One-Day Great Barrier Reef Sail and Dive Trip
Visiting Michaelmas Cay
Ocean Spirit Cruises |
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This trip is aboard Ocean Spirit I, a 104 foot Catamaran with a maximum of 150 divers and a Dive Staff of 20. It is for 1 day, and allows 2 dives.
Departure Information
Departure is from Marlin Jetty, Marlin Marina, Cairns at 8:00 AM every day, return time 5:00 PM.
The Dive
While this trip visits just a single location on the Reef, Michaelmas Cay offers a variety of options for divers, snorkelers, and those still uncertain on whether or not they will be getting wet.
Michaelmas Cay is a good-sized vegetated sand cay, and is surround by an expansive and varied reef system.
 The cay is a National Park and protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. After the catamaran arrives at the cay, divers will board a smaller tender that will take them to any of a number of local dive sites, chosen with weather and tides in mind to provide the best diving conditions.
Snorkelers are able to explore in the protected waters of around the cay, take a guided snorkel tour, and even take one or two introductory dives. Guided walks on the sandy cay, and close looks at the reef through windows of the semi-submersible boat are available to those intent on staying dry.
A great hot and cold buffet (including seafood), a glass of champagne, and live music on the way home top off a great day on the reef.
This combination of visitor activities and high comfort level makes this a great option for groups and families with a mix of divers, snorkelers, and folks that just want to visit the reef.
For a detailed trip itinerary, click here.
The Boat
Ocean Spirit operates two luxury sailing catamarans on their reef trips. Ocean Spirit One is their flagship vessel, and sails daily to Michaelmas Cay. It’s a 105-foot, twin-masted catamaran, with a capacity of 150 passengers. The boat, launched in 1998, is large and stable, kept in a spotless condition, and come with powerful engines to drive the boat when the wind gives out, or makes sailing difficult. Being a catamaran, there is a huge amount of sundeck and air-conditioned cabin space over and between the two hulls. A feature we liked was the steps built into the stern of the boat that allowed for an easy walk down into the water.
Trip Prices
Included
 Mask, Snorkel, Fins (with Snorkel price only)
All dive gear (with Dive price only)
Guided snorkelling tour (with Snorkel price only)
Morning and afternoon tea and snacks
Hot/cold buffet lunch
Reef interpretation talk
Environmental management charge
Semi-submersible reef tour (with Snorkel price only)
Transfers: Cairns/Northern Beaches
Guided beach walks
Snorkel instruction (with Snorkel price only)
Glass of champagne on the way home
Live musical entertainment
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All prices are in
US Dollars. |
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12 Feb 08 -
onwards
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| Child under 4 |
Free |
| Children 4-14 |
$89 |
| Adults |
$180 |
| Ceritfied diver, one dive |
$243 |
| Snorkeller, with 1 intro.scuba dive |
$275 |
| Ceritfied diver, two dives |
$284 |
| Snorkeller, with 2 intro.scuba dives |
$332 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) |
$463 |
| Extras: | |
| Beer, wine, soda, on sale at bar |
- | | Wetsuit |
$5 | | Guided snorkelling tour |
$14 | | Underwater camera hire |
$29 |
Children are between the ages of 4 and 15
About Ocean Spirit Cruises
Ocean Spirit Cruises has carved a niche offering one-day reasonably-priced luxury cruises to the reef. Established in 1995 by a local Cairns couple, in 1998 it was purchased by Macro Corporation, a public company, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Ocean Spirit Cruises is an autonomously operated venture, operated by a Cairns-based management team.
Due to their success, Ocean Spirit is now launching their third boat, which will be used for a nightly dinner cruise up the calm and scenic Trinity Channel. Their fleet of large and beautiful catamarans make quite a site cruising in and out of the harbor. The company specializes in providing cruises to the reef with great food and a high standard of comfort.
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