Reef Boat Day Trip - Passions of Paradise

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Description

Travel with us from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef on a magnificent 25 meter custom designed sailing catamaran. We depart daily to beautiful Michaelmas Cay and Paradise Reef, giving you the choice of two destinations where you can soak up the sun, snorkel with the fish, scuba dive, glass bottom boat ride or simply enjoy sailing on a really special boat. The trip is suitable for all ages and our goal is to provide you with the best that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. We welcome you to an unforgettable adventure!

Snorkeling is a fun and easy way to see the reef. At Michaelmas Cay, due to the protection afforded by the sandy beach, snorkeling is almost always in calm water no matter how hard the wind blows. This area is great for young families or inexperienced snorkelers, as the shallow sloping beach means you can try the equipment while kneeling in waist deep water. At Paradise Reef, snorkeling is directly off the stern of the boat. Here you will find the myriads of fish that are a blaze with colour.

On Passions we want you to have fun so we provide a dedicated crewmember who gets into the water and helps those who need assistance. Throughout the day we also offer a FREE guided snorkel tour at one of the selected reefs.

Michelmans Cay

Michaelmas Cay is world famous for its migratory birds and the cay provides one of the few rare opportunities to snorkel and scuba dive in protected calm waters. No matter what the weather, the sandy lagoon is wind protected and the coral is immediately adjacent to the beach. Sea turtles are extremely common and you are also likely to see giant trevally, small black tip reef sharks, bat fish, and hundreds of varieties of colourful reef fish.

Only three permits have been granted allowing tourists daily access to the beach. We have one of them. To ensure that the cay remains in a natural state we work closely with both the Queensland National Parks and the Federal Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Features

Calm, protected waters. Ideal for snorkeling off the beach
Excellent for those new to the art of snorkeling, have small kids, poor swimming ability or suffer from sea sickness. We have a staff member who helps teach snorkeling in the shallow water of the cay
Coral. As you can see from the photos, the coral is immediately adjacent to the cay
No long swims
Great place to soak up the tropical sunshine
Amazing marine bird population. At its height (during the summer breeding season), as many as 20,000 birds nest on the island
Many excellent scuba dive sites for certified scuba divers
Introductory or first time scuba divers can dive in shallow water, directly off the boat in a coral garden
A unique experience on the Great Barrier Reef which combines migratory sea birds, tropical marine life and a true coral cay

Paradise Reef

Paradise Reef is a hard coral reef where fractured coral form a ribbon of small reefs. With depths of up to 25 meters along the edge, water clarity is good and the area is host to many exciting fish species.

Located on the Outer Barrier Reef, Paradise Reef forms part of Breaking Patches, a system of reefs about 1 to 2 nautical miles north of Michaelmas Cay.

Passions of Paradise holds an exclusive permit for Paradise Reef. We pioneered this site in 1995, and have been snorkeling and scuba diving the area ever since. This means no crowds from other boats, and the coral is in magnificent condition.

Features

Excellent wall diving for certified scuba divers
Safe, easy and exciting snorkeling due to fish congregations along the wall. The coral is located within meters of the boat and does not require strenuous swimming
A completely different reef system. Paradise Reef has predominately hard corals, and many of the fish are different from those that inhabit the lagoon at Michaelmas cay
An opportunity to do a second introductory scuba dive or certified scuba dive on a different and deeper reef
A guided snorkel tour

Trip Includes

A stylish, fast and modern catamaran, taking you to the best reefs
Air conditioned saloon
A dedicated snorkeling instructor and FREE tuition for those who want to learn to snorkel
A tropical buffet lunch of hot and cold dishes including prawns and fresh tropical fruit. Our lunch is fresh, chef prepared on the boat, and tasty
Highest quality masks, snorkels, fins and scuba diving equipment
Two unique destinations: Michaelmas Cay and Paradise Reef (weather permitting)
Exclusive mooring at Paradise Reef (no crowds)
Free floatation vests to aid non swimmers
Free guided snorkel tour
Morning tea which includes fresh brewed coffee and muffins
Cheese platter for afternoon tea
An on-board marine naturalist presentation on coral and bird life
10 minute FREE SCUBA diving demonstration
High caliber sailing. Passions of Paradise will always find time to turn their engines off and do some genuine sailing on the way home to Cairns
Great crew and staff trained to Advanced ECO Certification Standard

Optional Extras

In addition to your cruise fare inclusions, a range of exciting optional activities at an extra cost are available for your enjoyment. We recommend optional activities are pre-booked to ensure availability and to avoid disappointment.

Introductory Diving
Introductory diving is safe, fun and a "must do" on the Great Barrier Reef. Passions of Paradise has been conducting Introductory scuba diving for more than 18 years and has an unblemished safety record. The company has even been recognised by an International Dive Training facility in Australia (SSI) as their best Australian operation. All our Introductory scuba divers are dived from the back of our boat into a coral rich lagoon which is calm, shallow and full of marine life. What's included:

A FREE "try before you dive" policy which means that you are welcome to join in the briefings, get into the water and use the apparatus for approximately 5 minutes before deciding to continue with the dive
Maximum of 4 students per Instructor. Less if nervous divers
Highest quality equipment
Oustanding safety record. Your safety is our highest priority
Highly experienced Instructors
Please note, by law, all scuba divers must complete a Medical Questionnaire on the boat. This may preclude some passengers from scuba diving as scuba diving involves lung expansion and moderate exertion

Certified Diving
Certified scuba divers have a beautiful range of reefs to dive. We have a selection of drift dives, wall dives, and swim throughs. Our specially designed glass bottom dive tender will take you to the best locations on the day. These remote sites mean that you won’t meet other scuba divers from other boats. All our dives are guided, and we provide all your equipment, including wetsuits and computers. There are no hidden costs.

Glass Bottom Boat
Our Glass bottom boat tour at Michaelmas cay is a fun and lively 30 minute commentary on our reef, fish and unique features to be found on our Great Barrier Reef. The tour is a perfect compliment to the natural surrounds of the cay and is ideally suited to the nature lover or passengers who want to experience the reef but not get wet. Common things you’ll see are sea turtles, star fish, giant clams, hard and soft varieties of coral, small reef sharks, and all manner of strange and exotic creatures.

Duration

Allow 9 hrs

Departures

8am from the Cairns Marlin Marina (returns approximately 5pm)

Other Information

All inclusive price for basic day of snorkelling, lunch and guided snorkel tour
Second intro dive available for $45 payable on board
Glass bottom boat tour is an extra and is payable once on board($19)
It is recommended to book any optional extras in advance to ensure availability
Please read the important dive information before booking your intro or certified dive
Toilets and baby change facilities
Child rates for 4 - 14yrs. Children under 4 years free of charge
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages can be purchased on board
Disposable underwater cameras available for sale on board
Minimum age for scuba diving and intro diving is 12 years
Environmental Management Fee (EMC) and Port Charges of $10 per person payable direct on the day
Please leave at least 24 hours after your last dive before flying

Everything Cairns Comments

Snorkelling or scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef is one of those things that you simply have to do at least once in your life. Passions offer one of the best value for money day trips available with friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff and 2 great dive locations. Michelmans Cay is the perfect location for first dive of the day allowing nervous or first time snorkellers the safety and comfort of entering the water from the sandy beach (cay).

Suggestions: If you aren't a certified diver then you have to try the intro diving. It will be the best money you ever spend!

Wow Factor: 8/10
Fun Factor: 8/10

Currency Converter Prices & Options

Only a deposit is required to secure your booking with the remaining balance payable on the day of your activity.
(full price shown below) - Why book online before you arrive?

Cruise & Snorkel: Adult AUD$129.00
Cruise & Snorkel: Child (4 - 14yrs) AUD$79.00
Cruise & Snorkel: Family (2ad + 2ch) AUD$369.00
Cruise, Snorkel & Intro Dive: Adult AUD$199.00
Cruise, Snorkel & Cert Dive: Adult AUD$199.00

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Reef Boat Day Trip - Passions of Paradise