
Port Douglas Snorkelling Tours
Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Dive & Snorkel Excursions
Great Barrier Reef Cod Hole, Northern Reef & Coral Sea Live Aboard Tours
Great Barrier Reef Overnight Sailing Tours
Great Barrier Reef Island Day Tours
Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts
Daintree & Cape Tribulation Day Tours
Daintree & Cape Tribulation Rainforest Overnight Tours
Seastar - Michaelmas Cay & Hastings Reef Tour
Duration: Day Cruise
Departs: Cairns Daily 8.00am
Returns: Cairns Daily 4.00pm / 4.30pm


The Cruise
Michaelmas Cay is on the Great Barrier Reef is not only world renowned for its thousands of nesting sea birds but also for its myriad of coloured reef fish, giant clams and colourful corals that grow right up to the shore of the cay itself.
From the cay's edge you can walk out into the shallow, protected waters of the cay; adjust your mask, fins and begin to snorkel! Your Seastar cruise includes wetsuits to keep you warm and floatation vests to help you swim. You do not have to swim far as the coral begins only a few metres from the water’s edge.
Introductory Scuba Divers will find that Michaelmas Cay is an excellent location to try their first dive; the shallow waters are not as intimidating for those unaccustomed to diving and with the assistance of the vessel's friendly, professional Dive Instructors, Introductory Divers will be guided to interesting corals, clams and marine life!
Certified Divers, you will feel at ease as patient, professional staff guide you. For the more experienced Certified Divers, there are a variety of dive locations. With the beach, reef and corals being so easily accessible, Michaelmas Cay truly is the perfect location to practice your snorkelling and diving before heading out to the more adventurous 'outer edges' at Hastings Reef. While travelling over to Hastings Reef you will often see dolphins, turtles and whales during their migration.
On arrival at Hastings Reef you will arrive at 'Seastar Lagoon' in the 'Fish Bowl', one of the best parts of Hastings Reef right on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef! Hastings Reef is a very different reef to that of Michaelmas Reef and Cay. Typically of Outer Edge reefs; the reef rises steeply from the deep water ocean floor, such that the front the bow of the Seastar floats in 20 metres of water, while at the back, the stern of the boat hangs just off the reef's edge in 3 metres of water.
After practicing and familiarizing yourself with the snorkelling and diving at Michaelmas Cay you are now ready to experience the true wonders of this magnificent reef. There are coral caves, coral overhangs, deep water drop offs, coral canyons, swim throughs and shallow coral bays that are located only metres from the side of the vessel. Along the steep edges of the reef, there are swirling schools of small fish, colourful parrot fish, turtles, giant clams, small reef sharks, bright yellow butterfly fish, pairs of rabbit fish, countless varieties of brightly coloured damsel fish and of course, Nemo or Clown Fish!
The snorkelling area at Hastings Reef has a depth of water over the top of the reef that may be only one metre but at the bottom of the drop off on the reef's edge; the depth falls away up to 10 metres. Having already snorkeled in the shallow waters of Michaelmas Cay, you will have gained the experience to tackle this spectacular reef!.
If you are still not yet quite comfortable snorkelling or would simply like to learn more about the reef and its inhabitants, you can join in on the vessel’s guided snorkelling tours. Guided snorkelling tours offer passengers the perfect opportunity to safely snorkel under the crew's watchful supervision!
Scuba Divers, this is your reef! Certified Divers, take your time to enjoy exploring all that this reef has to offer. Dive through swim throughs, search the coral caves and interact with friendly fish. Wally the Giant Maori Wrasse might follow you around like a playful puppy, as he loves attention!
Introductory Divers, if you enjoyed your first dive at Michaelmas Cay, you will find that the experience gained during your initial dive will assist you to fully enjoy your second dive at Hastings Reef. With a Dive Instructor by your side; you will be guided to the easily visited and more interesting areas of this truly amazing reef.
With over 5 hours at the reef you are able to enjoy up to 3 Certified or 3 Introductory Dives as well as enjoying time to Snorkel in between if you wish.
On departing Hastings reef, afternoon tea is served; take the time to relax up on deck, as you make the short journey home, arriving back into Cairns between 4.00pm and 4.30pm
Join in on a guided Glass Bottom Boat tour on the ‘Superviewer’ with full commentary to help you learn about the reef whilst staying dry.
- All snorkelling and dive equipment
- Delicious lunch including Hot and Cold buffet selection including Hot and Cold dishes, Salad Selection & Fresh Tropical Fruits
- Marine snorkel and dive briefings
- Friendly professional crew
- Large fast, comfortable catamaran with comfortable saloon and dining area
- Crew assisted guided snorkelling tours
- Buoyancy Vests, Floatation Devices, Wetsuit Hire, Lycra Stinger Suit & Optical Masks
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour
- Two spectacular Outer Barrier Reef locations each day, Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef
- Adult AU$240.00 per person includes Government Reef Tax and Port Charge
- Child AU$160.00 (aged 4 - 14 years of age) per person includes Government Reef Tax and Port Charge
- Trip + 1 Introductory Dive AU$295.00 per person includes Government Reef Tax and Port Charge
- Trip + 1 Certified Dive AU$295.00 per person includes Government Reef Tax and Port Charge
- Trip + 2 Certified Dives AU$340.00 per person includes Government Reef Tax and Port Charge
Important Booking Notes On making a reservation please indicate in 'Comments Box' on 'Booking Form' if any Optional Activities are required e.g. Introductory Diving or Certified Diving (please indicate number of participants, type of diving and number of required dives),and / or any other requirements that you may have regarding your booking, such as optional return coach transfers from accommodation and special dietary requirements
- From Cairns City Accommodation $18.00 per person return
- From Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation $25.00 per person return
- Soft drinks, beer, wine etc.
- Souvenirs
- Underwater camera hire
Important Information for Diving & Snorkelling
Each diver is required by law to complete a statutory medical declaration form before partaking in any in-water activities. Diving is available to Introductory Divers on successful completion of a Dive Medical Questionnaire. Some medical conditions or medications may prevent you from scuba diving unless a current Queensland Diving Medical Certificate can be shown to the Dive Instructor. For example: heart disease, asthma, epilepsy or diabetes can preclude safe diving. Please contact us prior to travel should you have any concerns.
It is also recommended that the diver does not fly within 24 hours of the last dive.
Certified Divers should bring Dive Certification Card or Divers Logbook as proof of certification.
Please be aware that snorkelling may be a strenuous activity, any existing medical conditions should be considered prior to snorkelling.