Ocean Spirit 1 - Michaelmas Cay - Island Day Tour

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Spirit Cruises will offer you one of the most memorable days of your life! Set sail aboard a luxurious catamaran and visit a natural and pristine sand cay, which is Michaelmas Cay on Michaelmas Reef!

The Michaelmas Cay Cruise offers a wide range of activities including snorkelling, introductory scuba diving (no licence required), semi-submersible coral viewing, guided coral cay tours not to mention being able to experience the majesty of a homeward sail back into Cairns at the end your day.  Michaelmas Cay itself is a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. Michaelmas Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to 27,000 migratory seabirds; one of the most important nesting sites in the Southern hemisphere, an absolute haven for any nature lover.

This is an excellent tour choice for those who love to be pampered, your day will include a trip to the reef aboard a luxurious and well appointed sailing vessel with wide open deck spaces, the opportunity to visit a natural and pristine location on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, a delicious Hot and Cold Buffet luncheon of freshly prepared local and exotic produce including seafood, snorkel tours with friendly and professional crew, guided Semi-Submersible tours with full commentary, as well as 4 hours free time enjoying and exploring the pristine sandy white and turquoise blue panorama of Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef.

You will also have the option to participate in Diving should you choose. Introductory Scuba diving is definitely more challenging than snorkelling, guaranteed, but it’s not so difficult that you cannot learn it. To enjoy the thrills of scuba diving on the Reef, you needn’t be a diving expert, a strong swimmer, a seasoned sportsman or even a person of high physical fitness. You just need to learn to use the diving gear and the basic skills of diving. The only requirements are that you are over 12 years of age and that you pass the on-board medical questionnaire and participate in a 30-minute briefing. Due to the shallow reef location, Introductory Diving is a nice, easy experience for those who have always wanted to 'try' diving!

This excursion is highly recommended as a perfect starting point for the very nervous snorkeller who would like to feel sand ‘under foot’ during their first ever snorkelling experience, for families with younger children who would enjoy frolicking on the beach whilst more adventurous family members choose to take the plunge and explore snorkelling or the option to participate in an Introductory Dive. The location is simply stunning and will suit nature lovers who prefer to visit a completely natural environment without the resorts, shops, bars, restaurants and of course, crowds, that other more 'developed' cays and islands along the coast tend to offer. 

At the end of a magical day, make your way home from the Great Barrier Reef to Cairns under sail!  Arrive into Cairns at approximately 5.00pm in the afternoon. 

• Four full hours on the Reef at majestic Michaelmas Cay
• Morning refreshments
• Superb hot and cold buffet lunch (includes seafood)
• Afternoon tea
• Snorkelling demonstrations & tuition
• Snorkelling equipment
• Use of flotation vests
• Informative ecological presentations by vessel's qualified Marine Biologist
• Semi-submersible submarine tours with commentary
• Free guided bird tours of the cay
• Live musical entertainment on homeward sail
• A complimentary glass of champagne

Rates - Valid 01 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2025

• Adult AU$264.00 includes Government Reef Tax
• Child (4 - 14 years of age) AU$138.00 includes Government Reef Tax
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age)  AU$674.00 includes Government Reef Tax

Please Note Infants aged under 4 years of age travel Free of Charge

Important Booking Notes:
On making a reservation please use Comments Box in Booking Form to advise us if you require return coach transfers from Cairns City or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation or prefer to make own way to Cairns to the Marlin Marina & Reef Fleet Terminal to self check-in.

Please also advise of any Optional Activities if required .e.g. Introductory Diving or Guided Snorkel Tours. Special dietary requirements catered for on request
Introductory Diving - Includes Full Gear Hire & Instuction & GuideRates - Valid 01 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025

• Introductory Dive - Includes Full Gear Hire & Instruction AU$160.00 per person (includes full gear hire, instruction & dive guide)

Guided Snorkel Safari - Includes Lycra Snorkel Suit, Instruction  & GuideRates - Valid 01 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025

• Adult - Includes Lycra Suit & Instruction AU$80.00
• Child - Includes Lycra Suit & Instruction (4 - 14 years of age) AU$42.00
• Family Package - Includes Lycra Suits & Instruction  (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age)  AU$206.00

Coach Transfers - From Cairns City Accommodation (Return)Rates - Valid 01 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025

• Adult AU$34.00 per person return
• Child AU$21.00 per person return
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$110.00 

Coach Transfers - From Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation (Return)Rates - Valid 01 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025

• Adult AU$41.00 per person return
• Child  AU$23.00 per person return
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$128.00 

Optional Extras - Purchase Onboard

• Drinks from the fully licensed bar
• A range of quality souvenirs and merchandise
• Sunscreen lotions & underwater cameras
• Hire of wetsuits & stinger suits
• On board video & photographs

Diving Terms & Conditions
The minimum age for Introductory Scuba Diving is 12 years. Certain medical conditions, medications and height restrictions may preclude some people from participating in optional in-water activities. For further advice, please contact our office. After a single dive a wait of 12 hours is recommended before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater. If doing multiple dives an interval of 24 hours is suggested.