It has been welll dicussed which companies provide the best trips to the GBR. But, for some you choose which reefs to go to. Any thoughts on trips to the GBR and which reefs are the best?

Any input is appreciated!

Arlington reef or any of the other outer reefs are great. The further out you go the better it is.

I suggest going by down under helicopter www.downunderheli.com

They land on a pontoon in the outer reef. You get to see it from the air and it only takes half an hour to get out there as opposed to 2-3 hours on a boat.

chobby - whilst most day trips to reef are to one or two fixed destinations there are some operators with permits to visit many. Tusa Dive is one which takes snorkellers as well as divers - reefs visited are selected on best weather and tidal conditions on day. 90 minutes from Cairns for first reef, then about 30 mins between reefs. Tusa takes about 28 passengers per boat.

Arlington reef is serviced by Sunlover, a large operator with 90-minutes - 2 hours trip out. Helicopter service is available, but expensive - $279 cruise one way fly the other - $499 flying both ways.

Thanks for the responses.

Pat, in a previous boat you said "my favourite for snorkellers is Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay". That trip is $169 while the same outfits trip to Upolu is only $99. Is the difference worth it?

Chobby,

At all costs, avoid Sunlover -- I'm going to assume as Pat lives and works in the area she possibly hasn't taken this tour with them. I don't think I've been on a snorkel tour anywhere in the world and an absence of fish! Stick with Pat's earlier recommendation of Michaelmas Cay.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Hi Melodie - I have, and that's why have never recommended it! It can't be compared with Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay which is a lovely motor/sailer cat - chobby, the price difference between the two Ocean Spirit trips is because the Michaelmas Cay vessel is vastly superior, it has a semi-submersible with marine biologist guide, Michaelmas is further out than Upolo and Oyster Reefs, high ratio of highly trained and friendly crew per passenger, superb lunch, easy snorkelling from sand cay rather than pontoon (Sunlover et al), hotel transfers are included in price. Michaelmas Cay is also a renowned seabird sanctuary - so birds are not disturbed by the public they're in a roped off area. Having said that the Ocean Spirit trip to Upolo Cay (snorkelling off sand cay) and Oyster Reef(snorkelling from side of boat) is great value at AU$99.

Well it seems the down under dives snorkel trips are significantly cheaper than Ocean Spirit (either $99 or $75 v. $169 or $99). Should I be worried about down under? What more am getting for the add'l $? The marine bioligist only? (FWIW - The submersible boat doesn't really appeal to us.)

thanks!

BTW Pat - I meant post not boat in a previous post. I guess i have the water on my mind

chobby - Down Under is a reputable and well established dive company which aims at budget/backpacker end of market. There are even cheaper (and slower) reef trips - Sea Star to Michaelmas (doesn't appear to have a website) is only $60 as is Compass. The $169 Ocean Spirit trip is still somewhat less than the abovementioned Sunlover to Moore Reef and Quicksilver out of Port douglas. It does happen to be my favourite as I think the boat is lovely with plenty of room both inside and on deck, sailing appeals to me, I prefer snorkelling from a sand cay rather than a pontoon or off the side of a boat, the crew is second to none. But that's just a personal thing. The $169 includes an excellent lunch, semi-sub, transfers to and from accommodation, and reef environmental tax.

the outer reefs certainly are the most spectacular. if you are feeling a little adventurous, you could stay overnight by yourselves in a little pontoon... there are several companies that hire out boats for you to explore the islands and reefs on your own as well.. personally, i find the more northern sections of the reef to be better than the southern ones (and a little warmer too!)

Chobby , Last year we toured the top end of Australia with Daintree Air out of Cairns. Part of the tour was a day at Lizard Island where they take you to snorkel on the Clam Garden and in the mangroves at the Blue Lagoon
I can not comment on Michaelmas Cay as I have not actually been there.
But I can tell you the stuff we saw with Greg from Daintree was the best we had ever seen. You will find lots of comments here on Fodor ‘s about them.
Jess.