You are here:
Cairns Tours >Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charters
Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charters
Our Principal, Gaile McLean, has been coordinating and organizing Private Yacht Charters and Private Game Fishing Charters from Cairns and Port Douglas for the last 20 years. Prior to joining our organization, Gaile was the director of Exclusive Yacht Charters Australia and VIP Fishing & Game Boat Services, the latter which has since been sold and Exclusive Yacht Charters Australia which has now been incorporated into the Cairns Visitor Centre, based in Cairns, North Queensland, Australia. As the managing director of our Yacht Charter division, Gaile Mclean brings a wealth of local knowledge with over 35 years of experience in the combined tourism and travel industry in Cairns, Port Douglas and Australia.
Private Yacht Charter and Game Fishing Charters require specialized attention and it is Gaile's aim to provide her clients with the utmost in personal attention to detail and development that personalized Yacht Charter and private Game Fishing excursions require. Her unrivaled knowledge of boating holidays and destinations in the Australia Pacific Region enables her to produce tailor made itineraries to suit, with unparalleled levels of service and luxury, catering to your every need and desire... creating the perfect ‘Yachting Holiday’.
A Cruise through the island studded cobalt blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea offers an experience that will see you partake in a place of unbelievable beauty; flanked on one side by the mainland with its rainforest covered mountains while on the other, The Great Barrier Reef, a string of turquoise gems that decorate the Eastern Seaboard of Queensland. Whichever direction you choose, we will show you deserted coral cays, spectacularly beautiful palm fringed islands and the magnificent marine gardens of our wondrous Great Barrier Reef. Here you will enjoy balmy tropical days, intimate tropical nights and with outstanding opportunities to participate in diving, snorkeling and fishing.
As Private Yacht Charters do not run around a ‘fixed’ timetable on chartering a Private Yacht your itinerary can be self determined around your interests and wishes (though of course weather conditions and the amount of time that you choose to charter the vessel will also play a part in determining a vessel’s charter itinerary).
Sample Itinerary for a 7 Day Cruise
The following is only one of the many itineraries we can arrange for you. We would be happy to expand on any areas of this itinerary or answer any questions that you may have with regard to your prospective Yacht Charter. We have been coordinating and organizing Yacht Charters on the Great Barrier Reef for many years, particularly along the Northern Great Barrier Reef in the Lizard Island and remote Northern Great Barrier Reef locations and we have many satisfied clients that we have guided, allowing them to explore and enjoy the wonders of the Reef.
Day 1:
Depart Cairns and cruise past the picturesque Snapper Island and the mouth of the Daintree River. Enjoy the spectacular views of the world heritage rainforest clad mountains and the Great Barrier Reef as you familiarise yourself with your vessel. You can try your hand at trolling as we cruise to Mackay Sand Cay. It is a very pretty place with abundant bird life and the perfect place for an introductory snorkel or even an introductory scuba dive. At the end of the day you can relax and enjoy a drink while taking in the magnificent sun set behind the Alexander Range.
Day 2:
Cruise to the outer reef to see the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef at her best. We will spend the day snorkelling or diving. here there is a profusion of corals and hundreds of colourful reef fish for your underwater entertainment. Depending on weather conditions and level of comfort required we can anchor at many uninhabited islands or anchor behind the outer Barrier Reef which is extremely comfortable and puts the most fantastic reef in the world, a step off the transom. Tonight we can enjoy a BBQ of succulent freshly caught painted lobster or delicious reef fish served with fresh salads and fine Australian wines under the twinkling stars. There is no place on earth quite like it!
Day 3:
We head north along the famous Ribbon Reefs or alternatively do some island hopping - Hope Isles, Two Isles which are situated on the inner reef. The outer reef provides the best snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing but the inner islands provide a lovely place to stretch the legs, beautiful beach walks at sunset, fishing, crabbing and some very pleasant and relaxed snorkelling, swimming and sun bathing.
Day 4:
Would also be spent with either an outer reef or island destination
Day 5:
We cruise to Lizard Island, a stunning continental island. Lizard Island is referred to as the "Jewel of the Reef". Here we have an exclusive resort and more secluded beaches than you could visit in a week. There is a walk to the lookout that is highly recommended for its spectacular views of the reef, this is the same spot from which Captain James Cook, who discovered Australia, also viewed the scenery. Lizard Island has a variety of reefs fringing the island with such spectacular sights as the "clam gardens" - coral gardens full of amazingly coloured giant clams, some over a metre in length. There is quite a choice of activities, either snorkelling, scuba diving, beach walking and exploring the island. We can arrange picnics or beach Barbecues.
Day 6:
Two places which are a must when visiting Lizard Island are Mermaid Cove and Blue Lagoon, named for its amazing colour, is a sheltered lagoon area surrounded by white sandy beaches. The only life we find here are birds and the occasional monitor lizard (for which the island is named) who will happily inspect any morsels you care to share. Your own private paradise. No visit to the Ribbon Reefs and Lizard Island would be complete without a snorkel or dive at the Cod Hole, the world famous Potato Cod, up to 1,000lb each gather in this area and can be hand fed. It is truly an incredible feeling to swim with these huge, but harmless creatures.
Day 7:
Perhaps a relaxing morning on the beach, a swim and a snorkel before a sumptuous lunch and then get ready for spectacular flight over the Ribbon Reefs back to Cairns International Airport. What a great way to finish your trip.
Please Note:
Cruising up and flying back is only one option, many clients cruise both legs of the journey. A seven day cruise south of Cairns taking in the Great Barrier Reef, Sudbury Cay, the Frankland Islands Group and Dunk Island are also options for consideration.
"It doesn't matter which cruise you choose on the Great Barrier Reef, you will take the memory with you for a lifetime!"
Cairns and Port Douglas offer unquestionably some of the best Gamefishing opportunities in the world. Participate in Heavy Tackle or Light Tackle Game Fishing on one of our luxury Private Charter Gamefishing vessels and enjoy the ultimate excitement of Gamefishing.
Enjoy the sheer power of cruising on a Motor Yacht with generous staterooms, wide, stable decks, luxurious saloon and lounging areas; allowing longer times at anchor and the exciting experience of swift travel. Our selection of spacious, fast, and luxurious Motor Yachts will allow you to enjoy an exclusive and…
Enjoy the serenity and tranquility of participating in sailing on the Great Barrier Reef onboard a private Sailing Yacht Charter. Our selection of Sailing Yacht Charter vessels will allow you to be enchanted by the stunning array of natural, almost pristine beauty that can be enjoyed along the Great Barrier…