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Great Barrier Reef 40 Minute Scenic Flight from Cairns
4.8
157 Ratings
Cairns City
Discover the Great Barrier Reef from above on a 40-minute scenic flight. Enjoy breathtaking views and expert commentary. Book your aerial adventure now.
Discover the Great Barrier Reef from above on a 40-minute scenic flight. Enjoy breathtaking views and expert commentary. Book your aerial adventure now.
Duration:
40 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- GSL Aviation - Starting point
- Great Barrier Reef - Bird’s eye view of Great Barrier Reef
- Green Island - Aerial views of Green Island
- GSL Aviation - Starting point
- Great Barrier Reef - Bird’s eye view of Great Barrier Reef
- Green Island - Aerial views of Green Island
What's Included
- Guaranteed window seats
- In-flight commentary
- Hotel pickup and drop-off only from Cairns city centre area
- 40-minute high wing aircraft scenic flight
- Guaranteed window seats
- In-flight commentary
- Hotel pickup and drop-off only from Cairns city centre area
- 40-minute high wing aircraft scenic flight
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off outside Cairns city center area (eg, Palmcove, Yorkeys Knob)
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off outside Cairns city center area (eg, Palmcove, Yorkeys Knob)
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
Embark on a 40-minute scenic flight over the magnificent Great Barrier Reef in our top-wing plane. Enjoy sights of Cairns, Green Island, Arlington Reef, Upolu Reef, Double Island, and Palm Cove. Once you’ve experienced the beauty of the Reef, you’ll journey back to the mainland, catching glimpses of the North Queensland shoreline. Comfortable window…
Embark on a 40-minute scenic flight over the magnificent Great Barrier Reef in our top-wing plane. Enjoy sights of Cairns, Green Island, Arlington Reef, Upolu Reef, Double Island, and Palm Cove. Once you’ve experienced the beauty of the Reef, you’ll journey back to the mainland, catching glimpses of the North Queensland shoreline. Comfortable window seats are assured for a splendid view, accompanied by a knowledgeable pilot feeding you insights throughout the trip. We also offer a complimentary shuttle service from your centrally located Cairns accommodation.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Individual weight restriction 125 KG
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issue, passenger must be able to get in and out of the plane without assistance
Location
GSL Aviation - Cairns
Royal Flying Doctor Street
If you are going to make your own way to the meeting point, please make sure to be on time for check-in 30 minutes prior to your tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(157 Ratings)
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Rachele_b
Aug 17, 2025
Everything was perfect... - Everything was perfect from the pick up to the flight itself and the staff and the pilot were amazing. The view was incredible, I absolutely recommend the experience!
Review provided by Viator
Q1482unar
Aug 16, 2025
Great experience, easy and simple to organise - Brilliant, simple operation, got to see the reefs and some wild life too. Pilot Ben was great, easy going and created a good vibe. Pick up from hotel smooth and drop off just as good. I booked literally the day of (about 3 hours before) and it all went off without a hitch. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_s
Aug 16, 2025
Amazing views and well worth the money ! - I originally booked on a dull day and realised visibility was going to be rubbish. I rang the centre at opening time and was told the visibility would be fine and they would advise later if the flight needed to be postponed. I was in the van to the centre when I received a text that visibility was poor due to the weather and the flight would be delayed by at least 30 mins. On arrival we were then further advised the visibility was bad and that the flight may not go ahead. I was then offered to rebook for another day which I happily took them up on. It was a bit of a waste of time considering I’d asked about rebooking that morning to then spend an hour and a half doing transfers etc but I was just happy to delay the flight to another day.
The flight was amazing and well worth the time and money to get up there. I got amazing photos and spotted some manta rays and even a whale. The pilot was also able to provide plenty of information on the reef. Good views of Green Island and the reef.
Review provided by Viator
Candice_r
Aug 15, 2025
Must do!! - Wonderful experience and such amazing view of the Great Barrier Reef. The pilot was exceptional ❤️🏝️🐠🐳
Review provided by Viator
Fellowtraveler796326
Jul 30, 2025
Top drawer - What an experience. Smooth pick up from my hotel and taken to the check in at Cairns airport. Was given an aircraft safety demo before we set off. Magical 40 minutes out over the inner reef and green island. Was a real bucket list trip for me and hit the spot. Pilot was very chatty and informative and this added to the whole experience. Would defo recommend if you are wanting to see the reef from the air...great stuff GSL aviation, keep up the good work👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicola_p
Jul 23, 2025
Amazing and a bucket list trip - Whole experience from being picked up at Hotel to going to airfield, watching safety video and boarding plane all went smoothly. It was fantastic and the views from the seaplane were breathtaking. Our pilot who I believe was Carolina was amazing and so informative
Review provided by Viator
Benjamin_t
Jul 23, 2025
Excellent flight! - They did a great job of showing us a bunch of reefs and cays. It was a beautiful experience that covered everything we were looking field. Friendly and professional staff.
Review provided by Viator
Hai_n
Jul 21, 2025
Great experiences - Great experience and worth to do in Cairns. Friendly staff, pick up at your hotel in Cairns and and wonderful view of Cairns
Review provided by Viator
Jstrand12
Jul 21, 2025
Amazing tour over the Great Barrier Reef - Amazing tour over the Great Barrier Reef. Our pilot was Harvey, and he was incredible. He gave great commentary about the reef, kept the ride smooth, and made sure everyone was comfortable throughout the experience. We got some amazing pictures of different types of reefs, as well as the coast and hills along the shore. I’d say the overall value for the money was perfect, probably better than what you’d get from a helicopter tour in terms of value for dollars spent. I’d highly recommend adding this to your itinerary while in cairns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Globetrotting15843
Jul 27, 2025
I didn’t get to fulfill my bucket list - I got picked by pilot to sit in the co-pilot’s seat. No customer should sit there. Except for Green Island, all attractions were on left side of plane. All I could see on the left side was the pilot on his chair.
One good point was a friendly worker, who was from Oregon. He helped this feeble, 78 year old woman on and off the elevated seat.
I hope this info can help others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor