Need answers ASAP - leaving soon! We snorkel, but don't dive, but don't necessarily require a snorkel only boat. We plan to snorkel at least one day on our November trip, and we are staying in Cairns.

Our travel agent is suggesting we take the Quicksilver out of Port Douglas which seems odd since we are staying in Cairns. I know I have read that Quicksilver is an excellent tour provider, but they take large numbers of people to a pontoon. We don't want to go with 300 other people, and would prefer something smaller so long as it is stable in the water and not bouncing us around making us seasick.

Which brings me to the question - snorkel off a pontoon, or off a reef or cay from a smaller boat? Pros and cons and recommendations appreciated.

I am guessing PD and Cairns operators go to different spots on the reef, so is there a difference in reef quality/kinds and quantities of marine life seen based on where they go; and if so, which do you recommend?

It seems from a pure logistics point of view, it would be easier for us to leave directly from Cairns. I don't see the need to spend a couple extra hours on the motor coach picking up people along the way to Port Douglas to leave from there unless where they go on the reef and the tour operators from PD are better than Cairns.

Can you please recommend a reputable GBR tour operator out of Cairns.

The trip will be in November so the boat must provide stinger suits for us. Thanks for your help.

Your experience shows why using a travel agent is not always a good idea. If you explained to your travel agent that you wanted a small tour operator out of Cairns and he/she suggested Quicksilver out of PD, then I'd be questioning anything he/she told you.
Anyway, since we always stay in PD, I don't have any personal recommendations for boats out of Cairns, but if you check the following website, you should find reviews of snorkeling boats out of Cairns. The best-reviewed seem to be Ocean Freedom, Passions of Paradise and Reef Magic.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ueensland.html

How about Daintree Air Lizard Island Day trip? It's pricey, but well worth it. You'll find lots of comments on this forum about it. We originally chose this trip because my husband gets seasick easily and we thought it would be best to snorkel off solid ground. The flight over the reef is fantastic and the snorkeling is amazing We've been twice.

Longhorn is right...you agent probably has very limited knowledge of the area. There are PLENTY of other options!! I've also been on Quicksilver our of PD. I think they do a great job...but it's NOT what you asked for!

try wavelength they pick from Cairns, are a small snorkel only outfit. We used them 3 years ago and they were one of the highlights of our 4 week trip!

Wavelength goes out of Port Douglas, adding about an hour each way to the trip from Cairns, more if there's pickups on the way. However, its a scenic trip.

The smallest, locally owned reef trip out of Cairns is Sea Star - www.seastarcruises.com.au - it takes a max of 30 pax (same as Wavelength and $25 pp cheaper - $200pp Wavelength, $175 Sea Star) and goes to Michaelmas Cay (renowned for giant clams as well as being a seabird sanctuary)for easy snorkelling from a sandy beach and then onto to Hastings Reef on outer reef. So you get two different reef experiences in one day.

Transfer costs from Cairns to PD for Wavelength are $32pp return; if staying in Cairns city its an easy walk to Marlin Marina for Sea Star, which also picks up from Cairns' northern beaches at a charge which varies with distance travelled.

I would book either trip at least a few days in advance, taking small passenger numbers they fill up fast - I was just speaking to Caroline at Wavelength and she says they're booked out for the next few days. As long as you have a booking with either operator and you need to change day because of weather, the date can be changed with no extra charge, subject to availability of course.

PS, Passions of Paradise does a similar trip out of Cairns as Sea Star.

Well it is was me I would be on the www.seastarcruises.com.au quicker than lightning. Its a great outfit and they go some of the best spots. I note there has been some TA reports which are not that good but I guess you get the good and bad report depending on who is giving them. Some people have over the top expectations. Further you can pat a very tame fish who goes to all lengths for attention from tourists and patting is his favourite thing!

Yes, we can read too, Selinally. You have spammed your website all over the Forum - please read the "No advertising" rules & retire graciously.