Helicopter Cairns Discover Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef from the Sky
Embark on a helicopter Cairns aerial adventure that allows you to fully grasp the breathtaking beauty, diversity, and sheer grandeur of the Cairns and Port Douglas regions. Only from the vantage point of a helicopter can you truly appreciate the magnificence of this remarkable natural landscape. This region is the only place on earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites coexist: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropical Rainforest.
As you soar through the skies, you’ll witness a panoramic display of expansive coral reefs, tropical islands, and sandy cays seamlessly merging into the lush rainforest-covered mountains. These mountains cradle vast river systems and seasonal waterfalls, offering awe-inspiring views that stretch as far as the eye can see.
All flights are shared experiences, unless you have arranged for a private charter.
30-Minute Scenic Flight: Great Barrier Reef
A 30-minute scenic helicopter flight over the reef is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss! Marvel at the stunning shades of blue and green in these pristine coral sea waters, adorned with thriving coral gardens. This flight provides fantastic photo opportunities, including picturesque Green Island, Arlington Reef, and Upolu Sand Cay. The annual migration season offers an excellent opportunity to spot larger marine species from the air, including sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, dolphins, dugongs, and even majestic humpback whales (July–Sep).
45-Minute Scenic Flight: Reef and Rainforest
Our most popular scenic flight combines the beauty of the 30-minute reef scenic with a bird’s-eye view of the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. Departing over the reef, we cross the coast near Double Island and the resort town of Palm Cove.
Then, we ascend over the coastal rainforest-clad mountains into the heart of Barron Gorge National Park. Emerging from the rainforest canopy, you’ll see the Barron River and the charming rainforest village of Kuranda, with glimpses of the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway gondolas.
Descending over the 250-metre rock face of the Barron Falls, you’ll witness a truly awe-inspiring photo opportunity. Following the Barron River for the next 5 kilometres, you’ll trace its path through the gorge back towards the ocean, where it provides hydroelectric power to Cairns and thrilling experiences for rafters navigating its rapids.
60-Minute Scenic Flight: Reef and Rainforest Extended
Our most comprehensive scenic flight includes all the 45-minute Reef and Rainforest tour highlights, with an additional 15-minute extension along the rainforest-covered escarpment of the Lamb Range, showcasing the picturesque Lake Morris.
Add a Vlasoff Sand Cay Touchdown!
Enhance your 30-, 45-, or 60-minute scenic flight with a 20-minute touchdown on the idyllic Vlasoff Cay. Experience an exhilarating landing and capture Instagram-worthy photos with your private charter helicopter in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Subject to tides and cay availability ($80.00 per person).
Heli Experience” – Taste of Helicopter Flight
Nautilus Aviation offers a 5-minute “Heli Experience” between our General Aviation and Pier Heliports for those curious about helicopter flight. These flights provide a glimpse of Cairns Airport and the stunning Cairns Esplanade.
30-Minute Scenic Flight: Reef
Depart Cairns on demand for a 30-minute scenic flight over the reef. Pricing starts at $399 per passenger (minimum of two passengers). You can request set departure times for the “Heli Experience.
Discover more Cairns helicopter tours
Highlights
The best parts of your Cairns helicopter tours:
- Bird’s eye view of the Great Barrier Reef
- Green Island
- Arlington Reef
- Double Island
- Barron River National Park
- Kuranda Village
- Barron Falls
Itinerary
- Check-in at the flight office.
- Join the safety briefing and don your life jacket.
- Follow your guide to the Helipad and get ready for lift-off!
- Enjoy your 30, 45, or 60 Minute Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest.
- Return back to the helipad.
Included
Included with your Cairns helicopter tours
- Scenic Flight – Your choice of 30, 45 or 60 Minutes.
- Head-sets fitted with voice-activated microphones
- In-flight commentary
- Modern Fleet of air-conditioned helicopters
*Some hotels are within walking distance of the Heli-pad. Please check at the time of booking.
Optional Extras
Touchdown on Vlasoff Cay!
Upgrade your Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest to include a 20-minute landing on Vlasoff Cay. A perfect option to snap a stunning holiday selfie!
This upgrade can be added on at check-in and you pay for it after your flight. Vlasoff Cay is open to the general public. In the event that there are already guests on it when we fly over, unfortunately we won’t be able to land.
What to bring
What will I need to bring?
- Sunglasses – Polarized are the best!
- Your Camera
- A Bottle of water
You can bring your items in a soft-sided bag that does not exceed 10kg.
How to get there
The check-in office may be a short walk away if you stay near the helipad. You can find the Check-in office at Marina Point, 2 Pier Point Rd.
Important Information
The important stuff you need to know!
- You will need to provide all passenger names and individual body weights at the time of booking.
- The maximum weight for a single seat is 130kg. However, if you exceed this, please contact our team to discuss the available options.
- All flights will require a minimum of 2 people to operate. If you are a single traveller, we can certainly confirm your flight on a standby basis, just until another booking is received for this flight time. For a single traveller, please phone our office on (07) 4037 2700 to discuss.
- Your seating on the flight will be allocated based on passenger weights and balance of the aircraft.
- All flights are on a shared basis and are not on a private basis unless machine has been chartered. This product requires a minimum number of passengers to proceed.
- All prices are based on seat occupation. Children under the age of 3 are classed as Infants, and will travel free of charge. They will be seated on the parents lap and an infant seat belt restraint will be provided. Only 1 Infant per flight is permitted.
- Flights are subject to Management and/or pilot discretion, weather, air-traffic control and availability. With this in mind, flight paths may be altered to accommodate the above.
