Cairns Premier Ocean Free Sail to Green Island & The Great Barrier Reef

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A personal sailing reef and island day tour from Cairns on the 16 metre schooner Ocean Free, with an exclusive snorkel site at Pinnacle Reef and time on Green Island, for no more than 25 guests.

Days

9 hours, 8am to 5pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 25

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns
Cairns, 5pm

Return

Cairns, 5pm

Transport

16 m sailing schooner from Cairns, tender to Green Island

Meals

Pastries and fruit, smorgasbord lunch, afternoon platters

Route

Map of Cairns Premier Ocean Free Sail to Green Island & The Great Barrier Reef

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Included experiences

Pinnacle Reef — snorkel straight off the boat
Green Island — boardwalk walk and beach time
Marineland Melanesia — crocodile feeding
Sailing — hoist the sails or take the helm
Introductory or certified scuba dive — optional

Cairns Premier Ocean Free Sail to Green Island & The Great Barrier Reef

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: SAILING OUT OF CAIRNS

You board Ocean Free in Cairns at 8am, a 16 metre sailing schooner that takes at most 25 guests although she is built for 52. Danish pastries, fresh fruit and coffee start the day. Once clear of the harbour, the crew raises the sails and, wind permitting, the engines are switched off. Lend a hand hauling the sheets, take a turn at the helm, or settle on deck and watch Cairns and its green ranges shrink behind you. With one crew member for every six guests, there's always someone to show you how.

PINNACLE REEF: SNORKEL FROM THE BOAT

Ocean Free has its own mooring at Pinnacle Reef, inside a Marine Park Green Zone where fishing and collecting are banned, so only this boat's guests snorkel here. Step straight off the stern and you're over coral bommies that rise to about a metre below the surface. Join the crew's snorkel tours to learn the different corals, or try an introductory or certified dive for an extra cost. The Great Barrier Reef around you is the largest coral reef system on earth, about 2,300 km long. Lunch is a smorgasbord with prawns and smoked salmon.

GREEN ISLAND

A tender takes you onto the beach at Green Island, a coral cay around 6,000 years old, named by Cook after Charles Green, the astronomer on the Endeavour. Unusually for a cay, it's covered in rainforest, and a boardwalk crosses the island through it. At low tide you can walk right around the shore. At Marineland Melanesia you can watch a crocodile being fed and look over its collection of Melanesian art. Between the reef and the island you have up to four and a half hours on the water and the sand.

AFTERNOON: SAILING HOME

The sails go up again for the run back to Cairns, with a complimentary glass of wine and platters of fruit, cheese and cake. You're back in Cairns at 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: 8am from Cairns.
Finishes: 5pm back in Cairns.
Suits: All ages.
Fitness: This is a 16 m sailing schooner: you must be mobile and stable enough to move around a moving vessel and get into and out of the water by a step ladder.

What to bring

Swimwear
Towel
Sunscreen
Hat and sunglasses
Cash or card for drinks and merchandise
A sweatshirt in winter for the journey home

What is included

All snorkel equipment, including buoyancy aid and lycra or wetsuit (depending on season)
Snorkelling tuition and complimentary snorkel tours
Danish pastries and fresh fruit on boarding, with morning tea and coffee
Smorgasbord lunch including prawns and smoked salmon
Fruit, cheese and cake platters on the journey home
Complimentary glass of wine on the sail home
Tender transfers from the boat to Green Island beach

Not included

Reef levy — $20 per person, paid at check-in (environmental management charge, Recreational Area Management, port fees and admin charge)
Soft drinks, beer, wine and merchandise
Introductory and certified dives

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.