Port Douglas Travel Forum

We are travelling to Port Douglas the first week of September for one week, we would like to go on a Great Barrier Reef Cruise but would prefer to stay away from Quicksilver cruises, who, I believe are fab, but are usually overloaded with tourists and can be expensive. Can anyone recommend another cruise (with snorkelling)with a good crew who can teach us about the Reef? Thanks a lot Kaz (Manchester, UK)

Hello. I will be on the Coral Princess for several nights out of Cairns next week and will be writing tips and travelogues about it (and my entire Australia journey) when I complete this trip. Just a FYI if you are interested.

Ann, The Travel Slut

I always highly recommend the Quicksilver trip, this is a day trip only.
Yes, they can be full at this time of year but the boats you go out on are very spacious and also once you are at the reef on the pontoon there is lots of space to sit in the sun, or at a table under the shade.
I really think the price of the trip is worth the experience.
Cheers
Anne....

We have had experience on Quicksilver, Wavelength and one other smaller boat which I can't remember the name of :-)

I would totally recommend that you go out with Wavelength - a smaller boat than the Quicksilver giants, and much more flexibility about where they will take you. They will decide on the day, considering wind and weather conditions where you will have the best experience. Qualified marine biologist on board will talk you through the reef environment. Also a 'snorkeller only' boat, so you don't have to wait for the divers to gear up and get into the water first - wasting time! Any trip out to the outer reef will be pricey, as it is quite a distance away from the mainland - about $160/170 for the day I think, but really worth it!

If you are looking for somewhere special to stay in an apartment in P.D. - we like Omkara - with a private pool and lovely furnishings it is a treat!Do a google search if you are interested!

Just had a quick look on the websites, wow they are pricey aren't they, suppose it will be worth it though. Thanks for your advice everyone. Just a bit scary travelling to such a large country, having only been on the usual package holidays to Cyprus, Canary Islands etc before. Again - thank you! Kaz

Hi Kaz, yes it is a pricey trip out to the reef, but from memory the smaller boats take a couple of hours to get there, move to two or three snorkelling sites and then a couple of hours back to port, so it is a big day. First time we did it we were on a tight budget, but splashed out on a trip and loved it so much we found the money to go out again!Have a look at the operators, but we did prefer the smaller Wavelength for quality of experience - we are not 'big group' people! Cheers, Liz

if you can get out to low isles...another not very well known trip out to a beautiful cay
what a great outing!