My spouse and I will be in Port Douglas late March/early April; trying to determine which snorkeling tour to take. We are both good swimmers, experienced in the water, but don't dive and just want to snorkel. Both Wavelength and Quicksilver tours seem similar but big difference in price (140 vs 200). Is QS significantly better, and why? Or are there other differences that I should consider?

I'm assuminmg there will still be stingers at this time. Otherwise, any input on likely weather and/or rough seas during this time? Just checking to set my expectations!

Another option: do the tour out of Cairns on the front or back end of the trip, if that would be 'better' in some way. Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks!

...AND, I forgot to say: in both cases, I was looking at the smaller boat options - 30-40p vs. the large catamarans. I much prefer a smaller boat but either way, it seems so spendy!

thanks, dandc

Quicksilver Group owns several reef vessels, out of Port Douglas it has the large multi-passenger catamaran which spends all day at its pontoon on Agincourt Reef, as you're looking for smaller passenger options I guess this is not of interest to you. Also out of Port Douglas there's Quicksilver's smaller "Silversonic" at AU$170pp +AU$5EMC for snorkellers, which is actually less than Wavelength at AU$190pp.

Quicksilver also runs "Silverswift" out of Cairns @ AU$158 plus AU$5EMC, there's more selection of reef trips out of Cairns than Port Douglas and prices are nearly always less, sometimes significantly.

Not too many small boat options, ones I can think of with max 30 passengers or less are Wavelength out of PD (3 reef sites), Sea Star out of Cairns (AU$165 including EMC) with two reef sites, and Ocean Free, a sailing schooner to Pinnacle Reef and Green Island out of Cairns at AU$129pp. All are full day reef trips which include lunch, morning and afternoon teas, snorkelling equipment and tuition if required. Of these, Wavelength is the only trip which doesn't include optional diving, either introductory or certified.

Forgot to mention, Silversonic and Silverswift are marketed under "The Silver Series" www.silverseries.com.au, not under Quicksilver's website which covers the Wavepiercer to pontoon and Wavedancer to Low Islaes.

We've been to PD 5 times and we do a couple of snorkeling trips on each visit. We always go out once on Wavelength and then, for variety, choose another boat (but we've never done Quicksilver). We always come back to Wavelength because we find them to be the best overall for what we want--a small, snorkel-only boat with an excellent crew.
I'm unfamiliar with the weather in PD in April as our trips have always been from July-September. During those times, we schedule our snorkel trips at the beginning of our visits in case of inclement weather (high winds/choppy seas at that time of year). That gives us the option to re-schedule when the winds die down. If weather in April is also a factor, you might want to consider planning your snorkel trip at the beginning of your trip rather than at the end.

Thank you! This summary is helpful. It appears that the difference in the QS Wavedancer vs. Wavelentgh and SilverSonic prices is the Low Isles vs. Reef destination (I think, is that correct?) I guess it makes sense but it is hard to untangle all the options. And I think I'd rather go from PD.

Has anyone done the SilverSonic tour? I don't care if there is diving from the vessel(vs an all snorkel tour) just don't want to pay extra for diving if I'm not going to do it.

Good suggestion on booking at the front end for flexibility, thanks.

dandc, the prices mentioned don't include scuba dives which are optional extras, so as you're not diving you won't be paying for those who do.

Yes, you'd expect to pay more for an outer reef trip than on Wavedancer to the Low Isles which is only about 15km NE of Port Douglas.

Won't attempt to predict weather though, check with whichever operator you choose when you arrive, they'll be able to tell you the best day to book from their forecasts.

Yes, it will still be marine stinger season, highly unlikely on reef but rent a stinger suit on board to be sure, at least it will protect you from sunburn, a far likelier danger.