Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

Fantastics experience!

I really appreciate to Takuya for giving me fantastics experience. Very supportive and helpful! That day was rough sea condition but I could survive because of him.

Amazing experience

Would 100% recommend this experience to anyone wanting to see the reef. Ryan, Lazarus and uncle Trav were so welcoming, friendly and funny and kept the good vibes going throughout the whole day. Their sharing of culture and playing the didgeridoo on the boat was very special. Also a shout out to Jen, the marine biologist on board - she was so knowledgeable answering any questions and providing insight into marine life, and super friendly.

Enlightening and unforgettable experience

There are so many GBR tour options and we picked this one for its focus on sustainability and cultural tradition regarding the reef. I’m glad we did because I think those points made this boat trip even more special. Having information and demonstrations from both marine biologists and indigenous cultural guides was interesting and enlightening. The actual snorkel experience was also amazing, the two reef areas were vibrant and full of life, and you could tell all the staff cared so much about it and ensuring that everyone had an enjoyable and respectful time. The refreshments provided were tasty and high quality, and all the staff were so friendly and welcoming.

Best tour in cairns

Amazing trip. Did the scuba diving, instructor Brandon was very helpful and showed us around the beautiful reef. Crew was very wholesome and fun! Must do when you visit cairns

Wonderful snorkeling experience

The reef spots we snorkeled were amazing and with great visibility of the coral and fish. We even saw a turtle. The crew was friendly. The lunch was adequate and there were snacks throughout the morning and afternoon. I was a bit disappointed that there was not the aboriginal explanations we were expecting from the booking advertisement. The day was fabulous nonetheless.

Hitting the Great Barrier Reef

It was a very well run trip. I had a cold so it cut down on my snorkeling a little bit. My wife was able to enjoy. They served the breakfast which they were stopping soon after were there. They also had a marine biologist on board, which I also believe they are cutting out. Too bad, she was very informative. The reef is unbelievable and we have snorkeled approximately 10 times in the Caribbean and nothing there compares to the Barrier Reef. The lunch spread as well as the breakfast spread were actually very good with several options. The tour stops at two spots, allows an incredible amount of time. Hopefully they've reduced the price with the items they dropped but we did not have a full boat and everything was really wonderful so I would highly recommend.

THE BEST!! tour you could possibly go on!!

This was THE BEST!!! Great Barrier Reef tour you could possibly go on. The staff are SO friendly AND full of knowledge. They know where the best spots are and ensure you are well equipped and informed to make the most of it. The lunch is next level DELICIOUS! We were also provided with morning tea and afternoon tea and all day tea and coffee and fresh cold water on tap. The boat is spacious and provides areas for all types- a sundeck on top with lots of day beds, a mid deck with soft seating/ lounges and inside air conditioned seating. It wasn't over crowded so you could enjoy all these luxuries comfortably. They had cultural and marine biology sessions so you learn as well. The best part of this aspect was the didgeridoo show/ presentation at the end. The guys doing it were ridiculously talented and clever, sharing musical/cultural knowledge as they went. I would legit visit Cairns again just to do this tour again. I would spend double the money the do it its THAT GOOD. Thank you so much to these guys for making our day so memorable and enjoyable. We appreciate all the time and effort they put in to make sure we got the most out of the experience.the

Fantastic Trip

We had a fantastic snorkeling trip. The crew were really nice, very professional and experienced. There was a very knowledgeable marine biologist who gave good talks and led snorkel tours. Laz and his cousin gave cultural talks and a music presentation that were great and very well received. The food was very good and plentiful. We went to two sites and had plenty of time at each. The 2nd site was particularly fantastic with healthy coral and schools of fish. The team was good about safety and individually signed everyone off once we were back on the boat. We had a really wonderful time.

Lazy and unprofessional instructors for scuba diving

Worst scuba diving experience. There was only one instructor between 4 of us. Although my wife had done scuba diving previously in India, he refused to let her dive just because he didn’t have patience to explain her some of his instructions. He allowed only two of us. We were told that we will get 30 mins scuba diving. We actually got only 4 minutes! He said we have trained you for 26 mins so only 4 mins are left! Completely unprofessional company! Other companied did 30 mins training and 30 mins scuba dive. When we asked for refund, they refuse to answer. Please select some better company for scuba as they do not have professional trainers!

Best snorkel

The crew were excellent and take you to the best spots on the reef - lots of fish and coral! They are generous with their knowledge and lots of fun

Amazing Team and Experience

A big shout out to the team on board. I completed an introductory dive and the entire team went above and beyond to look after me. They were all so friendly and welcoming. The experience itself was amazing, I am so glad I chose to book with them and will definitely be recommending them.

Take this tour! Amazing

Oh my gosh, this was an incredible tour. I was unsure I was going to be snorkeling, but the wonderful indigenous marine biologist encouraged me and made it easy for me to do it. The staff was incredible and the whole experience was a once in a lifetime thing. At the end, they even played the digeridoo for us, and we felt very welcomed and well treated. I highly recommend this tour. You will be very happy you went.

Fabulous Day Trip

The best day trip for diving that I have taken in Cairns and I am a local. I had a fabulous time and was treated like a queen. The bonus was learning about the Aboriginal Culture. I would highly recommend this trip and company for your first choice for a 1 day tour of the Great Barrier Reef out of Cairns.

Fabulous Flynn Reef Adventure

Had a wonderful adventure to Milne and Flynn reefs. Visibility was excellent with a great variety of fish and vibrant corals including a giant clam embedded in blue coral. The water was choppy as it was fairly windy. Take seasickness pills before you get on board! It’s worth the trip to the outer reef however, as there is nothing so magical as being in the water experiencing the teeming life of this beautiful place. It is a true wildlife encounter. Morning tea biscuits were very good and the lunch was beautifully prepared. The indigenous presentations were most interesting. We had plenty of time at the reef to snorkel and the water was not crowded. Will definitely do this trip again. Thanks to all the caring crew.

Highly recommended cultural trip to the reef

I couldn't have asked for a better experience with Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel! As a school group leader seeking an educational and cultural immersion, this tour exceeded all expectations. From the moment we set sail, their team was both knowledgeable and passionate. They shared invaluable insights about the Great Barrier Reef's ecosystem, its history, and the Indigenous culture intertwined with it. The snorkeling opportunities were breathtaking. I can't recommend Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel enough. It's an unforgettable journey that combines education, culture, and adventure on the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef.

Special experience with a wonderful crew!

Our experience on the Dreamtime Dive snorkelling and cultural tour today was nothing short of extraordinary. The journey took us into the heart of the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, where we embarked on a profound learning adventure led by two remarkable guides, Nat and Brian. We were so impressed with the whole crew; they were welcoming, humourous and knowledgeable. As school teachers, the cultural side of the tour was what stood out to us. We look forward to bringing up students and their parents in 2024!

Great Barrier Reef

Great snorkeling trip at the Great Barrier ree. Crew was great, they gave marine biology and cultural presentation and s guided snorkel

A great tour- level above others

The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Appreciate the aboriginal history and science related talks. It added extra to a "regular" tour. It put it above other options. Glad we got to visit 2 reefs too. Food was amazing and all gear was clean and available. Also not a huge boat so wasn't fighting for water with lots of others. We were also blessed with seeing humpback whales on way to the reef. Once in a lifetime experience.

Highly recommend for a very special day on the GBR!

Great experience! The crew were enthusiastic and knowledgeable both on the biology of the Reef and sharing their Indigenous culture with us. Fascinating to learn some local indigenous stories on their history with the Reef and to enjoy traditional music. Attention to our safety was also much appreciated. Many thanks for a very enjoyable day!

The ultimate diving experience of a lifetime

Went out on Dream time a month or so ago and OMG is this this the best experience I have had in Cairns ! Massive shoutout to Jacob the cultural guide who was very outgoing and welcoming and the knowledge of the Marine bio Kash was amazing. Also a shoutout to my diver Martin who tried his best to get me to overcome my fears of diving. Food was also fantastic. Overall I would rate it 10/10

Great!

The experience team and crew on the boat were amazing! Thank you all so much for everything and making our journey Super special! Definitely recommend this experience to groups and solo Travelers!

The boat for the...

The boat for the indigenous tour had a mechanical issue on the day but the company runnning the cruise were great at fitting us on another outer reef cruise, at a higher value than ours, as an upgrade at no extra cost to us. The upgraded tour “Reef magic” was amazing. I was disappointed with Viator, though, as it displayed prices in USD for Australian customers, which was not obvious on all of the pages. Then they charged an international transaction fee of $20.

Great day on the reef.

Excellent day out. Strongly recommend.crew and team were fabulous and made it a great day. Cultural content was special.

The most amazing experience with such a friendly crew

Had the most amazing experience snorkelling out on the reef. The crew went above and beyond for myself and my 3 grandchildren. Not only did they give them confidence to get into the water but also allowed summer to try out the new goggles for children which were amazing. I defiantly recommend going on this cruise for cultural experience with a warm friendly environment.. Summer loved swimming in the gorgeous reef with the most amazing goggles. she had an experience of a lifetime and felt very confident with the friendly crew. Thank you dreamtime we really had a dream time.

Best snorkelling day in Cairns

Great day out. Good value for money , very knowledgable and welcoming crew. Great spot on the reef and was cool to watch marine biologists at work along with us. Highly recommend.

Highly recommend booking your reef tour with this boat!

Fantastic day snorkeling on the reef! With only 15 people on the boat and a high crew ratio, our 4-person group had a lot of personal attention. The cultural talks and demonstrations along with the info from the marine biologist also enhanced our experience. I would highly recommend booking your reef tour with this boat!

Do it, you will have the best time!

I went on this tour today with friends from work while we’re in Cairns for a conference. I was feeling nervous and not confident at all about getting in the water so I ticked the “not going in today” box. Reggie was taking the safari snorkels today and kindly and confidently met each one of my concerns or mental barriers with a reassuring and simple solution. She was brilliant and I did get in the water and I was so very grateful that I did. Thanks Reggie! Lincoln was brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed the cultural learning on board, Tamara was incredibly helpful and Francis was a brilliant captain. I didn’t greet everyone names but every single person on the team were friendly, knowledgeable, professional and helped make the day awesome. Ah and the food that was served was delicious! Do yourself a favour and take this tour.

Great visit to the reef!

The dreamtime crew is top notch! They are super friendly and made us feel comfortable and ensured that we were having a great time all day. All three of us did the intro dive option and we felt safe and had a great time. Two of us dove again in the afternoon and it was even better. The snorkeling was also superb. We had a small number of people on the boat and a high crew ratio so we had a lot of personal attention. We really appreciated the cultural talks and demonstrations. That added a lot to our experience. I would highly recommend booking your reef tour with this boat.

Excellent day spent on the reef

What an entertaining interesting day spent on the water. I cannot praise this company enough. The indigenous staff, were so entertaining, explaining their heritage. The marine biologists onboard, escorting safari trips around the reef. The breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon teas were delicious

A fantastic team to accompany you on a wonderful Reef adventure

An absolutely incredible day! The snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef was fantastic of course, but the event was highlighted by the Dreamtime team including insights (and lots of humour!) by both a marine biologist and Indigenous guide. The trip out to the Reef was peppered with Indigenous cultural stories and demonstrations (and more humour) and there was plenty of tea, cookies and a wonderful lunch.

Fantastic sites, small numbers, indigenous perspective, great food

A late review as I went on this cruise late 2022. Probably the best full day cruise that I've done out of the 6 I've completed over the years. The main reason I chose the cruise was that it was done from Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander sea country perspective with enthusiastic indigenous sea rangers and staff. The reason I hadn't done this cruise previously was that it is not as in your face as the bigger cruises. The boat was fast, the instructors were friendly and enthusiastic, the sites were great and the boat had the perfect amount of people on it to make it personalised which is a major issues on some of the other vessels that go to the outer reefs. The weather was great and the sites were fantastic as was the whole day on the way there and back learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders links to sea country.

Friendly & educational.

The vessel had great people hosting and managing the trip. We were treated like VIP's. ;ouh;ohg;ohg;oighoighogh;hg;ough;uoghuh don't make me type more aaaaarrgghhhh!!

Absolutely fantastic day! So privileged to hear and learn First Nations stories and culture.

Absolutely fantastic day learning and listening to First Nations culture and history from brilliant young ambassadors and teachers. Such a privilege! We went diving and snorkelling on two amazing reefs. Crew were very friendly, everything all well organised and plenty of great food. Marine biologists on board gave an insight into the health of the reef and even led guided a snorkelling safari. Loved it!!

Incredible day!

An amazing experience! The atmosphere on this trip was joyful and warm and welcoming. The day was paced really well, we had plenty of time on the reef and never felt rushed and there were various optional cultural information sessions throughout the day, where we learned so many wonderful things about Aboriginal culture. The food was also delicious and plentiful and we learned a lot about the marine biology of the reef too :D All in all, the perfect way to see the great barrier reef :)

Just do it!

Fantastic experience from getting on board until returning to Cairns. It was pouring rain and had been hoping it would be sunny out on the reefs. Not so, but didn't dampen anyone's experience. The crew were amazing. I didn't expect breakfast and being the first on the boat the marine biologist sat with me explaining lots of things about the reef, the groups we'd be put into, and the day. I live at the lower end of the Great Barrier Reef myself and have been to different places snorkeling. The swell was big and we had to change to different reefs, but no worries. Safety always came first and the dedication of the staff was top level together with their friendliness. The snorkeling was incredible even without the best light due to the rain and battling the swell and currents which were a lot less in the sheltered reefs. Care was always taken of clients to make sure everyone was comfortable, enjoying and safe. The Great Barrier Reef is truly remarkable and not to be missed if coming to Australia. Integrating our aboriginal culture and watching the overseas tourists enjoy the information & presentations on board and what the reef means to our First nationals people was great. I learned more about my own culture associated with the reef being a descendant myself. Those who were feeling unwell were checked on regularly and given support (due to the high swells). I also loved the enthusiasm and passion for their jobs from all staff. Young and enthusiastic - a great combination, and why not doing this every day!! It was truly genuine. Lunch and afternoon tea - superb. I highly recommend this tour to anyone, especially those who want to know what the reef means to our first nations people and thankfully it is so protected.

Most underrated tour group

Honestly, I was expecting at least some level of nastiness, discomfort, or inconvenience, but Dreamtime crew members really made sure none of that happened. The boat was clean with plenty of spaces for everyone to sit, rest , and change. AC was in good temperatures so it’s not too hot or cold for people inside and coming ashore. The staffs are definitely friendly and serious about safety. Other than the marine biologist and indigenous guide, there’s still watch people on the boat that will blow the whistle and check on people if anything sus is going on in the water. They are also great at combining science and culture together as they advertises by putting science explanations and indigenous folk tales of the land side by side. I’m usually not that interested in either but they made all the information so fun to learn and memorable. In terms of the toilet and gears tho, omg , I was not expecting clean toilets and nice gears. The fact that u can change easily n even take a shower if u wish is heavenly. They also provide drinks and food in the package. So there’s the comfort to have food after snorkeling. I am a bit surprised honestly that they didn’t sell the foods and drinks cuz they could really make some fortune with it. Not to mention, the easy to understand website. I honestly don’t know if they are making much money out of it. Cuz the number of crew members are almost as many as the passengers if not more.

Can’t get more local than indigenous!

Really great experience. Love the incorporation of First Nations culture and explanations into the tour. You can’t get more local than Indigenous! Great food (catered breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack), lovely staff (indigenous and marine biologists) and overall wonderful experience!

A memorable experience.

The crew are wonderful, informative, helpful and friendly. We enjoyed snorkelling, listening to the Dreamtime stories and information about the reef. The morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch were fresh and delicious. For afternoon tea their muffin was made of some healthy, flour which I enjoyed. We had a great and relaxing time. The Aboriginal crew made presentations about their musical instruments and played music. They also showed us how they light a fire using would. At the end we enjoyed traditional Aboriginal dance. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Great snorkeling experience with Frist Nation crew members

Dreamtime created a culturally appreciative our experience featuring presentations by First Nation crew members. The vessel was quite roomy and we had a few options to relax (granted, our tour was on Monday). The food was healthy and delicious. They also chose good reef sites that offered a variety of coral and fish species. The crew members were knowledgeable and professional. I would recommend to anyone, particularly family with children, who are looking for a uniquely Australian snorkeling tour.

Excellent trip

I have been on 4 reef snorkelling tours and this was the best. The tour was not over crowded, had great staff (fun and knowledgeable). Great combination of cultural & biologist presentations/tours. There were no hidden extras : tours, prescription googles, lycra suits. Captain steered us away from some really bad rain weather and chose some 2 great reefs to visit.

Our perfect day on the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Snorkel

Fantastic trip with a great boat, extremely friendly and knowledgeable crew. We spent more than 4 hours in the water, and that’s saying a lot for people who don’t know how to swim. Natalie the marine biologist was fabulously knowledgeable and very patient in taking us on a guided snorkelling tour which was included in the price. All the crew including James, Brian and Sebastian were friendly, courteous and professional. The meals - breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea were sumptuous and plentiful. They even kitted us out with prescription snorkelling goggles. The GBR is a magical place, and we had a wonderful time here

Exceptional

What an amazing experience. The staff, smaller number of passengers, and amazing food were exceptional. Moreover, having the wonderful Natalie - Marine Biologist, and the Indigenous cultural guides educate through presentations and on-site elevated this experience of the Great Barrier Reef beyond compare. One of the best experiences I have ever had. Highly recommend this day trip to everyone!!!

It does what it says on the tin, fabulously!

We chose this company because we wanted to learn about indigenous connections to the Great Barrier Reef as well as get in the water and see some of what the reef has to offer. From the moment we boarded the boat until we stepped back on dry land, we could not have asked for more. We have a greater understanding for and appreciation for indigenous culture and the reef itself thanks to a relaxed, but thoroughly professional crew. Thank you, Dreamtime!

Amazing family snorkel time

Our family (2 adults and 2 kids ages 10 & 13) had a wonderful time on our outer reef snorkel tour with Dreamtime Snorkel. Our tour size was small, the marine biologists on board were knowledgeable and helpful, but most of all, the Indigenous crew helped provide add'l background and context of our journey to the Great Barrier reef! We snorkeled around two outer reefs (2 stops) as well as ate a delicious lunch. A great snorkel day for us and highly recommended!

Wonderful day on the reef.

We had a great day out with Dream Time Snorkel - the boat was immaculate, staff were great fun & very efficient, food was fantastic. From the time we arrived at the boat to disembarking the day was very organised and it was clear that safety was being taken seriously. Indigenous cultural presentations gave added interest and the marine biologist input was useful.

Top trip

From start to finish, the dreamtime crew were very professional, nothing was too hard. I would recommend this trip for anyone who likes to snorkel , morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea supplied very scrumptious. All aspects of aboriginal culture was also focused on. Fantastic trip, keep up the good work.

An amazing reef experience with truly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate staff.

Absolutely loved our day snorkelling with the Dreamtime crew! The reef experience was brilliant and was topped off by the cultural demonstrations, stories and performances. The boys were friendly, welcoming, entertaining and experienced. But my shout out for the day goes to Caitlyn the marine biologist. Not only was her knowledge and passion second to none, her genuine care and determination to ensure everyone on board had a great experience was outstanding. I am nervous in the water and Caitlyn spent half an hour swimming around with me, patiently explaining everything, pointing things out. After this time I was confident enough to go out on my own. A fantastic day, highly recommend!

The best dive tour in Cairns

Absolutely loved my day on the reef with the Dreamtime crew. They ticked all the boxes, snorkelling & diving, cultural experience, marine biologist, smaller group numbers, friendly team. I booked this tour to support an indigenous business and they exceeded my expectations.

Best tour in Cairns

An awesome experience with great insite to indigenous culture, as well as great knowledge about the reef, from the marine biologists. Small groups, friendly staff, felt very safe the whole day

Best reef tour

I am so glad I chose this trip. The head marine biologist was absolutely incredible. The staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The places we went we saw amazing fish and coral. It was a windy day for us so just be mindful it can get a bit rocky.