Michaelmas Cay Day Trip

Full Description

Departing from Cairns, this full-day reef adventure takes you to Michaelmas Cay aboard Ocean Spirit’s spacious sailing catamaran. After check-in and boarding at the Reef Fleet Terminal, enjoy complimentary tea and coffee as the vessel departs for the Outer Great Barrier Reef.

During the journey, guests receive safety briefings, snorkelling instruction, and an informative presentation by a marine biologist. Upon arrival at Michaelmas Cay, reef activities commence, including snorkelling, fish feeding presentations, semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat tours, and optional introductory scuba diving for eligible guests.

A hot and cold buffet lunch featuring fresh produce and prawns is served onboard, followed by additional time to enjoy reef activities or relax on deck. The return journey includes afternoon tea and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine with cheese and crackers, arriving back in Cairns in the late afternoon.

Itinerary

7:30 am – Check-in:	Check in at Ocean Spirit’s counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal to collect boarding passes.
8:00 am – Boarding Commences:	Board the luxury sailing catamaran Ocean Spirit. Complimentary tea and coffee are served onboard.
8:30 am – Depart Cairns:	Set sail for Michaelmas Cay and the Outer Great Barrier Reef.
9:00 am – Safety & Reef Briefings:	Safety demonstration, reef briefing, and snorkelling demonstration.
9:30 am – Marine Biologist Presentation:	Informative slide show presentation by the onboard marine biologist.
10:00 am – Dive Briefing:	Briefing for guests participating in introductory scuba diving.
10:30 am – Arrive at Michaelmas Cay:	Reef activities commence, including fish feeding presentation, snorkelling, semi-submersible coral viewing tour, and optional introductory scuba diving. Dive sessions typically operate at 11:00 am, 12:15 pm, and 1:30 pm.
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch Service:	Hot and cold buffet lunch served onboard while anchored at the reef. Time to continue enjoying reef activities.
2:30 pm – Afternoon Tea:	Afternoon tea is served onboard. Following a safety headcount, the vessel departs Michaelmas Cay for the return journey to Cairns.
Return Cruise:	Relax on the homeward journey with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine served alongside cheese and crackers.
5:00 pm – Arrive Cairns:	Disembark at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns.

**For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Includes

• Return Ocean Spirit cruise from Cairns.
• Approximately 8.5-hour experience with around 4 hours at the reef.
• Morning and afternoon tea.
• Hot and cold buffet lunch.
• Snorkelling equipment and instruction.
• Buoyancy vests.
• Fish feeding presentation.
• Marine biologist presentation.
• Semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat coral viewing tour.
• Complimentary sparkling wine, cheese, and crackers on the return journey.

Not Included

• Introductory or certified scuba diving.
• Onboard purchases.
• Personal expenses.

Not Suitable For

Participation in optional in-water activities may be restricted by age, medical conditions, medications, or height requirements. The minimum age for introductory scuba diving is 12 years.

Meeting Point

Check-in is at Ocean Spirit’s counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns. Boarding commences at approximately 8:00 am, with departure at 8:30 am.

Important Information

What to Bring

• Camera.
• Swimwear and towel.
• Sun hat and sunscreen (SPF 30+).
• Sunglasses.
• Cash or credit card for onboard purchases.
• Change of clothes if swimming.

Restrictions

• Drones are not permitted.

Know Before You Go

Reef and weather conditions may affect the order or availability of activities. All passengers participating in diving activities must meet medical and age requirements. This tour is operated by Ocean Spirit Cruises, part of the Quicksilver Group.