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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

5 (307)

Port Douglas, AU

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Embark on an unforgettable sailing adventure and snorkeling experience on the Outer Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. This tour is tailor-made for those with a conservation mindset, offering an immersive and eco-friendly exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. With its limited capacity of just 52 passengers, you'll enjoy the company of like-minded travelers and receive personalized assistance from the knowledgeable crew. Dive into tropical waters teeming with vibrant fish, turtles, and coral, and discover the white sands of the coral cays. A buffet lunch, guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist, and a glass-bottom boat tour are all included in this exhilarating day trip. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the reef, while sailing in the most environmentally friendly way. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Outer Barrier Reef.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
9 hours
Suitable for 1-15 Participants
Small Group Tour
Guided Experience

Highlights

Snorkeling over pristine coral reef with marine biologist guide
Glass bottom boat tour showcasing abundant marine life
Relax on white sands of the coral cays
Tropical buffet lunch and refreshments included

Included

Guided snorkel tour with marine biologist
Hotel pickup and drop-off (port douglas only)
Morning and afternoon tea & coffee with muffins and fresh fruit
Glass-bottom boat tour
Buffet lunch
Time to explore the pristine coral cay
Wetsuits during the winter months and lycra suits in summer
Use of snorkel equipment and instruction
Great barrier reef sailing cruise

Not included

Drinks (available for purchase on board)
Environmental management charge of au$8 per person due at check-in.

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More about this experience

Introduction

Welcome to the ultimate sailing and snorkeling adventure on the Outer Barrier Reef! Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the northern frontier of the Great Barrier Reef as you set sail from Port Douglas. This tour promises a day filled with excitement, exploration, and a conservation-minded experience. Get ready for an unforgettable journey to the white sandy coral cays surrounded by turquoise waters teeming with vibrant marine life.

What to expect?

During this 540-minute adventure, prepare to be amazed by the wonders that await you. Begin the day with an early departure from Port Douglas Marina and enjoy an authentic sailing experience while admiring the stunning coastline and views of the Daintree mountains. Once at the Coral Cays of Mackay or Undine Reefs, engage in activities like snorkeling over pristine coral reefs. A qualified marine biologist will guide you on a snorkel tour, providing fascinating reef interpretation. You also have the opportunity to explore the underwater world on a glass-bottom boat tour, where you'll witness the abundant marine life, including turtles, giant clam gardens, and a variety of fish. Take your time to relax, sunbathe on the white sands of the coral cays, and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Indulge in a delicious tropical buffet lunch and morning and afternoon teas made from local produce, perfectly complementing your day of adventure and relaxation.

Who is this for?

This sailing and snorkeling adventure is ideally suited for those with a spirit of fun and adventure who can swim confidently. Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or a beginner, this experience offers something for everyone. The smaller cruise size, limited to just 52 passengers, ensures a personalized and enjoyable journey for all. So, if you're a nature enthusiast, conservation-minded visitor, or simply seeking an awe-inspiring adventure on the Great Barrier Reef, this tour is perfect for you!

Why book this?

Step aboard this environmentally-friendly sailing tour and embark on an exquisite journey to the Great Barrier Reef's coral cays. This experience allows you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, using wind power to reach the stunning sand cays. The expert crew will provide you with invaluable insights and make your trip unforgettable. The opportunity to snorkel with a qualified marine biologist and receive a guided tour adds another layer of excitement and educational value to your adventure. With a focus on conservation and limited passenger numbers, this tour ensures you can enjoy the Great Barrier Reef in an intimate and sustainable way.

Good to know

Before embarking on this incredible adventure, remember to check in at 7.30 am inside the Sailaway office located in the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. The tour operates for a duration of 540 minutes, allowing you ample time to explore and indulge in the wonders of the Outer Barrier Reef. All meals and refreshments, sourced from local plantations, are included, ensuring you stay energized throughout the day.

Reviews

Customers who have experienced this tour rave about the knowledgeable crew and the opportunity to snorkel with a marine biologist as their guide. They praise the pristine coral reefs, abundance of marine life, and the personal attention provided due to the smaller group size. Travelers highly recommend this tour for its unique and eco-conscious approach to exploring the Great Barrier Reef, making it an unforgettable experience for all.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Meeting point & End point

Please check in at 7.30am inside the Sailaway office located inside the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina

Sailaway Reef & Island Tours, Sailaway Boathouse Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina 8, Shop 18/44 Wharf St, Port Douglas QLD 4877, AU

Your Itinerary

Sailaway

The adventure starts with an early departure from Port Douglas Marina. Sit back and relax as we set sail to the Coral Cays of Mackay or Undine Reefs. Enjoy an authentic sailing experience, following the coastline and views of the Daintree mountains. Once at the protected sites at the Coral Cays, nature activities will include snorkelling over the pristine coral reef with a qualified marine biologist offering reef interpretation on a guided snorkel tour. A glass bottom boat coral viewing tour is also on offer. Premium reef sites showcase abundant marine life, including encounters with turtles and an amazing display of giant clam gardens, beautiful corals and a wide variety of fish. Explore the white sands of the coral cays, soak up the sun and swim in turquoise clear waters. A tropical buffet lunch, morning and afternoon teas & coffees, supplied by local plantations, will compliment a day of adventure and relaxation.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Vegetarian, vegan or gluten free option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Please bring towel, swimsuit, sunscreen and hat
Underwater Camera's available for hire $75 for the day. Security deposit of $600 required.
To participate in the activity of snorkelling, you must be confident in the water with the capacity to swim unassisted. If you are a poor swimmer, you may not be suitable to snorkel in the open water. Not all passengers will be suitable to snorkel, and our experienced crew have the discretion to advise against snorkelling if deemed “not suitable for the activity”. This is for the safety of the passenger. Please be advised snorkelling can be a strenuous physical activity, even in calm water and that older people are at an increased risk of death and/or injury due to a higher incidence of medical conditions made worse by physical exertion, such as heart disease and stroke. All passengers intending to snorkel will be asked to complete our Medical Declaration for Snorkelling form. Our experienced crew will discuss any issues relating to medical conditions and swimming ability. Sailaway reserves the right to decline any passenger from participating in snorkelling if we are concerned about your health condition and/or swimming ability. This is for your own safety, please listen to the advice of our experienced snorkel guides to ensure the safety of our guests.
Our Sailaway vessels are luxury sailing catamarans and we offer a pure sailing experience. This means the vessels travel in open seas and will move around whilst under sail. The decks of the vessels are multi levels and can be slippery when wet. Passengers must have good mobility to safely move around the vessels, step onto the glass bottom boats (if applicable) and get in and out of the water via the ladders on the back of the vessels. Unfortunately, we do not offer wheelchair access due to the layout of the decks and saloon areas. Our tours are adventure experiences for active travellers. Please choose your tour carefully to ensure it is suitable for your experience, age and physical health.

Reviews

(307)

5 (307)

Craig_H

We had an awesome day out - the boat was lux, not crowded and the staff were friendly, informative and helpful. The reef was marvelous, shared with only one other small boat. Lunch was delicious. Overall a great day which I would highly recommend. We will definitely book this again.

Anonymous

very well organized dedicated crew an excellent adventure the feelings based on the nice , professional, talented and human teaching along the hole day.

Kellie_M

This experience was better than I ever expected! The marine biologists on board giving us a review of what to expect was super interesting. I didn’t mind the tanning on the boat either.

robpU1318DV

My wife and I went out to Mackay Quay. The trip was really well organised, great sightseeing on the way,plenty of snorkelling at two sites and the staff were really knowledgeable . All up, we had a terrific day and would recommend

Q3631JAadrianc

Sailaways Outer Reef All Day trip was first class. The boat is nice, the staff is terrific and the tour is wonderful. Isaac, in particular, is exceptionally knowledgeable and was able to answer every reef, coral, animal, history, underwater camera tech support, etc question we threw at him. We set out north along the coast, stopped to snorkel for an hour. Took a glass bottom boat out onto Mackay Cay, had lunch, moved to a nearby snorkel spot then on the return route we went back past the Low Isles (which we quietly sailed by - lovely). We saw some humpback dolphins from the boat. The snorkeling was clear water with many large clams, some turtles and lots of beautiful fish and colorful coral. Not hot, not cold. Water temp was perfect (76 F?) could go with or without wetsuit. Most of all, it’s nice to have a boat with only 50 people on it (vs some of the other outfitters who have very large boats). The only nitpick I have is it may have been nice to move to a different reef for the second snorkel spot but I’m not sure if that would make a difference. Great job Sailaway!!

Sinead_E

Amazing experience, conditions were perfect! This tour was so relaxing and interesting too, the staff were lovely! Would definitely go again.

gpburg2016

The best experience, made possible by the great skipper and crew. We chose the full day sail to Mackay Cay and had the best day possible with excellent service from all the crew. This is a must do trip for a great day on the reef.

Gaby_S

Knowledgeable and fun crew. The destination was chosen well, as it was a healthy and beautiful looking reef with plenty of fish, giant clamps and turtles. I can highly recommend this cruise/experience.

Paul R

Enjoyable day. Excellent helpful crew. Enjoyable snorkelling and saw three turtles. Provided with morning and afternoon tea in addition to lunch

896charlenek

Can not praise these guys enough. The boat was great the snorkelling amazing and the staff fantastic! Special thanks to Isaac who made us kiwi girls feel so welcome! And Erin who showed us some great snorkelling. Thank you so much for the great tour. The 5 kiwi girls from NZ!

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2024-06-30 06:17