CJ

Hi, I need information on recommended tours from Cairns, the Upolu Reef, and Ecstrasea.<BR><BR>Has anyone heard of the Upolu Reef, 30km off the coast of Cairns? <BR>The tour we're considering is on the Ecstrasea, described as a 60 foot luxury yacht. It came up the the "Cairns Tourist Info" site as a popular and recommended tour.<BR><BR>We will be spending a night in Cairns doing different day trips before going to Port Douglas. Several people I'm traveling with want to scuba while others are doing some land tours.<BR><BR>Green Island is the only other tour I can see departing from Cairns -- I don't want to take a tour that goes to Port Douglas first because I'll be there the next day and am planning on going on the Quicksilver tours.<BR> <BR>Any suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>CJ

liz

Is that sea trip you are thinking about the one that goes down to Townsville and is a 3 or 4 day trip? If it is it is excellant, or so say my friends.

CJ

Thank, Li,z for replying, but no, these are one day tours. We'll be in Port Douglas on the next day but wanted to scuba while in Cairns. <BR><BR>Also found another scuba/snorkeling group in Cairns: MARLIN MARINA TOURS.<BR>Anyone heard of this outfit?<BR><BR>Any recommendations on operators.<BR><BR>I know the Quicksilver is good - but we'll be on that one in Port Douglas.<BR><BR>Thanks again.<BR>CJ

John

CJ:<BR>We took the Ocean Spirit from Cairns to Upolu Reef. Upolu Reef is nothing more than a sand bar but we enjoyed it. Upon arriving at the reef, we left our catamaran and boarded a glass bottom boat that is anchored there. Others on the Ocean Spirit snorkeled and still others went SCUBA diving.<BR>The view of the Reef from the glass bottom boat was well worth the trip, which took about 2 hours to reach from Cairns.<BR>Hope this helps.<BR>John

dave

hey cj<BR><BR>i'd recommend passions of paradise as an operator for scuba and snorkelling (they depart from cairns). they go to upola and are reasonably priced as well as very professional. i stayed in palm cove and used them as my tour operator. their web is www.passionsofparadise.com.au. i e-mailed them with questions befor edeparture and they responded within 24 hours. "alan" in particular was a big help! have fun!