Uber Is Launching the World's First Submarine Rideshares in the Great Barrier Reef
Ever dreamed of exploring Australia's Great Barrier Reef in a submarine? A few lucky people will have their dreams fulfilled thanks to a new partnership between Uber and Tourism and Events Queensland. So, if a submarine ride is on your bucket list, you might want to book a last-minute flight to Australia.
Related: The 7 Best Starter Credit Cards
From May 27 until June 18, people in the Queensland towns of Gladstone, Cairns, Port Douglas or Palm Cove will be able to log in to Uber and request a scUber: the world's first submarine rideshare. Unlike when you're requesting a normal Uber ride, you won't enter a destination, but you will get a round-trip ride from your departure point to the embarkation point. The submarine ride will last one hour, after which you'll board a helicopter for a scenic return trip to the mainland.
The scUber experience will kick off on Heron Island, a coral cay near the Tropic of Capricorn, on May 27 and will move to Agincourt Reef off the coast of Port Douglas in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef region on June 9.
"In late 2018, consumer research identified that exploring the Great Barrier Reef in a submarine was the most desired future travel experience sought by visitors," said Leanne Coddington, Tourism and Events Queensland's CEO, in a statement.
Of course, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity doesn't come cheap. The scUber experience costs $1,500 AUD (about $1,032) per person and must be booked for two people at a time, for a cost of $3,000 AUD (about $2,065). It's for a good cause, though. Uber will donate the value of every scUber ride to Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, an organization dedicated to protecting and conserving the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs around the world.
The Great Barrier Reef — the largest and longest coral reef system on earth — has been suffering from coral bleaching, but is showing signs of recovery.
"At Uber, we believe good things happen when people move — whether that's by getting people from A to B in their city, or by making dreams come true experiencing the world's greatest natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef," Susan Anderson, regional general manager for Uber in Australia and New Zealand, said in a statement.
To celebrate the launch, Queensland Tourism and Uber are holding a contest to grant the scUber experience to one lucky winner and a friend from each of the following countries: Canada, the US, France, the UK, New Zealand and Australia. To enter the competition, go to scUberQueensland.com and explain in 25 words of less why you should experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef with scUber.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees