Great Barrier Reef Tours for Solo Travelers
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10 best Great Barrier Reef solo travel packages
Compiled by
MelissaGreat Barrier Reef travel expert at TourRadar
- Solo-ish Down-Under
- 10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
- Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
- Australia: Beaches and Reefs (With Sailing)
- Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
- AUSTRALIA – 9 Days Highlights Cairns Barrier Reef Sydney
- Aussie Icons - Sydney, Cairns & Melbourne
- Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest - 9 Day Boutique Tour
- Best of Australia
- Australia: North Queensland Adventure (With Sailing)
The Great Barrier Reef region beckons solo adventurers to Cairns, where like-minded travelers gather for reef excursions and visits to Kuranda Village markets. This flexible itinerary allows independence while fostering group connections through shared daily activities near the reef.
Duration 25 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park, MelbourneSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $13,559
10% Off- NZ$12,203You save $1,356
10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Hotel locations was perfect near city center, hotel is clean and perfect.”
Lilbeth, traveled in June
Cairns-based Great Barrier Reef adventures bring solo explorers together for Fitzroy Island snorkeling and Esplanade activities. Reef tours and rainforest excursions complement single-friendly accommodation options.
Duration 10 days Destinations Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Vio Travel From $2,541
5% Off- NZ$2,414You save $127
Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tours that were booked for us everyday were interesting, and adventurous!”
Ashley, traveled in April
Green Island and Fitzroy Island offer shared snorkeling for solo travelers. Glass-bottom boat tours and semi-submersible experiences at Agincourt Reef unite marine enthusiasts, with an average age of 62.
Duration 12 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, Fitzroy Island, Green Island National Park Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 25 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
5% Off- NZ$4,597
Solo travelers aged 18+ thrive here, with 80% booking alone. Accommodations alternate between hostels, eco-camps, and 2 nights aboard a racing yacht. Groups of 15-20 like-minded adventurers share snorkeling and marine life encounters.
Duration 16 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Noosa, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Magnetic Island, Townsville, Cairns Age Range Ages 18-35 Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $5,517
10% Off- NZ$4,965+$628 upfront costsYou save $552
Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was well organized and we were very informed on the areas visited.”
Shelley, traveled in March
Solo adventurers thrive during Great Barrier Reef visits. Join group snorkeling sessions and glass-bottom boat tours with like-minded travelers. Share sunset drinks in Port Douglas and crocodile spotting on Solar Whisper cruise with average age group of 32.
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Mission Beach, Atherton, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- NZ$8,467
AUSTRALIA – 9 Days Highlights Cairns Barrier Reef Sydney
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“All tours and accommodations were amazing. I look forward to traveling with Tour Radar again!”
Holly, traveled in September
The Great Barrier Reef beckons solo adventurers with dedicated reef guides during 4.5-hour explorations. Marine experiences and guided snorkeling tours complement stays at the welcoming Shangri-La Cairns.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Kiama Age Range Ages 8+ Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
10% Off- NZ$6,349
Aussie Icons - Sydney, Cairns & Melbourne
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Over all very nicely organized and selected tours.”
Sinhareb, traveled in September
The Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and Daintree Rainforest bring travelers together. The Abbott Boutique Hotel Cairns hosts solo adventurers aged 35+, offering guided reef tours and rainforest walks.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Daintree National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay Age Range Ages 8+ Group Size Max Group Size 45 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From $5,091
6% Off- NZ$4,804You save $287
Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest - 9 Day Boutique Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very good overview of what Queensland can offer, spectacular views.”
Yves, traveled in July
The Great Barrier Reef region attracts solo travelers (40% of bookings) for shared snorkeling and Daintree Rainforest walks. Paradise Links Resort provides comfortable stays for groups averaging age 45.
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach, Atherton, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman GorgeSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Via Travel Australia From $6,840
15% Off- NZ$5,814You save $1,026
Best of Australia
29 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was fantastic the CEO went out of his way to help me. He came to the hospital and sat with me while I got stitches!”
Bruce, traveled in October
The Great Barrier Reef region draws solo travelers to optional snorkeling at Whitsunday Islands and rainforest walks in Daintree. Guided activities and shared meals create connections while maintaining personal space.
Duration 14 days Destinations Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie, Blue Mountains, Sydney Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $7,139
25% Off- NZ$5,354You save $1,785
Australia: North Queensland Adventure (With Sailing)
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was excellent. 5/5 to him.”
Curran, traveled in December
The Great Barrier Reef awaits solo travelers (average age 25) for shared adventures. Cabin mates sail the Whitsundays, observe marine life during optional diving ($65-$100), and gather for bush tucker dining in Cairns. Marine experts provide guided reef education.
Duration 9 days Destinations Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Whitsunday Islands, Magnetic Island, Townsville, Cairns, Kuranda Age Range Ages 18-35 Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $3,095
10% Off- NZ$2,786+$60 upfront costsYou save $309
What people love about touring Great Barrier Reef solo
- Great Barrier Reef Explorer (Snorkel To Adventure)
Absolutely amazing, best instructors!
- Best of Australia
I had a good experience traveling to Australia with G Adventures. The itinerary from "Best of Australia" captured many key points of interest (some of which I really desired and others I didn't think of). There were mountains and beaches; small towns and bigger cities; and a variety of activities from surfing to bridge climbing to sailing. There were a few challenges at the beginning of our tour. A weather-related event prevented us from going into Cape Tribulation, thus we spent a bit more time in Cairns. I wish G Adventues would have handled the situation a bit differently: perhaps moved us early out of Cairns since the weather prevented us from doing many activities on those extra days. The tour guide was helpful, but he was thrown into an itinerary which he wasn't very familiar with. Although he made an effort to organize meals throughout the trip and come up with solutions to problems, I think that he needed to be more pro-active in describing and selling the various optional excursions (it was apparent that he had not done several of them). Transportation was adequate: a mix of bus and airplane. Here is my overview of accommodations: Cairns (The Hotel Cairns - Very average and the breakfast is not that great. Location is great though. In Australia it's rated 4 star, but in the USA or Europe it would be closer to a 2 or 3 at the most. Airlie Beach (Blue Horizon Hotel - Great condominium-style hotel. The rooms are comfy and modern; above what I would have expected for a room booked by a tour operator). Byron Bay (Byron Bay Hotel and Apartments - The rooms were pretty decent with the exception of the window which overlooked an internal corridor, thus not as much natural light as desired. The inside of the hotel is a bit of a maze. Great location). Port Macquirie (El Paso Motor Inn - Better than the name would suggest. Pretty decent rooms and very well-located). Blue Mountains (Leisure Inn - I enjoyed this hotel; nice rooms and a great location). Sydney (Travelodge - A decent hotel; the equivalent of a Holiday Inn - 3 star hotel in the USA or Europe. Rooms were simple, but updated. The location was not bad; that is to say not a prime location, but not too far away from the main attractions; you could walk 30 minutes to key Sydney-area attractions or take the public transport which was nearby). I liked the variety of activities in this trip. It was also nice to have a smaller group (15 people). I did not like the high premium for the single supplement (I researched the pricing for most of these places and the single supplement alone could have paid for the rooms). I do think that there is a value in having the tour operator organize activities and locations. For a big country like Australia; I would definitely recommend doing this. I also think that the like-minded travelers and the interactions between the group is a great way to enhance the vacation.
- 【Cairns】& Port Douglas All-Inclusive 7 Days Touring Package
6 days Cairns & Port Douglas Tour was consisting of 6 independent Tours with all different participants. The tour was well organized and the representavive person informed us every night by WhatsApp message about next day tour, hotel or city transfer. The selection of food when offered was good. Although no one meet us in person from Tour Agency, we had a well organized tour provided by local Tours. It was an interesting experience.
What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours for Solo Travelers
What's the typical group size for Great Barrier Reef tours and will I feel comfortable as a solo traveler?
Tours along the Great Barrier Reef typically host 12-20 people. This size works well for meeting new people while having enough space to yourself. Places like Moore Reef Pontoon and the Daintree Rainforest give you chances to get to know others during activities. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Even though I was traveling solo the small group size made it easy to make friends and share amazing experiences like spotting sea turtles together on the reef."
What's included in accommodation arrangements for solo travelers on Great Barrier Reef tours?
You'll find a range of places to stay from private rooms at places like the Parkroyal Darling Harbour to shared hostel spaces in Cairns and Port Douglas. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The accommodation was wonderful and stress-free - I could choose between having my own space or sharing with other solo travelers which helped keep costs down while still maintaining comfort."
How do meal arrangements work for solo travelers on Great Barrier Reef tours?
Tours generally cover hotel breakfasts reef excursion lunches and special events like the Cairns Harbor sunset cruise. Places like Bushfire Restaurant in Cairns and Port Douglas waterfront spots set up tables that make it natural to chat with others. As one TourRadar traveler put it: "The group meals were a highlight - sharing stories over dinner after a day exploring the reef created lasting friendships."
What unique cultural experiences are available for solo travelers in the region?
Local culture comes alive through Aboriginal-led activities throughout the region. You can join bush food lessons and traditional dinners in Cairns or walk with Kuku Yalanji guides in the Daintree. Near Mission Beach Mungalla Station offers small group tours led by Nywaigi guides. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The bush food tutorial and dinner in Cairns was incredible - an experienced chef guided us through native spices and fruits explaining their traditional uses."
What transportation options are available for solo travelers between reef destinations?
Getting around is straightforward with private coaches connecting main spots like Cairns and Airlie Beach plus boats to reach reef sites and islands. Some routes offer train travel like the scenic stretch from Townsville to Cairns. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Transportation was excellent and comfortable especially the train journey along Australia's East Coast which offered amazing views."
What's the best time of year for solo travelers to visit the Great Barrier Reef region?
Plan your trip between June and September for mild weather around 75°F with clear skies and great underwater visibility. These months draw the most solo travelers with data showing they make up 60% of bookings. The weather in Cairns and Airlie Beach during this time is perfect for outdoor activities. Tour data shows December and February are also busy months though you'll find more heat and humidity then.