Cairns Guide

Cairns Water Sports

Enjoy exciting water sports in Cairns, from jet skiing to parasailing, discovering aquatic adventures beyond the reef

22+ tours
From $70
Half day
Cairns Water Sports

Cairns offers exciting water sports beyond reef experiences, where jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and aquatic adventures create water sports experiences that make water sports perfect for active enjoyment! Water sports take you onto Cairns waters, from jet skiing across bays to parasailing with stunning views, from kayaking calm waters to trying various aquatic activities, and from experiencing water thrills to discovering why Cairns offers diverse water sports. Experience the excitement that Cairns waters can offer, try different water activities, understand the range of adventures available, and discover why water sports provide perfect ways to add variety to your Cairns visit. Whether you're seeking jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, or comprehensive water activities, water sports offer engaging journeys that showcase the adventurous waters that make Cairns special. From jet skis to kayaks, from exciting to peaceful, water sports ensure you experience the thrilling aquatic adventures beyond the reef!

Featured Water Sports Tours

Discover our top picks for water sports in Cairns

Rainforest River Tubing from Cairns
From $64.64
Free Cancellation

Float through a combination of calm waters and rapids on a rainforest river during this 4.5-hour tubing tour including pickup from Cairns. You'll have approximately 90-minutes of river tubing on a professional-grade twin-chamber tube. Soak up the scenery while cooling off from the Queensland heat in the water. The perfect activity for ages 5 and above.

4.7(666)
4h 30m
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Barron Gorge White Water Rafting from Cairns or Port Douglas
From $87.09
Free Cancellation

Enjoy an outdoor adventure in Queensland with up to 2-hour white-water rafting tour in Barron Gorge National Park. This experience is a suitable introduction to river rafting for first-timers, providing an exhilarating time with a rafting guide. Take in rainforest views along the Barron River as you navigate grade 2 and 3 rapids. When booking, you have the option to include pickup in Cairns and the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas, or drive yourself to the starting point at Lake Placid.

4.8(1,594)
4h
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Barron River Half-Day White Water Rafting Cairns or Port Douglas
From $87.09
Free Cancellation

Seeking a white water rafting adventure? The Barron River, 20-minutes north of Cairns, offers spectacular scenery as you paddle through the Barron Gorge National Park on this exciting two-hour white water rafting tour from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.

4.6(165)
3h 30m
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Cairns Super Saver: Reef Cruise, Daintree & Kuranda Rail/Skyrail
From $401.43
Free Cancellation

Save up to 10% when you purchase this Super Saver Package. Combining the most popular attractions in Cairns, this three-day super saver is perfect for first-time visitors to the region, plus you'll save up to 10% off. Over three days, experience the best of tropical Far North Queensland! Go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef (upgrade to add a scuba dive), ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway, glide over the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Cableway and explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with a local guide. From the coral beauty of the Great Barrier Reef to scenic views from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and encounters with Australian wildlife, this sightseeing package is crammed with fun activities you'll never forget.

4.4(157)
72h
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Out n About Sportfishing for Share and Private Charters on Reef and Estuary
From $146.28
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

Cast a line and experience the thrill of fishing on one of Out n About's popular sportfishing tours. Enjoy estuary, and/or reef fishing while using a variety of fishing methods to enhance your time on the water. Experienced guides offer personalised service with a maximum of only 6 guests Also specialising in Private Charters for groups of up to 6 guests, in total. Perfect for wedding parties, corporate groups or large families, tours can be designed for your individual needs. Fish inshore reefs and estuaries or visit the outer reef for a full day. Locally owned and operated Out n About offers the opportunity to get out on the water and enjoy the regions beautiful surrounds while pulling in a line. A great value tour and suitable for the novice to experienced angler, a must do while visiting Port Douglas.

4.6(203)
4h
View Details
3 Day Reef Cruise, 4WD Rainforest and Outback Chillagoe Package
From $421.84
Free Cancellation🔥Likely to Sell Out

Save up to 15% off with this 3 day package! Experience the best of Cairns and the Far North Queensland Region with a Great Barrier Reef Cruise, 4WD to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation and then another 4WD full-day tour to the Outback Chillagoe. Your Rainforest and Outabck Day is a small personalised tour with custom-built 4WD vehicles. Your naturalist driver-guide has extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, history of the area and aboriginal culture, which will ensure your day will be a memory of a lifetime. Cruise to the reef onboard a luxury 35-metre superyacht to two outer reef sites. Enjoy unlimited snorkelling over 5 hours, delicious BBQ lunch onboard and a free glass of wine for the journey home to Cairns.

4.9(14)
72h
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Beyond Edinburgh (Half Day Tour)
From $615.38
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

Discover what is beyond the city walls on your very own half day private tour of the surrounding areas of Edinburgh in our superb Land Rover Discovery. Our flexible routes takes you to the imposing Crichton Castle or Craigmillar Castle, the enchanting Rosslyn Chapel. After seeing some of the sites, we head to Dalkeith Country Park and the Restoration yard for lunch and a bit of shopping. Based on one of our other tours, this has proven to be a superb option for the traveler that wants to venture out of Edinburgh City centre, to see the sites, possibly do a distillery tour and even be dropped of at some of the great shopping locations Edinburgh has to offer. We have toured antique stores, art galleries, and even a few coffee shops. Jokingly nicknamed the Golf Widows Tours by some of the guests, this offers one of the best ways to do something with a later start and earlier finish than other private driving tours with a price that reflects this (10am Start - 3/4pm drop off).

5.0(20)
5h
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Reef Rainforest Fusion - 45 Minute Reef and Rainforest Flight
From $391.23
Free Cancellation

This tour combines the best elements of the reef and rainforest. Starting with the reef we fly to Green Island and then explore the local reefs, including the beautiful Vlasoff Sand Cay. We then track to Palm Cove and climb up to 2,500 feet as we glide over the Great Dividing Range on our way to Kuranda - the village in the rainforest. We then track down the Barron Gorge, home of the immense Barron Falls, before tracking back to Cairns Airport with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area.

5.0(11)
1h 10m
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Central Scotland Driving Tour - Stirlingshire (Private)
From $752.13
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

Discover whats beyond the city walls on your very own full day private tour of central Scotland in our Land Rover Discovery. See the castles, the lochs, the hills and even some of the filming locations that makes Scotland the stunning country it is today. All our tours can be personalised to your needs and be as action packed or relaxed as you want.

5.0(23)
7h
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Glencoe & Highlands: Private Land Rover Tour
From $1,223.92
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

Glencoe & Highlands Private Driving Tour: Unveil Scotland's Majestic Landscapes Join Monarch Tours on an unparalleled journey from Edinburgh to Glencoe and the captivating Highlands. Traverse the Trossachs National Park, embracing Scotland’s breathtaking natural beauty. Tour Highlights: Glen Etive - Three Sisters - Glencoe Marvel at Glen Etive's cinematic beauty, famously featured in James Bond's Skyfall. Encounter wild deer at Kingshouse Hotel, immerse in Glencoe's historic tales, and relish traditional fare at Clachaig Inn or Kings House Hotel. Experience the grandeur of the Three Sisters, capturing striking panoramas. Conclude with a whisky sampling against the stunning Highland backdrop. Tour Details: Duration: Full Day For up to 6 passengers Pick-up: 8:30 am Drop-off: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

5.0(42)
9h
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Private Half Day Tour: World Heritage Rainforest & Waterfall
From $796.74
👤Private Tour

Do you want to have your own private tour guide and vehicle all to yourself? Exclusive half day tour takes in three Wet Tropics Rainforest National Parks, and includes a visit to the most famous waterfall in Cairns, the Barron Falls. You’ll see stunning scenery, ranging from lush tropical rainforest to outback Savannah. Visit mighty trees, swim in crystal clear waters. If you have limited time, want to escape the crowds and experience the true tropical rainforest of North Queensland, book this tour today. Please note: the departure times are 7.00 am and 1.00pm, you can change the pick up time to suit but the return time is still 12.00 and 6.00pm

5.0(19)
5h
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Private Day Tour: Visit 3 Iconic William Wallace Locations
From $574.35
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

William Wallace, famous the world over, led Scotland in its first wars of Independence in the 13th Century. Brought to life by Mel Gibson in the blockbuster Braveheart. A full day tour, visiting 3 locations associated with Wallace, from his place of birth at Elderslie, then onto where he was held by the English Army at Dumbarton Castle, before being sent to England for trial, then finally onto the Wallace Monument in Stirling. A jam packed day that will let you follow in the footsteps of Wallace, hear about tales of the Battlefield, see the Wallace Sword and get the chance to climb the 246 steps to the top of the Monument. We will cater for all your needs, which includes collection, and transportation to all three locations, and personal tour guide for the day.

5.0(5)
8h
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Dubai City Tour and Burj Khalifa 124th Floor Entry Ticket
From $175
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

Visit ( Palm Islands - Atlantis - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Burj Khalifa From the inside ) See the city at night on this fantastic tour of Dubai that includes entrance into the world's tallest building. Travel with your expert guide through some of the city's top attractions, make stops for photos at major monuments, and learn about the culture and traditions of this popular UAE city. Check out the colorful Marina skyscrapers as you take in the city skyline and stop at Burj Al Arab and Atlantis as part of this evening tour

2h
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Upper Mustang Trek – 17 Days
From $2,299
Free Cancellation👤Private Tour

Mustang Panoramic Views Mountain Nature The former Himalayan kingdom of Mustang is an arid and starkly beautiful land. Long protected from mass tourism; its allure has come from its inaccessibility and its reputation as a last bastion of traditional Tibetan culture. Mustang has a long, rich and complex history that makes it one of the most fascinating corners of the Himalaya. Mustang is an ancient Himalayan Kingdom which lies in the northern central part of Nepal and at the top of the Kali Gandaki River. This region is full of some of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist Monasteries, ancient and isolated villages with quaint white washed houses. The restricted area of Tibetan influence lies north of Kagbeni, and Nepalese refer to this as Upper Mustang.

5.0(5)
408h
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Langtang Gosaikunda Lake and Helambu Trek
From $1,776.32
Free Cancellation

Holy hike to Gosaikunda Lake also called Gosaikunda Trek or Langtang Gosaikunda Trek is a trek to the holy glacial lake Gosaikunda at an altitude of 4,320 meters above sea level. The lake melts and sips down to form the Trishuli River and remains frozen for six months from October to June. According to Hindu religious epics, Gosaikunda Lake is believed to have been created by Lord Shiva when he thrust his Trishul (holy trident) into a mountain to extract water to cool his stinging throat after he had swallowed poison to save mankind. After a day of sightseeing in Kathmandu, the trip starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche from where we start on leg. Two days of trek from Dhunche takes us to Gosaikunda where we rest for a day, explore around, take bath in the holy lake and rest to let our body get used to altitude. Next day we start trek again and cross Laurebina Pass at 4,610 meters and walk for three more days to Kathmandu.

264h
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Why Choose Water Sports in Cairns?

Aquatic Adventures

Experience exciting water activities!

Jet Skiing

Try high-speed water adventures.

Parasailing

Soar above waters with aerial views.

Diverse Activities

Discover range of water sports.

Types of Water Sports in Cairns

Jet Ski Tours

Tours featuring high-speed jet ski adventures.

Jet skiingHigh-speedThrillingExcitingFun

Parasailing Tours

Aerial parasailing experiences above water.

ParasailingAerial viewsScenicExcitingPicturesque

Kayaking Tours

Kayaking calm waters and estuaries.

KayakingCalm watersPeacefulScenicActive

Comprehensive Water Sports

Tours combining multiple water activities.

Multiple activitiesCombinedComprehensiveDiverseFull day

What to Expect on Your Water Sports Tour

Duration

Water sports: 2-4 hours. Extended tours: 4-6 hours with multiple activities.

Aquatic Activities

Experience various exciting water sports.

Equipment Provided

Professional equipment and safety gear included.

Expert Instruction

Receive instruction and support for activities.

Safety First

Safety briefings and protocols ensured.

Photography

Photography opportunities for activities.

Expert Tips for the Best Experience

1

Water sports showcase Cairns water adventures

2

Jet skiing highlight of exciting experiences

3

Parasailing provides spectacular aerial views

4

Tours suitable for various skill levels

5

Water sports essential for active visitors

6

Water sports highlight aquatic variety

7

Water sports showcase water adventures

8

Water sports provide perfect water perspective

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What water sports are available in Cairns?

A: Water sports include jet skiing (high-speed, bays, thrilling), parasailing (aerial views, scenic), kayaking (calm waters, peaceful), stand-up paddleboarding, and various aquatic activities showcasing Cairns water adventures! Sports diverse and exciting. Jet skiing thrilling. Parasailing spectacular. Essential for active visitors. Must-try - water variety. Spectacular water sports destination. Perfect aquatic experiences!

Q:Do I need experience for water sports?

A: No experience needed for most water sports! Professional instruction provided. Equipment user-friendly. Safety briefings comprehensive. Beginners welcomed for most activities. Experienced guides support participants. Water sports accessible to most!

Q:Is parasailing safe and how high do you go?

A: Parasailing very safe with professional operators and safety equipment! Typical heights: 80-120 meters above water. Tandem parasailing available. Safety equipment comprehensive. Professional operators experienced. Parasailing safe and fun. Moderate altitude comfortable!

Q:What is included in water sports tour prices?

A: Water sports tour prices include equipment rental, safety gear, instruction, guide, and safety briefings! Equipment well-maintained. Safety equipment comprehensive. Expert instruction provided. Prices represent good value. Equipment inclusions complete!

Q:Can I do water sports if I can't swim well?

A: Some water sports manageable with basic swimming ability! Life jackets always provided. Jet skiing relatively stable. Parasailing no swimming required. Kayaking with flotation aids possible. Check with operators about requirements. Swimming ability varies by activity!

Q:What should I bring for water sports?

A: Essential items: Swimwear, sunscreen, towel, and waterproof camera! Swimwear for water activities. Sun protection critical - tropical sun intense. Towel for after activities. Waterproof camera for photos. Prepare for water exposure. Essential gear for water sports. Sunscreen most important!

Q:Are water sports affected by weather?

A: Water sports weather-dependent - operators monitor conditions! Calm conditions ideal for most activities. Strong winds affect parasailing. Water clarity affects visibility. Operators reschedule if unsafe. Weather conditions monitored. Activity dependent on conditions!

Q:Can I combine water sports with reef or rainforest tours?

A: Yes! Many operators offer combination packages! Water sports paired with reef trips popular. Half-day options available. Flexible combinations possible. Operators recommend best combinations. Multiple activity days enjoyable. Combination experiences recommended!

Don't Miss the Perfect Cairns Experience

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Why Visit Cairns?

Great Barrier Reef access

Daintree Rainforest

Adventure activities

Tropical climate

Indigenous culture

Perfect blend of nature and adventure

Best Time to Visit

Weather

Cairns has a tropical climate with two main seasons. Dry season (May-October) is pleasant, and wet season (November-April) brings rain and humidity.

Best Months

May to October offers the best weather with pleasant temperatures and less rain.

Peak Season

June to August brings peak tourist season with ideal weather, larger crowds, and higher prices.

Off Season

November to April offers lower prices but wet weather and potential cyclones.

Plan Your Cairns Trip

Transportation Tips

Organized tours include transportation. Car rental is useful for exploring the region.

Car Rental Deals in Cairns

Rent a car for maximum flexibility and explore at your own pace on Expedia USA.

Where to Stay

Find the perfect accommodation for your Cairns adventure. From luxury resorts to cozy hotels, we've got you covered.

Best Hotel Deals in Cairns

Discover top-rated hotels with exclusive rates and special offers on Trivago USA.

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Discover the best tours and activities in Cairns with AI-powered recommendations tailored just for you.