pilots such as Sean, Cameron, and Ethan have been praised for smooth flying and clear explanations. Hotel transfers, food, and drinks are not included.

“Nothing it was amazing. I was totally out of my comfort zone on this small plane and was dreading it but the views are amazing and flight was smooth. Sean was our pilot he gave us commentary on the area. Could not fault it. One helpful tip if you have earrings in take the. out as the headphones are so padded it squashes them into side of yourhead.”

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2.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,003 reviews · 8h 30m · from $279

Spend about 8.5 hours aboard the 35-meter Evolution, visiting Saxon and Hastings reefs for snorkeling or an optional scuba session. You’ll get around five hours on the reef, a BBQ lunch, and a 10-minute helicopter flight from Hastings Reef. Crew members such as Luca and Mike are noted for helping nervous swimmers and first-time scuba participants.

“Awesome ship, great crew, excellent lunch. diving on the reef was like an Attenborough documentary. loved the helicopter ride which gave you an idea of how big the reef is *****”

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3.Full Day Reef Cruise and 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 340 reviews · from $283

Cruise from Cairns aboard Evolution, spend about five hours at two outer reef sites, snorkel or choose an introductory or certified scuba session, then take a 10-minute helicopter flight over Hastings Reef. A BBQ lunch, equipment, afternoon wine, cheese, and crackers are included.

“Great experience. Everything was well organized and was over the top. Instructors and whole team are professionals.”

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4.Great Barrier Reef 40 Minute Scenic Flight from Cairns – Reef Hopper

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $185

Take a 40-minute high-wing flight from Cairns over Green Island, Double Island, Palm Cove, Arlington Reef, and Upolu Reef. Your pilot provides commentary, and every seat is beside a window. Central Cairns pickup and return are included, with a maximum of seven people aboard.

“Worth every penny. Guaranteed a window seat plus the perfect video/photo shots. Would definitely do it again.”

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5.Outer Reef Odyssey – 40 minute Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · from $376Top rated

Fly from Cairns with Zoom Helicopters on a 40-minute outer reef flight. Your pilot, possibly Chris, Niels, Johnno, or Haley, points out coral formations and marine life below as you pass Green Island, Vlasoff Cay, Arlington Reef, and the reef edge. Flights carry no more than four people, with optional in-flight video.

“This was one of the highlights of our stay in Cairns! We combined a trio over the reef with one over the rainforest. The communication before the flight was excellent. We used an Uber from our hotel to the launch site and it was easy to access. Chris was a great host and pilot. He had cold drinks available while we waited. His commentary was wonderful. It is obvious he loves what he dies and he made this a great adventure for us. We enjoyed seeing the Great Barrier Reef from a different perspective, especially after snorkeling the day before. Loved this!!”

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6.Ultimate Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest 45-minute Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $451

Fly from Cairns over Barron Gorge National Park, its waterfalls, the Great Barrier Reef, and Green Island. Nautilus Aviation operates small-group flights of up to six people, with commentary from the pilot. Allow extra time for check-in, and note that hotel transfers, food, and drinks are not included.

“Snorkeling/scuba at the Great Barrier Reef gets you up close and personal, but it's not until you see it from above that you can really appreciate the sheer grandeur of this World Heritage Site. Our pilot was wonderful, providing both a smooth ride and interesting facts about the reef. Due to inclement weather, our original appointment was canceled, but the company still provided us with a complimentary airport pickup as originally planned and took us to our hotel. When we reschedued, the weather still wasn't ideal, so we were not able to overlook the rainforest, just the GBR. Again with the great customer service, the company said they had already…”

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7.Inner Reef Explorer – 30 minute Reef Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $297

Take a small helicopter from Cairns Airport over Green Island, Arlington Reef, False Cape, Mount Yarrabah, and the Great Barrier Reef. Your pilot provides in-flight commentary, with possible sightings of turtles, rays, sharks, dolphins, and seasonal whales. Pilots may include Niels, Chris, Jack, or Johnno. A flight video is available to buy afterward.

“Would highly recommend, stunning views. Amazing experience. The colours of the reef are spectacular.”

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8.Great Barrier Reef 30-Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 30 min · from $322

Fly for 30 minutes from Pier Heliport with an English-speaking guide and up to five other passengers. From above, you’ll see Green Island, Arlington Reef, Vlasoff, and Upolu Sand Cay, with possible sightings of turtles, sharks, rays, dolphins, dugongs, and humpback whales from July to September.

“Seeing The Reef from above in these new helicopters just made seeing them underwater, even BETTER! *Do yourself a favour & treat yourself to this trip! It was fantastic!”

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9.Great Barrier Reef 30-Minute Scenic Helicopter Tour from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · from $328

From Cairns Pier, you’ll check in 30 minutes early, then fly for 30 minutes over Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef with Nautilus Aviation. Your pilot provides commentary through the headset, and clear weather may reveal coral clusters, fish, rays, islands, and sand cays. Flights are shared, return to the same meeting point, and carry up to seven people.

“This was an amazing flight, from viewing the reef and seeing Dugongs, turtles and dolphins. A spectacular view of Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Yarrabah, False Cape, Vlasoff Sand Cay and Arlington Reef. The pilot and staff were professional, enRead more”

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10.Great Barrier Reef Cruise & 10 Minute Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 25 reviews · 7 hours · from $332

Sail from Cairns with Great Adventures to an outer reef platform for three hours of snorkeling, a semi-submarine tour, an underwater observatory, buffet lunch, and a 10-minute helicopter flight. Pilot John has been praised for his friendly service. The setup suits swimmers and non-swimmers, but hotel transfers and scuba sessions cost extra.

“The price point for this activity was great! We enjoyed the boat ride out to pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef. We booked the 10 Min Helicopter ride and highly recommend it! Our pilot, John, was exceptional. He was friendly and fun - the sights of the reef above were stunning. On the pontoon, you could snorkel or dive with the fish into the Great Barrier Reef. Highly recommend doing the semi submersible as well. The lunch buffet was decent, though if you don’t time it right, the food will be gone quickly. I just wish we had more time on the excursion!”

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11.45 Min Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 45 min · from $442

Take a shared 45-minute helicopter flight from Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef, Palm Cove, Kuranda, Barron Gorge, and Barron Falls. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary while you look for Skyrail gondolas, the Kuranda Scenic Rail tracks, rainforest, river rapids, and reef formations. Check in 45 minutes early at Pier Heliport.

“The tour was amazing, the views were incredible and the driver was very good at telling us history and what places were! However I would’ve expected the flight to be less crowded for what we paid. Just think it’s pretty expensive and we were jammed in with 2 other couples! Otherwise no complaints”

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12.Private Helicopter Tour: Reef Island Snorkeling and Gourmet Picnic Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · from $833

Take a private helicopter from Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef to Vlasoff Cay, with about two hours for snorkeling, swimming, and a gourmet picnic with sparkling wine. Your pilot supplies beach gear and snorkeling equipment. If the cay is occupied, you may visit Turtle Beach or receive an extended reef flight.

“The Heli charter was awesome. My wife and I were on the Cay for a memorable mimosa and picnic. Water was a bit rough due to a storm, but you cant control a storm, can you. Great moments for our honeymoon! Food was OK, Mimosa was wonderful. Highly recommend. Note The pilot and the helicopter stay with you on the Cay. We did have some unwelcome boaters dock but left after 15 minutes. Also, if other people have arrived at the Cay before you, the helicopter cannot land and your package becomes a 1 hour great barrier reef and rainforest tour.”

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