Frequently Asked Questions
Reef tour: Check-in is from 7.15am to 8am at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. The boat departs at 8.15am sharp and returns approximately 4.30pm.
Rainforest tour: return transfers are included. Please contact reservations 48 hours prior to check-in to confirm your pick-up address.
- Southside Accommodation: pick up 6.50 am
- Cairns City (CBD) accommodation: pick up between 7.00 – 7.15am, returns 6.30pm
- Northern Beaches accommodation: pick up between 7.20 – 7.45am, returns 6pm
- Port Douglas accommodation: pick up 8.20am, returns approx. 5.00 – 5.30pm
Reef tour: due to COVID-19, our full day reef cruise is operating Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Rainforest tour: due to COVID-19, our rainforest tour is operating Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Dive courses: due to COVID-19, dive courses are temporarily unavailable, these will be back later in the year.
Reef & Rainforest packages: these days do not have to be consecutive! Please book the day you wish you travel to the Reef and contact us to book in your Rainforest day.
Reef tour: Evolution is surveyed to take 300 passengers but we limit our numbers to a maximum of 180 passengers. During current COVID restrictions, we have reduced these numbers even further in order to comply with current COVID stage restrictions.
Rainforest tour: our vehicles take up to 20 passengers only. We keep our numbers small to create a more personalised experience. Due to COVID-19, we have reduced this to 17 passengers and will assign seats. Note that during busy periods we often have more than one vehicle touring in the Daintree, so you may see a couple of busses out and about!
You will spend 5 hours at the outer reef, exploring 2 Outer Great Barrier Reef locations. There’s plenty of time between dives for snorkeling and relaxation.
Evolution travels to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. We have 12 exclusive moorings at six reef locations. Two outer reef locations are chosen each day based on weather conditions and water clarity so as to ensure the best experience for all activities. Generally, we travel to one of our two outer reef locations in the morning (Norman Reef or Saxon Reef) then make our way to North Hastings Reef in the afternoon to conduct Helicopter Flights and our Semi-Submersible tour.
Yes, at times throughout the year we do have a locals discount for our Reef Tour. This applies for all locals with 48 postcodes (Cooktown to Townsville). Book this online here, or contact our Reservations team. This is for direct bookings only.
Our reef crew and rainforest guides are English speaking. However, we do have Chinese speaking staff available on our Reef Tour daily.
Yes. The minimum age for Introductory divers and dive courses is 12+ years and for Certified divers is 10+ years. All children aged 10 – 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or private guide.
Please keep in mind that all divers are required to complete a medical questionnaire. Divers over 65 years (or 45 years for PADI dive courses) require a dive medical assessment that conforms to Australian Standard and must be found fit to dive.
All passengers who want to dive will be required to fill in a medical questionnaire prior to their dive. If you answer yes to any questions then a medical assessment that conforms to the Australian Standard is required and you must be found fit to dive.
If you’re prone to seasickness, it’s advisable to take something before you go. Check with a chemist. As Evolution is a catamaran, it’s more stable in rough weather than monohulls. We do sell seasickness pills on board the boat, but please remember, tablets are a preventative, not a cure, so take them before we depart.
Reef: Bring what you would for a day at the beach; swimwear, towel, hat, sunscreen, change of clothes, and credit card for additional purchases on the boat.
Rainforest: hat, sunscreen, camera with extra batteries & memory cards, water bottle, towel and swimming costume (if you plan to swim), insect repellent, extra cash for cold drinks, souvenirs or an ice-cream, raincoat in our rainy season or umbrella.
Reef: wear what you would wear to the beach, swimwear, light clothing, hat and a change of clothes for the journey home. There are changeroom facilities onboard.
Rainforest: as we are in a tropical environment, please wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes or sandals. In our winter months (July to August) you may wish to take a light coat/jacket. No thongs (flip flops) or high heels as there is uneven ground and you will be in the rainforest.
All dietary requirements must be notified at the time of reservation, or at least 48 hours-notice before travel. We cater for vegetarians and most other requirements within reason and providing they are of a medical nature.
Rainforest: due to the remoteness, the ruggedness of the area, steps and uneven ground on the National Park Boardwalks and into Emmagen Creek, passengers must be able to take walking steps by themselves or with the aid of their own carer.
Wheelchairs must be small compact collapsible chairs as space is limited. This must be checked at the time of reservation and confirmed at least 48 hours prior to the tour. Billy Tea Staff are unable to assist with any lifting or assistance due to insurance liability and not being the authorised carer.
No, due to the remoteness of the area we cannot provide WiFi.
For the rainforest, this may also mean limited mobile reception throughout the day as well.
No, we don’t visit an island or pontoon as we have a beautiful 3 story luxury catamaran that is moored on the outer reef while you enjoy the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef.
To ensure you can book with confidence, we are introducing further flexibility during the COVID restriction period. We want to reassure you that every member of our team is committed to looking after your wellbeing when you travel.
To ensure you can book with confidence, we are introducing further flexibility during the COVID restriction period. We want to reassure you that every member of our team is committed to looking after your wellbeing when you travel.
Customers can cancel their trip up to 18 hours prior to travel. In the event, that you need to cancel due to medical reasons (feeling unwell) or if the Government changes travel restrictions, you will be able to cancel within the 18-hour period. We have also waived rebooking fees for any booking alterations.
In the instance that your preferred date of travel is cancelled by us, we will rebook you on the next available date we are departing at no additional cost to you. For more information on booking changes and other options email or call our reservation team.
Please consider the weather and wind strength before booking. The operator reserves the right to cancel the tour, change vessel type, or arrange an alternative carrier in the event of bad weather or mechanical problems. No refunds for voluntary uncompleted dives.
Social distancing: is enforced onboard as well as at boarding and disembarking to minimise crowding.
Reef tour: we have reduced our maximum passenger numbers in order to comply with current COVID stage restrictions. We are fortunate to have one of the largest reef vessels in Cairns. Evolution has three floors and considerably spacious so there is plenty of room to allow for social distancing. There will be signage to allow for everyone to move around the vessel, when required, safely. Passengers are asked to limit movement around the cabin, once seated and travelling between sites.
Rainforest tour: COVID-Safe restrictions for seating within vehicles requires social distancing between staff and passengers. Although COVID restrictions have eased for passenger seating, we will also ensure to not allow passengers to sit immediately beside other passengers from other bookings or family units.
Sanitising stations: hand sanitising stations will be placed throughout the vessel and buses and at entry points. Sanitising wipes will be available for passengers to wipe down seat belts, trays and armrests themselves.
Enhanced cleaning of equipment: with a focus on high contact areas, entrance points, signage, and changes to our food service.
Masks provided: while these are not mandatory from a safety point of view, we will have these available for use if you wish. Customers can also bring their own mask if they would prefer.
Symptoms: if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you will be refused entry and advised to seek medical advice and to contact our reservations team or your agent to reschedule your activity.
