Sail from Cairns on Ocean Spirit, a 32 metre sailing catamaran, to Michaelmas Cay, a sandy seabird sanctuary on the Great Barrier Reef. This fare adds a 45 minute snorkel led by a marine biologist, who shows a small group the corals, giant clams and turtles you might otherwise swim straight past.
Days
- 8.5 hours
Age
- All ages; under 4s free
Group size
- Shared cruise; small snorkel group
Start / finish
- Cairns / Michaelmas Cay / Cairns
- Cairns, around 5pm
Return
- Cairns, around 5pm
Transport
- 32 metre sailing catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns
Meals
- Morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea
Route
Included experiences
- Guided snorkel — 45 minutes with a marine biologist
- Michaelmas Cay — snorkel from the beach over shallow coral
- Semi-submersible — 30 minute coral viewing tour with commentary
- Fish feeding — presentation on arrival at the cay
- Seabird sanctuary — beach time beside a protected nesting ground
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
5.0
Based on 7 reviews
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Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
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We had a lovely day with no rain and took the guided snorkel, where a crew member towed me along. The marine biologist Neve was great, though hard to hear over the wind. We saw lots of fish and a turtle.
A well-organised tour with attentive staff. The guided snorkel with Will was my highlight and worth the extra, especially for a beginner like me. He was patient with our group of three and pointed out all the wildlife. The semi-sub is a good option for non-snorkellers.
A trip of a lifetime to Michaelmas. The catamaran was clean and modern, the staff gave an informative slideshow on marine life and ocean health, and the food was plentiful. The semi-sub was mesmerising, but the highlight was the assisted snorkel with Jorja and Kenadee, marine biology students who towed us on rings for about 45 minutes over the coral.
The perfect first snorkel for my kids aged seven and nine. Carlos put them at ease, Teresa gave a great marine biology talk, and Michael was the star of the paid guided snorkel, engaging the kids, carrying them back to shore when they tired and showing us his photos of coral recovering from bleaching. A few people did get seasick.
We did the full-day trip to Michaelmas Cay and were pleasantly surprised. Well organised with a kind, attentive crew. Special mention to Jaidey, our snorkel guide, who shared her biology knowledge and made us feel comfortable and safe.
A crew who love what they do and keep everyone safe. I recommend the guided snorkel, especially after the marine biologist's talk, to spot more of the reef's treasures. Trent was an extraordinarily knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.
