Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney
19 sailings between November 2026 and May 2029, from A$1,165 pp
- 19sailings listed
- A$1,165per person, from
- A$133a night, from
- 8–11nights
- 5cruise lines
Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney at a glance
We list 19 cruises to the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney between November 2026 and May 2029, from 5 cruise lines, lasting 8 to 11 nights. Fares start at A$1,165 per person, and the lowest fare per night is A$133. The most common length is 9 nights, and 18 are round trips from Sydney.
Sailings and fares updated 2 November 2026.
Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney 2026–29
Every Great Barrier Reef cruise we list, soonest first: 19 sailings between November 2026 and May 2029. Filter by season, ship or destination. Fares are per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, as listed by the cruise line on 2 November at 7:20am. Cabin types sell out and prices move between checks, so we confirm what is open and what it costs before you pay.
19 sailings
| Departs | Cruise | Cabins open | From | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 27 season | ||||
| Mon, 30 Nov 20269 nights | Queensland with Great Barrier Reef from SydneyGrand Princess · Round trip from SydneyBrisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island | 2 of 5 cabin types leftBalcony, Suite | Balcony fromA$2,730ppA$5,460 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Princess Cruises. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Princess Plus, with drinks and Wi-Fi: from A$3,441 pp (Balcony) Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:20am. | ||||
| Tue, 1 Dec 202611 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCelebrity Edge · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach and Cairns overnight, Port Douglas, Willis Island | Last suites availableThe Retreat | The Retreat fromA$16,837ppA$33,673 for 2 | Details & Itinerary |
| Sun, 24 Jan 20278 nights | Queensland from SydneyAnthem of the Seas · Round trip from SydneyWillis Island, Cairns, Airlie Beach | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,779ppA$3,557 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Royal Caribbean. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:20am. | ||||
| Sun, 28 Feb 20279 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyMoreton Island, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,568ppA$3,136 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Tue, 2 Mar 202711 nights | Great Barrier Reef in MarchCelebrity Edge · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns overnight, Port Douglas, Willis Island, Newcastle | 5 of 6 cabin types leftInside, Ocean View, Veranda, Concierge Class, The Retreat | Inside fromA$3,000ppA$5,999 for 2 | Details & Itinerary |
| Sun, 18 Apr 20278 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Adventure · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,328ppA$2,656 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Wed, 26 May 20279 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island, Moreton Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,274ppA$2,548 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| 2027 to 28 season | ||||
| Sun, 18 July 20279 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island, Moreton Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,271ppA$2,542 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Fri, 13 Aug 20278 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Adventure · Round trip from SydneyWillis Island, Yorkeys Knob, Airlie Beach | 3 of 4 cabin types leftInterior, Ocean View, Balcony | Interior fromA$1,165ppA$2,330 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Sat, 2 Oct 20278 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Adventure · Round trip from SydneyWillis Island, Cairns, Airlie Beach | 3 of 4 cabin types leftInterior, Ocean View, Balcony | Interior fromA$1,403ppA$2,806 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Thu, 28 Oct 202710 nights | Great Barrier Reef in SpringCelebrity Edge · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns overnight, Port Douglas, Willis Island | All cabin types availableInside, Ocean View, Veranda, Concierge Class, AquaClass, The Retreat | Inside fromA$2,599ppA$5,199 for 2 | Details & Itinerary |
| Mon, 28 Feb 20289 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyWillis Island, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Moreton Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,215ppA$2,430 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Fri, 24 Mar 202811 nights | Brisbane and the ReefCelebrity Edge · Round trip from SydneyBrisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns overnight, Port Douglas, Willis Island | All cabin types availableInside, Ocean View, Veranda, Concierge Class, AquaClass, The Retreat | Inside fromA$3,017ppA$6,035 for 2 | Details & Itinerary |
| Wed, 24 May 20289 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island, Moreton Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,200ppA$2,400 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Sun, 25 June 20289 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island, Moreton Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,202ppA$2,404 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| 2028 to 29 season | ||||
| Sat, 3 Feb 20299 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyMoreton Island, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,225ppA$2,450 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Sun, 11 Feb 202910 nights | Australia with Queensland, Sydney to CairnsSilver Moon · One way, Sydney to CairnsNewcastle, K'Gari, Shute Harbor, Willis Island, Townsville, Port Douglas | 8 of 9 cabin types leftVista Suite, Classic Veranda Suite, Superior Veranda Suite, Deluxe Veranda Suite, Silver Suite, Royal Suite, Grand Suite, Owner’s Suite | Vista Suite fromA$9,300ppA$18,600 for 2 | Details & Itinerary |
| Mon, 2 Apr 20299 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyMoreton Island, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,225ppA$2,450 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
| Mon, 21 May 20299 nights | Great Barrier Reef from SydneyCarnival Splendor · Round trip from SydneyAirlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island, Moreton Island | All cabin types availableInterior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite | Interior fromA$1,210ppA$2,420 for 2 | |
Itinerary
Times are local, as published by Carnival Cruise Line. Ports and times can change with weather and operations. Fares by cabin
Per person for two sharing, taxes and fees included, checked 2 November at 7:22am. | ||||
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Call a Cruise Expert · 1300 214 840 Enquire TodayWhat is a Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney like?
The Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney we list run 8 to 11 nights. The most common length is 9 nights, and 18 are round trips from Sydney. The others sail one way, to Cairns. A typical sailing spends 4 days at sea.
Sailings come from 5 cruise lines, most often Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises, and the lowest fare per night is A$133. You board in Sydney, so no flights are needed to start your cruise.
Which ports does a Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney visit?
The ports called at most often are Cairns (22 sailings), Airlie Beach (19 sailings), Willis Island (19 sailings), Moreton Island (9 sailings), Port Douglas (5 sailings), Brisbane (2 sailings), Newcastle (2 sailings) and Yorkeys Knob (1 sailing).
More about Great Barrier Reef and Sydney
Our Great Barrier Reef cruises page covers every Great Barrier Reef sailing we list from any port, with what to know before you go. Cruises from Sydney has every sailing from Sydney and the terminal details.
How much does a Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney cost?
Worked out from the 19 sailings with open cabins we list today: the lowest and the typical (median) starting fare per person, twin share, taxes included.
| Length | Sailings | From | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| About a week (6 to 9 nights) | 14 | A$1,165 | A$1,225 |
| 10 to 14 nights | 5 | A$2,599 | A$3,017 |
| Style | Typical fare a night | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary | A$141 | Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line |
| Premium | A$274 | Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises |
| Luxury and expedition | A$930 | Silversea |
When is the best time to cruise the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney?
The Great Barrier Reef is warm enough to visit all year. June to October is the driest and least humid time, and it falls outside the marine stinger season, which runs from November to May. Humpback whales are on the reef from May to September, and the coral spawns after the full moons of October to December.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June to August | Winter: dry, less humid days averaging 17.5 to 26°C in Cairns, and humpback whales on the reef. |
| September to October | The end of the dry season. Warm days, the last of the whales in September, and the first coral spawning after the October full moon on some reefs. |
| November to December | The wet season builds and the marine stinger season starts. Coral spawning continues after the November and December full moons. |
| January to May | Hot and wet, with most of Cairns' rain falling in summer and the cyclone season running to 30 April. The rain eases from April, but stingers stay until May. |
Our Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney by month of departure: Jan 1 · Feb 4 · Mar 2 · Apr 2 · May 3 · Jun 1 · Jul 1 · Aug 1 · Oct 2 · Nov 1 · Dec 1.
Which ports will I visit?
12 ports appear on the Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney we list. Solid pins are where sailings begin.
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Cairns
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef: a day trip out to the outer reef or Green Island, the Skyrail cableway over the rainforest to Kuranda, or the Esplanade lagoon in town.
Airlie Beach
The jumping-off point for the Whitsundays. Most people take a boat out to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet for the swirl of white sand and blue water; the ship anchors and tenders you in.
Willis Island
A tiny sand cay far out in the Coral Sea, home to a weather station and huge seabird colonies. Seen from the deck as the ship cruises by: there is no landing.
Port Douglas
A relaxed resort town with Four Mile Beach on its doorstep and the Daintree Rainforest an hour north. Outer reef trips to the Agincourt and Low Isles leave from the marina. The ship anchors and tenders you in.
Brisbane
Cruise ships use the terminal at Luggage Point, at the mouth of the Brisbane River. South Bank’s parklands and galleries, a CityCat ferry ride and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary are the usual choices.
Newcastle
A harbour city two hours north of Sydney, with ocean baths, the Anzac Memorial Walk above the beaches, and the Hunter Valley vineyards inland.
Which cruise lines and ships sail to Great Barrier Reef from Sydney?
- Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Splendor, Carnival Adventure 12 sailings from A$1,165 pp
- Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Edge 4 sailings from A$2,599 pp
- Princess Cruises Grand Princess 1 sailing from A$2,730 pp
- Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas 1 sailing from A$1,779 pp
- Silversea Silver Moon 1 sailing from A$9,300 pp
Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney, answered
How much does a Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney cost?
Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney start at A$1,165 per person, twin share, for the 8 night Great Barrier Reef from Sydney on Carnival Adventure, departing 13 August 2027. A typical 10 to 14 nights cruise is about A$3,017 per person. Fares include taxes and port fees.
How long is a Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney?
The Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney we list run 8 to 11 nights: 4 sailings of 8 nights, 10 sailings of 9 nights, 2 sailings of 10 nights and 3 sailings of 11 nights. The most common length is 9 nights, and 18 are round trips from Sydney.
Which ports does a Great Barrier Reef cruise from Sydney visit?
The ports called at most often on the Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney we list are Cairns (22 sailings), Airlie Beach (19 sailings), Willis Island (19 sailings), Moreton Island (9 sailings), Port Douglas (5 sailings) and Brisbane (2 sailings). Ports of call can change with the weather and the sea.
Which cruise lines sail to Great Barrier Reef from Sydney?
Carnival Cruise Line (12), Celebrity Cruises (4), Princess Cruises (1), Royal Caribbean (1) and Silversea (1) have Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney on sale with us, with the number of sailings we list in brackets.
When is the best time to cruise the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney?
The Great Barrier Reef is warm enough to visit all year. June to October is the driest and least humid time, and it falls outside the marine stinger season, which runs from November to May. Humpback whales are on the reef from May to September, and the coral spawns after the full moons of October to December.
Do I need a stinger suit on the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes, from November to May. That is marine stinger season, when box jellyfish and Irukandji are found in Queensland waters from north of Bundaberg to Port Douglas and beyond. Surf Life Saving Queensland advises wearing a full-body stinger suit whenever you are in the ocean during the season.
When can I see whales on the Great Barrier Reef?
From May to September. Humpback whales come up from Antarctic waters to calve and build up strength over winter. Dwarf minke whales and humpback whales are among the most commonly sighted whales on the reef.
How do I book Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney with Luxury Cruises Guide?
Choose a sailing in the table on this page and press Quick Quote, or call 1300 214 840. We are an Australian cruise agency: we confirm the cabin and the total in Australian dollars, and one specialist looks after you from quote to homecoming.
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Sources: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: reef facts, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: whales and dolphins, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: coral spawning 101, Surf Life Saving Queensland: marine stinger season, WorkSafe Queensland: marine stingers, Tourism Australia: Cairns weather, Queensland Government: Queen Elizabeth berths in Cairns, Carnival Australia: help and FAQs, Bureau of Meteorology: tropical cyclone climatology. Fares are published by the cruise lines and change with availability.