Cairns: Outer Edges of The Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight
About This Experience
This is the reef seen whole. A half-hour fixed-wing flight out of Cairns covers up to 140 kilometres of the Outer Barrier - Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Upolu Reef, Pixie Reef and Arlington Reef - and the scale of the thing only reads properly from the air.
The real adventure starts about ten minutes after take-off. Everyone gets a window seat, the cabin is air-conditioned, and the pilot's commentary comes through a headset. Manta rays, green turtles, dugongs and sharks are regularly visible from the aircraft, and humpback whales pass through between July and August.
It is the cheapest way onto this site's list at $143, and it pairs naturally with a boat day rather than replacing one - an hour at the airport against a nine-hour sailing. Flights are weather-dependent; a cancelled flight is rescheduled or refunded in full.
Highlights
- Experience the thrill of swooping over the iconic Great Barrier Reef on a flight
- Fly over Green Island, Arlington Reef, Middle Cay, Oyster Reef, and more
- Take in views of the coral reef in air-conditioned comfort from a large window
- Get a better perspective of the grand size and sheer beauty of the reef
- Keep a look out for marine life and spot humpback whales during July to August
What's Included
- ✓ Pilot Commentary
- ✓ Headsets
- ✓ Window seat
Not Included
- Food and drinks
Good to Know & Caveats
- The tour is subject to weather conditions. If your scenic flight is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, we will work with you to either reschedule your flight for an alternative date or you may elect to receive a full refund
- Due to aircraft limitations, passengers must be able to step into the aircraft unassisted
Not Suitable For
- People over 254 lbs (115 kg)
Meeting Point
Cairns Airport. Check in at the Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights desk before your allocated departure time.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 3,496 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
We had an amazing experience with the scenic flight in Cairns! ✈️🌴 Luke at reception was absolutely fantastic — so friendly, helpful and welcoming. He even called us to let us know that our flight would be delayed by around 45 minutes, which gave us the chance to have a more relaxed breakfast. We really appreciated that thoughtful gesture and great communication. The briefing before the flight was very clear and professional, and our pilot was also super friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable. And of course, the views were absolutely spectacular! The scenery from above was breathtaking and definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Cairns. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Cairns. 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
— Alejandra, Septemb
100% recommended. It's a show to see the barrier from the air. Cameron is an excellent pilot.
— Francisco Martinez, Septemb
I came as a solo female traveler. The Great Barrier Reef was something I wanted to see at least once in my lifetime! It looked very beautiful from the Cessna, and it was exactly the same as what I saw on social media! Amazing!
— karin, Septemb
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the scenic flight?
Thirty minutes in the air from Cairns, covering up to 140 kilometres of the Outer Barrier Reef.
What will I see?
Green Island, Oyster Reef, Vlasoff Cay, Upolu Reef, Pixie Reef and Arlington Reef, plus the sand cays between them. Manta rays, green turtles, dugongs and sharks are regularly visible from the aircraft, and humpback whales pass through in July and August.
Does everyone get a window seat?
Yes. The aircraft is a fixed-wing plane with large windows and an air-conditioned cabin, and the pilot's commentary comes through a headset.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The flight is rescheduled to another date, or refunded in full if you prefer. Scenic flights are weather-dependent and the operator will not fly in poor conditions.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes, the flight is not suitable for passengers over 115 kg (254 lbs), and passengers must be able to step into the aircraft unassisted.
Other Great Barrier Reef Tours
Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Tour with Lunch
Airlie Beach: Great Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach Tour
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Half-Day Snorkelling Tour
From Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Premium Catamaran
Port Douglas: Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full-Day Cruise
Cairns: Silverswift 3 Great Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day
