Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Snorkel Tour

Two Outer Reefs in One Day: Michaelmas Cay & Hastings from Cairns

You board at Cairns Marlin Marina and travel 40km to Michaelmas Cay, the largest uninhabited coral island in the region, where you snorkel the surrounding reef and explore via glass-bottom boat. After lunch on board, the boat moves to Hastings Reef, 30 nautical miles out, for a second guided snorkel in deeper outer-reef conditions. Mask, fins, buoyancy vest, wet-suit, and all meals are included. The crew posts daily photos to Facebook. Return is mid-afternoon to the Esplanade.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Michaelmas Cay2h
2. Great Barrier Reef2h

Outer Great Barrier Reef island and reef tour

• Check in at Cairns Marlin Marina
• Travel to Michaelmas Cay island
• Explore Michaelmas Cay and surroundings
• Visit Hastings Reef outer reef
• Enjoy food on air-conditioned vessel
• Return to Esplanade Cairns

The experience

The boat horn sounds at 7:30am at Cairns Marlin Marina, and you're stepping onto the Seastar before most of the city wakes up. Forty kilometers out, the distance across the English Channel, sits Michaelmas Cay, the largest uninhabited coral island in the region, and you're heading straight there. The Seastar is one of only two vessels permitted daily access to this protected site, which tells you something about how carefully the reef is managed and how rare this particular stop actually is.

Michaelmas Cay itself is smaller than you'd expect from the photos (a strip of white sand and nesting birds), but the water around it is where the day opens up. You get a guided snorkel tour here, mask and fins provided, and the reef drops away in colors that don't quite translate to screen. After that, there's a glass-bottom boat section if you want to stay dry, or you can just float and watch the coral heads pass underneath. Lunch happens on board in the air-conditioned cabin, and then the boat pushes out another 8 kilometers to Hastings Reef, the second stop. This is the outer reef proper: steep walls, deep blue beyond, the kind of place where you feel the scale of the thing.

Hastings is where the real snorkel happens. The reef structure here is different, cliffs instead of gardens, and the fish traffic is heavier. You're in the water again with a guide, and the group stays small enough (maximum 36 people) that you're not swimming through a crowd. Wet-suit or stinger-suit is provided depending on the season, which matters more than you'd think in tropical water. Morning and afternoon tea come with it, and the boat crew posts photos to Facebook daily, so if you're not great at taking your own shots, you'll still have the images.

The return to the Esplanade happens in the afternoon, and you've covered two completely different reef systems without arranging transport, permits, or timing yourself. The boat handles all of it. Check in at 7:30am, and the day is structured around you.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup (check-in at Cairns Marlin Marina at 7:30am), guided snorkel tours at both Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef, glass-bottom boat access at Michaelmas Cay, island access to Michaelmas Cay itself, mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy vest and noodle, seasonal wet-suit or stinger-suit, buffet lunch on board, morning and afternoon tea, and daily Facebook photo posting. Return transport to the Esplanade is included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 36

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Seastar Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see two different outer-reef environments in one day without arranging your own permits or timing: Michaelmas Cay's restricted access and Hastings Reef's deeper structure are only possible because the boat handles the logistics and holds the permits.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the tour start and finish?

Check-in is 7:30am at Cairns Marlin Marina. Return to the Esplanade is in the afternoon, typically around 4–5pm.

How far out is the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns on this tour?

Michaelmas Cay is 22 nautical miles (40km) from Cairns. Hastings Reef is 30 nautical miles out, both in the outer reef system.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy vest, noodle, and seasonal wet-suit or stinger-suit are all provided.

What if I don't want to snorkel?

The glass-bottom boat tour at Michaelmas Cay lets you see the reef without entering the water. You can also stay on deck or in the air-conditioned cabin.

How many people are on the tour?

Maximum 36 passengers per departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Buffet lunch, morning tea, and afternoon tea are all included on board.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Buoyancy vests and noodles are provided, and snorkel tours are guided.

Are photos included?

The crew posts photos to Facebook daily. You can request your images, or bring your own camera or GoPro.