Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

Had such a fantastic experience snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef! The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful, and the boat was really nice and comfortable. The food was also good and made the day even better. The information session about the reef was really interesting and gave us a great insight into the marine life and the importance of protecting the reef. Of course, the snorkeling itself was the highlight, such an amazing experience and something I’ll definitely remember! Would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Despite poor weather and rough seas which ment we only got to visit one reef instead of the planed two I still had a good experience. Seeing the reef and all the animals up close was amazing. All of the crew were friendly and knowledgeable, making the best of a less than ideal situation. The food was also tasty and plentiful.

Everything was exceptionally well organized, from check-in and the warm welcome on board to the meals and the snorkeling activities. The entire crew was highly professional, friendly, and approachable throughout the day. The briefings were clear and informative, so we always knew what was happening and why. The food was delicious, fresh, and healthy, with plenty of fresh fruit, snacks, and complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the trip. The snorkeling and diving site was absolutely stunning. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, we were only able to visit one location, but the captain took the time to explain the reasons in detail. He was transparent, professional, and even offered to answer any additional questions personally, which was greatly appreciated. I also booked an introductory dive. I was quite nervous beforehand, but my instructor, Roberto, immediately put me at ease. He was incredibly professional, patient, and reassuring, and I felt completely safe from the start. His instructions were crystal clear, making the entire experience both enjoyable and unforgettable. Thank you again, Roberto—keep up the fantastic work! Overall, I had an unforgettable experience and would highly recommend Passion of Paradise to anyone looking for a first-class Great Barrier Reef tour.

This is THE Reef tour you want out of Cairns. It is intimate, the food is outstanding, and the attention to detail second to none. All of the deckhands on this boat were outstanding but the one who (was assigned to us?) and stood out the most was Simon. We were a party of 9 (5 kids who had never snorkeled) and he went out of his way to make sure they were comfortable in the water and had a great experience. He personally swam with them over the reef and helped with mask malfunctions to make the kids feel comfortable, calm and safe. All of the staff on the boat were this way. But Simon even noticed that my husband was wearing glasses, guessed his prescription by looking at his glasses, and got him a mask that would work for him in the water. I know this is his job, and he does it every day, but this little attention to detail meant a lot. All 9 of us escaped sea sickness by taking Dramamine (and kids Dramamine) 30 minutes before departure. I'm not sure if the kids would have needed it, but why risk it. On our way back to Cairns, we were treated with an extra bonus of humpback whale breaches. So exciting. Thanks Passions! P.S. Shout out also to Parker from Missouri.

It’s difficult to put into words just how good this tour was! Top marks all round. Flexible booking and very helpful staff, coupled with a friendly welcome and smooth check-in. The boat is very good. Comfortable seating and did not feel crowded even for a reasonable sized group of 92, spread over the two decks. That itself is worth commenting on, as nothing about the experience felt like it was overcrowded. The staff looked after us individually and the guide is tailored to your individual level of experience snorkelling (or diving). The whole team is very safety conscious and the care and attention given to ensure nervous or inexperienced snorklers have a great experience is superb. That extends to giving an option for a guide to accompany inexperienced snorkellers in a small group which was amazing. Shout out to David here who took time to always check we were all doing okay and have a fascinating tour, pointing out all kinds of aquatic life that was particularly interesting. Honestly, glad I did this rather than snorkelling on my own as it made the experience much more enjoyable. The food was outstanding and plentiful for lunches and morning/afternoon tea. And if you get seasick in rougher conditions, once again the crew are all there to look after you. I cannot recommend this tour and company highly enough.

Everyone was so nice and welcoming! I did my first scuba diving option and the instructor was really kind, informative and made us feel so safe. The meal was great too.

This tour is only suitable for people who already have scuba experience — not beginners. It was way too crowded, so individual attention from the instructors was basically zero. The safety briefing was rushed and given while I was already seasick, so half of it didn't register. Then once we had our suits on, there was no further instruction at all. Nobody told us that the actual breathing training would happen after we were already in the water. When I got in, I panicked because I genuinely didn't know how to breathe through the nozzle properly, and I couldn't do the dive. Scuba diving was a dream of mine, and I paid so much. Having my first attempt fail because of poor instruction and lack individual attention was incredibly disappointing. If you're a beginner, think twice before booking them— they need to slow down, brief people properly on land, and actually check that each diver understands breathing technique before sending them to water.

We had a snorkeling excursion from Cairns aboard a comfortable catamaran, and although the weather didn't cooperate, it was still a worthwhile experience. Unfortunately, it was a very windy day, so for safety reasons we were only able to visit one snorkeling site, and the seas were quite rough. What really stood out was the incredible crew. They were attentive, professional, and constantly checking on everyone to make sure we felt safe and comfortable in the challenging conditions. Their calm, friendly attitude made a big difference throughout the day. Even with the rough seas, the Great Barrier Reef was absolutely beautiful and an unforgettable place to snorkel. We'd love to come back another time when the weather is calmer to experience even more of the reef. Lunch on board was delicious, and the warm meal was especially appreciated after spending time in the cool, windy water. We also appreciated how organized the transportation was. At the end of the trip, the staff personally helped us locate our shuttle back to our hotel, making the return trip smooth and stress-free. While the weather limited our experience, the outstanding service and the beauty of the reef made this an excursion we would still recommend.

Great experience from start to finish. Actual tour was excellent, crew very attentive and thoroughly professional. Have some concerns for the USA crew member who thinks Solo with alcohol is a better drink than Stout! Tell him he's dreamin'!

PERFECT REEF & CREW EXPERIENCE. A MUST DO! The most professional and well organised tour I have ever made. All members of the crew and the skippers made it an unforgettable and super safe experience with glorious snorkelling/diving, detailed biological information of the Reef by Lena and excellent food and treats. Simon even offered a prescription mask for my husband, so that he could enjoy even more the magical colours of the corals and fishes. A stop to watch hunchedback whales was the icing of the cake. Thank you & congratulations, guys!