
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
Stunning Sandy Cay Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour!
Duration: Full Day Tour
Departs: 8.30am Cairns Marina
Returns: 5.00pm Cairns Marina


Exploring the Great Barrier Reef from Michaelmas Cay 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, replete with powder white beaches, stunning coral gardens, sea turtles and giant clams !
This cruise offers you a wide range of activities including snorkelling, introductory scuba diving (no licence required), semi-submersible coral viewing, guided coral cay tours not to mention bein able to experience the majestey of a homeward sail back into Cairns at the end the day. The 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 sights 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,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 might also like to try the optional Introductory Diving. 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 offers 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 perhaps like to feel sand ‘under foot’ during their first ever snorkeling experience, for families with small children who would enjoy frolicking on the beach whilst more adventurous family members choose to take the plunge and explore the snorkelling or take the option to participate in an Introductory Dive. The sandy lagoon is wind protected during all weathers and the coral is within easy reach from the beach.
Book Online now today to take advantage of our Current Special Online Rates!
This Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour gathers us connsistent, excellent feedback from passengers and comes highly recommended by the staff at Cairns Visitor Centre!
- Four full hours on the Reef at fabulous Michaelmas Cay
- Morning refreshments
- Superb hot & cold tropical buffet lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Snorkelling demonstrations and tuition
- Quality snorkelling equipment including floataation vests
- Informative ecological presentations
- Guided Semi-Submersible Coral Viewing tours
- Guided nature tour of the Cay & Bird Sanctuary
- Luxury Catamaran with spacious decks & indoor seating
Rates - Valid 01 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023
- Adult AU$235.00 includes Government Reef Tax
- Child (4 - 14 years of age) AU$124.00 includes Government Reef Tax
- Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$601.00 includes Government Reef Tax
Please Note Infants aged under 4 years of age travel Free of Charge
*** This tour currently operates 5 Days each week on the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday each week ***
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 2022 to 31 Mar 2023
- Introductory Dive - Includes Full Gear Hire & Instruction AU$142.00 per person (includes full gear hire, instruction & dive guide)
- Adult - Includes Lycra Suit & Instruction AU$72.00
- Child - Includes Lycra Suit & Instruction (4 - 14 years of age) AU$38.00
- Family Package - Includes Lycra Suits & Instruction (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$182.00
- Adult AU$29.00 per person return
- Child AU$19.00 per person return
- Adult AU$36.00 per person return
- Child AU$20.00 per person return
- 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 including asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart & lung disease (but not limited to), medications and age 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.