Michaelmas Cay Sailing Cruise
Cruise from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay for a full-day Great Barrier Reef experience with snorkelling, guided marine activities, wildlife viewing, and all equipment provided.
Key Highlights
- Full-day cruise to Michaelmas Cay and Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
- 4 hours at Michaelmas Cay with access to its fringing reefs and golden sands
- Snorkel with provided equipment and guided tuition
- Marine biologist presentations and reef education
- View marine life from a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat
- Seabird and wildlife spotting on a National Park island
- Buffet lunch, morning tea, afternoon tea, and sparkling wine included
What’s included
- Return cruise between Cairns and Michaelmas Cay
- Snorkelling equipment and tuition
- Marine biologist slide show presentation
- Semi-submersible or glass bottom boat viewing
- Buffet lunch onboard
- Morning and afternoon tea
- Complimentary tea and coffee on boarding
- Complimentary sparkling wine, cheese, and crackers on return
Overview
Experience a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise to Michaelmas Cay, departing from Cairns at 08:30 and returning at 17:00. Your adventure begins with check-in at Ocean Spirit's counter at the Reef Fleet Terminal, followed by complimentary tea and coffee as you board the vessel.
Enjoy 4 hours exploring Michaelmas Cay's pristine coral reefs and golden sands. Snorkel among vibrant marine life with all equipment and tuition provided, or discover underwater beauty from a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat. A marine biologist will share insights during a captivating slide show presentation, and introductory scuba diving is available for beginners at scheduled times.
Michaelmas Cay is a National Park sanctuary home to diverse seabirds and wildlife. There is time for wildlife spotting and a nature walk on this unique reef-island. A buffet lunch is served onboard with plenty of time for reef activities before winding down the day with afternoon tea.
As you cruise back to Cairns, enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, cheese, and crackers. The cruise concludes at 17:00, offering a comprehensive, memorable experience of the Great Barrier Reef and Michaelmas Cay.
Commonly asked questions.
The cruise includes return travel from Cairns, morning and afternoon tea, a hot and cold buffet lunch, snorkelling equipment, lycra suits and flotation vests, a semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat reef tour, fish feeding presentation and marine biologist presentation. A complimentary glass of sparkling wine is also served on the return journey.
Ocean Spirit travels from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef. The cay is about 45km northeast of Cairns and is surrounded by shallow, protected reef waters.
Yes. Snorkelling at Michaelmas Cay is included in the cruise price. Snorkelling equipment, including masks, snorkels, fins, lycra suits and flotation vests, is provided.
Yes. Non-swimmers can enjoy the included semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat reef tour, which provides an underwater view of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet. Buoyancy vests are also available for guests who want to snorkel.
Yes. Introductory scuba diving is available as an optional extra for passengers aged 12 and over. No previous diving experience is required, although participants must complete a medical questionnaire and the required dive briefing.
The reef around Michaelmas Cay is home to colourful tropical fish, giant clams, sea turtles, reef sharks and a wide variety of coral. The cay is also an important seabird sanctuary, with at least 23 species of seabirds recorded there.
Yes. A hot and cold buffet lunch is included, along with morning and afternoon tea. Vegetarian options are available, and menu items are labelled with their ingredients.
Yes. The semi-submarine Reef Discovery tour is included in the cruise. The approximately 30-minute tour lets you view the reef from below the waterline while staying dry and is a great option for non-swimmers.
A complimentary beach shuttle transfers passengers between Ocean Spirit and Michaelmas Cay. The short transfer takes approximately five minutes and runs continuously.
Additional info by the operator.
- 07:30: Check in at Ocean Spirit's counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal for boarding passes
- 08:00: Boarding begins with complimentary tea and coffee
- 08:30: Depart Cairns for Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef
- 09:00: Safety demonstration, reef briefing, and snorkelling demonstration
- 09:30: Marine biologist slide show presentation
- 10:00: Dive brief for introductory divers
- 10:30: Arrive at Michaelmas Cay. Activities commence: fish feeding, snorkelling, semi-sub/glass bottom boat, introductory diving (dive sessions at 11:00, 12:15, and 13:30)
- 12:00: Buffet lunch served onboard
- 14:30: Afternoon tea served onboard. Following a safety headcount, depart Michaelmas Cay
- Complimentary sparkling wine, cheese and crackers served on the return journey
- 17:00: Arrive back in Cairns