Location: Approx. 1.5 - 2 hours from Cairns, QLD
As the Great Barrier Reef is, for many, a once in a lifetime experience, an argument can easily be made that it's well worth investing the extra time and money to get the best possible experience during your time here.
While it requires the greatest amount of overall effort to reach, the Outer Great Barrier Reef simply tends to be more beautiful overall than the fringing reefs closer to the mainland. A trip further out gives you the best chance to see coral, fish and other marine life at their best and brightest, and - assuming you're not requiring the comfort of lazing on a sandy beach as part of your trip - you'll have everything you need with most tour operators either on board their boat or on one of the popular "activity platforms" which dot the reef.
Divers, in particular, stand to gain the most with a trip to the Outer Reef rather than one of the islands as there are numerous popular dive sites that have been hand-picked by tour operators for their stunning array of marine life. The likes of SilverSwift, Quicksilver, Down Under Cruise and Dive and Great Adventures all offer itineraries that take prospective divers to the Flynn, Milln, Thetford and Moore reefs, with each site providing a slightly different focus.
Some provide spectacular soft corals, others a wider array of fish and different marine life such as turtles and rays. The range of underwater canyons, gorges and coral gardens on the Outer Reef is simply staggering, and multi-day tours are available that include a variety of different dive sites to ensure you get the full range of aquatic experiences.
While it requires the greatest amount of overall effort to reach, the Outer Great Barrier Reef simply tends to be more beautiful overall than the fringing reefs closer to the mainland.
While it requires a greater effort to reach, the Outer Great Barrier Reef gives you the best chance to see coral, tropical fish and marine life at their healthiest and brightest for snorkellers and divers alike.
Those with no interest in diving can still make the most of their trip to the Outer Reef with the majority cruises taking guests to moored pontoons and activity platforms. These platforms are designed to take advantage of some truly great spots on the reef and provide plenty of water-based or onboard activities to take part in for less confident swimmers.
While these can sometimes be crowded affairs, particularly during peak season and on the larger vessels, they're never unpleasantly so and are set up to provide all the amenities one could need for an extended stay on the reef without needing an island to do so. Hot showers, spacious sundecks and buffet lunches are all staples of most itineraries, while underwater viewing windows and snorkelling equipment round out the offerings.
At the very least, with a day trip to the outer reef you'll spend anywhere between 4 and 5 hours actually enjoying this Natural Wonder of the World, however, three and even five day trips that incorporate onboard accommodation, meals and even diving lessons are available for those looking for an extended experience. How long it takes to travel to the Outer Reef from Cairns is dependent on both the vessel you travel with and their choice of mooring site, however, expect anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours' trip one way as a conservative estimate.
While it's the most expensive option for most travellers and it's understandable if people prefer to island-hop, if the best diving, water quality, and coral viewing are top priorities for your trip to Cairns then a trip to the Outer Reef should be at the top of your Cairns itinerary.