Port Douglas Snorkelling Tours
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Cairns Ballooning Tour & Quicksilver Cruises Outer Barrier Reef Tour
Duration: Day Tour
Departs: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches & Port Douglas
Returns: Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches & Port Douglas
Your balloon gently floats above the tips of blue gums and paper bark trees, with the wide open spaces of the Tablelands below with fantastic 360 degree views. Your Hot Air pilot is very experience and trained to Australia's highest standards, enjoy the freedom of balloon flying while he looks after your safe and gentle ride. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and some of our unique local wildlife as you go. Binoculars are on board to capture sightings of local birdlife too. Come back to earth gently then continue the fun by helping us pack up.
After ballooning you will be transferred to Port Douglas to enjoy your Outer Barrier Reef experience with Quicksilver Cruises. Quicksilver's friendly crew will take you to the very edge of Australia's Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and life. Floating like an island in a coral sea, the modern platforms provide the ultimate in facilities, with easy access to reef viewing and plenty of space for relaxation in all types of weather conditions.
The coral gardens in the Agincourt reef lagoon offer the finest areas for snorkelling. Scuba diving on Agincourt is amongst the best in the world. The ribbon reef systems north of Port Douglas are renowned for their excellent water clarity and exquisite coral formations.
Only Quicksilver takes you to a floating activity platform at Agincourt Ribbon Reef on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef. With Quicksilver you can choose to stay dry and explore the stunning reef world from the comfort of a Quicksilver semi-submersible, just one metre underwater. Or watch the fish feeding from the unique viewing platform and underwater observatory.
At the end of the day, you will be transferred from the Marina Mirage in Port Douglas back to Cairns or Cairns’ Northern Beaches’ accommodation.
05.00am - 5.30am approx
Pick-up at hotel by a Hot Air Cairns coach for your special package tour, one hour transfer, pickup times confirmed on booking.
Sunrise
Experience the fun & unique sensation of hot air ballooning in the Cairns Highlands (previously called the Atherton Tablelands). Enjoy the picturesque landscape at sunrise, enjoy 30 minutes flying time. Breathe in the wide-open spaces! We have Australia’s largest fleet of balloons and a fun and highly trained crew to maximise the fun of your morning.
08.00 am
Return and Landing, balloon pack-up games and lots of laughs.
9.00am - 9.15am
Transfer to Marina Mirage Port Douglas and check-in with Queicksilver Cruises. Enjoy free time prior to departing to the Great Barrier Reef. You have the option to enjoy breakfast at one of the Marina's cafes & eateries prior to boarding the Quicksilver's Wavepiercer Catamaran (the fastest and smoothest ride to the reef) for your cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. Complimentary Tea & Coffee available prior to departure.
11.30 pm
Arrive at Agincourt Reef Pontoon for 3 & 1/2 hours to enjoy the Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkelling Equipment + Semi Submersible is included with this special package tour. A Hot & Cold tropical smorgasbord lunch is also included.
03.00 pm
Your Port Douglas tour is almost over, at this time as Quicksilver Cruises departs the Outer Reef Pontoon for the cruise back to Port Douglas.
04.30 pm
Arrive at Marina Mirage Port Douglas for your Quicksilver Cruises Luxury Coach transfers from Marina Mirage in Port Douglas back to Port Douglas, Cairns or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation. Cairns Guests to arrive in Cairns at approximately 6.00pm / 6.30pm, Cairns Northern Beaches Guests to arrive at accommodation from 5.30pm / 6.00pm and Port Douglas Guests to arrive at accommodation from 5.00pm
Please Note: All times are an approximate guide only and are subject to change
- Return coach transfers from Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches or Port Douglas accommodation
- Spectacular 30 min Hot Air balloon ride
- Expert interpretive commentary
- Cross Country Balloon Chase
- Free Commemorative Balloon Flight Certificate
- Luxury Wavepiercer cruise to Outer Barrier Reef with Quicksilver Cruises
- Hot & Cold Tropical Smorgasbord Lunch including prawns, hot buffet selection, cold meats, salads & seasonal fruits
- Snorkelling Equipment including bouyancy vests
- Underwater Observatory
- Coral Viewing by Semi Submersible Submarine with full commentary
- Adult AU$540.00 + AU$30.00 per person Ballooning Insurance Levy + AU$6.50 per person Includes Government Reef Tax amount
- Child (4 - 14 years of age ) AU$381.00+ AU$30.00 per person Ballooning Insurance Levy Includes Government Reef Tax amount
Important Booking Notes Ballooning Insurance Levy amount is payable to Ballooning Operator prior to ballooning tour on morning of departure and Government Reef Tax amount is payable to Reef Operator on check-in at check-in counter prior to departure.
On making a reservation, please use Comments Box to advise if wanting to travel from Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches or Port Douglas. Please also indicate if any optional activies onboard Great Barrier Reef tour are required.
- Adult AU$600.00 + AU$30.00 per person Compulsory Ballooning Levy Includes Government Reef Tax amount
- Child (4 - 14 years of age) AU$451.00 + AU$30.00 per person Compulsory Ballooning Levy Includes Government Reef Tax amount
Important Booking Notes Ballooning Insurance Levy amount is payable to Ballooning Operator prior to ballooning tour on morning of departure and Government Reef Tax amount is payable to Reef Operator on check-in at check-in counter prior to departure.
On making a reservation, please use Comments Box to advise if wanting to travel from Cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches or Port Douglas. Please also indicate if any optional activies onboard Great Barrier Reef tour are required.
If you have never dived before and would like to experience the magic of SCUBA, Quicksilver offers introductory dives with a highly qualified dive instructor. The only requirements are that you are aged 12 years and over and pass an onboard medical questionnaire and participate in a 30 minute dive brief!
- 1 Introductory Dive (All equipment provided) AU$190.00
Scuba Diving right at the edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf is simply spectacular. At these unique Ribbon Reefs, visibility is excellent and the variety of marine life is exceptional!
- 1 Certified Dive (All equipment provided) AU$136.00
- 2 Certified Dives (All equipment provided) AU$196.00
Marine Biologists will introduce you to a new and exciting world during guided snorkel tours. You will be part of a small group, guided by experienced marine biologists who can revel so much more about the magnificent marine life of this fragile reef ecosystem. Some snorkelling experience is recommended in participating.
- Adult AU$72.00
- Child (4 -14 years of age) AU$38.00
- Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$182.00
- Adult AU$90.00
- Child (4 -14 years of age) AU$45.00
- Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$225.00
A unique and fun experience, see the reef from up close during a Helmet ‘Dive’. Breath fresh air delivered from the surface into your helmet, you will walk under water on a reef platform, you can even wear your glasses if you wish! Oceanwalker is suitable for non-swimmers and person aged 12 years and over! After a short brefing and subject to medical conditions, you will find yourself amongst amazingly bright fish and corals!
- AU$188.00 per person (must be pre-booked)
For a different and spectacular perspective of the jewel like Ribbon Reefs, a 10 minute helicopter flight is available from the pontoon moored at Agincourt Reef
- 10 minute Reef Scenic Flight (from Pontoon) AU$199.00
- Dress casual outdoor layered clothing (warmer clothing including a light jacket or pullover recommended for winter months April to September)
- White clothing not recommended due to bush environment & red soil (Ballooning Tour)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera
- Beach towels, swimwear, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and additional spending money for snacks, drinks & souvenirs (Reef Tour
- Change of clothing for trip home onboard coach
Tour Conditions
- All times are an indication only, please note that times do change summer/winter/spring, exact start times given on receipt of your full booking details
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General Mobility -: It is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and company requirement that passengers must be able to climb into the basket unaided, so that in the event of an emergency passengers are also able to climb out of the basket unaided.
Medical Conditions: Passengers with medical conditions should check their suitability to fly prior to booking - The Operator recommends that pregnant persons do not fly in a hot air balloon
- The Operator will not carry passengers who have participated in a scuba dive the day before their balloon flight
- 100% charge applies if passengers fail to fly on the morning booked - 24 hours notice is required for changes.