trips from port douglas

Daintree Rainforest Tours

Discover the world's oldest living rainforest from port douglas, premium experiences, local expert guides, package options, explore the daintree rainforest with us.

Our original rainforest and Ultimate zipline tours are currently closed for maintenance. Our team have created more half and full day options to bring you up close with the Daintree Rainforest!

Book Full Day Discover Daintree Tour

Book half day southern daintree tour, the original daintree rainforest tour.

Our original Daintree Tour takes you on an adventure through ancient rainforests of the Daintree. Our mission is to showcase some of the highlights of this incredible natural wonder by walking through the Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge and exploring the waterways rich in flora and fauna on a river cruise. Suitable for ages 7 years + and is a full day tour.

The only Zipline tour in the Daintree Rainforest

Combine the best of the original Daintree Rainforest tour with a zipline tour through the trees. Tour includes the guided walk, river cruise, air conditioned vehicle and the zipline experience. Suitable for ages 4 years + and is a full day tour.

Book Ultimate Zipline Daintree Tour

Choose your tour.

Ultimate Daintree Tour

• Gentle slow paced Zipline tour
• Walk through the Daintree Rainforest
• 1-hour crocodile cruise on Cooper Creek
• Visit Cape Tribulation
• Picnic Style Lunch & Swimming Opportunity at Heritage Lodge
• Min age 4 years +

Enjoy the Daintree in a whole new way with our Ultimate Daintree zipline tour. Our guides will take you past all the beautiful sights of the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation including an amazing zipline experience with our friends from Treetops Adventure.

• Available Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday only
• Please bring swimwear, towel and a change of clothes if intending on swimming.
• Please note this tour is unavailable for infants or 3 years and under

Daintree Rainforest Tour

• Premium Mercedes with only 11 guests
• 7:20am or 8:20am departures, daily
• Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park & Cape Tribulation
• Gourmet lunch at Heritage Lodge
• Min age 7 years +

Enjoy interpretive rainforest walks, lush lunch site, estuarine crocodile and wildlife spotting on Cooper Creek and, of course, friendly and knowledgeable local guides with Daintree Tours.

• Available 7 days a week
• Port Douglas pick ups available
• Please note this tour is not available for infants or 7 years and under

• Save by combining tours!
• 3 amazing packages to choose from
• Experience the Great Barrier Reef & Daintree National Park
• Combine with a snorkelling or diving tours
• Multi day, full day tours
• Flexible conditions

Please contact us on 07 4231 8012 for pricing information

Enquire about our packages with Calypso Reef Cruises. Subject to availability

Daintree Tours From Port Douglas

Explore your own tropical backyard.

Customer Reviews

“ Sandra Mclaren “ We had an amazing day, our guide Ben is fantastic, so knowledgeable, lots of talking and laughing. Food was great, very comfortable tour bus couldn’t ask for any better. Highly recommend this service if you want to know about this beautiful part of our country. ”

“ Lisa Bakker “ We just had a fantastic time yesterday with Ben, our tour guide. We learnt so much, laughed a lot, soaked up the beauty of the Daintree, met local characters, one who showed us crocs from his boat. It was like visiting an old friend who’s showing you around the local area. The best tourism is when you feel like you’re an interim part of the community and Ben did just that! It was the best way to start our holiday and we highly recommend this tour! ”

“ Ross Beamish “ We just had a fantastic time yesterday with Ben, our tour guide. We learnt so much, laughed a lot, soaked up the beauty of the Daintree, met local characters, one who showed us crocs from his boat. It was like visiting an old friend who’s showing you around the local area. The best tourism is when you feel like you’re an interim part of the community and Ben did just that! It was the best way to start our holiday and we highly recommend this tour! Thank you Daintree Tours and in particular Ben for putting together a great tour. ”

“ Eloise Barker-Re “ We had the best day out today with Ben our extremely informative and knowledgable tour guide! and a lovely guy. We highly recommend this trip, it’s suitable for all ages and ticks all the boxes. We had a lovely lunch followed by a dip in the creek which was bliss! Then locally made ice-cream what more could you want. Thanks so much! ”

Committed To Sustainability

The ECO Certification logo is a globally recognized brand which assists travellers to choose and experience a genuine and authentic tour, attraction, cruise or accommodation that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Book your Daintree Tour Today

Sustainability.

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Experience The Daintree

Daintree Tours

• Ultimate Daintree
• Reef & Rainforest Package
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Daintree Tours 1/11-17 Macrossan Street Port Douglas Queensland 4877 Australia

Phone: +61 7 4231 8012

Daintree Tours Email: [email protected]

• Full Day Daintree Tour
• Half Day Southern Daintree Tour
• Ultimate Zipline Tour

Online Bookings Essential! Book Here

Breathtaking Daintree Rainforest Tours from Port Douglas

Full & half-day daintree rainforest tours.

Discover the Daintree in this small group tour. You’ll visit the best locations in the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, including Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River with friendly, knowledgeable guides. Learn about the history and the natural environment, explore places that belong on postcards, and really get in and experience this stunning area rather than just drive through it. A truly remarkable day trip from Port Douglas that will last in your memories for years to come.

DISCOVER OUR DAINTREE RAINFOREST TOURS

• Most popular
• Hour Glass 8 hours

Southern Daintree Tour

Join this exciting full-day tour that takes you on a journey through the Daintree Rainforest, one of the world’s oldest rainforests.

• Hour Glass 4.45 hours

Daintree River & Mossman Gorge - Half-day Morning Tour

Enjoy a morning out in the Daintree Rainforest. Start by cruising along the Daintree River in search of wildlife including the mighty Estuarine Crocodiles, before tucking into morning tea. Then down to the beautiful Mossman Gorge for an interpretive rainforest walk and swim in the stunning, crocodile free, waters of the gorge.

Daintree & Mossman Gorge - Half-Day Afternoon Tour

This is a great tour for those of you who only want to spend a half day out, are short on time, or want to enjoy a nice sleep-in while on holiday!

• Hour Glass 10 hours

Total Daintree Experience

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest continual living Rainforest in the world, and this is your opportunity to truly discover this World Heritage Listed area in a small group and with your personal tour guide.

ABOUT DAINTREE DISCOVERY TOURS

Daintree Discovery Tours lets you experience the area rather than just looking at it.

We exclusively run small group tours with a maximum of 10 guests on the full-day tours and 16 on the half-day tours. We have a fleet of modern comfortable vehicles, and love to tell our guests all about this area that we call home.

We have been running tours in Daintree Rainforest since 2005, and have earned an enviable reputation. Our aim is to give you a fantastic experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

LET US SHARE THE MEMORIES

Check out our reviews & awards.

We had a great day with Kim, who was a great guide, driver etc. We learned so much about a part of the world we had never visited before. Well done, Kim!

Definitely recommend doing this tour, worth every cent. Kim was very informative and welcoming. Thanks for the great day!

We went on the morning half day tour. Really enjoyed it. Great tour guide....Kim. He appeared to enjoy it just as much as the passengers. Great way to spend the morning.

A wonderful fun filled day, from rainforest walks to beautiful morning tea, croc river cruise, fantastic lunch, and Mossman Gorge walk. Our well researched and informative guide, Ben, made the day an absolutely amazing experience. Highly recommend this trip.

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Port Douglas

Day trips from port douglas.

• Port Douglas to Daintree
• Port Douglas to Mossman
• Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation
• Port Douglas to Daintree Region
• Port Douglas to Cow Bay
• Port Douglas to Millaa Millaa
• Port Douglas to Kuranda
• Port Douglas to Oak Beach
• Port Douglas to Wonga Beach
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

2. Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge Small-Group from Port Douglas

3. Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge: Full or Half Day Tour

4. Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

5. Small Group Full Day Daintree Rainforest Tour from Port Douglas

6. Daintree and Cape Tribulation Full Day Guided Tour

7. Mossman Gorge Adventure Day

8. Beautiful Daintree Waterfall Hike Tour, Magical Swim and Lunch

9. Cape Tribulation & Ziplining: Ultimate Daintree

10. Mossman Highlights eBike Tour

11. Atherton Tablelands Small-Group Food & Wine Tasting Tour from Port Douglas

12. Poseidon Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Port Douglas

13. Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns

14. Amazing Daintree Rainforest Tour Waterfall Hike, Lunch, Swim & Crocodile Cruise

15. Cape Tribulation & Daintree Wilderness (TCT)

16. Walkabout Cultural Adventures - Ngana Julaymba Dungay Full Day

17. Daintree, Mossman Gorge and Wildlife Tour from Cairns

18. Southern Daintree Tour including Paddock to Plate Lunch

19. Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Palm Cove

20. Walkabout Cultural Adventures - Ngana Kulkinga Dungay Full Day

21. Shared Shuttle Return Transfers (ex Port Douglas) Transfers Only

22. Port Douglas Daintree National Park Boutique Full-Day Tour

23. Premium Guided Dive Trip - Outer Great Barrier Reef

24. Private Daintree Wanderer Tour

25. Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Port Douglas

26. Cape Tribulation and Daintree Wilderness Day Tour in Cairns

What travellers are saying.

• Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas
• Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge Small-Group from Port Douglas
• Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge - Full or Half Day Tour
• Quicksilver Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas
• Small Group Full Day Daintree Tour from Port Douglas
• Lady Douglas River Cruise
• Eureka Sunset Cruises Port Douglas
• Resurface Dive
• Port Douglas Tropical Trips
• Daintree Safaris
• Back Country Bliss Adventures
• Billy Tea Safaris
• Brett's Outback Tasting Adventures
• Brett's Kuranda Half Day Tours

• COVID-19 SAFE
• +61 429 993 230

Why book direct ?

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the tour.
• Safe Travel COVID Clean Accredited Business -

Tony's Tropical Tours

A multi award winning Advanced Eco-Accredited small group tour company offering tours to the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield Falls and The Tablelands.

Discover the beauty and wilderness that makes this Daintree area, World Heritage Listed. Surround yourself with unsurpassed natural scenery, open spaces and be guided in the privacy of a small group in a luxury vehicle, with minimal impact to the environment, visiting exclusive and private Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation locations.

Our Featured

Port douglas tours.

DAINTREE RAINFOREST CAPE TRIBULATION VIA MOSSMAN GORGE

THE TABLELANDS CRATER LAKES AND WATERFALLS

Tablelands tour.

HALF DAY RIVERS AND RAINFOREST

Rivers and rainforest, key facts about the daintree rainforest, more about our family business.

Daintree Rainforest Day Tours

At Tony’s Tropical Tours, we feel privileged to live, work, play, learn and explore every day on Kuku Yalanji country and we acknowledge the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people as the true and traditional custodians of our beautiful region. We also feel privileged to spend time to visit Bar Barrum, Girramay, Gugu Badhun, Jirrbal, Malanbarra, Dulebed, Mamu, Ngadjon, Yidinji and Wurrungu countries.

We pay our deep and sincere respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Elders and Ancestors. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of Australia, and we recognise other First Nations People around the globe.

Tony’s Tropical Tours is 100% locally owned and family operated based in Port Douglas. We are committed to the environment and dedicated to providing private, unique rainforest experience and the best in personal service with daily tours to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Far North Queensland .

Get in Touch

Phone: +61 4 29 993 230 Email: [email protected] P.O Box 206, Port Douglas, QLD, Australia

A Guide to Best Self-Drive Day Trips from Port Douglas

Published by admin on september 28, 2018.

Port Douglas offers many unique and exciting day trips for visitors and residents alike. From its coastal waters and coral reefs to lush rainforests and hills, you can reach many spectacular scenes from the comfort of your car (or rental car). With many self-drive day trips from Port Douglas , the diverse countryside and topography of Queensland have something for all tastes.

Kyle Taylor/flickr.com

1. Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation

At just about two hour’s drive away, Cape Tribulation is a protected beach area with stunning coastal views and a still, quiet beauty. This is where two World Heritage of Australia, its rainforests and great coral reefs, meet one another. Aside from the beautiful flora and fauna which inhabit the area, you can choose a variety of adventurous activities such as cycling, snorkelling, hiking and jungle surfing (zip-lining through the forest canopy), or simply relax on one of the area’s sandy beaches. Cape Tribulation tours from Port Douglas are a must do.

Doug Beckers/flickr.com

2. The Bloomfield Track from Port Douglas

A further hour north of Cape Tribulation, you can take this extended coastal drive through the Bloomfield Track. The track itself is 30km in length and accesses the Bloomfield Falls and Wujal Wujal aboriginal community. Crossing through dense rainforest and across beautiful streams and creeks, a four-wheel-drive car is highly recommended to traverse the beautiful and pristine Daintree Rainforest terrain.

Warrick Wynne/flickr.com

3. Daintree Tours from Port Douglas

Located on the southern side of the Daintree River, a road trip through the rainforests and creeks of Daintree sees plentiful restaurants, hidden waterfalls, pristine swimming spots and crocodile spotting tours. The drive from Port Douglas to Daintree Village is only 45 minutes, but the area is rich in attractions from historic bomb sites to cocoa and sugar cane farms and experiences. Daintree Village itself offers many hikes, river cruises and fishing adventures.

denisbin/flickr.com

4. Kuranda Village from Port Douglas

Kuranda tours from Port Douglas will only take an hour via the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive. This takes you to the stunning mountain village of Kuranda just outside of Cairns. Kuranda itself has lively artisan markets daily for day trippers and tourists alike. With such breathtaking scenery, you can take a trip on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to really soak in the rainforest views. Be sure to visit Barron Falls just 10-minute walk from the village.

Michael Zimmer/flickr.com

5. Mossman Gorge tours from Port Douglas

Located in Mount Lewis National Park, Mossman Gorge is under thirty minutes-drive from Port Douglas and can be incorporated into many scenic drives. Part of the traditional lands of the Kuku Yalanji people, the gorge itself is set within the lush green rainforest, and it is an ideal spot for a relaxed hike through the rainforest followed by a swim. Keep a keen eye out for crocodiles and birds on your journey through the canopies via well-laid boardwalks.

Jordan Fischer/flickr.com

6. The Tablelands

Located near Mossman Gorge and very much doable on the same day, the Atherton Tablelands include many spectacular rainforest and waterfall scenes. In particular, the Waterfall Way is a scenic drive around some ten beautiful waterfalls in the Tablelands, including Millaa Millaa, Ellinjaa and Zillie Falls.

This area is also renowned for its food and drinks, with chocolate, cheese, coffee and wine all made/grown in the area. If you have little ones with you, drive to the Malanda Visitor Centre for almost immediate access to Malanda Falls. There are many different drives and scenic routes through which to explore the area, either via the Rex Range, Kuranda Range or the Gillies Range. A drive from Port Douglas to the famed Millaa Millaa Falls will take about two hours and fifteen minutes.

eGuide Travel/flickr.com

7. The Great Barrier Reef Coastal Drive

There are many opportunities to take drives out to various parts of the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. In fact, many travellers to Port Douglas visit the town precisely for a glimpse of this wonder of the world.

A Great Barrier Reef Drive specifically takes in the stunning scenes both north and south of the Port Douglas area. Driving south to Cairns, a one hour drive will take you along Four Mile Beach with snorkelling tours out to sections of the Great Barrier Reef if desired.

Alternatively, just soak up the beautiful drive as you hug a coast which overlooks many reefs and islands. If you want to experience an even larger section of this coastline going south, Mission Beach, which is two hours and forty-eight minutes-drive one way, will pass waterfalls and natural pools like Babinda Boulders. Cairns Tours from Port Douglas will take you along this winding coastal route.

Before You Go

Before setting off on your mini adventure, be sure to be safety smart with your vehicle. In particular, make sure you have the right car for your chosen terrain and route as some roads will require hardy four-wheel-drive. Check distances and plan your adventure with adequate breaks and refreshments. Aside from packing all the necessary essentials like a first aid kit, phone charging equipment, snacks, maps and water for a Queensland road trip, be sure to check your car’s maintenance before you begin your travels. In particular, look out for the following basics to ensure a safe drive:

– Check that lights are in a good, working condition. This includes your reverse headlights, brake and indicator lights.

– Check that your tyres are in top condition with adequate tread and little chance of deflation or accident on Queensland’s roads.

– Make sure your windscreen wipers are working and have been topped up with vehicle screen wash.

– Ensure that you have towing contacts in the event of an accident.

– Check your car’s six essential fluids. These include your oil, water, car coolant and brake fluid levels, among others.

– Check your battery is in good order and ensure that you have enough driving fuel for the distance driven. It’s also always good to mark off service stations on a map to be safe.

– Pack your car with basic essentials: water, refreshments, first aid kit and an extra tire. Check the weather and plan your trip before you go.

– During the trip, avoid unlawful driving behaviours that might lead an accident, cause an injury and lower your demerit points . Be observant and cautious while driving.

– Take breaks here and there. During the breaks, you can explore the scenic surroundings.

Related Article: 10 Best Day Tours and Water Sports in Port Douglas

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Port Douglas Reef Charters

The gateway to the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas is the ultimate destination for the discerning traveler.

Port Douglas Reef Charters  has over 18 years experience in the local Port Douglas tourism industry and will ensure that you experience the best that tropical north Queensland has to offer. Call us on  0439910133

The Great Barrier Reef

Port Douglas Reef Charters can assist you with Great Barrier Reef tours for Heavy Tackle or Light Tackle Game fishing charters, boats for scuba diving, bottom fishing or snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours.

Port Douglas Reef Charters can also assist with live aboard fishing, island snorkeling helicopter flights and sunset cruises on the Great Barrier Reef. Our range of luxury reef mother ships and  luxury boats is second to none. You can browse our Great Barrier Reef products  

Great Barrier Reef Tour Specialists

Port Douglas Reef Charters knows from personal experience, which local boat charter operators offer a quality tour to the Great Barrier Reef.

Port Douglas Reef Charters knows the best destinations and features that this magnificent region has to offer.

Port Douglas Reef Charters knows which boats specialise in reef fishing, diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.

Port Douglas Reef Charters takes pride in offering the best customer service possible.

Port Douglas Reef Charters will make your choice of Great Barrier Reef tour an experience to remember for a lifetime.

Port Douglas Reef Charters are the Great Barrier Reef experts.

Port Douglas Reef Charters has over 18 years of experience working with local Great Barrier Reef Charter boat operators. Our local knowledge will help us to select the right adventure or tour for you. There are two basic choices of tour.

A private charter where the whole boat is yours. The charter rate is for the whole day and includes everything- crew, lunch as well as equipment for snorkeling or fishing. The other choice is a shared charter- where the price is per person. Our motto is “The right boats for the right people”.

Port Douglas Reef Charters can guide you to find the perfect fit for your reef tour needs.

Whether it be selecting a boat for a Great Barrier Reef fishing charter, or a boat for snorkeling and island exploration or a very special boat charter for a wedding or conference, please contact us or call 0439910133 to speak with one of our knowledgeable reservations team.

Port Douglas Reef Charters can also offer a number of scenic and private helicopter tours that take in the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and the Outback.

Port Douglas Reef Charters can help you !

Port Douglas Reef Charters can also provide you with lots of helpful local Port Douglas information to make your holiday experience unforgettable: need a private chef to prepare a delicious meal in your holiday house? Or a recommendation for a good restaurant ?

Would you like a private yoga class in the privacy of your holiday accommodation? Port Douglas Reef Charters can help out with lots of helpful information and insider tips.

Would you like assistance in planning a romantic wedding cruise, charter or bucks party fishing charters ? Need some help planning a conference or special event in Port Douglas? Interested in doing a spot of game fishing ? Heavy or Light Tackle game fishing on the Great Barrier Reef departing from Port Douglas?

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Port Douglas Reef Charters can provide invaluable independent advice to those wanting to charter a luxury boat or luxury catamaran for wedding reception cruises, luxurious boating honeymoons and extended charters, as well as day tours on luxury boats.

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Port Douglas Reef Charters can also advise on a number of helicopter flights , including tours to remote sand cays for the ultimate private helicopter reef experience, helicopter flights to Lizard Island and a number of other truly unique experiences.

My family & I have just returned from a stunning trip to Port Douglas & fishing on the reef. Fish ranging from 300lb for my wife & 900lb plus & 1200lb plus for my 2 sons…spectacular! Thank you very much for you assistance in organizing this trip & for putting us in touch with boat owners…absolutely brilliant. I can highly recommend the charter! Anyway just a short note to say thank you for your assistance, all went smoothly & according to plan. With a bit of luck we’ll all be back next year!

Hello, hello. We're back on the job and things are as hectic as ever, but we're able to cope again after our wonderful holiday. Thank you so much Carolynne for all your advice and arrangements. It was terrific to meet you and the highlight of the holiday for me, will always remain eating the freshest, most deliciously sweet muddies, with a bottle of champagne, on the verandah at Port Douglas.

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Port Douglas Reef Cruises - Experience the Great Barrier Reef

Explore low isles in a virtual tour.

Click the button below to get started, and navigate through Low Isles and it’s surrounding reef, exploring 360° panoramic views at each stop along the tour. Experience the beauty of the reef before you travel!

Discover the magic just outside Port Douglas

Calypso’ Port Douglas Reef Cruises offer a variety of family cruises, reef tours, and dive trips to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling and scuba diving. Our reef trips are suitable for all ages and provide a unique reef experience for all guests.

Explore the wondrous spectacle that is the Great Barrier Reef with Calypso Reef Cruises. A diversity of marine life and corals inhabit the Great Barrier Reef and can be viewed from the surface or by plunging below.

Snorkelling and diving the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is an adventure. Exploring the coral gardens in search for weird and wonderful marine creatures at Opal Reef and Agincourt Reef will keep you busy for hours. Three sites are visited in one day, providing an insight into this large, unique and extraordinary living organism that is the Great Barrier Reef.

Departing from the Crystalbrook Marina, our experienced and knowledgeable crew will take you on a trip of a lifetime in new stable and comfortable vessels.

Calypso Tours

We have a variety of Port Douglas reef cruises available from half day island tours to full day outer Great Barrier Reef adventures. Whether you prefer to stay dry or get out into the depths of the reef, Calypso Reef Cruises will ensure your Great Barrier Reef experience is safe, memorable & fun!

• Snorkel Tour
• Dedicated snorkelling vessel
• Visit 3 amazing snorkelling sites
• Delicious lunch, morning and afternoon tea
• Snorkel gear + vests/lyrca suits

Adult From $299

Child 4 – 14 year From $189

Family 2 Adults + 2 Children From $787

The above rates are based on off peak season rates. Peak season rates attract an extra $10 per person / $30 per family.

Peak season: 1st April – 26th April | 22nd June – 11th October | 21st December – 17th January 2025

Off peak: 27th April – 21st June | 12th October – 20th December | 18th January – 31st March 2025

Infants 0-3 travel free on our Full Day Great Barrier Reef Tours but must be pre-booked. Total price includes $7 administration costs.

• Low Isles Half Day Tour
• Only 30mins from Port Douglas
• Small group half day tour
• Morning or afternoon tea
• Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkel equipment

Adult From $229

The above rates are based on off peak season rates. Peak season rates attract an extra $10 per person.

Dive & Snorkel Tour

• Optional diving experiences*
• Visit 3 breathtaking sites
• Delicious lunch, morning & afternoon tea
• Snorkel gear + vests/lycra suits included

Infants 0-3 travel free on our Full Day Great Barrier Reef Tours but must be pre-booked. Total price includes $7 administration costs. *Diving is an additional cost

“ Definitely a must do when visiting North Queensland. The staff were excellent - all very experienced and informative. We were taken to 3 areas of Opal Reef. The staff were extremely tentative...added BONUS of a professional photographer onboard, who photographed us underwater! Monique via Tripadvisor

“ This 1/2 day snorkelling trip from Port Douglas could not have been better! During the 4-hour tour we learnt about the Low Isles, their creation, evolution and history. We went for a 45 minute snorkel when the instructor was able to show us a turtle! Wet suits and snorkel gear were all provided, pre-sanitized. Fellow Traveller via Tripadvisor

“ Incredible! The staff were fantastic extremely lovely. We snorkelled and saw everything we wanted to. The reef was stunning and the staff gave great recommendations on where to go for the best spots. Would highly recommend! Celeste R via Tripadvisor

“ I can highly recommend them. I am a pretty experienced certified diver and have been on many dive trips in and outside Australia. Deb, Pamela & the rest of the dive team at Calypso got it just about spot on with me...Interesting marine discussions and nice food supplied. All the staff were very personable and friendly. Captain Getaway via Tripadvisor

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The Great Barrier Reef needs no introduction – the world’s largest, best managed and most famous coral reef system, is right on our doorstep.

Port Douglas is the closest town and departure point to the reef, with an unparalleled fleet offering more than a dozen specialist Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkelling tours each day. Find a Port Douglas snorkelling tour or Port Douglas diving tour departing the Port Douglas Marina directly to the pontoon, a coral cay or on a multi-site adventure. If you're strapped for time, sail on a half-day luxury cruise, or take a speedboat for a thrilling snorkel adventure. Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkelling and diving tour from Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest - there's a snorkel and dive tour to suit every passenger (even the ones who don't want to get wet!). It's easy to get lost in the sea of options when it comes to planning the perfect Port Douglas diving and snorkelling holiday. Sign up to our newsletter here for all the up-to-date local information and holiday deals so you can emerge from the waves like the mermaid you are, and enjoy your perfectly tailored underwater holiday.

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Tourism Port Douglas Daintree acknowledges the custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef by the local Kuku Yalanji and Yirraganydji people whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

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Top 5 places to encounter wildlife in Queensland

• Atherton Tablelands

By Australia specialist Connor

From rainforest to reef, the diverse landscapes of Queensland are home to a surprising assortment of animals that you can discover in this Australian state.

A rainbow of fish darting over the Great Barrier Reef. Crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy banks of the Daintree River. Getting up close and personal with protected kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas in Port Douglas. I’m always floored by how many of Australia’s renowned animals you can find in Queensland. Here’s my choice for the top five places to encounter wildlife on a visit.

Bird watching in the Atherton Tablelands

Sitting out on the porch at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat  in the tropical rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands , a cacophony of bird calls rang out through the air. The elevated deck was surrounded by trees, making me feel entirely immersed in the forest. All I had to do was sit back and relax while flocks of bright-white cockatoos flew by, and eastern whipbirds sang their distinctive tune. The whipbirds’ call is like nothing I’d ever heard — it sounds like the zap of a laser or a crack of a whip, a comparison that earned this mohawked grey-and-yellow bird its name.

The bird life is so diverse at Rose Gums that the hotel even has a page on its website dedicated to listing the more than 160 species that you might be able to see while staying here. This includes endemic species, such as the grey-headed robin, mountain thornbill, and Atherton scrubwren.

Some of the rooms have picture windows framing the bathtub, so you can even look for birds while soaking in an indulgent bubble bath. If you’d rather be one with the brush while birding, you can explore the 10 km (6 mi) of walking tracks on the property.

You can also find cassowaries here, a large, flightless, and surprisingly fast bird that stands out for its unique plumage of black quill-like feathers topped by a red neck, blue face, and a keratin crown on its head. Cassowaries also have wolverine-sharp nails on three of its toes and are known for scratching vehicles. While sometimes elusive in other parts of Queensland, cassowaries are so abundant here that the hotel asks you to place a protective cover on your car so the birds don’t wreck the paint job.

Marine life on Great Barrier Reef

Snorkelling over the Great Barrier Reef , not only can you see the orange-and-white striped clownfish, but many others of ‘the Great 8’ — eight charismatic residents of the biodiverse reef. The list also includes sharks, sea turtles, potato cod, Māori wrasse, giant clams, manta rays, and whales.

I remember the feeling of the refreshing seawater caressing my skin as I gazed down into a watery world below, watching grey reef sharks working their way through the water and moray eels peeking out from their lairs beneath mounds of coral. Others on my dive boat spotted sea turtles gliding by, and our snorkel guide talked about the tiger sharks and hammerheads that can be found along the reef.

While there’s been much discussion over the overall health of the reef in recent years, I found the reef was incredibly vibrant. The spiny branches of staghorn coral, some growing to more than two m (6.5 ft) tall, towered over the seafloor. Meanwhile, the layered spirals of plate coral have also been reported by the Australian Institute of Marine Science to be regenerating their habitats at a 14 times higher rate — that’s two decades faster — than other coral types.

I was also entranced by brain coral, covered in a maze of grooves that make them look indeed just like a brain, and the undulating mushroom corals, which seem to change their hue in different angles of light.

Manta rays, whales & sea turtles on the southern reef

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is all about finding the right experience for you , which might include an overnight stay at one of the outlying islands on the southern stretch of the reef. This includes the rustic rooms and tents on Lady Elliot Island and a more sophisticated stay on Heron Island . At both hotels, the reef is so close to the shore that you can wade into the water and instantly be immersed in vibrant marine life.

For eco-focused, solar-powered lodging, plot a course to Lady Elliot Island, but for a bit more luxury, I recommend a stay at the Heron Island Resort. Set on its own little stretch of reef, you can arrive to Heron Island by ferry, or swoop in more swiftly on a seaplane or helicopter. Heron Island has the feeling of a Robinson Crusoe's desert island with a smattering of lavish trappings, like waterfront massages and wine-and-cheese sunset cruises, thrown in for good measure. There’s a wide mix of rooms available, from the simple and comfortable Turtle Rooms to the beachfront Heron Suites.

On both Lady Elliot and Heron, you’ll have the chance to see manta rays dancing gracefully in the sunlight-dappled sea. On Heron Island there’s the added allure of the loggerhead and green sea turtles, which nest here from November to March each year — the eggs usually hatch January to May. You can also look for humpback whales, which pass by the island from June to September.

Crocodiles in the Daintree Rainforest

Beyond the reef and beaches of Queensland, you’ll find the Daintree Rainforest , the oldest rainforest in the world. This is home to a number of reptiles small and large, ranging from spiny Boyd’s forest dragon lizards, which dart up the high trees, to the saltwater crocodiles in the eponymous river.

Boarding a river boat, you’ll travel down the Daintree River to look for crocodiles, some of which grow up to 5 m (16 ft) in length. As you motor along, you can also glimpse snakes hanging from tree branches and birds flying overhead. The boat’s captain and guides are so well acquainted with the area that they know the crocs by name — they could differentiate between the giant reptiles and told us all about the history of each.

The boat stays a comfortable distance from the big reptiles so as not to disturb them. I was there in June — Australia’s winter — when the cold-blooded creatures hunker down a bit. I still saw them lounging their scaly bodies on riverbanks, eking out the sunlight, but our guide said that in summer they’re much more active. This activity ticks up a notch during mating season from November to February when they get much more territorial and more likely to bare their sharp teeth.

Kangaroos, wallabies & koalas in Port Douglas

In a country that’s known for its singular wildlife, few species are more popular more than kangaroos and koalas. There’s a place in Queensland where you can see both of these sought-after Australian animals, as well as emus, kookaburras, wallabies, possum, pythons, crocodiles, and many more.

I suggest a private tour the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas , a wildlife sanctuary established for the protection, conservation, and observation of animals. The two-hour private tour is designed around you, so guides can take you and your group to the animals that you want to see most.

During the tour, you’ll have a chance to meet with a wildlife keeper and watch a personal reptile presentation. A private tour is also the only way to visit the Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre to learn about the Wildlife Habitat’s rescue efforts.

You can also partake of the rare chance to interact with some of the animals. While holding a koala isn’t something I’d usually recommend, the way they handle it at the Wildlife Habitat is very different. The koala won’t be whisked from person to person for a photo op. Instead, you’ll enter the koala enclosure one at a time with the wildlife keeper there ensuring the protection and comfort of the koala at every step.

Read more about trips to Australia

Australia family tour: Sydney, national parks & Great Barrier Reef

14 days from $4,470pp

Highlights of Australia — city, Outback & reef

13 days from $9,450pp

Ultimate luxury tour of Australia

17 days from $38,900pp

Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Further reading

• Highlights of Queensland
• The Great Barrier Reef: find the right experience for you
• Top 10 wildlife experiences in Australia
• Family vacations in Australia
• What to do in Australia: our highlights guide

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As progress flows, Level 4 water restrictions are relaxed

Douglas Shire Council is pleased to confirm the relaxing of water restriction measures across the shire from Level 4 to Level 3 from 2 May 2024.

Several factors have contributed to the relaxation. They include the end of the wet season, water conservation efforts of the community and tourism industry, as well as initiatives by Council to improve water security therefore significantly reducing the potential for interruptions to water supply.

Production levels at the Whyanbeel Water Treatment Plant will increase when new ultrafiltration treatment units are commissioned while the installation of an interconnector pipeline between Mossman and Whyanbeel water schemes is complete. More than 200 network leaks have been fixed and Council has invested in 30 new water tanks.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said residents, businesses and the tourism industry were to be commended for water conservation efforts to date.

“Since Level 4 water restrictions were introduced on 12 January 2024, water consumption across the shire has dropped by 30 per cent, which is a remarkable achievement by our community,” Cr Scomazzon said.

“Our treatment plants are processing 12Ml/day and we are confident in our decision to relax restrictions.

“We hope these changes will ease some of the strain on the region’s residents and businesses while the council continues to secure longer-term water security solutions for the region. I’d like to thank staff for their hard work in this area.”

While this is good news, Level 3 water restrictions include important water usage constraints for all public, private, commercial and industrial sectors.

“Water is a precious resource, so even though restrictions have been relaxed, it is still important to continue to make saving water part of the everyday routine,” Cr Scomazzon said.

Councillor Abigail Noli said she was happy for residents that the restrictions had been brought down by one level.

“I am also very proud of how everyone has stuck with the restrictions until now,” Cr Noli said.

“Much hard work has gone into getting this far and I’m confident that Council will be able to pursue improvements on our water security so that we will continue to head in the right direction.”

To help tourism operators and businesses across our region, Council has worked with Tourism Port Douglas Daintree to launch the Preserve Paradise tool kit which includes fact sheets, FAQs, posters, and in-room signage.

“We are encouraging our residents and visitors to Preserve Paradise and help with water conservation efforts. This forms an important and authentic part of our sustainability story as a destination,” Cr Scomazzon said.

“We strongly encourage residents and businesses to use the MiWater portal to track water usage and help with continued conservation efforts.”

Level 3 Water Restrictions include:

• The watering of plants, gardens and lawns by bucket at any time. Hand-held hoses with trigger or twist nozzles permitted between 6pm – 7am for a maximum of one hour and must be attended at all times.
• Restricted use of manual sprinklers, automated sprinklers, micro-spray or drip watering irrigation systems.
• Private properties with existing swimming pools may top up pools to the minimum operating level, however, we request customers are conscious of the demand they are placing on the system and top up pools at a reduced flow rate.
• The filling up of existing ponds and water features.
• The cleaning of windows by means of a watering can or bucket only.
• The cleaning of paved areas by means of a bucket, unless cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency.
• The topping up of private swimming pools, spas and portable paddling pools, among other activities.

Exemptions must be approved for:

• The filling of new swimming pools and spas.
• The filling of water storage tanks and dams.
• The use of water toys and facilities.
• Any other purpose not listed in the Water Restrictions.

A full list of inclusions in Level 3 Water Restrictions can be found HERE.

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