Port day · AUSTRALIA SHORE EXCURSIONS

15 Australia Shore Excursions Worth a Port Day

46 tours  ·  from $26 a head

A ship gives you one day and takes it back at five. These 15 australia shore excursions justify the hours, priced and timed so you can decide over breakfast.

Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge Small-Group from Port Douglas - Mossman Gorge gives you a strong start
Australia Shore Excursions, National Park & Nature Shore Excursions, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Small Group Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge Small-Group from Port Douglas

1.Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge Small-Group from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,326 reviews · from $190Our pick

Spend about nine hours exploring Mossman Gorge and the Daintree with a guide such as Cam, Ash, Grant, or Randall. Expect rainforest walks, a wildlife cruise, Cape Tribulation, lunch, a swimming stop, private Noah Valley access, and optional tropical-fruit ice cream.

“Really interesting to learn about the plants and wildlife in the rainforest. The tour guide Rob was great really knowledgeable and helpful.”

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Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas - What happens at the first reef stop
Australia Shore Excursions, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

2.Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,385 reviews · from $227

Cruise from Port Douglas to Agincourt or Opal Reef aboard Calypso’s custom vessel. Snorkel three sites, join guided reef tours, or add an introductory or certified scuba session. The crew includes PADI instructors such as Delphine, Nick, and Astrid, with lunch and tea included.

“I acknowledge that this tour is expensive, but it was completely worth the investment. This was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and none of our family of four will ever forget it. The boat was a very comfortable spot to spend the day (when we weren’t in the water) and the food was tasty (albeit not fancy — but we didn’t sign up for the food!) The places they took us to snorkel were absolutely amazing. We went to three different spots, and each on was more amazing that the last. At two different locations, the guides gave us tours of the reef, to point out interesting featured (like a GIANT giant…”

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Daintree, Cape Tribulation & River Cruise from Port Douglas - Mossman Gorge starts the day with rainforest and culture
Australia Shore Excursions, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Daintree, Cape Tribulation & River Cruise from Port Douglas

3.Daintree, Cape Tribulation & River Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · from $193

Spend 10 hours exploring Mossman Gorge, Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River with a local guide. Expect a crocodile cruise, rainforest walks, cooked-to-order lunch, Cooper Creek swimming, tropical-fruit ice cream and Alexandra Lookout. Groups are limited to 10.

“Busy tour, but very nice. Meet most of expectations. Only one thing I was confused is the cape tribulation. But it’s nothing to do with the tour, just different to what I was looking for.”

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Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas - Three and a half hours at Agincourt Reef
Australia Shore Excursions, Beach & Swim Shore Excursions, Beach Shore Excursions in Australia, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

4.Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 782 reviews · from $233

Cruise 90 minutes from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef for about 3.5 hours of snorkeling, semi-submersible viewing, and an underwater observatory. Quicksilver supplies suits and gear, with optional marine biologist tours, scuba, Ocean Walker, and helicopter flights.

“A nice experience to get up close to the largest/ longest coral reef. Very well organised and good service by the team.”

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From Port Arthur: Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise - Cape Pillar and the tallest cliffs
Australia Shore Excursions, National Parks, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

From Port Arthur: Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise

5.From Port Arthur: Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 704 reviews · 3 hours · from $127

From the Tasman Island Cruises office, you’ll take a 3-hour Pennicott Wilderness Journeys boat trip along Tasman National Park’s wild coast. Expect fast open-water riding, caves, arches, waterfalls, towering cliffs and wildlife. Guides such as Tim, Damo and Hamish are known for lively commentary, but bring warm layers, gloves and a beanie.

“Amazing! The scenery, the crew and the nature was beyond our expectations. If you are looking for a gentle cruise then this is not for you! It was more like a jet boat ride at times, but we loved it (spray and all). We were fortunate to go around Tasman island, which was a variation yo the usual route. Seeing albatross in full flight, the steepest cliffs, venturing towards the entrances of caves and cutting in and out of rock formations were some of the highlights. We would definitely recommend.”

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Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas - Four and a half hours around a coral cay
Australia Shore Excursions, Boat Trip Shore Excursions, Full-Day, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Sailing, Shore Excursions, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

6.Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · from $243

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard a 33-passenger catamaran. Snorkel in a sheltered lagoon, join a marine biologist, walk to the 1878 lighthouse, and view coral from the EV Discovery glass-bottom boat. Lunch, equipment, tea, and reef fees are included.

“Amazing snorkelling experience with great crew who we're enthusiastic and helpful. So tranquil sailing there. A must do to see an awesome undersea world. Buffet was sumptuous and plentiful. The sail back was exciting as we had a swell.”

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Sunset Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas - Finding the Best Sunset View on the Catamaran
Australia Shore Excursions, Boat Trip Shore Excursions, Evening Experiences, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Sailing, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Sunset Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas

7.Sunset Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 558 reviews · from $67

Sail from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina for 90 minutes aboard a luxury catamaran, with a welcome drink, hot and cold canapés, and sunset views over the Coral Sea, Low Isles, mountains, and Port Douglas coast. The cruise suits visitors aged 13 and older.

“It is the best there is , the weather was absolutely perfect , friends visiting from Tassie loved every minute ..”

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Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas - The ride out on Silversonic
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Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

8.Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 506 reviews · from $192

Cruise from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef aboard a 29-meter catamaran. Spend about five hours at three reef sites, snorkeling with a marine naturalist or trying introductory scuba. The day includes hotel pickup, buffet lunch, tea, equipment, showers, and help from guides such as Kevin, Hannah, James, and Faye.

“It was a great day and great way to see the reef. The dive was amazing and Hannah, our dive guide was great!”

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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas - Snorkeling help for confident and cautious swimmers
Australia Shore Excursions, Beach & Swim Shore Excursions, Beach Shore Excursions in Australia, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

9.Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 436 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas to Mackay Cay aboard a comfortable catamaran, with reef snorkeling, a guided session led by marine biologist Barry, a glass-bottom boat tour, and time on a coral cay. You get meals, equipment, and hotel transfers, but need good swimming ability for open-water snorkeling.

“Fabulous trip. Perfect weather conditions! Staff friendly and professional. This is my second time on this tour with different friends, I will book this each time I come to Port Douglas. Thankyou!”

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Morning Daintree Tour with River Cruise from Port Douglas - One hour on the Daintree River
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Morning Daintree Tour with River Cruise from Port Douglas

10.Morning Daintree Tour with River Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 432 reviews · from $104

Join guides such as Cam, Kim, Mel, Peer, or Mick for a 4-hour-45-minute morning from Port Douglas. Cruise the Daintree River for crocodiles and birds, enjoy tea with lamingtons, then walk the Mossman Gorge boardwalk and swim if conditions allow.

“Peer was a great tour guide , your guide was informative, kind and helpful . Very good tour of the rainforest”

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Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas - A sheltered lagoon with more than one way to explore
Australia Shore Excursions, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

11.Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 390 reviews · from $175

Join Calypso Reef Charters from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina for a four-hour trip to the Low Isles. Snorkel with turtles and reef fish, join a glass-bottom boat ride, or explore the island. Crew members such as Kate, Roman, Taylor, and Darcy have helped nervous beginners feel at ease.

“Half day low Isle is perfect for us. Staffs are very professional and helpful. Activities are very good.”

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From Port Douglas: Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train - Riding Skyrail above the World Heritage rainforest
Australia Shore Excursions, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

From Port Douglas: Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train

12.Kuranda Tour with Skyrail & Scenic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 365 reviews · 8 hours · from $148

Travel from Port Douglas or the Northern Beaches by air-conditioned coach, ride Skyrail with two rainforest stops, explore Kuranda for two hours, and return by scenic train. Guides such as Chris, Brett, Andrea, Glen, and Bridget keep the day moving with local stories and clear instructions.

“Made it so easy to go to and from everything :) didn’t have to worry about any of it.”

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Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas - Your time at Low Isles
Australia Shore Excursions, Evening Experiences, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

13.Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 354 reviews · from $243

Sail from Port Douglas at 12:30 pm on an adults-only catamaran to Low Isles. Snorkel with a marine biologist, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or relax ashore before afternoon tea and a sunset return. The small 33-person group and helpful crew make this a relaxed half-day reef trip.

“From start to finish this Sailaway tour was fantastic. They are very environmentally conscious which is great. . The staff were friendly and gave us all the safety information before we ventured out on the cruise. A lovely light lunch and afternoRead more”

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Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur - Tasman Island, lighthouse, and towering cliffs
Australia Shore Excursions, National Parks, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur

14.Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 285 reviews · from $129

Set out from Port Arthur on a three-hour Pennicott Wilderness Journeys cruise toward Eaglehawk Neck. Expect fast open-water travel, towering sea cliffs, caves, Tasman Island Lighthouse, and expert commentary. Full-length waterproof jackets are supplied, but warm layers and sturdy shoes are essential.

“We went on the Tasman Wilderness Peninsula Cruise and loved it. We did not have a sunny day but at least the rain stopped and apart from low visibility We saw various Whales and Seals. The Staff were friendly and professional, especially Ashleigh, who went over and above looking after all customers”

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From Port Douglas: Kuranda via Scenic Rail or Skyrail Option - Riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway through 15 tunnels
Australia Shore Excursions, Port Douglas Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews

From Port Douglas: Kuranda via Scenic Rail or Skyrail Option

15.Kuranda via Scenic Rail or Skyrail Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 253 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $116

Travel from Port Douglas or the Northern Beaches with guides such as Chris, Brett, and Towie. Ride the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail option, explore Kuranda for two hours, then finish with beach views and a drink at Palm Cove.

“It was amazing. Chris is such a nice person, as a guide, OMG, perfect. He holds a great knowledge of everythingin the tour. The tour was unreal. I highly recommend it!”

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