This year, I finally got to live out one of my greatest travel dreams: I took a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia! This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the most incredible experience. Here are all the details for how you can do this, too!
How to Book Your Scenic Flight
I booked my flight through Get Your Guide – you can book the exact same flight I did here. The scenic flight is 40 minutes long. The ground operator is Daintree Air Services. I chatted with one of the pilots, Greg, for ages about adventures around Australia before my flight. My pilot was also fantastic, giving us loads of information as we were flying overhead.
Note that the scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef are subject to weather conditions. I actually had my original flight canceled, due to bad weather and pouring rain. I’m actually glad they made this decision – I would have been so disappointed if I’d paid the money to go up in the air, and see nothing! I recommend giving yourself several days around Cairns in case of cancelations, if it’s at all possible with your itinerary. I ended up doing my scenic flight on the way down the East Coast, before heading west into the outback.
What to Expect on the Day of Your GBR Scenic Flight
You need to arrive at the airport 30 minutes prior to your flight. This is a separate area of Cairns Airport, so you’ll want to head to Daintree Air Services on GoogleMaps. There is plenty of free parking available right outside the terminal. You’ll have a safety briefing, with one of the pilots explaining what exactly will happen on the flight. Then, you’ll get your life jackets to wear. These are strapped around your waist. Soon enough, it’ll be time to depart – so follow your pilot out onto the runway to your plane!
What the Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight is Actually Like
Words can’t describe it – it was simply phenomenal. Hands down, one of the best experiences I’ve ever done on all my travels! We flew over so many different reefs, but to be honest, I can’t remember the names of all of them.
Two of the major highlights for me were flying over Green Island, and seeing Vlasoff Cay. I actually really wish I’d had more time (and money, haha) to do a snorkeling trip out to Green Island when I was in Cairns, after seeing it from above!
It’s incredible to see the reefs from the air. The colors were mesmerizing, and I felt totally in awe. This is definitely the best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef (although I did snorkel here, too).
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The absolute highlight of the entire scenic flight for me? We spotted WHALES, breaching, from the air!!! Our pilot noticed them in the water, and asked if we wanted to go see them – obviously we all said yes! He flew over and as our plane was circling above, they jumped out of the water. It was spectacular. I’ll never forget it.
The view coming back into Cairns was also gorgeous. I loved getting to see the mountain ridges and the Atherton Tablelands!
Before we knew it, we were back on the ground and disembarking. Our pilot gave us time to take a few quick snaps of the plane, before we headed back to the terminal. After handing back our life jackets, the journey came to an end. I couldn’t believe what I’d just experienced.
Planning Your Trip to the Great Barrier Reef
A scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef is a must when coming to Cairns, the East Coast, or Australia in general. It is absolutely, completely, 100% worth the money. Book the exact GBR scenic flight I did here!
There are lots of other tours around Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. I went to Fitzroy Island one day, and would have loved to go to Green Island. Here are a few options for seeing more of the Great Barrier Reef!
Where to Stay in Cairns
You’ll definitely want to spend a few days in Cairns, making the most of what Far North Queensland has to offer. I recommend giving yourself extra time if you’re doing a scenic flight, in case of bad weather. I stayed at the NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, in an unpowered site. The facilities were great, and the location was super convenient. Unfortunately, there are no free camps around Cairns. The nearest free campsite will likely be Gordonvale, about a 30-minute drive away. If you’re not camping, here are some options on where to stay in Cairns:
- Budget: Traveller’s Oasis Cairns – the best choice for backpackers in Cairns, with a pool and BBQ area in a central location
- Budget: YHA Cairns Central – comfortable and clean hostel, right next to Cairns Central shopping center
- Mid-range: Cairns Colonial Club Resort – central location and a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool
- Mid-range: Palm Royale Cairns – a short drive away from the city center, with two swimming pools
- Mid-range: Callie Cottage – a stylishly decorated one-bedroom house
- Luxury: Shangri-La the Marina, Cairns – a luxe five-star hotel, right on the waterfront
My scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef was a top bucket-list moment for me. I’m so glad I got to do this, and I loved every second. This was the best experience of my entire trip up the East Coast of Australia! If you’re visiting Cairns and want to experience the Great Barrier Reef, book yourself a scenic flight – you won’t regret it.
Disclaimer: This was a partially sponsored experience by GetYourGuide, however this blog post was not a required asset or part of the content agreement. All opinions are my own.
Have you done a scenic flight before? Would you do one over the Great Barrier Reef?
You might also like my posts:
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All of my Australia posts!
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