B_and_B

We will be in Cairns in early November and are looking into the Ocean Spirit cruises for a Great Barrier Reef snorkeling trip. We don't like large crowds like on the Quicksilver and aren't interested in going to a reef pontoon, nor do we need a semi-submersible. Ocean Spirit seems to offer two cruises: once to Michaelmas Cay and one to Oyster and Upolo reef. If you have been, what are the pros and cons of each and which do you recommend?

Thanks.

pat_woolford

I've been on both, Michaelmas is the premier trip for Ocean Spirit (as reflected in the price), lovely motor sailer catamaran, great food, semi-submersible, high crew to passenger ratio. Whilst Ocean Spirit's second catamaran used to visit Upolu Cay, I see now it mentions Upolu and Oyster Reefs only, this may be because the cay itself is much smaller than Michaelmas - I've seen it virtually disappear under a high tide.

The Michaelmas trip moors just off the cay all day - two trips mentioned in your other post, Sea Star and Passions of Paradise both go to outer reef areas as well as Michaelmas.
Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas is the only one of these trips also offering a semisubmersible with marine biologist guide.

B_and_B

I read that Michaelmas Cay isn't considered the outer reef where the better marine life is - what about Oyster and Upolo? We are looking for the better snorkeling and don't care about a semi-submersible, a glass bottom boat or being on an island.

travel255a

For what it's worth, we just returned from Australia. We took a trip on Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay, and one on Quicksilver SilverSonic to the Agincourt Reef (not the pontoon stop). Hands down, we enjoyed the SilverSonic more - you stop at 3 snorkel sites, snorkel off the back of the boat so don't have to wait to be boated to and from the beach after anchoring like at Michaelmas or mess with sand in your flippers, the trip to and from the reef takes less time, the snorkel areas are larger and the boat takes less people, and the Cay has a large bird population nesting right now so the noise and birds were a major distraction and limited where you could go on the beach. We also thought the coral was a little better at Agincourt Reef, and we saw more fish. We did see turtles and a ray at Michaelmas and not at Agincourt, but overall enjoyed the Quicksilver trip more and got more actual snorkel time there.

B_and_B

Thanks for the responses, Pat_woolford & Travel255a.

We are looking for a cruise leaving out of Cairns, not Port Douglas. Any ideas for a Cairns tour operator going to the outer reef area? We have done a lot of snorkeling so don't need to wade in from a cay/beach, nor do we need a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat, and if there isn't a marine biologist on board that is OK. Looking for good snorkeling, i.e., good variety of marine life, professional crew, stable boat, and decent food/drink. Thanks.

pat_woolford

B_and_B - I did mention both Silverswift (out of Cairns) and Silversonic (Port Douglas) in another of your posts when you appeared to be referring to the Quicksilver Wavepiercer large catamaran (which is what most people think of as Quicksilver); both these vessels are also owned by Quicksilver, which can be somewhat confusing.

As you're an experienced snorkeller with no need for either a semi or glass bottom boat, or wading into water from a sand cay, would suggest either Silverswift - www.siverseries.com.au or Tusa Dive www.tusadive.com - both out of Cairns.

pat_woolford

Sorry, left the "l" out of "silverseries".

Kriol

Silverswift is from Cairns and the same company has the siversonic from Port Doulgas. From Cairns is the best one for snorkel.

JackDarcy

Thanks for the post friends. Keep posting...

B_and_B

pat_woolford, you must have read my mind. I did a lot of research on http://www.divingcairns.com.au, on reefs and day cruises and had narrowed it down to Silverswift and Tusa. It seemed that Tusa might be more dive oriented - is is good for snorkelers too? Have you been on both, or have good knowledge of them, and if so, which is your preference?