Great Barrier reef beachfront resort/small hotel near Cairns
 

Would love a great spot for 2 or 3 nights near Cairns to do the Great Barrier reef. Two of us; on the beach would be perfect. How many days do we need to snorkel on the reef? Just one daytrip???

Hi there
There are two places I would recommend.
1. Palm Cove, a small, nice little place with a few very nice hotels/motels, right on the beach. It is close to Cairns and tours pick up in Palm Cove
2. Port Douglas, about 1 hour from Cairns. Is a small village right on the beach with some great places to stay at.

If you ask me, I would recommend Port Douglas. It is really, really nice and you have some of the best reef cruises leaving from there.
If you are into snorkelling, I would recommend either the Wavelength (snorkelling only, no glass bottom boat, 30 passenger max, 3 different reefs in one day) or Calypso if you want to do some diving too.
If you don't want to go into the water but still see the reef, the Quicksilver is the best and only option for you. Takes up to 450 passengers on the boat to a platform out on the reef.
If you want to read more about tours and links to operators, visit:
www.wonderfulaustralia.com/linkseng.html

Hope this will help

Hi there
There are two places I would recommend.
1. Palm Cove, a small, nice little place with a few very nice hotels/motels, right on the beach. It is close to Cairns and tours pick up in Palm Cove
2. Port Douglas, about 1 hour from Cairns. Is a small village right on the beach with some great places to stay at.

If you ask me, I would recommend Port Douglas. It is really, really nice and you have some of the best reef cruises leaving from there.
If you are into snorkelling, I would recommend either the Wavelength (snorkelling only, no glass bottom boat, 30 passenger max, 3 different reefs in one day) or Calypso if you want to do some diving too.
If you don't want to go into the water but still see the reef, the Quicksilver is the best and only option for you. Takes up to 450 passengers on the boat to a platform out on the reef.
If you want to read more about tours and links to operators, visit:
www.wonderfulaustralia.com/linkseng.html
Depending on the weather conditions, I would recommend 2 trips to the reef. One to the outer reef and one to one of the islands (best: Low Isles off Port Douglas)

Hope this will help

Thanks for the help! I have booked with Wavelength after your suggestion and reading the website---appreciate it. As for Palm Cove or Port Douglas, do you have any suggestions for lodging? Thanks!

susug, Wavelength is based at Port Douglas and does pick up at Palm Cove. Palm Cove has some top notch resorts, two are complete beachfront (not Esplanade) - Angsana and the new Sea Temple. Its a very pretty place, which has retained its magnificent old melaleuca trees. Its smaller than Port Douglas but only 25 mins from Cairns city (Palm Cove is a suburb of Cairns) if you feel you need something a bit livelier at night. There are also many reef trips out of Cairns, and if you prefer small groups the yacht, Ecstasea, takes no more than 20 to Upolo Reef. It's AU$99pp plus $7 transfer to Cairns and reef tax. Yesterday there were only 7 passengers aboard and I hear they had a great time.

Thanks so much!! Palm Cove it is!! And thanks for the tip on Wavelength. I have made a reservation, thanks to your help. Will let you know anything I discover when we get back. Thanks again!