- Unique Reef Experience
- Dinner and Refreshments
- All Equipment Included
Great Barrier Reef Coral Spawning Evening Trip
Witness the remarkable annual coral spawning phenomenon on the Great Barrier Reef during Tusa Reef Tour’s unique evening tour.
We’ve crunched the numbers, calculated the moon movements, and gauged the sea surface temperature to produce our best guesstimate of the most exciting few nights on the reef!
Often described as the reef’s “underwater snowstorm”, coral spawning occurs when coral colonies simultaneously release millions of eggs and sperm into the water column under specific environmental conditions. The event is regarded as one of the most important reproductive cycles in the marine ecosystem and is rarely witnessed by the general public.
Experience the reef after dark with a rare night snorkel and certified dive experience, exclusively with Tusa Reef Tours, timed specifically for one of nature’s most spectacular events. We have carefully selected the optimal date and time to give you the best chance to witness coral spawning with your very own eyes.
Tusa Reef Tour’s dedicated coral spawning night trips from Cairns put you right in the heart of the action. The unique excursions are available to both certified divers and snorkellers, making the experience accessible to a broad range of marine enthusiasts. Divers have the opportunity to explore beneath the surface with full dive equipment and underwater torches, while snorkellers can observe nocturnal reef activity from above in guided sessions designed to maximise safety and enjoyment.
Please note: For our Coral Spawning trips, only Certified Diving and Snorkelling will be available. Guided Dives are compulsory if this is your first night dive. Consumption of any alcohol will prevent further in-water activities.
Coral spawning is a natural phenomenon and, as such, the timing, location and intensity of spawning can vary from year to year. While our coral spawning trips are scheduled around the predicted spawning period, we cannot guarantee that coral spawning will occur on the evening of your trip.
Dive into the darkness. Witness the spectacle. Experience the reef like never before.
$275 for snorkellers
$365 for two cert dives
Guided Dives: $20 per person per dive
Departure Dates:
- Friday 30th October
- Saturday 31st October
- Saturday 28th November
- Sunday 29th November
Gallery
Itinerary
6.30 pm – Check-in at A Finger, Cairns Marina for a prompt departure.
7:00 pm – We’ll set sail to the Outer Reef, where you’ll enjoy captivating commentary and reef information, including dive site briefings for Certified Scuba Divers and Snorkellers. Plus, get insider tips on what to look out for from our resident Marine Biologist. Enjoy a delicious dinner in the main saloon deck area, or take advantage of one of the many open deck areas and enjoy your meal under the stars.
8:45 pm – Once we arrive at Outer Reef, the real adventure begins! Take part in a night snorkel or dive session and (hopefully) see the coral spawning with your own eyes!
10.00 pm – After towelling off, refuel with hot drinks and light refreshments served on board.
10.30 pm – It’s time to jump back in the water for the second snorkel and dive session for the evening.
11.45 pm – We’ll start the return journey back to Cairns with reef and marine life information based on the evening’s activities.
1.30 am – Arrive back at the Cairns Marlin Marina. You might be tired, but we’re confident that the experience of witnessing the coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef is well worth the late night!
FAQs
Not necessarily. However, a guide is compulsory if any of the following apply:
- You have not completed a dive within the past 12 months;
- This is your first night dive experience;
- Or, you have completed fewer than 20 certified dives.
If none of these situations apply to you, you may be able to dive independently with your buddy, subject to our usual safety requirements and assessments on the day.
Guided dives are $20 per person per dive, and can be added to your reservation as an optional extra at the time of booking.
Yes! For our trips, you’ll be travelling on the same vessel as all our other passengers – so if your travel partners are certified divers and others in your group are not, you’ll share your journey out on the reef together and complete your dives/snorkel experiences at the same sites.
You will also be asked to fill out an assessment form before snorkelling. If you are assessed as an at-risk snorkeller you may be required to wear a flotation device while snorkelling.
We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover you if your snorkel or dive trip is cancelled due to illness, poor weather, travel delays, lost luggage and legal costs. Travel insurance may not cover diving accidents and/or treatment/evacuation. For that we recommend separate insurance – see our Dive Insurance page for more information.
All equipment is included in the trip cost, including an underwater torch for all in-water activities. For a snorkeller, this includes a snorkel, mask, fins, and wetsuit.
Safety & Medical Information
It is vital that all individuals engaging in scuba diving are in good physical and mental health. Some medical conditions can pose a hazard during diving, and it is recommended that individuals with these conditions undergo evaluation by a physician. Visit our Can I Dive? page for more information.
Best Price & Easy Cancellations
Book with confidence knowing you will always pay the best price booking direct and be free to cancel or amend your booking anytime.
Prices are shown in Australian dollars and includes all equipment and tuition.
Prices valid to 31st March 2027. Price is per person and inclusive of GST and all fees, including the GBRMPA environmental management charge (EMC) which contributes directly to the management of the Marine Park.
$275 for snorkellers
$365 for two cert dives
Guided Dives: $20 per person per dive
Departure Dates:
- Friday 30th October
- Saturday 31st October
- Saturday 28th November
- Sunday 29th November