Cairns: Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Flying into Cairns Airport (CNS), I took a taxi into town (10 minutes). Cairns is small but serves as the main hub for reef trips. Most travelers book full-day reef tours from the marina. I chose a mid-sized boat which balanced comfort and crowd size. Snorkeling was excellent, and diving options were available. I also drove north to the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Stops along the coast added to the experience. The Esplanade lagoon is a great place to relax in the evening. What I’d do differently: pick a smaller tour for a quieter reef experience.