Family-Friendly Cairns Snorkeling: Is the Hype Real?
 

Hello everyone. I'm here to clear up a question I have about snorkelling in Cairns. What advice can you offer on if this is actually worth it? Anyone know the snorkelling cruise in Cairns? My family will be travelling to Cairns next week. I therefore favour family-friendly ones. Help us, please!

We went years ago and enjoyed the day. It was expensive but there was a lot included. There are smaller boats that go out to the reef, we went with Quicksilver Cruises which is a big catamaran, holds a lot of people but is also more stable in the water. I get dreadful motion sickness so that was a big factor for me, plus I think there was more to do with the bigger boat.

Quicksilver had a pontoon moored on the reef, so good for non-swimmers. Lunch was served there and there are cold showers for after swimming. People could snorkel, feed the fish, go on an underwater submersible to see fish and coral. Back then, I think the only thing that cost extra was a helicopter trip. The company had strict safety rules about people in the water staying within a certain area.

The reef is a long way out, the trip from the Port Douglas wharf took 1.5 hours. Smaller boats would go to a different area but travel more slowly. There are other options in the area, like Fitzroy Island, Green Island (day trips to both), boats leave from Cairns and Port Douglas. I would check recent reviews online. If you wanted just an easy day by the beach, you can get the public bus from Cairns to Palm Cove where there are beaches, cafes and restaurants, a few shops. Or a transfer/hire car to Port Douglas which is a lot bigger than Palm Cove and has a lovely beach.

I can't say if it is worth it to you.

I love snorkelling and have made the trip to Far North Queensland about 5 times now. Why are you planning to go to Cairns if not to see the reef?

There's no snorkelling in Cairns, and no beaches, only mud flats and the lagoon. To see the reef you need to go out by boat, and the best experience is to the outer reef. Don't even consider Green Island, which is exceptionally poor value for money. For a big boat, with all the bells and whistles, and lots of people, Reef Magic from Cairns, or Quicksilver from Port Douglas. For smaller boats, no submersibles and other stuff, but fewer people and a more personal experience, snorkel only, Seastar from Cairns and Wavelength from PD. There are cheaper boats, but you really get what you pay for. I had quite a poor experience on another boat out of Cairns (conveniently forget name, but cheap!). Crowds of people, poor snorkelling, oafish behaviour, insufficient food and drunkenness on the return.

Thankyou kayF & Margo_z...That's a quite lot of info from you all..i also doubt which kind of cruise can be taken, Can anyone recommend any of the cruises that goes for snorkelling in cairns or you can share any link , so that i can directly go [except quicksilver ]. Thanks in advance

My previous post mentioned Seastar in Cairns

A friend of mine suggested a cruise line relating to this - Australiancruisegroup team...i checked it and its quite good...what do you think, is it worthwhile? There are numerous cruises available; please look into it and suggest a solution. thank you very much