Coral Princess Great Barrier Reef Cruise
- 4 days (3 nights) from only
- £1039 per person
Day 1 Cairns/Thetford Reef: This morning board your Coral Princess Cruises' small ship and cruise Trinity Bay. In the afternoon arrive at the outer Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay. Join the marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens before gathering on the snorkel deck to partcipate in a fish feed. You may wish to enjoy your first snorkelling opportunity for an up-close view of the hundreds of varieties of coral growing on this section of reef. Guided snorkelling tours are available for less experienced swimmers. In the evening, join the crew and your travelling companions on the top deck as the sun sets spectacularly over the reef.
Day 2 Hinchinbrook Channel/Pelorus Island: This morning you will cruise the spectacular Hinchinbrook Channel, discovering Hinchinbrook Island’s towering cliffs and mangrove eco-systems.Subject to tides, you will cruise the length of the channel separating the Australian mainland and the island one of the most diverse marine environments on the Australian coast. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, dolphins, turtles and dugongs. In the afternoon a chance to visit Coral Princess Cruises’ very own tropical paradise, Pelorus Island. Enjoy a gourmet beach BBQ before embarking on a guided nature walk, or snorkelling in the shallow waters where you can viewa giant clam garden, admire the colourful corals from the glass bottom boat or simply relax and soak up the sun on the long stretch of golden beach.
Day 3 Dunk Island/Nathan Reef: Join a guide for a fascinating rainforest walk on Dunk Island and discover the unique flora and fauna. Watch out for the brightly coloured blue-winged Ulysses Butterfly or the Yellow-bellied Sunbird. After lunch you can discover Nathan Reef at your own pace. This section of the reef offers some of the most colourful coral gardens found anywhere along the length of the reef, allowing you to view many of the 400 different species of coral living in this World Heritage-listed wonderland.
Day 4 Fitzroy Island/Cairns: Travel ashore to explore beautiful FitzroyIsland. Surrounded by a reef system that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Fitzroy Island offers wonderful bush walking opportunities and idyllic white sandy beaches. Savour your final snorkelling opportunity over the island’s fringing reef, just metres from the beach. Early in the afternoon, cruise through Trinity Bay before arriving in Cairns at approximately 1.30pm.
Cruise information
This itinerary is also available in reverse from Townsville to Cairns.
The ship: This 35 metre cruising vessel offers air-conditioning and 24 cabins.
Features: restaurant • cocktail bar • spa pool • sundeck • library
Accommodation: In cabins with bathroom.
Upgrade options: standard staterooms • deluxe staterooms • upper deck staterooms
Tour numbers: 1912 from Cairns; 1913 from Townsville.
Departures: Selected Saturdays from Cairns and selected Tuesdays from Townsville.
Sightseeing: As outlined.
Meals: Full board including all meals, morning and afternoon teas and 24 hour tea/coffee.
The tour price: Prices are per person, are for guidance only and include accommodation in cabins with bathroom, use of snorkelling equipment, guided glass bottom boat excursions,
presentations by marine biologists, access to islands, marine and national parks and an introductory scuba experience for first time divers.
An Environmental Management Charge (EMC) of AU$16.50 per person is payable on board.
Due to weather, tides or mechanical reasons the itinerary may be subject to change without notice.
