About Pete

How I ended up in Cairns

I came to Cairns in 2014 for a diving holiday. Two weeks on the Great Barrier Reef, finishing at a backpackers in the CBD with sand still in my backpack. I was supposed to fly back to Townsville. I never did.

I got a job on a half-day reef trip within a month, then a full-day charter, then a private vessel running trips to the outer ribbon reefs. By 2016 I had my own boat and a berth at Cairns Marlin Marina. I have been there ever since, running reef trips in the wet season, estuary charters through the dry, and barramundi safaris on Tinaroo whenever the bite is on.

Cairns is not the easiest place to make a living on the water. The wet season shuts things down for three months. Cyclones happen. Diesel prices swing hard. But the fishing here is something else, and that has kept me here longer than any plan I ever had.

What I have actually caught

People ask me what I fish for, and the honest answer is whatever is biting. I have pulled in Spanish mackerel at the outer reef on a trolled barra spoon in 80 metres of water. I have watched a 90 centimetre barramundi tail-walk across the Trinity Inlet for a solid 30 seconds before my mate gaffed it. I have lost a black marlin after a 40-minute fight I still think about when I cannot sleep. That is the job. Most days you come home with a full esky. Some days you come home with a story and a bent rod. Both are worth it.

I keep a logbook. Every charter, every species, every tide. I do not recommend boats I have not been on, and I do not recommend techniques I have not tested in the water I am writing about. If a lure works for me, I will tell you which one. If a charter runs a sloppy operation, I will tell you that too, even if the photos look good.

How this site makes money

This site is funded by Viator commissions. My partner ID is P00299531, my campaign ID is 42383. If you click a link on this site and book a charter, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That is the whole business model. There is no second tier.

What I do not do: I do not accept free charters in exchange for a review. I do not take paid placements. I do not run sponsored posts. If I recommend a boat on this site, I have either run a charter on it myself, fished alongside the operator, or sent paying customers and heard back without complaints. The standard is simple: if I have not been on the boat, I do not recommend it.

Some boats I would not put my worst enemy on. They do not appear on this site. Some boats I would book for my own mother. Those are the ones you see linked.

One rule I give every passenger

Before I take anyone offshore I say the same thing. Take your seasickness tablets before departure, not after. By the time you feel sick, you have already lost. The motion sickness has already started, the tablet cannot catch up, and you are going to spend the next four hours feeding the fish instead of catching them. Take it the night before, take it again an hour before you leave, eat a plain breakfast, and stay on deck looking at the horizon. Most people who follow that routine have no problems. Most people who ignore it spend the day horizontal.

I would rather you not throw up on my boat. I am sure you would rather that too.

What is next for the site

I am adding more charter reviews every month. Reef fishing breakdowns by season, estuary fishing by tide, barramundi by moon phase. I am also putting up a planning guide for first-timers, what to bring, what to wear, when to book, and how to avoid the mistakes I made on my first reef trip when I was 19. If you have a question I have not answered, the contact page is the place to ask. I read everything.

Thanks for reading. Tight lines.

Pete Collins
Cairns, Queensland
Updated: July 2026

What to Bring for a Day on the Reef

After running charters out of Cairns for the better part of a decade, I can tell you the difference between a good day and a great one often comes down to what you packed. The sun up here is no joke – it bounces off the water and hits you from underneath. Here is what I tell my own passengers before they step aboard.

• Rashie or lycra suit: Sunscreen washes off. A long-sleeve rash vest stays on. You will thank me after four hours on the water.
• Polarised sunglasses: You will see turtles, rays, and coral bommies before you hit the water. Plus, they cut the glare when you are scanning for mackerel on the surface.
• Dry bag: Most boats like Divers Den's AquaQuest and the Sunlover Reef Cruises catamaran have dry storage, but a small dry bag for your phone and wallet gives you peace of mind when you are hopping between reef sites.
• Light spray jacket: The ride out can be cool, especially on a 90-minute run to the Norman or Saxon reefs. Once you are anchored, you will want it off – but that first hour can bite.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: The reef is alive. Standard sunscreen damages coral. Most operators enforce this now, but bring your own to be safe.

Which Reef Trip Suits You Best?

Not all reef trips are the same. If you have read my logbook, you know I have been on every type of vessel out of Cairns. Here is how the main options stack up for a visiting angler or family group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel the outer reef?

No. Most operators provide flotation vests and noodles. The Sunlover pontoon has an enclosed ocean pool for kids and nervous swimmers, so you can get your face in the water without worrying about current. On the full-day trips to Norman or Saxon reefs, the crew will have you in a life jacket if you want one. I have taken six-year-olds and seventy-year-olds out – both had a ball.

What time of year is best for a reef trip from Cairns?

June to October is the dry season – calm seas, low humidity, and visibility on the reef can push 20 metres. November to April is wet season. The fishing is still good (barramundi in the estuaries, coral trout on the reef), but you risk rain and cyclones. Many operators run year-round, but I recommend booking a dry-season window if you want glassy water and guaranteed sunshine.

Can I take my own fishing gear on a reef tour?

Not on standard snorkel or dive trips – these are focused on reef viewing. If you want to fish the outer reef, you need a dedicated fishing charter. That said, some combo tours like the Cape Tribulation day trip get you close to estuary systems where you could throw a line afterwards. For serious reef fishing, book a purpose-built charter.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

Operators like Divers Den and Sunlover monitor conditions closely. If the outer reef is unsafe, they will reroute to sheltered sites or offer a full refund. I have been on boats that turned around 20 minutes out because the wind picked up. It is frustrating, but better than spending the day chumming the rail. Always check the operator's cancellation policy before you book.

Making the Most of Your Time on the Water: What I Tell My Clients

After running charters out of Cairns for the better part of a decade, I get asked the same questions every week. What time of year should I book? What do I need to bring? Is a full-day trip enough, or do I need an overnight? Let me break it down based on what actually works up here.

Full-Day vs. Overnight: Which One Fits Your Trip?

The biggest mistake I see visitors make is trying to cram too much into one day on the reef. A full-day trip on a vessel like AquaQuest with Divers Den gives you about 510 minutes on the water, hitting two exclusive reef sites on the Norman, Saxon, or Hastings reefs. That is plenty of time for snorkelling, an introductory dive, or a certified dive, plus a buffet lunch and hot showers after you come out of the water. You will see turtles, stingrays, and lively coral gardens. For most people, that is the sweet spot.

But if you have ever finished a day on the reef and thought, "I wish I had another day out here," then the overnight option is worth considering. OceanQuest, the liveaboard catamaran, runs a 2-day, 2880-minute experience. You get premium outer reef sites that day-trippers rarely see, plus air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. The evenings are spent in the lounge bar with fellow travellers, swapping stories about what you saw. I have sent plenty of clients on this trip, and the feedback is always the same: it is the difference between seeing the reef and living on it for a while.

What to Pack: The Short List

I keep a small stash of spare gear on my boat for people who show up unprepared. Here is what you actually need:

• Rashie or long-sleeve shirt: The sun up here is relentless. A rash guard saves your back from burning while you are face-down looking at coral.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: Standard sunscreen damages coral. Most charters now require reef-safe zinc or biodegradable options.
• Polarised sunglasses: They cut the glare and let you spot turtles and stingrays from the deck before you even get in the water.
• Dry bag: For your phone, wallet, and any valuables. Saltwater and electronics do not mix.
• Water bottle: Hydration is key. Most boats have refill stations onboard.
• Light jacket or windbreaker: The trip out to the outer reef can be breezy, especially in the morning.

When to Book: Seasonal Advice That Actually Matters

Cairns has two distinct seasons that affect your reef experience. The dry season, from May to October, offers calm seas, clear water, and visibility that can stretch to 20 metres or more. This is prime time for snorkelling and diving. The water temperature sits around 24-26°C, comfortable without a wetsuit but a shorty is never a bad idea.

The wet season, from November to April, brings higher humidity, afternoon storms, and occasional cyclone activity. Some charters shut down for parts of this period. But the upside is that the marine life is more active, and you will see more coral spawning and larger pelagic species. If you book during the wet season, choose a morning departure and a vessel with a covered deck. The rain usually clears by midday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel on the outer reef?

Not at all. Most charters provide flotation devices, life jackets, and buoyancy vests. The crew will brief you before you get in the water, and there is always someone watching from the deck. If you are nervous, stick to the pontoon-based tours like Sunlover Reef Cruises at Moore Reef, where you have a glass-bottom boat, an underwater observatory, and an enclosed ocean pool for kids. You can see plenty without getting your hair wet.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

Charter operators monitor conditions closely. If the outer reef is unsafe, they will either reroute to sheltered sites or cancel with a full refund. The vessels used for these tours, like the 35-metre catamaran OceanQuest, are built for stability. In my experience, cancellations are rare during the dry season.

Can I combine a reef trip with a Daintree Rainforest tour?

Yes, but not on the same day. The Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation tours run for about 660 minutes, covering Mossman Gorge, ancient rainforest, and the beach where two World Heritage areas meet. That is a full day on its own. I recommend doing the reef one day and the rainforest the next. Your body will thank you.

What about food and drinks on board?

Most full-day charters include a buffet lunch and morning tea. Some, like the best-value all-inclusive reef trip, throw in a breakfast egg and bacon roll and a BBQ lunch cooked onboard, plus crackers, cheese, and a glass of wine on the return cruise. If you have dietary requirements, call ahead. Every operator I work with accommodates allergies and preferences.