Full Day Reef Fishing Private Charter (Aqua Cat)
State: QLD
Duration:
9h
Private full-day reef fishing charter for up to 14 guests, ideal for groups of friends, with catering included, optional snorkeling, and additional guests available on request at an additional charge.
Operated By:
Exclusive Great Barrier Reef Charter
Embark on the ultimate marine adventure with a private charter aboard the Aqua Cat. Offering a full day of premium reef fishing on the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, this exclusive vessel hire is perfect for groups seeking a personalised experience. Whether you are gathering a group of mates, planning a family milestone, hosting a corporate outing, or looking for a unique Christmas party, this private charter delivers an unforgettable day on the water. 🎣
Departing from the Cairns Marlin Marina, this full-day private experience comfortably accommodates up to 14 passengers. To make your day even more spectacular, optional snorkelling at the pristine Michaelmas Cay can be added to your itinerary, allowing your group to explore the vibrant underwater world. 🐠
Your Customised Itinerary
For charters featuring the snorkelling add-on, activities are tailored to make the most of the day’s conditions. Snorkelling is typically scheduled earlier in the day, followed by an exciting afternoon of reef fishing. Please note that snorkelling is exclusive to private charters and is subject to weather conditions.
Departure and Return
- Check-In: From 6:00am at the Check-In Hub (Shop G10, The Pier Shopping Centre, 1 Pier Point Road, Cairns), with departure shortly after.
- Flexible Timing: A later check-in time may be arranged for private charters, subject to operational requirements and availability.
- Return: Approximately 3:30pm to 4:00pm at Cairns Marlin Marina.
Premium Inclusions
Enjoy a fully catered day on the water with everything provided for an exceptional charter experience: 🛥️
- Gourmet buffet lunch, afternoon tropical fruit, and a grazing platter
- Top-tier fishing equipment, tackle, and bait
- Complimentary bottled water
- Onboard esky and ice for your catches and BYO drinks (cans only, no glass)
- Professional skipper and experienced deck crew
- Your catches professionally cleaned and bagged to take home
- All reef taxes included
Optional Add-Ons and Preparation
- Michaelmas Cay Snorkelling: $375 per charter (includes all gear).
- What to Bring: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, and BYO mid-strength cans (no glass). ☀️
Please note: The advertised price is $4,400 per vessel. An additional $700 fuel levy per vessel applies and will be charged in addition to the charter price. All charters are subject to weather conditions and final confirmation by the vessel Master.
Private Charter Booking Confirmation
Thank you for booking with Cairns Reef Fishing!
A 50% deposit is required to secure all private charter bookings. The balance is due 7 days prior to your charter date.
Check-In Details
- Check-in commences at 6:00 AM at our check-in hub, Shop G10, The Pier Shopping Centre, located inside The Pier Shopping Centre – 1 Pier Point Road, Cairns City.
- Our crew will greet you at our check-in hub, complete your check-in, and escort you to the vessel for departure.
- For your safety and comfort—especially in rainy weather—please do not wait near the boat or gather on the marina before check-in.
- A map is attached to this email – we recommend viewing it the day before your charter.
Google Map Link
The Pier Shopping Centre – Simply type “The Pier Shopping Centre” into Google Maps or Apple Maps for directions.
Return Time
We will return to Marlin Marina between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM.
Waiver
On the morning of the charter, all guests are required to sign our waiver prior to departure (1 waiver per guest). Children under the age of 18 must have a guardian or parent sign for them.
Car Parking Options
- The council lagoon car park at the front of the pier complex is $20 per day.
- Underneath the Shangri-La hotel, the car park is $20 per day (height limit: 1.9 metres).
- The car park at Hemingway’s Brewery is $10 per day, but it is approximately a 10-minute walk to the boat.
- Opposite Hemingway’s Brewery is a $3 all-day carpark, approximately a 15-minute walk to the boat.
Inclusions
Your charter includes a buffet-style lunch with fresh deli meats, salad, bread rolls, condiments, a fresh fruit platter, and grazing platter for afternoon tea. Bottled water will be provided, along with fish bags to carry your catch home.
Soft drinks, mid-strength beer, and merchandise are available for purchase (cash only). You are welcome to bring your own drinks (light or mid-strength, cans only – glass is prohibited). We provide a large esky and plenty of ice.
Responsible Consumption & Conduct
We also ask that all guests drink responsibly while on board and follow crew directions at all times. Please note that all customer behaviour and alcohol use is subject to Cairns Reef Fishing’s Terms & Conditions. These can be found on our website.
Menu Upgrades
- Seafood Platter: $34 per person (Prawns and Bugs)
- Deluxe Seafood Platter: $40 per person (Oysters, Prawns, Bugs, and Salmon)
If you’d like to add any of these upgrades, please advise as soon as possible as we need 48 hours to pre-order with catering. Tailored catering options and dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.
Snorkelling Add-On
If you’ve arranged snorkelling, all snorkelling gear will be provided. Please note that all guests must have a 0% BAC to participate in snorkelling activities. Please bring swimmers and a towel if snorkelling.
What to Bring
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Swimming gear and towels (if the snorkelling option is selected)
- Happy vibes!
We’re excited to have you on board and look forward to a great day out on the water!
Share:
Absolute 5-star Day! Reef to Plate Perfection. Absolute 5-star Day! Reef to Plate Perfection Had an incredible time out with Cohen,skip and the young fella! The crew went above and beyond to make sure we were well looked after and on the fish all day, landing some awesome big Nannygai. Tha Fish supplied a great lunch on board, and we are incredibly excited for our reef to play dinner experience tonight. Professional, friendly, and highly recommended to anyone visiting Cairns!
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Leesa_CRF, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-09-30
Thanks so much for the fantastic review! Great to hear Cohen and the crew kept you on the fish and you landed some quality Nannygai. We hope you enjoy the full reef-to-plate experience at Tha Fish tonight! Thanks again for choosing Cairns Reef Fishing and we hope to see you again! Thank you!
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Timothy
23 Sep 2026
Perfect day on the reef I’m a return visitor with cairns reef fishing, I’ve been going out with the guys for about 15 + years and have seen the company change hands and staff but not their passion for making sure everyone has a great day. I went out last Tuesday in the best weather that I have ever experienced with Andrew (captain)and Ryan the (decky) and a great bunch of like minded fishos, a lot of banter we got onto a few fish and then about an hour or more of organised chaos rods bending everywhere and everyone catching and bringing fish up at the same time . Andrew and Ryan were helping bring up fish,release fish retie lines. Thanks guys great effort.read moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-08-27
What an awesome review – thank you!
Having someone continue to come fishing with us for 15+ years means a huge amount to the whole team. The business may have changed hands and there have been different faces onboard over the years, but we’re very proud to hear that the passion for giving everyone a great day on the Reef has remained the same.
It sounds like you picked an absolute cracker of a day too! And an hour of rods bending, fish coming over the side and a bit of “organised chaos” is exactly the kind of chaos we like! 😂🎣
Thanks again for your continued support over so many years. We genuinely appreciate it and look forward to having you back onboard for plenty more banter and hopefully another hot bite like that one!
Cheers,
The Cairns Reef Fishing Team
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Mark
17 Aug 2026
Andrew, Ryan & Redge were AMAZING!! this is the best fishing trip I've ever been on! I caught so many fish. The entire crew went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good time. I was very impressed with the level of professionalism & how nice & clean the boat was. I was very comfortable and I'm looking forward to doing this again next time I'm in Cairns. I highly recommend this company! 10 out of 10!! 🙌
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Margo
21 Jun 2026
Happy FisherWoman! 😁🎣🐟 Best fishing trip ever! Andrew, Ryan & Redge were AMAZING! This was the best fishing trip I've ever been on. I caught so many fish! The team went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good time. I was very impressed with the level of professionalism & cleanliness of the boat. I felt very comfortable. I look forward to doing this again next time I'm in Cairns! I highly recommend!! 10 out of 10!! 🙌read moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-06-28
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're absolutely thrilled to hear you had the best fishing trip ever! It sounds like you had an incredible day on the water and we're so pleased you caught plenty of fish.
I'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Andrew, Ryan and Redge—they'll be delighted to hear they helped make your experience so memorable. We also really appreciate your comments about the professionalism of our crew and the cleanliness of the boat, as these are things we take great pride in.
Thank you again for your recommendation and perfect 10/10 rating. We can't wait to welcome you back onboard the next time you're in Cairns for another fantastic day of reef fishing!
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664margoc
21 Jun 2026
Unreal experience my partner hasn’t stopped talking about it since our trip! (Best activity I’ve booked for us)
Was a little nervous since I’ve never been out to the shelf before.
couldn’t fault the day or the crew on board, had us laughing all day and they were so helpful.
We will definitely book again when we travel back up from Tassie 😊
Was a little nervous since I’ve never been out to the shelf before.
couldn’t fault the day or the crew on board, had us laughing all day and they were so helpful.
We will definitely book again when we travel back up from Tassie 😊
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Caitlin
07 Jun 2026
A big thank you to the Cairns Reef Fishing team for a nigh-on-perfect day on the water for my group of 11 ‘old mates’. We haven’t stopped raving (and laughing) about it. Special mentions to: Lisa (for her responsiveness and reassurance on our ‘unconventional’ itinerary), Andrew (for his ‘spot’ selection resulting in our first fish being landed in 30 seconds), Connor (for working without pause for 8 hours straight to make us all look like professional anglers) and Captain Cohen (for being, quite simply, the most composed, convivial and capable man in the business!). We were treated like kings by day - and we ate like kings later that evening…
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Anthony
28 May 2026
Oh So Swell A big thank you to the Cairns Reef Fishing team for a nigh-on-perfect day on the water for my group of 11 ‘old mates’. We haven’t stopped raving (and laughing) about it. Special mentions to: Lisa (for her responsiveness and reassurance on our ‘unconventional’ itinerary), Andrew (for his ‘spot’ selection resulting in our first fish being landed in 30 seconds), Connor (for working without pause for 8 hours straight to make us all look like professional anglers) and Captain Cohen (for being, quite simply, the most composed, convivial and capable man in the business!). We were treated like kings by day - and we ate like kings later that eveningread moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-05-29
Thank you again Anthony!
It has truly been a pleasure working with you to pull this rather "unconventional" trip together over the past nine months. From our very first emails through to seeing it all come together on the day, it's been great to organise for you (and so pleased we pulled it off!)
Thank you for your kind words about the team. Andrew, Connor and Captain Cohen will be thrilled to hear your feedback. They take great pride in creating exceptional experiences, and it sounds like they certainly delivered.
Thank you again for choosing Cairns Reef Fishing and trusting us with such a special outing. We hope to welcome you and the boys back aboard for Round Two one day!
Yours in Fishing 🎣
Lisa & the Cairns Reef Fishing Team
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Wayne_Jackson
28 May 2026
Amazing experience!!! Wow… Jusr wow… I took my 14 year old and his friend. So many great fish and so much fun. We had to buy a much bigger esky just to get the fish back to Townsville. Great people to deal with from Lisa in the office to the boat crew
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Dale
18 Apr 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BLUF: Unreal fishing trip—high action, epic catches, and a crew that absolutely crushed it from start to finish.
We kicked off at 0630 and wrapped up around 1600, and the entire day was stacked with action. This wasn’t just a fishing trip—it was an experience.
Almost everyone on board caught fish (I think only two didn’t), which speaks volumes about how hard the crew works to put you on them. My wife caught her second fish ever, which made the day even more special. I landed two myself—one small, but the other was a beast at around 6 kilos (~13 lbs)… easily one of my best catches.
We hit about four different locations, constantly adjusting based on conditions—which paid off big time. At one spot, the sharks were so aggressive they were literally eating fish off our lines mid-retrieve. I personally lost two fish to sharks, and at one point even used the fish my wife caught as bait—only for a shark to take that too. Absolute chaos in the best way possible. We eventually had to relocate because it was that wild. I’ve even got a photo of a fish that came back half gone.
The variety was awesome too—barracuda, a massive mackerel nearly as long as the guy who caught it, and even a shark that the crew had to step in and safely de-hook.
Now here’s where it went legendary—after landing the biggest fish at the time, the skipper handed me a beer on the house and we had a moment I’ll never forget… I drank it through the fish’s gills and out its mouth. They called it a “Fishy.” That pretty much captures the energy of the whole trip—fun, wild, and unforgettable.
But the real standout? The crew. These guys didn’t just do their job—they owned it. Constantly moving, helping, re-rigging lines, coaching people, adjusting spots, keeping the vibe high, and making sure everyone had a shot at catching something. Professional, dialed-in, and genuinely invested in making sure you have a great time.
Whether you’re experienced or brand new, they’ll take care of you and put you in the best position to succeed.
If you’re thinking about booking—stop thinking and do it. This is the kind of trip you’ll be talking about for years. 🎣🔥🍻
We kicked off at 0630 and wrapped up around 1600, and the entire day was stacked with action. This wasn’t just a fishing trip—it was an experience.
Almost everyone on board caught fish (I think only two didn’t), which speaks volumes about how hard the crew works to put you on them. My wife caught her second fish ever, which made the day even more special. I landed two myself—one small, but the other was a beast at around 6 kilos (~13 lbs)… easily one of my best catches.
We hit about four different locations, constantly adjusting based on conditions—which paid off big time. At one spot, the sharks were so aggressive they were literally eating fish off our lines mid-retrieve. I personally lost two fish to sharks, and at one point even used the fish my wife caught as bait—only for a shark to take that too. Absolute chaos in the best way possible. We eventually had to relocate because it was that wild. I’ve even got a photo of a fish that came back half gone.
The variety was awesome too—barracuda, a massive mackerel nearly as long as the guy who caught it, and even a shark that the crew had to step in and safely de-hook.
Now here’s where it went legendary—after landing the biggest fish at the time, the skipper handed me a beer on the house and we had a moment I’ll never forget… I drank it through the fish’s gills and out its mouth. They called it a “Fishy.” That pretty much captures the energy of the whole trip—fun, wild, and unforgettable.
But the real standout? The crew. These guys didn’t just do their job—they owned it. Constantly moving, helping, re-rigging lines, coaching people, adjusting spots, keeping the vibe high, and making sure everyone had a shot at catching something. Professional, dialed-in, and genuinely invested in making sure you have a great time.
Whether you’re experienced or brand new, they’ll take care of you and put you in the best position to succeed.
If you’re thinking about booking—stop thinking and do it. This is the kind of trip you’ll be talking about for years. 🎣🔥🍻
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marcos
17 Apr 2026
Andrew and Connor were great !! We went fishing with Captain Andrew and deckie Connor . They did everything they could to give myself , my girlfriend and her son , the best day fishing out on the water . Connor couldn’t have been more helpful helping my girlfriend bait up her line ( 2nd fishing charter ever !) and trying to help her son , hook his first ever Spaniard ! . Despite the sharks getting many of the boats fish , and the bite being a bit lean at times , we enjoyed a great day out with these great crew !! Thanks Connor and Andrewread moreread less
Management response: - 2026-05-17
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear that you, your girlfriend, and her son had such an enjoyable day out on the water with Andrew and Connor.
It’s fantastic to know that Connor was so helpful, especially in assisting your girlfriend with baiting up and helping her son chase his first Spaniard — those are the moments that make a fishing trip truly memorable.
Even when the sharks are feeling particularly hungry and the bite is a little slower, our crew always work hard to make sure guests have a fun and rewarding experience, so Andrew and Connor will be delighted to hear your kind words.
Thank you again for choosing to fish with us. We’re so pleased your family had a great day, and we hope to welcome you all back on board for another memorable adventure soon!
Warm regards,
The Cairns Reef Fishing Team
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Dave
17 Apr 2026
Amazing reef fishing experience in Cairns! Knowledgeable crew, great spots, and plenty of action on beautiful waters. Huge thanks to skipper Andrew and deckies Coen and Sue for making it such a memorable day. Highly recommend! 🎣
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Daryl
16 Jan 2026
Brilliant day!!! Would not hesitate going again. The Skipper Andrew and Decky DV worked their butts off to make sure we were on the fish and lines in the water. Top guys, couldn’t fault the entire service from booking to walking away with fish. Really nice people on the charter too - everyone excited when the fish were being wheeled in.
Whole baked sweetlip for dinner this end. Thanks guys
Whole baked sweetlip for dinner this end. Thanks guys
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caryn
03 Jan 2026
Best day out on the water Brilliant day!!! Would not hesitate going again. The Skipper Andrew and Decky DV worked their butts off to make sure we were on the fish and lines in the water. Top guys, couldn’t fault the entire service from booking to walking away with fish. Really nice people on the charter too - everyone excited when the fish were being wheeled in.Whole baked sweetlip for dinner this end. Thanks guys
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-01-04
Thank you so much for the brilliant review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such an awesome day on the water. Andrew and DV will be stoked to hear your kind words — they truly work hard to keep lines in the water and give everyone the best chance at a great day fishing.
It’s great to know the whole experience, from booking through to heading home with fish, hit the mark — and a whole baked sweetlip sounds like the perfect way to finish the day!
Thanks again for choosing Cairns Reef Fishing. We’d love to welcome you back on board anytime.
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caryn
03 Jan 2026
Myself and 3 other locals travelled out with Cairns Reef Fishing on Tuesday 23rd Dec 25. From start to finish it was a great day. Fish weren't biting too much, but Skipper Andrew navigated us to as many spots as possible and gave us all every chance of pulling in the big one... Plenty of fish to share amongst mates.. The Decky - Conner was fantastic, and was gliding around the boat with ease and was a great source of knowledge and knot tying wizardry, as well as being super friendly with all guests. Vessel was in great condition, and lunch was more than we could all get through. Highly recommended day trip from a local who works in tourism, and lives and breathes all things great barrier reef..
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Sam
28 Dec 2025
We wanted to give a massive thank you to Cairns Reef Fishing for such an amazing and memorable day. Our skipper Cohen and decky Taco did not miss a beat all day with a full charter. Thank you from me and my family we will be back🤙
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Jocelyn
09 Nov 2025
Such a fun experience ! Amazing experience!! Had a blast , the crew Cohen and Devon were incredible, they made us laugh and were so helpful ! 10/10 would recommend !
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-01-04
Thank you so much for the awesome review!
We’re so glad to hear you had such a fun day on the water. Cohen and Devon will love the feedback — they’re a great team and always bring the laughs while making sure everyone has a fantastic experience.
Thanks for the 10/10 recommendation, and we’d love to have you back on board again soon!
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Andi
04 Nov 2025
Once again, a bloody awesome day our with this mob. Always a great way to spend some time on the reef. (Even more fun if the sharks don't get your catch first!) The crew were fun, entertaining and bloody great guys. Went with a group of 8 and all were great folks. Not a whinger amongst them! (But i will ask the question why were nearly all my fish one centemeter UNDER size than over?!!) The crew were fast to help fix your baits, equipment and help you bring the catch in. BUT BEWARE! If your not looking to get the piss taken out of you by the other passengers and especially the crew, then stay home. The whole trip was all with good natured jibes, bad jokes and heaps of fun. It's my 15th trip with this mob in as many years and my #1 event that I book every time I'm in Cairns (I'm from Canberra). Thanks again guys! I look forward to seeing you again soon!
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Knuckle
28 Oct 2025
Fab day out. Wat a cracka of a day, Cohen and Devine treated us to a fab day. Awesome fishing and we smashed the Nannygai along with a couple of other species. Thanx heaps and looking forward to our next trip.
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-01-04
Thanks so much for the great review!
Sounds like an absolute cracker of a day! Cohen and DV will love the shout-out.
Thanks heaps for fishing with us, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you back on board for the next trip!
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Mark
28 Oct 2025
Unforgettable Day onboard Aqua Cat with Cairns Reef Fishing! We had an absolutely amazing fishing trip on board Aqua Cat last Sunday! From start to finish, the Cohen and Devon made the entire experience unforgettable. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do.The boat itself was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped — you can tell everything is maintained with care. We were lucky enough to catch some great fish, and the crew made sure everyone, no matter their experience level, had a chance to reel something in. Their enthusiasm and helpful tips made the day so much fun.
The scenery was stunning, the atmosphere relaxed, and the laughs non-stop. It was one of those perfect days on the water that you never want to end.
Highly recommend Aqua Cat to anyone looking for a professional yet personal fishing adventure — can’t wait to come back for another trip soon!
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2026-01-04
Thank you so much for the wonderful review!
We’re absolutely thrilled to hear you had such an unforgettable day on board Aqua Cat. Cohen and Devon will be stoked to read your kind words — they’re passionate about what they do and love making sure everyone has a great experience, no matter their fishing background.
It’s great to hear you enjoyed the boat, the fishing, and the relaxed atmosphere on the day. Those perfect reef days with good laughs, great scenery and fish on the deck are exactly what we aim to deliver.
Thank you for the recommendation and for choosing Cairns Reef Fishing. We can’t wait to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon!
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Mattyd1977
27 Oct 2025
Great team, great day, great experience. Callun and his deck hand devon ( sorry if I spelt your names wrong champions) were very knowledgeable, personable and just alround great hosts. He knew how to find the fish and when it was time to leave. They Got everyone involved and chatting and enjoying the day effortlessly. No one went home without a good feed of fish and that was the cherry on top of the cake . Will be back again and would highly recommend a day on the reef with this great local company and fine representative of the FNQ lifestyle. Cheers legends
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Cale
25 Oct 2025
Perfect Charter today!! Awesome fishing trip today.. We caught heaps of nice fish most of the day. I was very impressed with our Charter. The lads Cohen and Connor put us onto some mad fishing and had us laughing the whole way.Perfect days fishing, Cheers Lads.
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Jet54734081936
03 Oct 2025
Best day out What an amazing experience we had, Thanks to the very professional crew we never had any concerns regarding safety out on the reef.The crew were very helpful and we had them running around the boat,
Crazy the amount of fish people were bringing over the side.
A day my son and I will remember always.
Supplied lunch was fresh as and plentiful.
Will definitely be back on board next trip to Cairns.
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Rob
01 Oct 2025
Fishing The trip on the boat was so amazing everyone was so nice the water is so beautiful and blue and there’s so many fish to catchPaco was so helpful too standing there with his shirt off, (I would purposely get a snag just for him to be next to me) definitely best part of the trip, I would do this trip over and over if paco was on it, if you like OuterBanks than honestly you’d love paco everything he did reminded me of JJ Maybank, the way he came rushing when I struggled reeling in my rod. If I could I’d go on a holiday to cairns just for him.🙈
And there’s also a comedian on board cohen, he never failed to make everyone laugh honestly he was such a joy 10/10 I honestly would do this again with the duo and how hard they worked together it was amazing.
Everyone on the boat was so fun it was honestly like a classic Aussie day😂 it was 10/10 something I would recommend for families visiting Cairns, Thank you Paco & Cohen for such a wonderful experience, I had such a fun time.
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Layla
30 Sep 2025
My son and I had an amazing day out with Cairns Reef Fishing. Great service (always helping if we got snagged or re-rigging when the sharks figured out where we were), great food, and most importantly, great fishing. I would highly recommend a day out with these guys if you’re around the Cairns area and want to get on the fish. We then cooked our fish (that they gilled and gutted for us) on the BBQ in the hotel. A delicious finish to a great day.
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Andrew
28 Sep 2025
Rly good charter Went on full day reef fishing . Impressed with this charter. Skipper and deckie done fantastic job with fish coming on all sides of boat.really big nanny's and trout . Thanks for the great day fishing. One to rememberread moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2025-09-30
We’re thrilled you had a memorable day out and landed some great nannies and trout. Our skipper and deckie will be wrapped to hear your feedback. We’d love to welcome you back onboard for another great day on the reef
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Connector63992239314
28 Sep 2025
Had an amazing day out with the crew, very simple booking and check in process. Good vibes all day and will definitely be back again, hopefully a few less sharks next time but none the less a great day out
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James
16 Sep 2025
Can not recommend enough! Definitely the best day you'll have in Cairns, just be sure to pick the weather! Fantastic experience from start to finish.
Lisa, the booking agent, is absolutely wonderful to deal with and makes everything so easy.
The meeting point at the Pier Cafe is perfect to grab a relaxed breakfast, and if you're like me - an extra snack for the ride out!
The crew are very skilled and look after you well, ensuring your line is always ready to go and your fish are processed, marked, and stored on ice. Everyone was catching so many fish, they were so busy!
They also serve a beautiful fresh lunch halfway through the day, then prawns and fruit for afternoon tea.
Excellent vibes all day, music playing, beers on ice, and so many laughs with the crew. Massive thank you to the Skipper Andrew and the Deckhand Connor for a fantastic day.
Lisa, the booking agent, is absolutely wonderful to deal with and makes everything so easy.
The meeting point at the Pier Cafe is perfect to grab a relaxed breakfast, and if you're like me - an extra snack for the ride out!
The crew are very skilled and look after you well, ensuring your line is always ready to go and your fish are processed, marked, and stored on ice. Everyone was catching so many fish, they were so busy!
They also serve a beautiful fresh lunch halfway through the day, then prawns and fruit for afternoon tea.
Excellent vibes all day, music playing, beers on ice, and so many laughs with the crew. Massive thank you to the Skipper Andrew and the Deckhand Connor for a fantastic day.
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Rebecca
29 Aug 2025
Awesome day catching reef fish The best experience in Cairns! Absolutely awesome day, with a very skilled and good looking crew that definitely know their stuff. Great vibe, with the whole boat catching so many fish the crew never stopped running. Plus a beautiful fresh lunch and afternoon tea of fresh fruit and prawns. Unreal. Shout out to Andrew and Connor for a great day!read moreread less
Wanderluster9164
29 Aug 2025
We had an absolutly fantastic time. The crew were incredible helpfull, friendly and heaps of fun to go out with. The food was great and I would definately get the seafood platter again.
We were to celebrate my sons birthday and it was a day to remeneber. We will definately be back. Thanks for an unforgettable experience!!!
We were to celebrate my sons birthday and it was a day to remeneber. We will definately be back. Thanks for an unforgettable experience!!!
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Erin
18 Aug 2025
Reef Fishing!! Awesome time out at the reef and caught plenty of fish despite it not being the best weather and conditions. Shoutout to skipper Cohen and his crew Brody and Connor for making it an unreal experience. They are very knowledgeable and love good banter. Highly recommend to anyone visting or living in Cairns!!read moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2025-08-29
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you still had a fantastic time and plenty of fish despite the weather not being on its best behaviour. Cohen, Brody and Connor will be stoked with the shoutout — they love sharing their knowledge (and banter!) with our guests.
We really appreciate the recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back onboard next time you’re in Cairns!
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Camper05632631462
13 Aug 2025
10/10, Best part of our trip to Cairns. The team made our day an experience we will never forget. This was an amazing experience. Every staff member was amazing, they all went above and beyond for my partner and I. The management team was fantastic and made our day a magical experience that we will never forget. Communication from the beginning was 10/10 with Leesa being a delight to organise with and she went out of her way to make sure it was a special day for us. On the day Cory was great to meet and introduced us to our amazing crew that made the day what it was.
Cohan and Conner were amazing. Within minutes it felt I was back home fishing with my mates. They were absolute legends. My partner and I were looked after and made to feel welcome and given the best advice and tips. They were genuinely as excited as we were when we bought fish in especially when my partner pulled in a big nannygai.
There was more than enough food catered and it was all amazing and so fresh.
Cohan and Conner helped organise a restaurant to cook our catch and these were the little touches that made an absolutely amazing day. Thanks fellas!
Cory was at the dock when we arrived and made sure we had a great day and was also as excited as us for the massive fish my partner had pulled in.
Once again thank you to all the team and we will be back again.
Cheers!
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2025-08-07
Wow – thank you for such an incredible review!
It was our absolute pleasure to help make your day on the reef such a memorable one, and it’s so lovely to hear it was the highlight of your trip to Cairns.
Cory, Cohan, and Conner will be chuffed to read your kind words. We love hearing that it felt like fishing with old mates – we aim to ensure everyone is comfortable and feel welcomed by our team.
Congratulations to your partner on landing that massive nannygai – what a moment! We’re glad you enjoyed the fresh catering and that the team could help you take the experience full circle with your catch cooked up for dinner.
Thank you again for choosing us and for sharing your day in such detail – it means the world to the whole crew. We can’t wait to welcome you back for round two! Maybe next time the kids can come too!
— The Cairns Reef Fishing Team 🎣🐟
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Nathan
06 Aug 2025
Best fishing day ever. This was the second time I fished with CRF and it did not disappoint.I went with my nephew and his mate, for them it was their first charter.
From the get go it was clear that the crew knew their stuff.
We sighted a humpbacked whale on the way to the reef and caught sight of a sea snake, a great start.
The fishing was consistently good with a lot of large fish being taken, I caught the first fish, a decent sized coral trout, I later caught a Frying pan bream and an 85 cm shark mackerel, a beast, other fish were taken.
The crew could not have been more helpful and genial, they helped us land our bigger fish and engaged in pleasant banter.
The buffet was tasty and varied and the fruit and prawns were very welcome.
We saw some whoppers being caught, a lot of people went home with a lot of fish.
On the way back we saw four or five more Humpbacks, which really made our day.
Highly recommend.
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2025-08-07
Thank you so much for your amazing review and for joining us for a second trip!
We’re thrilled to hear the day lived up to your first experience – and what a day it was! Spotting humpbacks and a sea snake on the way out is a special start.
Congratulations on landing that beautiful coral trout, the frying pan bream, and an 85cm shark mackerel – what a catch! We’re so glad your nephew and his mate enjoyed their first charter and that our crew could make it a fun and memorable day for everyone.
It means a lot to us that you noticed not just the fishing, but also the crew’s care, the banter, and the buffet – we aim to make the whole experience as enjoyable as possible.
We hope to welcome you back for round three before too long – the reef (and the crew) will be ready!
— The Cairns Reef Fishing Team 🎣🐋
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historynerd321
04 Aug 2025
Magic Day!!! This is hands down the most worthwhile fishing trip the incredible team skippered by Cohen, hosted the most eventful day n bb DV made it all so easy!! Plenty n I mean PLENTY of fish caught - whales passing n the most insane weather.. booking with Lisa was seamless n it’s definitely a trip to remember!!Without hesitation 5star n 1000% would go again n recommend to all
Thx team it was magic!!!
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Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2025-07-28
Wow – what an epic review! Thank you so much for the kind words and energy — we’re absolutely thrilled to hear you had such a magic day out on the water!
Cohen and Dv will be over the moon to hear your feedback, and I’m so glad the booking process was smooth too. Between the fish, the whales, and the weather turning it on, it sounds like one of those unforgettable days we all love to be part of.
We’d be stoked to have you back anytime — thank you again for the glowing recommendation!
Thank you!!
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heatherdI9372ZR
27 Jul 2025
Very good If you're looking for an unforgettable fishing experience, Cairns Reef Fishing absolutely delivers. I joined one of their full-day charters out to the Great Barrier Reef, and let me tell you—it was a non-stop thrill from start to finish.read moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2025-07-22
We’re so glad to hear your day with us was such a thrill from start to finish — that’s exactly the experience we aim to deliver. It means a lot that you chose to join us out on the Great Barrier Reef, and we hope to see you back onboard for another unforgettable adventure soon!
Thanks again and thank you for the review!
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Finn
21 Jul 2025
Went out on Blue Waler on 07 June with my mate Graeme. What a great day we both had. Some really great fish brought on board. The skipper Logan and his crew DV where extremely helpful and attentive. I'd definitely recommend these guys to anyone regardless of there level of experience
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Hans
07 Jun 2025
I can not recommend going out with these guys enough. They're professional, fun, and know their stuff. Nothing but heaps of fun and a family kind of feel with our crew (sorry mate I can't remember your name so no slab for you 😂) their food was so delicious and fresh. If you want to do a reef charted in Cairns, book with these guys
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Brian
03 Jun 2025
Went yesterday. Had a great time with skipper Andrew and deck hand Taco. The vibes were great and Andrew helped us find a bunch of fish. They were very inviting and helped me and others reel in some nice fish. They gave everyone a go and made sure no one went home without a catch ! Definitely recommend. Coming back 100%
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Roald
02 May 2025
Awesome charter!
Booking was super easy through speaking with Lisa.
Went out earlier on in the week with Andrew and Connor. Had such a great time i had to squeeze another trip in.
Plenty of banter, food, drinks and of course fish!!
Super helpful & friendly crew.
Thanks again to Andrew, Cohen and Connor for an unforgettable few days.
I'll be back
Booking was super easy through speaking with Lisa.
Went out earlier on in the week with Andrew and Connor. Had such a great time i had to squeeze another trip in.
Plenty of banter, food, drinks and of course fish!!
Super helpful & friendly crew.
Thanks again to Andrew, Cohen and Connor for an unforgettable few days.
I'll be back
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Claudia
25 Jan 2025
All day fun Awesome day on the water, crew were super happy and helpful. Got on to some great spots and caught a variety of reef fish. Snacks provided were fresh and healthy and were enjoyed by all. Top day all roundread moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thanks for the great review! We're so glad you had an awesome day on the water and that the crew made it even better. It’s always a win when the fish are biting and the snacks hit the spot! Hope to see you out again soon for another top day! 🎣😎
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Ezra
25 Jan 2025
Absolutely amazing team highly recommend Thank you so much for an absolutely amazing day out the crew Ryan Logan and Connor could not do enough for everyone on the trip thanks heaps guys highly recommend cairns reef fishing.read moreread less
Leesa B, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thanks for the amazing review and choosing to come out with us! Great to the hear that the crew impressed and ensured you had an amazing experience. Hope we may see you again!
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Casey
14 Jan 2025
Spent NYE day on the boat and had an excellent time. The boat was skipper by Andrew and Conner was the main man on the deck. They were both excellent. Had a great day (despite a bit of too much sun) and took home a 4kg Spangled Emperor which fed 9 people the next day. Amazingly delicious.
I live in SA and this was my 4th trip with CRF and I’ve never missed taking home a good feed. Highly recommended 10/10
I live in SA and this was my 4th trip with CRF and I’ve never missed taking home a good feed. Highly recommended 10/10
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David
02 Jan 2025
5 Star My buddy Peter and I went fishing with Cairns Fishing Charters in mid December and we had the greatest time. The deckhands Connor and Ryan were top notch deckhands making sure our rods were functional and baited at all times. The captain, Andrew, knew exactly where the fish were and got the boat on some nice fish. Unfortunately regardless of all the efforts on the boat, Peter and I weren’t able to land any fish that day (maybe they don’t like us Americans? LOL JK ). We did learn a lot about the Australian lingo though. Ryan and Connor kindly caught us how to fit in with the locals!Later on, after we got off the boat, I got a message from Ryan (one of the deckhands) that he would talk with the owner any see if they had room for us to some fishing in a few days. Turns out they had us come out a few days later free of charge and we caught some nice reef fish. Overall we had a great experience fishing with these guys and would definitely recommend if you want to catch fish and have a fun time while doing it. (P.S. Turns out “Grouper”isn’t a type of fish in Australia)
Thanks boys
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Lisa Amarant, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Wow, what an awesome review! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear you and Peter had such a great time, even though the fish were a bit shy that day. 😄
Connor, Ryan, and Captain Andrew will be stoked to know their efforts made a positive impact, and we’re glad you enjoyed the Aussie lingo lessons too! It’s all part of the fun, right?
We’re also really happy we could get you back out on the water for round two, and it’s great to hear you landed some reef fish that time!
Thanks again for choosing Cairns Fishing Charters, and we’d absolutely love to have you guys back on board anytime. Tight lines! 🎣 Cheers!
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Austin
28 Dec 2024
Awesome fishing trip Great day out, caught some great fish and the crew were awesome. They couldn’t do more to help and nothing was a bother. Thanks guys for a fun day on the water.read moreread less
Lisa Amarant, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thank you so much for the kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had a great time and caught some fantastic fish. Our crew will be stoked to know their efforts made your day even better. We appreciate you choosing us for your fishing adventure, and we hope to have the chance to get you back out on the water again soon! Tight lines! 🎣😊
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melanie
30 Nov 2024
Great day with Andrew and Taco. Andrew and Taco really know what they are doing. Had a great time and also caught plenty of good fish. Thanks guys I really appreciate it.read moreread less
Lisa Amarant, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thanks so much for the kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time and that Andrew and Taco helped make your trip memorable with some fantastic fishing. We’ll be sure to pass along your thanks to them—they’ll be stoked to know you appreciated it.
Looking forward to seeing you again on your next adventure!
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Michael
16 Nov 2024
Had a great day out with Andrew and Conner. Everyone caught a fish and some really great fish in the bag at the end of the day. We moved around a couple of times and each time there was something on offer for everyone. I enjoyed the day and as a Cairns local, I look forward to my next trip with Cairns reef fishing.
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Robert
11 Nov 2024
Cracking day out ! Awesome day out on the new boats first trip with skipper Logan. Connor and D running the decks. We couldn’t have asked for a better reef fishing experience with plenty of different species coming in over the side. The crew did not stop all day to accommodate everyone’s needs and make sure everyone was safe and comfortable.Special mention to young deckie D, amazing work ethic and has a big future in the industry.
Nick TAS.
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Lisa Amarant, Guest Services / Front Office at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you had an awesome day out on the new boats and enjoyed the reef fishing experience. It’s great to know you were able to reel in a variety of species – that’s what we aim for!
We’re proud of our crew! We’re glad to hear D’s work ethic stood out – he’s definitely a rising star in the industry! We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him and the rest of the team.
Thanks again for choosing us, and we hope to have you back on board soon for another amazing day out on the water!
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Nick
26 Oct 2024
We had happiest day in cairns with Conner and Cade! Anyone considering fishing, Just go there. Highly recommend! Caught big fish with their help, even we are very beginner. Great experience in my life. We definitely come back when we come back to cairns. It can be for this.
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Sophia
23 Jul 2024
Loved it - I’ll be back Smashed it today - super happy with Shane and Logan Thanks gents - this is my second time with this company , will definitely be back again
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timbS4362VG
16 Jul 2024
Top day out with Logan and Cohen. This is my third trip with them and can’t speak highly enough. Straight onto the fish and all the help and advice plus a little fun from them both. Great boat great crew and a great day out. See you again next year.
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Scott
13 Jul 2024
Fantastic experience - highly recommend My husband and I had an amazing day reef fishing. The crew were awesome and put us in the fish straight away (we had landed 2 awesome nannygai within the first 10 minutes)! Everyone caught some amazing fish, the lunch was great and I’d highly recommend to anyone thinking of fishing in Cairns. A great day on the water, big comfortable boat. We will book again next time we’re in FNQ! Myra & Ben :)
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Myra
13 Jul 2024
Had an amazing day on the boat, weather was good and everyone caught something, we went home with a bag of (delicious) fish that’ll last for days. The food and drinks were so well made and it was enough for everybody. Honestly can‘t complain about anything, really was a great experience, huge thanks to the crew that helped with everything and made this trip so entertaining and memorable
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thea
12 Jul 2024
The Best Had an awesome time. Fish weren’t technically on the bite, but our family of 5 got 3 fish that gave us a very good feed for the night. The crew on AquaCat were very entertaining with a couple of mild antics that made the day. Would highly recommend. Couldn’t fault their efforts. All the best with future trips. ❤️🎣
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Tanya
12 Jul 2024
Charter fishing Great day out fishing with Logan and Cohen on the Aquacat. They were very helpful and had plenty of local knowledge to share with 1st time fishers to the reef. They got us on the fish and made a fun day out of it. Top experience!read moreread less
Bevan
11 Jul 2024
Great day reef fishing with skipper Logan and Paul. Tried several spots and caught enough fish for our party to have a chef prepared dinner tonight at a local restaurant. Thanks for assisting everyone with rods and hosting a fun and safe day on the reef!
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Cathy
01 Jul 2024
Highly recommend & awesome crew Awesome time and great crew on the boat today. Deck hand and captain were great with customers and help everyone out. The wind was 15-20 knots so a lot of smaller boats couldn’t go out but this boat handled it well. Side curtains on the back of the boat to keep customers dry on the way to the fishing grounds. Great service and experience for the price.Kept one fish for eating (yellow long nosed) that we took back and made a mango salsa, rice, and lemon butter & garlic sauce. Thanks for the experience- Brett and Megan
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Leesa_CRF, Guest Relations Manager at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2024-07-04
Dear Brett and Megan,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had an awesome time and enjoyed the company of our crew. It’s great to know that our boat handled the windy conditions well and that the side curtains kept everyone dry on the way to the fishing grounds.
Your description of the yellow long-nosed fish with mango salsa, rice, and lemon butter & garlic sauce sounds absolutely delicious! We’re glad we could be part of such a memorable experience for you.
We hope to see you both again soon for another fantastic day on the water!
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Brett
01 Jul 2024
Catch fish every time! It was my seventh time going out with this company and I have never had a "bad" experience. Each time I go I take at least 1-2 friends and we always come back with plenty of fish. I can tell you whole heartedly that the new ownership has also come with a very obvious renewed enthusiasm for the business along with many additional newly added improvements! These include, nicely labelling bags of fish with customer names on arrival, courtesy phone calls from the lovely Lisa (who works in admin with Beck) to advise of trip forecast and if things are on track, nice tunes to listen to, great personalities, VIP program for repeat customers and more! Logan and CJ (skipper and deck hands) were bang on, attentive, and have people skills that can't be faked!. It helps that they are also fisherman freaks and just as keen to get out and catch a fish as their customers.Such a pleasure to get out again and WOW, is the new management ever a slice of heaven! Thanks for a brilliant day! I'll be back with the month!
In addition to todays trip, I added a few additional photos of past trips with this same company and on the same boat and a few prize large mouth nannygai:).
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Leesa_CRF, Guest Relations Manager at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2024-07-04
Thank you so much for your glowing review and for being a loyal customer! We're thrilled to hear that each of your trips has been enjoyable and successful. It's wonderful to know that the recent improvements and our enthusiastic team have made a positive impact on your experience. Logan, CJ, Lisa, and Beck will be delighted to hear your kind words. We're looking forward to welcoming you and your friends back on board soon. Tight lines until then and thank you for sharing fantastic photos of your catches!
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jeremy
30 Jun 2024
The best fishing charter experience today with these guys, best crew ever! Thank you to skipper Logan and deckies Cohen and Rhino. We laughed, we fished, we had a phat time today, thank you for going above and beyond today. 5 stars to you all!
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Joely
23 Jun 2024
Amazing fishing charter and experienced crew Took my mate out for his first fishing experience and thought I’ll check the reviews to see which charter would be the best, we decided on Cairns Reef Charters and let me tell you, we had an amazing experience. We initially booked for Thursday but due to a weather system forming of the coast they called us up and asked if we would like to change to another day, they gave us options and told us Tuesday was great weather and they had slots, we decided to change and lucky we did cause the weather was photogenic, crystal blue water and not a cloud in site, ok maybe a few clouds but you get the picture. So the booking teams was 5/5 perfect.
The crew we had was Logan and Cohen who was absolute legends, plenty of banter and jokes. They kept us well informed and provided everyone with plenty of assistance when needed.
They even provided us with restaurant we would get our catch cooked and prepared. We choose the orchre which was close by, a modern take on Aussie cuisine. They did an amazing job cooking our catch for $45pp.
I would like to thank the team at cairns reef charters for giving us an amazing experience
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Beck J, Front Office Manager at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2024-02-13
Hi Charles. Thanks so much for taking your time to submit a review. We certainly appreciate it! Would love to see you again next time
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CharlesPoloy
06 Feb 2024
Great day! We had such a great day! The crew was AMAZING, food was good and we fished lots of different fishes. 100% recommend!Thanks to Logan and Nicky!
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Beck J, Front Office Manager at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2024-02-13
Cheers Marie. We loved having you! Welcome back anytime!
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Marie-Élise
06 Feb 2024
May not get out We enjoyed the charter even though we caught nothing, but be weary, if they don't have enough people they cancel on you and you can find yourself quite disappointed with not many other options.read moreread less
CairnsReefFishing, Manager at Cairns Reef Fishing, responded to this review - 2024-02-13
Hi Wbaida, thank you for your review, we were glad to hear that you enjoyed your time out with us.
As an Australian owned and operated small family business, you are correct that we cannot afford to run our vessels unless we meet minimum passenger numbers and unfortunately due to the cyclone and flooding over the December and January period, our business was impacted by mass cancellations.
It is however important to note, that 95% of our charters do run on the day that our customers booked and we are proud of our ability to deliver 95% of the time (if not more over our peak tourism season, which is generally 99% of the time). We deliver these types of results because our crew are passionate about fishing and also passionate about our customers having the best day ever! We truly gain nothing from cancelling and do so with a heavy heart.
We hope the rest of your travels were enjoyable and wish you all the very best!
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wbaida999
20 Jan 2024
