Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours

Located in Brinsmead, near Cairns, Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom has been a fixture of the Great Barrier Reef for over three decades. As a family-run business, they have built a reputation for providing intimate, small-group encounters with the reef, moving away from the high-volume tourist model to focus on genuine connection with the marine environment.

The operation is split between two distinct vessels, allowing you to choose the pace of your journey. You can opt for a traditional sailing experience or a more standard cruise, ensuring that your time on the water matches your personal preference for reef exploration.

The team brings more than 30 years of experience to the Great Barrier Reef, operating with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. They are certified Advanced Eco and recognised as a Green Travel Leader, ensuring that your presence on the reef is managed with ecological sensitivity.

For those looking to take their first breaths underwater, the centre maintains a high standard of supervision with a ratio of one instructor for every two divers during Introductory Scuba Diving sessions. The crew is experienced in catering to diverse groups, providing a personalised service that larger commercial operators often struggle to match.

The centre specialises in introductory experiences, offering the Introductory Scuba Diving course for those looking to try diving for the first time. This provides a structured, safe entry point into the underwater world under close professional supervision.

The Ocean Free is a classic sailing schooner, perfect for those who want to experience the reef with a traditional nautical feel. This vessel heads towards Green Island, offering a combination of sailing, reef exploration, and island access.

The Ocean Freedom is a dedicated cruise boat designed for more extensive reef exploration. This vessel allows for longer durations on the water and provides access to more distant locations, such as Upolu Cay Reef and the Outer Edge of Upolu Reef.

Full equipment hire is available for those not travelling with their own kit, including snorkeling gear. The boats are well-equipped for comfort, featuring air-conditioned zones and a glass-bottom section for viewing the reef from the deck. Onboard dining includes a breakfast and lunch buffet, with various snacks and drinks available throughout the day.

The reefs visited by these vessels are home to a vibrant array of marine life. You will regularly encounter various species of colourful fish, turtles, and rays moving across the reef flats and coral structures. Large pelagics such as sharks and Giant trevally are also part of the local ecosystem.

The coral architecture provides the essential foundation for the area, supporting a vast diversity of life. Within the reef structure, you can find clownfish living amongst the anemones and various other reef-dwelling species.

During certain times of the year, the area may host Humpback whales, though sightings are seasonal.

The dive sites range from island reefs to more distant outer reefs. While specific current and swell data are not provided, the sites are categorised as accessible to all levels, from beginners to experienced divers.