Can someone please comment on the pros/cons of these two operators? My husband isn't a big fan of beaches - he likes his A/C. and hasn't been in ocean in the 11 yrs we've been together (he does like boating). So I'm looking for variety of activities to ensure he has a good time. Both operators seem to offer lots of choices.

Basically I was considering:
>the fly/cruise options (to see the reef)
>the Seawalker Fantasy Pkg - you meet the captain
>good mix of nationalities - we are from the US
>Seawalker vs Scuba Doo - the scooter looks like fun from Quicksilver
>Agincourt vs Moore reef - which is better?
>Must have Air Conditioning - because when dh isn't happy - noone is happy
>I like snorkling w/ a vest from the surface - (I'm not a good swimmer)

Anybody have opinions/experience that could help me pick one vs the other?

Thanks much

I've only been on the Quicksilver day trip to the reef but it was great, we really enjoyed it. We are Australians and there were quite a lot of Australians on the trip but also other nationalities as well. I'm pretty sure the boat was airconditioned, we were certainly comfortable. There is lots of indoor seating on the boat, also outdoor seating. At the Quicksilver pontoon, which is moored to the reef and takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs to get to, they serve the lunch buffet and there are showers as well so you can wash off the salt from the sea. The whole thing was very well organised with lots of options, such as the underwater observatory, fish feeding, snorkelling, semi-submersible - all included in the cost. We felt the day whizzed by.
I'm not a confident swimmer either and wore a life jacket and flippers as well as mask etc. There is a roped in area where all snorkellers have to stay within, for safety reasons, so I just held on to the rope and snorkelled that way. We were in pretty deep water but you could still see coral and fish. It's not like the nature docos on TV though. From the pontoon, you sit on steps that go down into the water to put on your snorkel gear and there are staff to help anyone who is not sure of themselves.
Kay

Hi OzNzBound - if you do a search here for both trips you'll see the pros and cons for the two of them. Both vessels take a lot of people, and both offer snorkelling from a fixed metal pontoon. I have been on both of them and as an alternative would recommend Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay, its a lovely motor/sailer catamaran, takes about half the passengers, excellent lunch and a great crew. It doesn't have Sea Walkers or Scuba Doos, just very easy snorkelling from the sand cay, which is also a renowned seabird sanctuary. Also has marine biologist led semi-submersible and of course, glass bottomed boat. The interior is a/c and offers plenty of shade from the sun, which is the biggest danger in the tropics.

Thanks Kay & Pat. I usually don't have this much trouble with deciding on what to do. I worry that I'll be sea sick if I go with Ocean Spirit and it's a rough day. I worry that hubby will get hot and not enjoy himself if we go with Greg to Lizard Island. If it was just me... this would be so simple. With my husband being a pilot, I know he'd really enjoy flying to Lizard Island, but he really doesn't care for beaches and definitely doesn't like being hot.
I wonder if I should just skip snorkling and book a trip to fly to Cookstown instead.

Hi there

Do NOT skip the reef trip. This would be a shame. You have to see the GBR.
Quicksilver is definitely the better and more modern operator and the reef (Agincourt) is better then Moore reef. You can also do the helicopter option and Quicksilver offers pickup from Cairns or Port Douglas. Remember that you can have up to 450 people on the boat and platform. Both offer glass bottom boat rides to see the reef withoug getting wet.
If you don't need that, I would recommend to go with a smaller operator like the Poseidon, Haba or Calypso from Port Douglas. I would recommend to go from Port anyway as it is closer to the Outer reef. That's where the best reefs are and those operators usually visit 2-3 sites per day, so you will get more out of your day.
The best snorkelling trip is the Wavelength out of Port Douglas. It is a small boat that only takes snorkellers to 3 different sites. Doesn't have a glass bottom boat and no A/C, but has spectacular snorkelling and a fantastic crew. Bet even your hubby would love it. Once the boat is moving, the wind keeps you cool anyway.
Forget Cooktown. if you have extra time to spare, visit the Daintree NP and Cape Tribulation. Cooktown is far and only recommended if you have done everything else.
For more infos and links to tour operators visit
www.wonderfulaustralia.com/linkseng.html

Hope this will help a little

OzNZBound,

DO NOT SKIP THE REEF!! I concur! Listen to all the other posters about snorkeling and the tour operators mentioned.

DO NOT take the Sunlover option. I did this to check it out for clients and I would never EVER put anyone on Sunlover.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie