Great Barrier Reef with toddler/baby?

[~kellie~]

Hi there
We are headed up to Palm Cove in January and would love to see the Great Barrier Reef while we are there, as we havent been before.

My question is, has anyone used any of the tour companies with kids, or does anyone have advice on which one would be best with kids? DD is 3 and DS will be almost 9 months

Thanks!

[Visitor7]

They're all family friendly up here. Just let them know you've got kids and they'll cater for you. Just be careful though as it's very hot in January, you might want to only do half a day trip instead of a full day trip.

[~kellie~]

Thanks Jodi

I think what I meant to say is, there are some that have more things to do (ie one had a toddler floating pool on the pontoon)... are you able to suggest one that may be better than others?

[~kellie~]

anyone else?

[Visitor7]

Do you know which Island you'll be going to, or looking at? There's Fitzroy, but not much there tbh. A bit of snorkelling, a cafe, that's about it. Green Island is a lot more family friendly. Google Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises or Great Adventures, you'll get an idea what's there. They're the 2 popular ones. A friend of mine works on Great Adventures, has done for 9 years now. There is a Resort on Green Island, but to use their facilities (pool etc) you may have to be staying there. Most of the tour companies are owned by the same companies, so you're getting roughly the same deal across board.

ETA:
These 2 I mentioned are just off the Cairns coast. If you want to travel down a little further and stay somewhere for a couple of days that is kid friendly, then you can't go past Long Island. We loved it there. Very family friendly island with plenty to do for parents and kids.

[allycat06]

We're going to Port Douglas in Jan with a 19 month old so I've been researching the exact same thing. From what I could gather the Big Cat Green Island tour sounded like the most child friendly one.