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Great Barrier Reef from Cairns

New York and Grand...
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33 posts
6 reviews
11 helpful votes
Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
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Hi Everyone,

My best friend from Texas and I (from NY) are finallly going to Australia! Working on the itenerary and have a challenge, so hopelfully someone can help (although it might not have a solution) Ok, my friend is very prone to sea sickness, not interested in snorkeling, but more glass bottom boat, getting off the boat , and walking around an island kind of girl. I am a certified diver, could snorkel, all day, and love being on the water and love small groups (not "cattle" boats) Is there any trip that would from Cairns to GBR that we would both enjoy? I do not have to dive that day, but snorkeling is a must. We are both in our 50's. Thanks so much!

Arlington, Virginia
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for Arlington, Washington DC
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1. Re: Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
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There was a recent thread that made suggestions for two boats out of Cairns that offered glass bottom boat rides and other activities in addition to snorkeling:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g255069-i482-k3863808-Visiting_Great_Barrier_Reef_with_young_children-Cairns_Cairns_District_Queensland.html

However, I'm not sure that either boat fully meets your needs as Reef Magic goes to a pontoon and Passions of Paradise only spends part of the time on an island. Also, Reef Magic may be a larger boat than you are looking for.

The thread also mentioned going to the Low Isles, but the boats that go there leave from Port Douglas. (I don't think you would want to go on Quicksilver as they carry a large number of passengers.) I have gone to the Low Isles with Sailaway and that might be a good choice for you. (You can arrange for a transfer from Cairns at an extra cost.) Your friend can be tendered to the island while you snorkel and after lunch back on board the boat, she can take the glass bottom boat ride (included) while you continue to snorkel.

Hopefully, one of these choices will work out for both of you.

Since your friend knows she suffers from seasickness I'm sure she will take appropriate medication to prevent seasickness before she boards the boat. As one who also suffers from seasickness, I know how important that is.

Edited: 13 years ago
Cairns, Australia
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7 reviews
15 helpful votes
2. Re: Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
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Perhaps have two trips out, out alone one day and a island trip together. Shame to come all this way and compromise to the point of missing out on the reef itself. The reality is to have a great snorkel and/or dive you need to tolerate a long boat trip. Islands have fringing reefs and are not barriers reefs.

Other option is to stay on an island itself but very few on the reef itself. Heron Island or Lizard Island perhaps. Quite costly.

Closer to shore are Fitzroy Island, Green island and Frankland Islands and Low Isles from PD. Much of the trip to the Frankland is on a river so very protected, island national park but not the barrier reef. Still wonderful but not the reason for the long haul trip. Visibilty on inner fringing reefs is only a few metres.Outer reef can be 15 to 40 meters. Huge difference, even if all beautiful.

Weather makes for a huge difference. Please book last minute and select low wind days. Under 10 knots your friend may not even realise she is at sea. October is probably a good month weather wise. You do not mention when you are coming. recently 25 knots, would make many sick.

Passions of Paradise is a cataraman so has more stability than other type of boat. Stops at a cay so time off the boat but also visits the outer reef. Maybe a good compromise but maybe still too much of a boat trip for your friend.

Adelaide, Australia
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3. Re: Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
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I'm heading up to Cairns for the first time in October and I've been checking out tours to Green Island as neither of us are likely to want to swim. I've come across two operators: Great Adventures and Big Cat who both offer a range of on- and off-island activities for a day trip. I'm not sure what size groups they take.

http://www.green-island.com.au/eco-adventure.html

https://secure.greenisland.com.au/netwizard/bin/dispatch.php?file=info.info&intCategoryID=21

Austin
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933 posts
12 reviews
34 helpful votes
4. Re: Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
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Definitely split up for the day so you can snorkel. We loved snorkeling the GBR so much we did three trips. (Avoid Great Adventures for snorkeling, they were the worst by far.) Will write up comparison of three snorkeling tours for TA. I would stay in Port Douglas and do a snorkel or Low Isles from there.

5. Re: Great Barrier Reef from Cairns

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