Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours - Cairns City, Queensland

sarah C.

We had such an incredible time scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Free! From start to finish, the crew created an amazing experience. Everyone on the boat was so positive, kind, and genuinely enthusiastic — you could tell they really love what they do and wanted us to have the best day possible.

The dive itself was unforgettable. The coral was bright, colorful, and full of life, and we felt like we were swimming through an underwater paradise. The team made us feel safe, comfortable, and excited for every moment, whether it was gearing up, learning about the reef, or diving in.

If you’re looking for a tour that combines breathtaking sights with a supportive, friendly crew, this is the one to book. We’ll be talking about this experience for years to come!

Ava S.

This was the best scuba diving experience I've ever had. The staff here is PHENOMENAL, from the front desk/call center to the staff on board - I can't say this enough. When I came to Cairns, I was traveling solo. Although I'm a certified scuba diver, I hadn't done a dive in about 3-4 years and was feeling very nervous. I "shopped" around for many different scuba diving places that could handle my anxiety. From the start of my experience with Ocean Freedom (when I called into the office), to getting on the boat, to telling the instructors about my anxiety -- I felt so heard and taken care of. They were so flexible and worked with me every step of the way to provide me with alternative options if I needed.

I ended up sticking with the certified dive after enthusiasm and encouragement from the staff (who were also willing to put me in an intro dive if I wanted), and I'm SO glad that I did! Amber is a FANTASTIC diving instructor. She made me feel safe, taken care of, and checked in with me consistently during the dive. I loved it so much that I ended up booking a second dive.

Skipper Ben and the other instructors/crew on board were so friendly, warm, and genuinely seemed to love their jobs. I felt so safe and seen the whole time, which is so important as a solo female traveler. I would recommend this place in a heartbeat! I hope to be back in beautiful Cairns and will surely book again. 🙂

Bradley C.

One of the best days of my life! We went diving with ocean free on the sailboat which was mine and my partners first time on a sailboat and they made the whole day feel like an adventure! The crew are super friendly and professional making the day even better and they take safety very seriously. The dive itself was incredible and Tamara showed us some awesome parts of the Great Barrier Reef. After the dive we got to explore Green Island which was really cool! The food on board was lovely and the sailboat was so much fun. If you want a really good diving experience, definitely go with ocean free and the crew!

Diego V.

We thoroughly researched all the tours in Cairns that led to the Barrier Reef and ultimately chose this one. We opted for the Ocean Free option, which was more expensive but offered fewer people and a more private experience (we’re glad we did). We boarded the sailboat and, contrary to popular belief, it was actually slower than other boats. In my opinion, the slower pace was worth it because we could fully enjoy the ride. The staff was young but incredibly experienced and made our day fantastic! They even offered us beverages and food throughout the day. Highly recommend if you are looking for a unique experience!

Charlotta G.

I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing trips with both Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom, and I honestly can’t recommend them enough. We were so happy with both experiences! From the moment we stepped on board, we were met with personal, passionate, and friendly service, and it was clear how much the crew cares about the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling, and diving.

The staff were not only professional, but also warm, welcoming, and incredibly reassuring. The team spirit and sense of community on board truly set the tone for the whole experience—it felt like joining a family for the day.

One of the highlights of both tours is the small group size, which makes the experience feel much more exclusive and relaxed. We had plenty of time out at the reef, so nothing ever felt rushed. We were even taken to multiple snorkeling spots to see different parts of the reef, which made it all the more special.

When it came to scuba diving, I was nervous to try it, but the team was absolutely amazing. They handled my concerns with such care and guided me through the process so gently. Thanks to their excellent staff-to-guest ratio, I always felt seen and supported—there were no more than two guests per instructor when diving, which made a world of difference.

Both Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom go above and beyond to make sure you have an unforgettable day. It’s a luxurious and heartwarming experience from start to finish. If you want to explore the Great Barrier Reef in the best possible way, this is it.

thanhquit2010

Just came back on one of their trips. My wife and I enjoyed the tour thoroughly. At first we were reluctant to get in the water because we both are not strong swimmers but the crew assured us that they have supported many tourists like us in the past. They were right, with the wet suit and life vest and a crew member to guide us out each step of the way, it was a pleasant experience to see the reef and the fish. We both enjoyed the reef very much thanks to crew of Ocean Freedom. The food was good too. We had a continental breakfast, a full lunch and a snack with crackers, cheeses and fruits in the afternoon. Highly recommend this excursion. OH, the glass bottom boat was great!!!

Fahd M.

Best cruise ever. Every single crew member is simply amazing and very helpful. We were looked after at every step and for all the activities including snorkelling and diving (even if it was my first time). They accommodated every need. We were fed well every two hours whether it was early morning tea with fruits and assortments, lunch with so many seafood (and vegetarian and meat) options, later cheese platters/crackers and cakes.
Highly recommended to do activities with them.
We felt special and spoilt.

Jordan M.

Had a great time, weather was perfect. Took 2 dives and snorkeling in between.
A few divers and mostly snorkelers on board. This isn’t pro level dive boat, it’s great for a day out with all equipment provided if you’re in the area for a short time, exactly what we were looking for.

Food provided several times and very friendly staff, we enjoyed our day immensely.