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

Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom offer two small-group ways to spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Both are designed around personalised snorkelling and diving rather than a crowded, rushed tour, with crew providing guidance, reef knowledge and support throughout the experience. Snorkellers can step directly from the vessels into the water, where coral outcrops come close to the surface, while guided tours help guests get more from their time on the reef. Snorkel equipment and tuition are included, along with food served during the day.

The two vessels provide different styles of reef experience. Ocean Free combines sailing, reef time and an island visit, using an exclusive mooring about one kilometre from Green Island. Ocean Freedom focuses on extended time in the water, with six unrushed hours exploring two reef destinations: Upolu Cay Reef and Outer Edge Upolu Reef. It offers both introductory scuba diving for non-certified guests and small-group diving for certified divers, with the business stating a two-to-one ratio of dive instructors to non-certified divers and a complimentary guide for certified diving. Guests can choose how active or relaxed they want the day to be.

This is a welcoming option for first-time snorkellers, experienced divers, families and groups with different ages or abilities. The crew is committed to helping guests feel confident, and the tours include information about suitability, accessibility and medical considerations for those who need to plan carefully. The website also notes that the team can assist with choosing the more suitable tour. That makes the experience relevant for people who are keen to get in the water but may need extra reassurance, as well as confident swimmers and divers wanting more reef time.

The business is family owned and has been shaped by Perry Jones and Taryn Agius, who purchased Ocean Free in 1996 after Perry had worked in the Cairns dive industry since 1988. They launched Ocean Freedom in 2005 as a complementary experience, retaining the same focus on personal service, safety and environmental care. Both tours have held Advanced Eco Certification for more than 10 years and have earned Green Travel Leader recognition. Based in Edge Hill, Cairns, Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom suit visitors looking for a carefully guided reef day, with attentive crew, small-group interaction and the choice between two distinct vessels.