Port Douglas Day Tours from Cairns - Complete Guide
For visitors based in Cairns who want to experience Port Douglas and the surrounding region without committing to a multi-night stay, a guided day tour is the most convenient option. Most tours depart Cairns hotels in the morning and return in the early evening, giving you a full day to explore. The transfer is included in the tour price, making them particularly good value when combined with a reef or rainforest experience.
Port Douglas and Great Barrier Reef Day Tour
The most popular day tour combination. Your tour picks you up from Cairns, drives north to Port Douglas along the Captain Cook Highway, then boards a reef boat from the marina for snorkelling or diving at the Outer Reef.
You spend four to five hours on the reef before returning to Port Douglas for lunch on Macrossan Street. Then the drive back to Cairns in the late afternoon. These tours start from around AUD $150 to $250 per person and include all reef equipment and a buffet lunch on board.
Port Douglas is the best departure point for the Outer Reef in Queensland. The reef is just 50 to 60 minutes by boat compared to 90 minutes from Cairns, and the sites are less crowded. See our Great Barrier Reef guide for full details.
Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest Day Tour
Head north through Port Douglas into the ancient Daintree Rainforest - the world's oldest surviving tropical rainforest at approximately 180 million years old. Most tours include a Daintree River cruise to spot saltwater crocodiles and tropical birds, guided rainforest walks, and often Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef coastline.
Prices typically start from AUD $120 to $180 per person depending on inclusions. The Kuku Yalanji cultural walk at Mossman Gorge is often included and is one of the finest indigenous cultural experiences in Queensland.
See our full Daintree Rainforest guide for detailed information on what to expect and how to make the most of a Daintree day trip from Port Douglas.
Day Tour Options and Prices
| Tour Type | Price Per Person (AUD) | Duration | What is Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village and Area Tour | $85 to $110 | Half or full day | Transport, guide, some meals |
| Reef Snorkelling | $150 to $220 | Full day | Transport, boat, equipment, lunch |
| Daintree and Port Douglas | $120 to $180 | Full day | Transport, river cruise, guide |
| Reef and Daintree Combo | $200 to $300+ | Full day | All inclusions above |