Has anyone booked a catamaran sailing day trip on Synergy II out of Port Douglas? They offer snorkeling as well as diving, yet only visit one reef. They go to either Tongue Reef, Rudder Reef, or Chinaman Reef. We hear that the best diving is further north but day trips do not offer anything that far out from PD. Are these reefs spectacular, just okay...???? There are plenty of tours out there but we are not interested in large numbers. Synergy offers a maximum of 12. They seem to be a very classy operation yet we have no first hand knowledge or reviews to base this on. Can anyone help?

Hi there

I have been on Synerga and it is a great boat and wonderful crew - IF you like to relax, enjoy some luxury and do a little bit of snorkelling or diving. That's what it is for - relaxing!
If you are more into serious snorkelling or diving this is the wrong option.
As you mentioned yourself, they take smaller numbers and offer superior service - luxury. But as it is a sailing catamaran, they cannot go to the outer reef - which is the more spectactular reef. They stay on the inside. Reefs are OK, but not spectactular as the water is not that deep. For experienced divers not recommended.
If you prefer snorkelling only I would recommend the Wavelength. A smaller boat (max. 30 people) going to 3 different sites during the day. They only take snorkellers so go to the most spectactular snorkelling sites.

If you also want some diving, go with either Poseidon, Calypso or Haba (max. around 50 people). They all go the the Outer Reef north of Port Douglas and visit 2-3 different sites during the day. Great diving not only for the beginners, but also for the experienced divers (you can do up to 3 dives in one day)
If you need more info or links to tour operators just visit
www.wonderfulaustralia.com/linkseng.html
or just let me know. I lived up in Port for a couple of years and know the area well.
Hope this will help.

Thank you for the information! We are not experienced divers but still would like to have the best the reef has to offer with a day trip from the Port Douglas area. I will look into the 3 dive companies you recommended. What I have been able to found so far are a minimum of 2 days - liveaboards. That may be just too much with the kids and all. I will get back to you with any other questions though. Thanks again!

Hi
The dive companies I gave you only offer daytrips to the reef (Poseidon, Haba & Calypso). With children I would recommend the Calypso cruise. It is a family business and great crew. Doesn't mean that the other ones are not good, but I think Calypso is better for families.
I would only book a boat out of Port Douglas. You go to the better reefs and Port Douglas is a nice little place to check out.

Let me know if you need more info about any tours in the Port Douglas, Daintree or Cairns area.

Sorry, forgot one thing. Synergy does NOT cater for children! Adults only

Having holidayed on the GBR many times I can state that Synergy II is easily the best of all of those that go out to the reef. We went on them last time we visited and we have booked them again this time. There is plenty to see diving if you are a casual diver ( ie not certified and intent on diving all day ) . On the last trip "Finding Nemo" had just been released so they took us to a part of the reef where they knew Clown Fish would be and we snorkelled right on top - our 6 year old at the time almost burst with excitment. To the other poster I have no idea why you have said Adults only, we had our 3 children on baord last time and all 3 will be with us in June when we do it again. I have been on a lot of the other boats but this clearly to me was the most intimate, luxurious, enjoyable. You will not be dis-appointed if you do book it.

Found that odd too, since Synergy's website specifically quotes children's price.