Port Douglas at a glance
Port Douglas is a small coastal town north of Cairns. Reef boats leave from the marina for two quite different places. One is the Agincourt Reef on the outer Ribbon Reefs, where a pontoon sits at the reef edge. The other is the Low Isles, a small island you reach on a sailing or island day. They are not the same reef, so choose by what you want to do.
The town is also the usual starting point for the Daintree rainforest to the north. If you want the widest choice of departures, see our guide to Great Barrier Reef tours.
Outer reef or Low Isles
Fares for 2026/27, valid to 31 March 2027. Each row is one example.
| Trip | What you get | Adult | Child | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agincourt Reef pontoon day | Snorkeling, dive options and dry viewing; 3.5 hours at the reef; reef charge included | A$338 | A$179 (4 to 14), under 4 free | A$864 |
| Low Isles sailing and island day | Island visit by sailing boat; GST and reef charge included | A$276 (from 15 years) | A$148 (4 to 14), younger free | A$710 |
| Helicopter add-on from the pontoon | 10-minute flight | A$210 | Check at booking | Check at booking |
Both trips can carry operating surcharges, so read the terms. A combined ship and flight, one way, costs A$705. For most visitors who want to see the reef edge, the Agincourt pontoon day is the better fit. Choose the Low Isles if you would rather have an island and sailing day.
Our pick: outer reef from Port Douglas
Our take: this trip heads from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef on the outer reef, with a guided snorkel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Great Barrier Reef tours from Port Douglas
Outer reef snorkeling and diving, Low Isles trips and Daintree day tours from Port Douglas, with live prices and availability.
Agincourt Reef
The outer Ribbon Reefs are the target of the pontoon trip. The platform offers snorkeling, diving and dry ways to look at the reef. The boat leaves the Port Douglas marina at 10:00, and you board at 09:30.
Reef rules apply on every trip. Do not touch coral or animals, and do not stand on coral. Do not chase animals or block their path, and keep more than 1 m from giant clams. Wear a full-body lycra or neoprene suit, because box jellyfish and Irukandji can be life-threatening. The higher-risk season runs from roughly November to May, but jellyfish can occur at other times.
Four Mile Beach and stingers
Four Mile Beach has a seasonal stinger enclosure. An open enclosure does not mean a fully stinger-safe beach. Follow the lifeguards and the warning signs. If the beach is closed, do not swim even if a net is in the water.
Never swim in places where crocodiles may live, even if there is no warning sign.
The Daintree from Port Douglas
The rainforest starts north of town.
Daintree ferry
The ferry crossing at the Daintree River lies about 50 km north of Port Douglas. The exact drive depends on traffic.
Daintree rainforest guide →Mossman Gorge
The park authority advises against going into the water here. Access is by shuttle from the car park, which runs about every 15 minutes from 08:00 to 17:00.
Cape Tribulation
Beyond the river crossing the road can get worse quickly. Take the warnings about crocodiles, stingers and patchy mobile coverage seriously, and do not count on an easy drive in every season.
Weather and when to go
Figures are for Cairns, the nearest long-term record.
Rain and temperature
January to March are the wettest months, with more than 400 mm of rain a month and highs around 31 °C. June to September bring under 50 mm a month, with highs between 26 and 28 °C. These are averages, not a forecast.
Weather by month →Cyclones and stingers
The official cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. The stinger season is roughly November to May. Neither is a closing date, and storms or jellyfish can turn up outside these months.
Best time to visit →Whales
Humpback whales are around from May to September, and minke whales mainly from May to July in the Ribbon Reefs. Whale encounters are never guaranteed.
Getting there and where to stay
Transfers and hotel areas.
Hotel pickups
Hotel buses serve Port Douglas, Cairns and the Northern Beaches for the Agincourt trip. Check which pickup your booking includes.
Where to stay →
Port Douglas: frequently asked questions
Which reef do trips from Port Douglas visit?
The main pontoon trip goes to the Agincourt Reef on the outer Ribbon Reefs. The Low Isles are a separate trip to a small island.
How much is a Port Douglas reef trip?
The Agincourt pontoon day costs A$338 for adults, A$179 for children aged 4 to 14 and A$864 for a family in 2026/27. Children under 4 are free. The Low Isles day costs A$276 for adults.
When does the boat leave?
The Agincourt pontoon trip departs at 10:00, and you board at 09:30. You spend 3.5 hours at the reef.
Is it safe to swim at Four Mile Beach?
Only when the stinger enclosure is open, and even then it is not fully stinger-safe. Follow the lifeguards, and do not swim if the beach is closed.
Is this an official Port Douglas website?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to any tourism authority or tour operator.