Outer Reef Odyssey: 40-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight to the Great Barrier Reef

Embark on a breathtaking 40-minute scenic helicopter flight to the Great Barrier Reef. Extend the flight to explore the outer edge of Arlington Reef and capture stunning images of the reef’s vibrant colors and marine life.

Duration: 40 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Great Barrier Reef - A fabulous scenic helicopter flight. In forty minutes, we’ll go beyond the inner reef, to the outer regions of the Great Barrier Reef where the frequency of coral structures is outstanding. The additional time allows us to explore more widely, watching out for the incredible reef wildlife flourishing in this World Heritage listed icon.
What's Included
  • 40 minute reef scenic flight
  • All fees and/or taxes included
  • Informative, in-flight commentary
What's Not Included
  • Unique, collectable ‘Zoomy’ Merchandise - optional
  • Personalised ‘in-flight’ video - optional
Additional Information

This magnificent 40-minute helicopter tour over the reef is a truly breathtaking experience. By adding an extra 10 minutes to the standard 30-minute flight, you’ll have the opportunity to see all the highlights of our regular tour, while extending the journey eastwards. This takes us past Green Island and to the outer boundaries of Arlington Reef – a…

Location
Zoom Helicopters
Turn off the Captain Cook Highway into the General Aviation entrance to Cairns Airport, turn right and you will find us opposite the Aviation Skills Centre on the left hand side of Bush Pilots Avenue.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(62 Ratings)
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Jeffrey_t
Apr 13, 2025
Great Experience! - The pilot was fantastic! From start to finish an all around great experience! I highly recommend this trip!!!
Review provided by Viator
Sharon_r
Apr 6, 2025
Awesome - Well worth the trip! It was awesome and let us see what we were going to be snorkeling yesterday.😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠
Review provided by Viator
Lesley_m
Mar 15, 2025
A great way to see the reef! - Niels was a great pilot and explained the whole process well and answered any questions we had in detail. Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from the air was a great and unique experience that we are very happy that we decided to do.
Review provided by Viator
324harrisw
Feb 17, 2025
Helicopter Reef Tour - Amazing way to see the Great Barrier Reef from a totally different perspective. You can appreciate the share of some of these reefs by the air, understand how the islands develop and also did see turtles and other big fish. The take off and landing of the helicopter across a major airport and being watching commercial aircraft taking off from a close distance was also an assume experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colinofhove
Jan 26, 2025
A MUST DO - Turned up to an empty portacabin with a note on please come in and help yourself to a drink. Waiting for the last flight to return and then it was our turn. The previous flight had 4 adults but fortunately it was just us two, we both agree we cannot see how you get 4 adults plus the pilot. We went for the forty minute outer reef and wow what a treat this was, sadly no marine life we could see but my goodness the whole experience and the views are just breathtaking. We did green island the day before but this is a whole new perspective on the Great Barrier Reef. Go and do it, it’s not cheap but you are paying for the pilots experience and the unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bluec2022
Jan 25, 2025
Best service ever - We visited Cairns in May 2024 and booked for a heli tour with Zoom on our last day in the city. Weather was not great (unfortunately, but nothing can be done about it) but Niels went really above and beyond to let us have the tour given that it was our last chance. We had never encounterd anyone being so dedicated, accomodating and caring for their customer. Given our other commitments he offered to accompany us to return the rental car while we waited for the weather to improve and after the tour he offered to drop us off at the airport. Would definitely reccomend booking with them, not only for the amazing views, but for the exceptional service.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_b
Jan 19, 2025
Great trip. Only 40... - Great trip. Only 40 minutes but worth every penny. Chris was terrific and very informative answering all our questions.
Review provided by Viator
Jovanous
Jan 16, 2025
Great Barrier Reef by Zoom helicopter - Unbelievable experience. Really well run service. Neil made sure both sides of chopper saw the sites. Dream come true. 10 out of 10👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulach6743mp
Apr 15, 2025
Very good - The captain was amazing. I told him I wanted to take professional photos, and he did what he could to avoid the glare and show me the best angles. I'm only giving four stars because, during the pre-flight, we were shown a helicopter whose windows could be opened. I asked the operator if that was going to be the case, and I was told it would, but it was not the case.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
796buram
Feb 28, 2025
Racist and Rude - We were 5 of us. Both my parents are with me. And my pregnant sister was also there. He told us that 3 ppl in the first ride and 3 in the next and offered 1 free for the second ride. And after the payment is done he changed his version and told us 4 in the first ride and 1 in the next ride. We told him before booking also that we don’t want to leave our parents alone and also my pregnant sister. He got 2 more passengers and then without informing us he changed his version. He spoke very rudely and in a racist way. Unacceptable and disrespectful. I wouldn’t suggest you guys to travel with them. It’s a proper scam. He threatened to call police on us and we also were willing to talk to the police about this scam and we waited for 20 mins and no police arrived. We asked for our refund and we didn’t get that too! Very rude!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $336
up to 3 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).