Cairns Travel Forum

We will be in Cairns for two full days in July. From reading this board it seems wise to wait till we get to cairns to book a reef trip. We also plan on taking the railway and skyrail. I have also read its best to go from Port Douglas for snorkling. I read a tip for "Wavelength" but it only has full day trips that visit 3 reefs and it costs about 200. It seems a bit much. Know of any 1/2 day trips for snorkling?

From Port Douglas-there a 3 hour trips to the reef -Calypso is the boat company.
There is no need to book from Cairns. You will not have a problem finding a half day trip from Port Douglas.
All diving equipment can be hired cheaply aboard the boat (including wet-suits , masks & snorkels)

When you take the Skyrail/train trip, do the train up the mountain and the skyrail down as the train only comes down twice a day, as the skyrail is continually going around...and around:)
When you book your trip they will ask what time you will return on the skyrail, allow about 2 hours in Kuranda. When there, if you change your mind, you can always go to the skyrail station and change your time, that isn't a problem.
when you come back down the mountain on the skyrail, you will then be able to get the little bus back into the city or where you are staying. It's all very well organised.

I always recommend the Quicksilver reef trip, this leaves from Port Douglas. You can be picked up from your accommodation by the the coach, then you drive up along the coast road to Port, this is wonderful trip. Sit on the right side of the bus.:)
It's a wonderful day, yes pricey, but worth it, it's a once in a lifetime thing to do. Included in the price is snorkles etc, semi submersable sub ride, great buffet lunch, and the best views of the wide open space of ocean and reef.
The boats are big and spacious. You might even see a whale or two.

Please don't do the quick option of Green Island, you won't have the same experience of the outer reef, the outer reef is the best thing to do.

I do have something on the Outer Reef experience on my Port Douglas page.

Have a great trip.

Try Green Island out of Cairns/Palm Cove. A lot less expensive than other reef destinations and yes you can snorkel there!

you can do both green island, and the barrier reef with great adventures - part of quicksilver. the tour leaves cairns at 8.30am, gives you 2 hours on green island, before heading out to the reef. doing the extra leg out to the reef is worth it as much of the coral is dead on green island, and the fish life is way better out at the reef. you can go to green island for about $70, or do the reef package for about $180..

We are in Port Douglas at the moment- have done a Quicksilver trip to Reef (which was good- for scuba or snorkel)Boat is excellent-leaves at 9.30 and returns to Port Douglas at 4.30. Food & beverages are provided onboard, as well as introductory scuba courses. Staff were very helpful. Cost is A$180.00.
We also did a trip on "Wave-Dancer" which I actually enjoyed more.It took us to the "Low Isles" , where one can snorkel right off the beach.This was a very relaxing day- giving many choices (sunbathe, swim, snorkel or scuba) and is IDEAL for smaller kids & elderly people.) Cosy was A$145.00, again including food & beverages etc. Leaves Port Douglas at 9.30am returns at 4.30. (Wave-Dancer is a Quicksilver catamaran using sails() Trip outwards is about 90 mins

Best trips are to the outer reef which cannot be done in 1/2 day. Closer to shore low visibiility and soft coral rather than hard. The best value is out of cairns, try Compass (slow boat, waste time getting there and back but still better value than only going halfway). They have had the boat out of the water for while but will be back soon, if not already. The fastest is with silverswift and goes to good sites and is about $170.00. Reef trips from Port Douglas are not better, just a little closer but costs a lot to get there and also extra time on land. Wavelength is good is you want to do it but not for anyone on a budget.