Ocean Free

Family Owned

Ocean Freedom

CAIRNS PREMIER GREAT BARRIER REEF & ISLAND TOURSOperating Two Exclusive Reef Tours "Ocean Free" & "Ocean Freedom"

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Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef and Island Tours represent “Ocean Freedom” and “Ocean Free”, two highly guest-focussed, small group, eco-accredited snorkel and SCUBA dive reef tours locally owned and passionately operated by Perry Jones and Taryn Agius and their wonderful team. For domestic or international travellers we are only 10 minutes from the Cairns airport! We would sincerely  love the opportunity to give you a great day on the Great Barrier Reef!

Perry has been in the dive industry in Cairns and managing dive operations on 4 vessels since 1988, including Ocean Free since 1992, when he met Taryn. Since 1992 they both worked the boats and purchased Ocean Free (a 16.5m schooner) in 1996. Having many years of experience in the industry, Ocean Free quickly became a well-established and respected company amongst local agents and the marine industry.

They then bought their second vessel Ocean Freedom in 2005 and after a year’s total refurbishment, the luxury 20m cruiser was launched in mid 2006. Ocean Freedom underwent another million-dollar refurbishment in February 2008, changing from the previous jet engines to props, re-spraying, extending the teak snorkel and dive deck by 3m, making it the most spacious snorkel back deck in Cairns. The new look, faster Ocean Freedom receives great reviews in the industry. Ocean Freedom now cruises at 23 knots and arrives at the reef in an hour, giving guests 6 hours on the reef.

With the operation of two vessels it was necessary to re-brand the products to encompass the two vessels under one trading name. This, plus the company’s commitment to running very personalised, low guest number tours with excellent customer service, lead to their new company name Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours.

In 2014 both boats underwent major, million-dollar refurbishments, with new engines, decking, seating, bulkheads and on Ocean Free new mast rigging and sails. In mid 2023 Ocean Free was fitted with a new propeller and Ocean Freedom had another  major refurbishment with 2 new engines, new electrics, new ladder, cushions, and carpet.

Both boats undergo annual cosmetic refits to ensure they look their best at all times.

Today, Perry and Taryn continue to have a great love for the sea and reef and are passionate about ensuring all their guests have an unforgettable reef experience and all round “feel good” day! They look forward to welcoming you aboard one of their Cairns’ Premier Reef & Island Tours and becoming part of the ever-growing “Ocean Free” and  “Ocean Freedom”  Family !

Dear all, we are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to have you visit our beautiful Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region! Once you visit the Great Barrier Reef - it casts a spell on you and the more you visit and learn about this amazing World Heritage Icon the more you want to return....and we also love to have you back! Both Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom follow all legislative and WPH&S requirements for recreational snorkelling and diving, are ATEC accredited for travel safety, and follow all Industry State and Federal requirements of the present time. If you have any queries please let us know on info@oceanfree.com.au or phone +61 7 40521111 – we are here to help! We would sincerely love the opportunity to give you all a great day on the Great Barrier Reef. Much love Taryn, Perry, Jazz and the Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom family.

Why Travel with Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours
Sail Ocean Free Cruise Ocean Freedom

Personalised Tours

We value our guests and are committed to providing very personalised, caring tours on both boats, where you’re a name not a number.

Exclusive Sailing Trip

Ocean Free has an exclusive mooring 1km off Green Island offering international visitors and locals a sail, reef and island experience.

More Reef Time

Ocean Freedom gives guests 6 unrushed hours to explore 2 stunning reef destinations, Upolu Cay Reef and Outer Edge Upolu Reef.

The Best Crew

Crew members are hand-picked to provide unsurpassed service, professionalism, reef knowledge and a high respect for safety.

Fantastic Snorkelling

Step straight off our boats to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, no deep, dark water!  The coral outcrops come up to just 1M under the surface for easy viewing. We provide guided tours, and our crew share their knowledge and passion  for the reef.

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Scuba Diving

We have the highest ratio of dive instructors to divers (2:1) for our Non-Certified (intro) diving and small group Certified diving with complimentary guide to ensure you see the best parts of the reef. We take your safety very seriously.

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Environment

Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours are proud to announce that both their personal Great Barrier Reef Tours have been  Advanced Eco Certified tours for over 10 years, earning the Ecotourism  title of Green Travel Leader

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Value for Money

Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom are both priced the same and offer great value for money, with lots of inclusions including all snorkel equipment and tuition, snorkel tours, food served throughout the day  and plenty of time at your reef destinations.

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Testimonials

Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours
Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours
4.8
Based on 1137 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
We started our honeymoon in Cairns and had the best time on a snorkeling excursion with the Ocean Freedom crew. The staff were SO great, they made us feel very well taken care of and went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and safe in the water. We had mentioned at the beginning of our trip that we were on our honeymoon and the crew surprised us with two glasses of champagne towards the end of the trip! We were so surprised and it was a really special memory at the start of our trip - couldn't recommend them more!
Rebecca W.
Rebecca W.
1751054404
There are enough crew members to help with everything including people who might need individual support. In the water, they’re great at keeping you safe and pointing out things to see.
Brian G.
Brian G.
1750929139
Great crew and great experience, would happily recommend them to anyone
Reyhan S.
Reyhan S.
1750921548
Great family experience. The crew was very friendly and full of knowledge about the reef life. Super atmosphere all along.
Adam Z.
Adam Z.
1750920505
Amazing experience! The scuba guide makes you feel extremely comfortable and she makes the whole experience very approachable. The crew know the reef well and take you to the best spots and give you lots of cool info. I couldn’t believe some of the life and colors I was seeing (sea turtles, giant clams, lots of schools of fish, etc etc) . They give you as much guidance or freedom as you want when snorkeling depending on your swimming confidence. They have great food throughout the day and really pamper you with treats and desserts after the swimming is over. They also have a good beer selection onboard.You really can’t beat this experience especially since this is one of the last small companies and you get a much more personal connection with the crew. 10/10 would recommend
Sam S.
Sam S.
1750863153
Incredible experience 45 people on our boat and everyone was very well tended too. Crew was adaptable and gave us as much or as little attention as we wanted while in the waterVery nice crew on board that really solidified the experience 11/10 recommend this company much more than the bigger ones
Rodrigo Villagomez (.
Rodrigo Villagomez (.
1750747004
Despite the bleak weather and a rolling ocean, this was an absolutely exceptional experience from start to finish. The staff were the true highlight—friendly, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable, they made sure we felt safe, comfortable, and thoroughly entertained throughout the trip.We shared plenty of laughs, indulged in far too much delicious food, and soaked up the stunning views of Green Island. The snorkelling was a particular standout—an incredible way to explore the vibrant underwater world.Even with the less-than-ideal weather, the whole experience was so well-organized and enjoyable that it didn’t matter one bit. Couldn’t recommend it more highly! A perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and top-notch hospitality.
Courtney L.
Courtney L.
1750654186
I had such an incredible experience with Ocean Freedom! We saw 8 turtles, 3 stingrays, and all the colourful fish straight out of Finding Nemo — absolutely magical. A huge shoutout to Matt Fields, who was an amazing guide! He gave super clear instructions, made us feel safe during the dive, I was blown away how well he knew his way around the reef, and could name every single fish or sea animal we came across and had a great way of explaining everything.The whole crew was friendly, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable about the reef. You could tell they really love what they do. The food onboard was also a highlight — fresh, tasty, and delicious!What I loved most was learning about how Ocean Freedom helps regrow and protect the reef — it made the experience even more meaningful.Whether you’re a Cairns local or just visiting, this is an absolute must-do. I’d recommend it 1000 times over!
Alexandria H.
Alexandria H.
1750291915
I went with my 10 year old daughter snorkeling on the outer reef. We had an amazing day together with the fantastic crew of Ocean Freedom. My daughter had 1,000 questions and everyone answered them very patiently with great detail. We saw sea turtles, so many fish, huge clams that looked fake but were real. The lunch was yummy and much needed after the first snorkel. We really enjoyed to smaller group tour of this company offered. Being with a 10 year old I didn’t want the party boat vibe. This crew was energetic, super interesting and kept everything fun. I would definitely recommend and definitely going again. Next time we are scuba diving !!!
J M
J M
1749888902
An Unforgettable Experience with Ocean Freedom Ferry! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐We recently had the most amazing experience with Ocean Freedom for snorkeling and scuba diving, and I can’t recommend them highly enough! From the moment we stepped on board, the staff were incredibly warm, friendly, and professional.As someone who isn’t a strong swimmer, I was a little nervous at first — but the crew went above and beyond to make me feel safe and comfortable every step of the way. They were extremely patient, supportive, and made sure we were all enjoying ourselves and feeling confident in the water.The snorkeling and scuba diving spots were absolutely stunning and a truly unforgettable view of the reef. The entire experience felt personal, well-organized, and filled with positive energy.Huge thanks to the Ocean Freedom team for their exceptional service, kindness, and care. You made our day out on the reef one to remember forever.
Harkanwaljit S.
Harkanwaljit S.
1749644516
Such an amazing experience on Ocean Free! The day was perfect, the staff were excellent and the food throughout was lovely. I would 100% recommend and would do it all again with the same company the next time I'm back in Cairns! Thank you so much for a fantastic and memorable day!😊
Kerri R
Kerri R
1749499586
Great boat, great crew, well organised, fun. Literally couldn’t fault. Easy to find the boat, plenty of time diving/ snorkeling, enough time at green island. Would do again
Dominic B.
Dominic B.
1749458877
An Unforgettable Experience for All Swimming Levels!These guys were amazing! I booked this tour for our family holiday in early June 2025, based on Google reviews that mentioned they catered to people with a wide range of swimming abilities—and they absolutely delivered.Our group of seven included people who couldn’t swim at all, some who were a bit nervous in open water, and others who were confident swimmers. From the outset, communication was excellent. The team was easy to contact, prompt with email replies, and incredibly helpful in answering all our questions.On the day of the tour, everything ran smoothly. They accommodated all our dietary requirements, and the experience was thoughtfully designed for every comfort level. The glass-bottom boat tour was a fantastic option for those not comfortable getting into the water, while those keen to snorkel had an incredible time.The staff were knowledgeable, passionate about the reef, and really took the time to educate us. What stood out most was their patience and care with our non-swimmers. They gently introduced them to the water using floatation rings, helped them get used to breathing through snorkels, and safely guided them out to experience the reef up close. It was a truly unique and inclusive experience—something we never imagined would be possible for the whole group to enjoy together.Highly recommend this tour to anyone, regardless of swimming ability. Thank you for making our trip to the Great Barrier Reef so special!
VN
VN
1749385981
The day we spent on the reef was amazing. Snorkelled for hours, saw amazing coral, fish, turtles and rays. The staff were so pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable. Cannot recommend them enough!
Roy T.
Roy T.
1749378970
Everything was exceptional — from the itinerary and the crew to the food. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience
Cindy D.
Cindy D.
1749373809
Fantastic experience! Especially for first time snorkeling. This was my first experience and unfortunately I had somewhat of a panic attack as soon as I got into the water. But the guides are wonderful, very understanding and they helped me through it. Once I was past that, I was good. The reefs they take you to were awesome, got to see so much. They also include a glass bottom boat tour which was also awesome. Great friendly staff and real value for money.
Tiffany
Tiffany
1749369028
Had a great time, weather was perfect. Took 2 dives and snorkeling in between.A few divers and mostly snorkelers on board. This isn’t pro level dive boat, it’s great for a day out with all equipment provided if you’re in the area for a short time, exactly what we were looking for.Food provided several times and very friendly staff, we enjoyed our day immensely.
Jordan m
Jordan m
1749367252
Great day on the reef with the Ocean Freedom crew. Somehow they manage to give a relaxed vibe while keeping everything safe and running bang on time. They were keen to ensure everyone got to do what they wanted.We were kept well fed and entertained all day. Highly recommend.
Ken M.
Ken M.
1749118085
Myself and a group of my friends/family booked the Sail tour with Ocean Freedom and the crew - Blair, Molly, Luke & Anna were absolutely amazing, they worked together so well and interacted with everyone on the boat like we knew each other for years. Highly recommend supporting this locally owned business they deserve all the love and support!
Abbie S.
Abbie S.
1749000305
Amazing experience on the Ocean Freedom. The crew was very helpful and knowledgeable. Would definitely do this tour again with this same company.
sanjana K.
sanjana K.
1748165382
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Google Rating
4.8
Based on 1137 reviews
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