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Snorkel the vibrant waters of the South Pacific

Great Barrier Reef: Cairns, Lizard Island & Pelorus Island (Weekday Departure)

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Coral Expeditions I
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For guests with more time and a great sense of adventure, this 7-night Cairns – Lizard Island – Pelorus Island – Cairns cruise offers the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience! On this Australian small ship cruise, discover everything that this memorable region has to offer - the best parts of the Reef, spectacular rainforest trails and beautiful tropical islands including Lizard and Dunk, along with a private island paradise, Pelorus.
Travelers learning how to scuba dive.Snorkel the clear, tropical watersSnorkel off of Australia's beautiful coastTake a glass-bottomed boat through the Great Barrier Reef.Snorkel the vibrant waters of the South Pacific
Highlights
  • Discover Capt. James Cook's historic Cooktown.
  • Take the plunge with a Dive Instructor on a guided SCUBA dive.
  • Visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for a taste of indigenous culture.
  • Snorkel in some of the most pristine waters in the Great Barrier Reef.
Places Visited
  • Australia
  • South Pacific
  • Cairns
  • Cooktown
  • Dunk Island
  • Fitzroy Island
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Hinchinbrook Channel
  • Lizard Island
  • Nathan Reef
  • Oceania
  • Pelorus Island
  • Rachel Carson Reef
  • Ribbon Reef No 3
  • Ribbon Reef No 9
  • Sudbury Cay
  • Thetford Reef
  • Trinity Bay
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Cairns

Board the Coral Expeditions I for a 5:00 pm departure from Cairns. While departing Cairns and cruising Trinity Bay, settle in and discover "home" for the next seven nights. In the evening, join the crew and traveling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne as the expedition cruise heads northward, passing Double Island and the pretty beachside village of Palm Cove. Admire a spectacular sunset over the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Macalister Range before sitting down to a sumptuous dinner.

Day 2: Cooktown / Great Barrier Reef

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take the morning to discover historical Cooktown, which is steeped in history with buildings dating back to the 1870s. It was here that the famous explorer Captain James Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery after claiming Australia as a British colony in 1770. Visit Cooktown’s fascinating historical museum, featuring original artifacts from Cook’s ship – Endeavour. See the original anchor and cannon, jettisoned overboard after Endeavour struck a reef and began taking on water. Perhaps visit the Botanic Gardens and catch a glimpse of some native Australian wildlife including kangaroos and wallabies.

This afternoon visit one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colorful coral gardens and discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home. Perhaps go snorkeling for an up-close view of the hundreds of varieties of coral growing on this section of reef. The experienced crew will be on hand to provide assistance, advice and guided snorkeling tours for less experienced swimmers.

Day 3: Lizard Island / Ribbon Reef No 9

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join the guides on a walk to “Cook’s Look” on the island’s peak (hiking shoes or boots are recommended). It was from here, the highest lookout on this part of the reef, that Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the Endeavour near Cooktown over 200 years ago. A photographer’s delight, the views from the lookout over the World Heritage-listed reef and surrounding tropical islands are magnificent.

Lizard Island’s fringing reef, in the shallow waters just meters off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Discover giant clams and a profusion of fish. Simply relax on the beach, join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour, or for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany the Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive. The choice is yours!

Cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef where activities include more snorkeling opportunities and glass bottom boat tours with the Marine Biologist.

Day 4: Ribbon Reef No 3 / Rachel Carson Reef

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Great Barrier Reef is not actually one continuous reef, but a series of thousands of individual coral cays stretching over 1800 miles between the town of Bundaberg and the tip of Australia at Cape York. Visit two of the most spectacular sections of the reef, Ribbon Reef No 3 and Rachel Carson Reef. Explore the coral gardens and marine life with guided snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours. A Marine Biologist explains the natural history and evolution of the reef and the local wildlife, which includes sea turtles, giant clams, rays and over 200 different species of native birds.

Day 5: Thetford Reef & Sudbury Cay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Experience the reef at the exclusive Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay moorings. Join the knowledgeable Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colorful coral gardens before gathering on the snorkel deck to participate in a fish feed. Discover some of the 1500 species of fish that live on the reef, including Spangled Emperor, Giant Trevally and the Hump-Headed Maori Wrasse as they are hand fed by the Marine Biologist.

Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon snorkeling in the shallow waters for up-close views of the hundreds of varieties of colorful corals and tropical fish. The experienced crew will be on hand to provide assistance, advice and guided snorkeling tours for less experienced swimmers.

Day 6: Hinchinbrook Channel & Pelorus Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Awaken this morning to the spectacular Hinchinbrook Channel, discovering Hinchinbrook Island’s towering cliffs and mangrove ecosystems. Subject to tides, 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 myriad marine life including crocodiles, dolphins, turtles and dugongs, all of which feed on the region’s plentiful sea grasses and can often be seen frolicking in these waters.

Discover Coral Expeditions' very own tropical paradise, Pelorus Island. Gather on the beach for a gourmet beach BBQ, freshly prepared by the Captain. Then, explore the surrounding rainforest on a guided nature walk. Pelorus’ fringing reef, in the shallow waters just meters off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Admire the colorful corals from the glass bottom boat with the Marine Biologist, accompany the Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive or simply relax on the long stretch of golden beach.

Day 7: Dunk Island & Nathan Reef

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning join naturalist guides on a fascinating rainforest walk discovering Dunk Island’s unique flora and fauna. Perhaps see the brightly colored blue-winged Ulysses Butterfly, impossible to miss against the ancient rainforest background. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for many of the up to 100 species of native birds recorded on the island, including the Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Emerald Dove and Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Following lunch, discover Nathan Reef, which has some of the most colorful coral gardens that can be found anywhere along the entire length of the reef. View many of the 400 different species of coral living in this World Heritage-listed wonderland. Venture in to the warm tropical waters to explore the corals and marine life on a guided snorkeling tour and join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour.

For the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany the Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive. Discover some of the amazing creatures living on the reef at the on-board display tank. Enjoy the rare opportunity for a close up look at sea cucumbers, brightly colored starfish and other marine life. Laze away the late afternoon on the sun deck, enjoying the comfortable on-board facilities including the spa pool and sun lounges. Tonight, gather in the dining room for another sumptuous dinner while settling in for a final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 8: Fitzroy Island & Cairns

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Travel ashore to explore beautiful Fitzroy Island. 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. Savor a final snorkeling opportunity over the island’s fringing reefs, just meters from the beach in the sheltered waters.

Following lunch, cruise through Trinity Bay before arriving in Tropical Cairns at 1:30 pm for disembarkation at Trinity Wharf.

Ship/Hotel

Coral Expeditions I

Coral Expeditions I - Open Bridge

Dates & Prices

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Notes

Solo Travelers:
A 50% single supplement is charged or select the “Single Guest Match” program. Single Guest Match is available for guests who have flexible travel dates and are willing to share a cabin with another guest of the same gender. Passengers are placed on a standby list and notified if a match becomes available. Once confirmed, they are charged at the twin-share rate (no single supplement). Cabin category requests are accepted.

Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners

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This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
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