Michaelmas Cay and Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Snorkel

About This Experience

Great Adventures Reef and Island Cruises runs this day to Michaelmas Cay on a 32-metre sailing catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal, and 158 reviews give it a 4.7 rating. Michaelmas Cay is a sand cay and national park where tens of thousands of seabirds nest, and daily visitor numbers are limited.

The day starts with coffee, tea and a safety briefing over about half an hour, with morning tea of muffins and focaccia. The crossing takes around two hours, under sail or motor depending on the wind. On arrival there is a fish feeding presentation, and a beach buggy boat shuttles you between the catamaran and the cay throughout the four hours you spend there. The shuttle runs back and forth all day, so you can split your time between the beach, the water and the catamaran's decks.

You can snorkel straight off the beach in the shallow, protected water around the cay, where coral and reef fish start close to shore. A 30-minute semi-submersible tour with a marine biologist's commentary gives a dry view of the reef, and a marine biologist presentation runs on board. For more, you can add an introductory dive or join the marine biologist on a guided snorkel. Landing is limited to a roped-off section of beach so the birds are left in peace, but you can watch them from there.

This suits families, bird lovers, mixed groups with some non-swimmers, and anyone who wants a slower day with a beach to sit on. The hot and cold buffet lunch includes fresh prawns, and afternoon tea brings a tropical fruit platter and cake. On the two-hour sail home you get a glass of sparkling wine with cheese and crackers. The listing offers languages besides English, including Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian and Japanese.

Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunscreen and a camera. Snorkel gear, Lycra suits and buoyancy vests are supplied, and a water fountain on board refills bottles. The listing does not mention hotel transfers, so plan to reach the terminal yourself. Scuba has a minimum age of 12, and certain medical conditions, medications or height limits can rule it out.

Highlights

• Four hours at Michaelmas Cay, a protected seabird nesting island
• Snorkel straight off the beach in the cay's shallow, sheltered water
• 30-minute semi-submersible reef tour with marine biologist commentary
• 32-metre sailing catamaran, under sail when the wind allows
• Watch nesting seabirds from the roped beach area
• Optional introductory dive or guided snorkel with a marine biologist

What's Included

• ✓ Return cruise to Michaelmas Cay with four hours to explore
• ✓ Snorkel gear, Lycra suits and buoyancy vests
• ✓ 30-minute semi-submersible tour and marine biologist presentations
• ✓ Fish feeding presentation on arrival
• ✓ Morning tea, hot and cold buffet lunch with prawns, and afternoon tea
• ✓ Glass of sparkling wine with cheese and crackers on the way home

Not Included

• Introductory scuba dive (optional add-on)
• Guided snorkel tour with the marine biologist (optional add-on)
• Hotel transfers (not listed as included)

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Reusable water bottle for the on-board fountain

Good to Know & Caveats

• Michaelmas Cay is a national park with limited daily visitors; landing is only on the roped beach area and the rest of the cay is off limits to protect nesting birds.
• The catamaran sails or motors depending on the day's wind and sea conditions.
• The minimum age for scuba is 12, and some medical conditions, medications or height limits may prevent diving.
• Drones are not allowed.
• Turtles and particular birds are commonly seen but never guaranteed.

Meeting Point

Check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, on the Cairns waterfront. The listing doesn't mention hotel transfers, so plan to walk or take a taxi to the terminal.