The Cairns Marlin Marina which is on the edge of Cairns city has a variety of reef boats departing at all times daily taking tourists out to see the Great Barrier Reef, and this is where the Cairns reef trips depart from for their Great Barrier Reef tour.

To reach the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, the most common and accessible method is by booking a day trip with one of the many commercial tour operators departing from the Reef Fleet Terminal. These excursions typically range from high-speed catamarans and large pontoon vessels to smaller, more intimate sailboats, depending on whether you want to visit the Inner Reef or the more pristine Outer Reef. For a quicker trip, a ferry to Green Island or Fitzroy Island takes about 45 to 50 minutes and offers a great introduction to the reef's fringe corals. If you are looking for a more "bucket list" experience, you can take a scenic helicopter flight which provides a breathtaking aerial view of the vast coral formations before landing on a dedicated reef platform or island. For serious divers, "liveaboard" boats are also available, which depart from Cairns and allow you to stay on the reef for several days, providing access to remote dive sites that are beyond the reach of standard day-trippers.