Barrier Reef Snorkelling Trip from Cairns?
Discussion
Haven’t done a reef trip from Cairns for a while, but have from Port Douglas a few times, but there are a few things to think about…
How long do you want to spend on the boat? A trip to the Outer Reef could be 1.5-2 hours each way
How big a group do you want to be with? For example, the best known is probably Quiksilver but their groups are often in the order of 100+ and whilst well-organised, it all feels a bit ‘processed’
How strong swimmers are you all? Some of the spots are v sheltered, within a netted area, others are more open and subject to local currents (Low Isles, when I had to go sprint-swimming to catch PBJnr3 who was just 8 at the time and got caught in a drift…!)
My pref would be a smaller group going to the Inner Reef. From Cairns maybe look at one of the trips to Green Island and go by sail to make it part of the trip?
How long do you want to spend on the boat? A trip to the Outer Reef could be 1.5-2 hours each way
How big a group do you want to be with? For example, the best known is probably Quiksilver but their groups are often in the order of 100+ and whilst well-organised, it all feels a bit ‘processed’
How strong swimmers are you all? Some of the spots are v sheltered, within a netted area, others are more open and subject to local currents (Low Isles, when I had to go sprint-swimming to catch PBJnr3 who was just 8 at the time and got caught in a drift…!)
My pref would be a smaller group going to the Inner Reef. From Cairns maybe look at one of the trips to Green Island and go by sail to make it part of the trip?
No practical advice to offer, but wanted to say you really really should get it organised.
We went to aus as a family when I was young (nearly 30 years ago), and snorkeling on the great barrier reef has stuck with me as a brilliant childhood memory.
We had two days, one was very calm, and the second rougher. I'm not sure if that was because we went to different places though. My sister couldn't swim on the second day as she was younger.
We went to aus as a family when I was young (nearly 30 years ago), and snorkeling on the great barrier reef has stuck with me as a brilliant childhood memory.
We had two days, one was very calm, and the second rougher. I'm not sure if that was because we went to different places though. My sister couldn't swim on the second day as she was younger.
We did this last year from Port Douglas.
We went with one of the larger operators (Quicksilver) that have a pontoon on one of the reefs. They provide all of the gear (snorkal, wetsuit, flippers etc) and lifeguards were doing a brisk trade in pulling drowning Chineese tourists out of the water!
As the poster said above, it was very well organised and professional, but a lot of people.
If you are a novice or not the strongest swimmer, this might be the way to go, but as you can imagine, there are lots of people so getting your flippers on and getting into the water was a pain but once in you could paddle around in peace.
The water was quite choppy and there was a strong current when I was there.
If going again, I'd try to do it in a smaller group/operator if possible.
But it is a must-do if you are in the area. Bucket list ticked off.
ETA: We also did a helicopter trip out over reefs a couple of days before we went.
We went with one of the larger operators (Quicksilver) that have a pontoon on one of the reefs. They provide all of the gear (snorkal, wetsuit, flippers etc) and lifeguards were doing a brisk trade in pulling drowning Chineese tourists out of the water!
As the poster said above, it was very well organised and professional, but a lot of people.
If you are a novice or not the strongest swimmer, this might be the way to go, but as you can imagine, there are lots of people so getting your flippers on and getting into the water was a pain but once in you could paddle around in peace.
The water was quite choppy and there was a strong current when I was there.
If going again, I'd try to do it in a smaller group/operator if possible.
But it is a must-do if you are in the area. Bucket list ticked off.
ETA: We also did a helicopter trip out over reefs a couple of days before we went.
Edited by gamefreaks on Monday 21st July 00:22
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