Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Which Great Barrier Reef Day Trip Do I Choose?

Come November, I'll be spending a few days in Carins and looking to do a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. I've come up with four companies, Quicksilver, Great Adventures, Sunlover, and Reef Magic. Quicksliver and Great Adventures offer 3 hours on the Reef, whereas Reef Magic allows 5 hours, and Sunlover offers 4 hours. I would assume longer might be better, but then again, Quicksilver with only 3 hours seems highly recommended. Most of these can handle up to 500 guest, but Reef Magic seems to have a smaller crowd of 150 maximum which seems good too.

What I am interested in is who goes to the best Reef, with the clearest water, and most fish. For myself, I plan to scuba dive and am a Certified diver. But I need one of these tours vs. a dive boat because my Mother will be traveling with me, and she will not be getting in the water. Instead, she will be viewing fish and the Reef from observation deck and semi-submersible. I guess I need to look for the tour which offers Mom the best experience on these Reef platforms since she will not be getting off or in the water.

Can anyone offer their recommendations? Or, are all these companies the same and simply select the one with the best lunch? ;-) Thanks.

I would also like to know more about the differences amongst the Great Barrier Reef tour operators. I've read some reviews on Quiksilver and Reef Magic - the former departs from Port Douglas and the latter from Cairns. Quiksilver apparently books their boats to full capacity and Reef Magic will only book to 50% capacity. Both have been accused of having pushy staff who are trying to sell you extras. Other than that, they seem pretty similar.

Does anyone have any strong opinions either way?

I've been on Quicksilver, and Fantasea (from Hamilton Island).

I'd recommend one that goes via Reefworld, the pontoon setup out on the reef - great way to spend the time, offers diving opportunities for those so inclined, safe snorkeling areas, etc.

Calypso (from Port Douglas) was pretty nice.

If you could devote more time (2 or 3 days)

Heron Island off the coast from Gladstone

is our (my wife & my) favorite destination

in the whole world (not that we have been

to everywhere just to most) and offers the

best the reef offers including a research

station run by government and is open to

tourists to the island's resort (by P&O)

We've been several times and intend to

go again next year