Leaving the Cairns Marina at 8am means we arrive at Michaelmas Cay at approximately 9.15am.

Birdwatchers will be the first guests to step foot on the island. This offers ample photo opportunities of a island with no other humans in sight. Photo opportunities of the birdlife is endless, especially in the summer season which sees up to 30,000 birds sharing the island.

Birdwatchers are offered a circumnavigation of the island where more species can be sighted and photographed.

There is plenty of time to snorkel in the calm, sheltered waters off the cay within the unspoilt fringing coral beds. Turtles are commonly encountered and baby black-tip reef sharks can be viewed with 5 meters of the beach.

Lunch is served on-board which includes two hot dishes and salads as we head over to Hastings Reef and our own exclusive mooring.

At Hastings Reef you can experience the true wonders of this Outer Edge Reef, there are the coral caves, coral overhangs, deep water drop offs, coral canyons, swim throughs and shallow coral bays that are only metres from the side of the vessel.

Along the steep edges there are swirling schools of small fish, colourful parrot fish, turtles, giant clams, “friendly” little reef sharks, bright yellow butterfly fish, pairs of rabbit fish, countless varieties of brightly coloured damsel fish and of course, Nemo.

As well as snorkelling you can join our glass bottom boat tour. This can afford bird sightings and your skipper will be able to explain more about the reef.

The Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef cruise gets back into Cairns just after 4pm.

Note: There are opportunities to scuba dive – please ask.