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Inner Reef Explorer (30 mins)

30 mins
from $415 per person
This 30-minute reef scenic flight takes in the highlights of the inner reef.
Minimum - 2 passengers This 30-minute flight departs the Cairns airport and tracks out from the mainland with views of the city of Cairns and Trinity inlet, passing False Cape, Mt Yarrabah, Mission Bay and Cape Grafton. From there we strike out to the inner edge of the reef starting with Green Island, a 6,000 year-old coral sand island that boasts its own native rainforest eco-system. Tracking to the north, we explore the western side of Arlington Reef, home to a diverse range of marine creatures – turtles, sharks and manta rays.Continuing north we’ll circle Vlassoff Cay a tiny sand island in the middle of the reef that reduces to only a few hundred square metres in size at high tide. From Vlassoff Cay we head west, over Upolu Cay and back to Cairns taking in fantastic views of the North Queensland coastline framed by the lush rainforest covered eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range. What to bring: Sunglasses & sunscreen. Camera, small soft bags only. Personal items should not exceed 10 kg. Weight restrictions apply - please follow the booking form. 
Start: 21 Bush Pilots Avenue, General Aviation, Cairns Airport
from $415 per person
Drive Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders both past, present and emerging; and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

© 2026 Drive Queensland. Images courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland and Drive Queensland Partners

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