Back Highly recommendedVerified as Loop's Top 10Last reviewed October 2026

Spirit of Cairns Buffet Dinner Cruise

from A$145

2 hours 30 mins

Cairns

All Ages (0+)

Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)

Board a sailing catamaran at Cairns Marlin Marina for a calm 2.5 hour evening cruise up Trinity Inlet as the light fades over the rainforest ranges. A welcome drink, a hot and cold buffet with chilled prawns, fresh oysters and barramundi, and live local music on selected nights make it an easy, unhurried Cairns night out.

Quick read before you book.

Sunset over the rainforest ranges, depending on the season
Crocodile country along the winding inlet tributaries
Freshly shucked oysters and lemon butter barramundi on the buffet
City lights glowing along the Esplanade as night falls
Calm water cruising, so dinner stays on your plate

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews

4.5 Stars|673 reviews

What they like?

Sunset views over Trinity Inlet, a welcoming crew, a buffet loaded with prawns, oysters and barramundi, and live music that sets a relaxed, romantic mood.

What could be better?

Arrive early, as the berth can be tricky to spot in low light. A few guests find the buffet more hearty than fancy, so come hungry rather than expecting fine dining.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

2.5 hour calm water evening cruise through Trinity Inlet and along the Cairns waterfront
Welcome glass of sparkling wine, beer or soft drink
Hot and cold buffet dinner with seafood, desserts, coffee and tea
Air conditioned dining salon and large outdoor decks
Live entertainment from local Cairns musicians, Sunday to Thursday

Commonly asked questions.

Check in at A Finger, Cairns Marlin Marina at 5:45pm. The catamaran departs at 6:15pm and is back at the marina at 8:45pm, giving you 2.5 hours on Trinity Inlet.

The operator may cancel a cruise for weather, safety or mechanical reasons, and if that happens you get a refund of what you paid. The route stays in the calm waters of Trinity Inlet and the Cairns waterfront.

You can cancel or change your booking with more than 24 hours' notice before departure. Cancellations within 24 hours of the cruise aren't refunded.

Yes. Child prices apply to ages 4 to 14, and infants aged 0 to 3 travel free, though an infant who wants a meal needs a child ticket. There are no high chairs or changing facilities on board, and kids must be with an adult on the outer decks.

Expect a hot and cold spread with prawns, oysters, barramundi, slow cooked beef, salads and desserts, with dishes labelled gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan. Mention any allergies or dietary needs when you book.

Your welcome glass of sparkling wine, beer or soft drink is included. After that, the fully licensed bar sells cocktails, wine, beer, cider, spirits, mocktails and soft drinks, so bring cash or a card. You can't bring your own alcohol on board.

Tropical cocktail attire works well, with a light jacket in winter. Shoes are compulsory to board, and flat, rubber soled shoes are easiest on deck.

No. The catamaran has stairs at boarding and to the toilets, plus narrow doorways, so it isn't suitable for wheelchairs or guests with limited mobility.

The marina is on the Cairns city waterfront, close to the Esplanade and most central hotels. Our guide to getting around Cairns without a car covers walking, buses, taxis and rideshare around town.

For a different kind of night out, the Cairns Aquarium twilight tour takes you through the aquarium after hours as the sharks and rays wake up, followed by dinner at its own restaurant.

More about this tour.

Most Cairns evenings end with a stroll along the Esplanade. Spirit of Cairns shows you the same waterfront from the water, then keeps going, cruising into the quiet winding tributaries of Trinity Inlet where the city noise drops away. It is calm water the whole way, so this is a dinner you actually get to relax into, not one you spend holding onto your glass.You check in at A Finger, Cairns Marlin Marina at 5:45pm and you are under way by 6:15pm, with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, beer or soft drink in hand. Depending on the time of year, the sun sets over the rainforest clad mountains while you are out on the deck, and keep your eyes on the inlet banks, because this is crocodile country.Dinner is a hot and cold buffet in the air conditioned dining salon. The spread usually runs from chilled local prawns, freshly shucked Australian oysters and smoked salmon to lemon butter barramundi, slow cooked beef and peri peri chicken, with churros, cheesecake and a cheese board to finish. Dishes are labelled gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan, so everyone knows what they can grab. From Sunday to Thursday, local Cairns musicians play live, and the fully licensed bar pours cocktails, wine, beer and mocktails if you want to keep the night rolling. As dusk turns to dark the city lights come on along the waterfront, and you are back at the marina at 8:45pm.Want to make a full day of it? Our Cairns City Sights and Cruise pairs an afternoon city tour with this same dinner cruise, and our guide to things to do in Cairns fills in the rest of your stay. Explore the details below, then check availability for your night.

Additional info.

Check in at A Finger, Cairns Marlin Marina at 5:45pm for a 6:15pm departure. The cruise returns to the marina at 8:45pm.Tropical cocktail attire is the go, with a light jacket in winter and an umbrella in the wet season. Footwear must be worn to board, and flat, rubber soled shoes are best for moving around the boat. Bring cash or a card for the bar, as drinks after your welcome drink are extra. You can't bring your own alcohol, and smoking and vaping are banned on board.Let the operator know about allergies or dietary needs when you book. The kitchen can't guarantee a completely allergen free environment, so guests with severe allergies should bring their own medication and action plan.Child prices apply to ages 4 to 14, and children must be with an adult on the outer decks. Infants aged 0 to 3 travel free, but there are no high chairs or changing facilities on board. The catamaran isn't wheelchair accessible, with stairs at boarding and to the toilets, plus narrow doorways.