Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 174 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns worth booking?
Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns is a 8.5-hour experience in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia, from $149 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 174 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (174)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $149 per person
Sail from Cairns aboard a luxury sailing catamaran to Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque sand cay on Great Barrier Reef. Encircled by fringing reef of beautiful coral gardens with colourful fish, curious Green Sea Turtles and
What you get
- Ecological presentations by qualified marine biologists
- Lunch
- Use of snorkel equipment and lyra suit
- Roundtrip cruise from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay
- Coral viewing in air-conditioned semi-submersible,
- Environmental Management Charge
About this experience
Sail from Cairns aboard a luxury sailing catamaran to Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque sand cay on Great Barrier Reef. Encircled by fringing reef of beautiful coral gardens with colourful fish, curious Green Sea Turtles and Blue-Spotted rays, it is also an important protected bird sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Witness the reef's coral and marine life from a semi-submersible submarine, try scuba diving or snorkel from the cay to witness the beauty of the coral gardens. Morning tea, Hot & Cold Buffet Lunch (including prawns), Afternoon Tea as well as complimentary bubbles and cheese/biscuits are served on board to satisfy your hunger while you explore Michaelmas Cay for 4 hours.
What's included
Included
- Ecological presentations by qualified marine biologists
- Lunch
- Use of snorkel equipment and lyra suit
- Roundtrip cruise from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay
- Coral viewing in air-conditioned semi-submersible,
- Environmental Management Charge
- Morning and afternoon tea
Not included
- Drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Ocean Spirit Cruises
Arrive to the Reef Fleet Terminal from 07:30am and check-in at the Ocean Spirit counter. Obtain your boarding passes and be directed to the vessel boarding area at the marina. Boarding commences from 08:00am. Enjoy Muffins and Focaccia on your journey to Michaelmas Cay. Complimentary Tea & Coffee served prior to departure. Ocean Spirit departs strictly at 08.30am for a two hour motorized sail to Michaelmas Cay.
15 minutes here
Great Barrier Reef
Sail aboard Ocean Spirit to the unique reef environment of Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque sand cay encircled by beautiful fringing reef. Watch our crew perform a safety demonstration, reef brief and snorkeling demonstration. This is followed by an informative Marine Biologist Reef Presentation.
120 minutes here
Michaelmas Cay
Enjoy an onboard Fish feeding presentation upon arrival at Michaelmas Cay followed by 4 hours free time. Snorkel from the cay's shallow protected waters, cruise in the semi-submersible for a diver's view of the reef and discover the island's birdlife. If you prefer to just relax on the beach or onboard and enjoy a leisurely day on the Great Barrier Reef. The choice is yours! If you would like to dive the Great Barrier Reef, introductory dives for novices and marine biologist guided snorkel tours are also available. Buffet Lunch is served onboard between 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
240 minutes here · Admission included
Great Barrier Reef
On the homeward journey, relax in the air-conditioned cabin, outside or on the spacious foredeck under the sails. (Sailing is weather dependent). To top off your Ocean Spirit experience, a glass of complimentary sparkling wine, seasonal fruit platter, cheese and biscuits is also served on the homeward journey should you desire. Access our fully licensed bar to purchase additional snacks and drinks!
120 minutes here
Cairns
Disembark from Ocean Spirit at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal at 5.00pm.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cairns & the Tropical North
Important: Please check-in & collect your boarding pass at the Ocean Spirit counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at 7.30am. Boarding commences 8:00am, vessel departs 8:30am.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Important: Please check-in & collect your boarding pass at the Ocean Spirit counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal at 7.30am. Boarding commences 8:00am, vessel departs 8:30am.
Options you can book
Cruise Only
4 hours at Michaelmas Cay for snorkeling and swimming. Includes morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, snorkel gear, use of lycra suits and coral viewing in semi-submersible
Cruise & 1 Guided Snorkel Tour
4 hrs on Michaelmas Cay. Includes 1 Guided Snorkel Tour, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear and semi-sub tour.
Cruise & 1 Introductory Dive
4 hrs on Michaelmas Cay. Includes 1 Introductory Dive, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear and semi-sub tour.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Quicksilver Group
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age for all diving activities is 12 years
- After a single scuba dive a wait of 12 hours is recommended before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater. If doing multiple dives an interval of 24 hours is suggested.
- All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (For example: asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $149 to $478
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 61
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by The Quicksilver Group, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.7.
See everything The Quicksilver Group runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairns & the Tropical North.
How much does Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns cost?
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Prices start at $149 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairns & the Tropical North usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cairns & the Tropical North is not rushed.
Is Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 174 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cairns & the Tropical North, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns?
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Around 61 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cairns & the Tropical North can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cairns & the Tropical North and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise from Cairns start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cairns & the Tropical North within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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On Outty we rank every Cairns & the Tropical North experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran, Ocean Freedom: Great Barrier Reef Stylish Snorkel, Dive Reef Tour, Tully River Full-Day Rafting: Cairns, Mission Beach or Self-Drive. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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