Cairns Premier Ocean Freedom Cruise to Upolu Cay Reef & Outer Edge Upolu Reef

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A day cruise from Cairns on the 20 metre motor catamaran Ocean Freedom to two Great Barrier Reef sites — Upolu Cay and the 'Wonder Wall' on the outer edge of Upolu Reef — with a full 6 hours on the reef and no more than 75 guests.

Days

9 hours, 8am to 5pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 75

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns
Cairns, 5pm

Return

Cairns, 5pm

Transport

20 m motor catamaran from Cairns

Meals

Pastries and fruit, smorgasbord lunch, afternoon platters

Route

Map of Cairns Premier Ocean Freedom Cruise to Upolu Cay Reef & Outer Edge Upolu Reef

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Included experiences

Upolu Cay — snorkelling in clear, shallow water
Wonder Wall, outer Upolu Reef — reef snorkelling
Guided adventure drift snorkel tour
Glass bottom boat tour — reef talk
Introductory or certified scuba dive — optional

Cairns Premier Ocean Freedom Cruise to Upolu Cay Reef & Outer Edge Upolu Reef

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Your day begins at 8am in Cairns aboard Ocean Freedom, a 20 metre motor catamaran that carries no more than 75 guests although she is built for 105. Danish pastries and fresh fruit are waiting when you board, with tea and coffee all day. It's just over an hour to the reef, time for a second coffee before you pull on the snorkel gear and lycra or wetsuit the crew provides. The Great Barrier Reef stretches about 2,300 km along the Queensland coast and has been World Heritage-listed since 1981.

UPOLU CAY: SHALLOW WATER AND SAND

The first site is Upolu Cay, a small sand cay sitting on top of Upolu Reef, ringed by clear, shallow water. It's ideal for first-time snorkellers, with coral gardens a few metres below you and the crew in the water to help. Hop on the glass bottom boat with a Master Reef Guide or marine interpreter for a reef talk, and watch for green turtles, which graze on the seagrass and algae around cays like this. Prefer to go deeper? An introductory dive, at two divers to each instructor, or a guided certified dive costs extra.

MIDDAY: THE WONDER WALL

Only ten minutes away is the Wonder Wall on the outer edge of Upolu Reef, where the reef drops away to deeper, bluer water. Join the guided adventure drift snorkel, letting the current carry you gently along the coral while the crew points out what lives there. Corals are colonies of tiny animals called polyps, and the colours you see come from the algae living inside them. With six hours on the reef in all, lunch is unhurried: a smorgasbord with prawns and smoked salmon, then time to swim again or simply lie in the sun.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

As the boat heads home, fruit, cheese and cake platters come out, and you can trade stories about what you saw. Ocean Freedom is back in Cairns at 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: 8am from Cairns.
Finishes: 5pm back in Cairns.
Suits: All ages.
Fitness: You must be mobile and stable enough to move around a moving vessel, get into and out of the water by a step ladder, and transfer between the main vessel and the tender. Report any medical issues to the skipper.

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)
Glass bottom boat tour with a Master Reef Guide or marine interpreter
Guided adventure drift snorkel tour
Snorkelling tuition and in-water assistance as required
Danish pastries and fresh fruit on boarding
Smorgasbord lunch including prawns and smoked salmon
Fruit, cheese and cake platters on the journey home
Tea and coffee throughout the day

Not included

Reef levy — $20 per person, paid at check-in (environmental management charge, 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.