Southern Reef Cruise
AUSTRALIAN CRUISING
The ultimate Great Barrier Reef discovery, these short cruise tours take you to enchanting tropical islands, ancient rainforests, deserted white sandy beaches and the most amazing and colourful coral gardens you will ever see.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Great Barrier Reef
- Cruise the Hinchinbrook Channel
- Explore native wildlife in Dunk Island Rainforest
Your Itinerary
Day 1 : Cairns and Thetford Reef
Board your ship in Cairns at 10.30 and depart to an exclusive Great Barrier Reef mooring at Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay. Take a glass bottom boat trip, watch the marine biologist hand feed the fish and snorkel over the colourful coral gardens and amongst the 1500 species of fish that live here.
Day 2 : Hinchinbrook Channel & Island
This morning cruise the Hinchinbrook Channel one of the area’s most diverse marine environments. Watch for crocodiles, dolphins, turtles and dugongs which feed on the plentiful sea grasses. Spend the afternoon discovering the private tropical paradise of Pelorus Island. Enjoy a gourmet beach BBQ and explore the island’s rainforest on a guided nature walk. The fringing reef offers fantastic snorkelling, including a giant clam garden. See colourful corals from the glass bottom boat or join an instructor on a guided SCUBA dive, or simply relax on the beach.
Day 3 : Dunk Island Rainforest and Nathan Reef
Join naturalist guides on a rainforest walk discovering Dunk Island’s unique flora and fauna. Watch for the Blue-Winged Ulysses Butterfly and up to 100 species of native birds. After lunch discover Nathan Reef’s colourful coral gardens. For the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany the dive instructor on a SCUBA dive. Relax on the sun deck before your farewell dinner and a final night on the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 4 : Fitzroy Island and Cairns
Travel ashore to explore Fitzroy Island; surrounded by a reef it offers wonderful bush walking and idyllic white sandy beaches. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise back into Cairns for a 13.30 arrival.