Local

The Great Barrier Reef offers spectacular cruising, an endless selection of pristine islands and unforgettable diving and fishing, all in close proximity to world class marinas, vibrant and cosmopolitan cities and superyacht repair centres.

Cairns is the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef with countless unique and idyllic locations accessible by superyacht.

Islands / reefs within 1-6 hours cruising from Cairns:

  • Green Island
  • Fitzroy Island
  • Double Island
  • Frankland Islands
  • Dunk Island
  • Bedarra Island

Islands / Reefs within 6-8 hours cruising from Cairns:

  • South to Hichinbrook Island
  • East and North to the Ribbon Reefs

Islands / Reefs within 12-14 hours cruising from Cairns:

  • North to Lizard Island
  • North to Cod Hole

Itinerary 1: Cairns to Lizard Island

Itinerary 2: Lizard Island to the Tip of Australia (Cape York and Thursday Island)

Itinerary 3: Townsville to Cairns

Itinerary 1

Great Barrier Reef – Enter one of the Wonders of the World

Depart: Cairns
Completion : Lizard Island
Duration : 7 days
Knots : average 10 knots

Day 1

Cairns to North Opal via Upolo Cay, Green Island, Norman Reef

Shimmering crystal-like coral cay appears as though a mirage as the boat passes World Heritage Reef. A glass of champagne on the soft shores of Upolu Cay before visiting the impressive Quicksilver pontoon for an afternoon scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
Activities available at North Opal and surrounding reef include:

  • Fishing big game, light and heavy tackle, spear, line
  • Diving
• Snorkelling
  • Visit award winning pontoon with associated activities including
  • Helicopter scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
  • Sea plane scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef

Day 2

North Opal to North Escape Reef

Step up the action with an adventure deep sea fishing expedition. Take the picture to prove the tales of the one that almost got away. For those with a yearning for calm, take to the turquoise waters on a paddle ski and float with turtles and manta rays for an experience to remember.
Game fishing boat charter to accompany main boat for deep sea fishing adventure expedition ( local adventure fishing guides available )

  • Paddle skis
  • Kayaking
  • All activities from day 1 are available minus the pontoon, helicopter and seaplane.

Day 3

Options:

  • North Escape to No 7 Ribbon Reef
  • North Escape Reef to Cooktown
  • North Escape Reef to No 3 Ribbon Reef
  • Choose one of two impeccable dive sites or cruise to historical Cooktown offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Australia with spectacular vistas of a truly unique and inspiring landscape.
  • Superb diving, snorkelling and coral viewing from non motorised vessels available at No 7 and No 3 Ribbon Reefs.
  • Game fishing, trolling or line fishing
  • Historical / Cultural tour by local guide Cooktown

Day 4

Previous days departure point to No Name Reef ñVia dive sites at No 7, No 9, No 10 and Cormorant Pass.

Witness the world renowned Cod Hole, spectacular reef drop offs and a marine life so alive, it will leave you breathless.

  • Superb diving, snorkelling and coral viewing from non motorised vessels
  • Diving and fish feeding with Giant Cod
  • Drift diving in Cormorant Pass

Day 5/6 & 7

Options:

  • Steam to Osprey Reef and experience diving in the pristine waters of the Coral Sea .
  • Steam to Lizard Island and enjoy the activities the Island has to offer.
  • Choose from world class diving sites of the Coral Sea or succumb to tropical decadence at the exclusive Lizard Island Resort.

Osprey Reef lies some 75 nautical miles east of the Great Barrier Reef. The waters surrounding Osprey are deep, clean and clear. Osprey is an isolated large section of reef approximately 21 miles long. One of a chain of reef lagoon areas located in the Coral Sea.

Lizard Island , one of a kind is a work of natureís art.

Located right on the Great Barrier Reef. It is a private paradise with 24 powdery white beaches meeting clear calm waters with an abundance of excellent dive sites and diverse and rich marine life.
The Island features a 5 star resort airport facility ( for light ñ medium air craft), spectacular walking tracks with breathtaking vistas, a Marine Research Station, the Blue Lagoon, bird and turtle nesting Islands.

Lizard Island has its own shore based water sports facility, well-equipped diving facility including dive boats, game fishing charter boats and many other varieties of water sports equipment for hire.

Itinerary 2

Lizard Island to the tip of Australia (Cape York & Thursday Island)

Depart : Cairns
Completion : Thursday Island
Duration : 14 days
Knots : average 10 knots

Day 1-3

Cairns – Lizard Island

Depart Cairns for your unforgettable scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef landing at the award winning Lizard Island Resort
Soak up the exclusive and spectacular Lizard Island in any way you like:

  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Outer reef
• Island walks
  • Remote, private beach lagoons
  • Snorkelling
  • Spa faculties
  • Water sports
  • Swimming etc

Day 3-Day 5

Lizard Island Stokes Bay / Bathurst Head / Princess Charlotte Bay

Leaving Lizard Island followed by a gourmet lunch on a remote sand cay, we prepare to enter another world. A truly unique glimpse of sacred Aboriginal Australian culture and the awe-inspiring Australian outback. We enter the gateway to one of the world’s most rugged landscapes. Breathe the Australian wilderness and marvel at the expansive night skies, take the adventure you knew you were born for.

  • Exploring Flinders and Stanley Group of Islands
  • Visiting Aboriginal Cave paintings
  • Meet Aboriginal traditional owners and hear the dream time stories
  • Remote beaches
  • Reef fishing and crabbing, barramundi, light tackle, adventure fishing, trolling,
  • Crocodile spotting
  • Hiking
  • Rock climbing
  • Horse riding
  • 4WD safari adventures
  • Light aircraft scenic flights
  • Motor bike riding
  • Feral pig shooting
  • Outback cattle mustering

Day 5

Depart Charlotte Bay

Cruise through the seldom visited Lowray Passage to enjoy adventures on remote, uninhabited island groups.
Options

  • Steam from Princess Charlotte Bay to Portland Rhodes (10 hours)
  • Steam from Princess Charlotte Bay through Lowry Passage travel outside the reef to bottom of Tijiou Reef

Tijiou Reef offers:

  • Excellent anchorage
  • Swimming
  • Snorkelling
  • Diving
  • Fishing

Day 6-7

Tijiou Reef Sir James Hardy Group or Forbes Islands

Continue succulent island adventures and tropical decadence throughout this remote, breathtaking island group.

Day 8 – 9

Forbes Island to Margaret Bay anchorage

Explore the pristine, remote beaches and adjoining islands or embark on a shooting adventure for those more adventurous.
Night 9
Steam to Albany Passage (9 hour steam)

Day 10 – 11

Cape York

Stand on the edge of one of the worlds oldest continents and feel the ancient landscape breathe
4WD trip from Somerset Homestead historical site to the Tip of Cape York

Visit Bamaga, Punsand Bay and Cape York
Be escorted by an Aboriginal Australian guide and hear the sacred stories from one who knows

Day 11

Albany Passage to Thursday Island.
With majestic blue waters, sacred landscape and inspiring vistas we traverse the waters of the Torres Strait
Steam to Thursday Island

Day 12 – 13

Thursday Island

Experience the strong and proud culture of the Torres Strait Islands, inhale the pure air and sacred sights
Guided tour including:

  • Historic sites
  • Pearl diving history
  • Maritime sea trade history

Day 14

Depart Horn Island arrive Cairns
A truly unforgettable scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef will return you to Cairns

Itinerary 3

Townsville to Cairns via islands and Great Barrier Reef

Depart : Townsville
Completion : Cairns
Duration : 5 days
Knots : average 10 knots

Day 1

Depart Townsville cruising north between Rattlesnake and Herald Islands. Indulge in a gourmet lunch on anchor before travelling further north through the Palm Island Group visiting the stunning Orpheus Island Resort.

Day 2

Hinchinbrook

Choose between visiting exceptional Moore Reef for diving adventures or Anchor in the stunning Hitchinbrook Island group with amazing marine life including the much loved dugong

Options

  • Visit the reef over-night behind Moore Reef for snorkelling, diving, fishing adventures
  • Travel north to cruise behind Hitchinbrook Island stopping over night at Cape Richards Resort or anchorage in
 Hinchinbrook Channel. Access Oyster Point Marina and visit Cardwell.

Day 3 – 4

Hinchinbrook to Dunk Island and Resort

Relax at the exclusive Bedarra Island Resort or anchor at beautiful Mourilyan, this region has something for everyone

Day 5

Mourilyan Harbour to Cairns

Visiting the award winning Frankland Islands and the environmentally significant bird sanctuary Barnard Islands on the way to the tropical cosmopolitan city of Cairns.