Snorkeling at Mackay Cay: Sail and dive the Outer Reef

A marine biologist narrates the reef while you're in the water.

Snorkel the Outer Barrier Reef at Mackay Cay on a full-day sailing adventure from Port Douglas aboard an 82-foot catamaran. You sail to the coral cay, snorkel over protected reef sites with a qualified marine biologist offering live reef interpretation, explore the white sand beach, and view coral gardens from a glass-bottom boat. Guided snorkel tour, wetsuits or lycra suits, morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, and snorkel equipment are included. The day runs nine hours and requires confident swimming ability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and snorkel at Mackay Cay

• Depart from Port Douglas Marina
• Sail to Mackay Cay
• Enjoy coastline and Daintree views
• Snorkel with marine biologist guide
• Take glass-bottom boat coral tour
• Explore white sand coral cay
• Swim in turquoise waters
• Have tropical buffet lunch
• Enjoy morning and afternoon teas

The experience

The boat leaves Port Douglas Marina early, and the sail itself is part of the day. You follow the coastline past the Daintree mountains on an 82-foot catamaran under wind power, which is how the operator keeps the reef visit low-impact. Once at Mackay Cay, the snorkeling happens over premium reef sites where a marine biologist joins you in the water and talks through what you're seeing: the giant clam gardens, the variety of fish, the turtles. The guide is there to interpret, not to lead you on a rope. You move through the reef at your own pace with the knowledge of what's around you.

Between water time, there's a glass-bottom boat tour if you want to stay dry and still see the coral, and hours to walk the white sand of the cay itself and swim in the turquoise shallows. Morning tea with muffins and fresh fruit arrives early, lunch is a tropical buffet, and afternoon tea comes before the sail back. Wetsuits are provided in winter months, lycra suits in summer. The crew handles the snorkel equipment and gives instruction. You bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen and a hat.

The catamaran is a sailing vessel, which means the decks move while under sail and can be slippery when wet. You step on and off via ladders at the back, and the boat has multiple deck levels. The experience is built for active travelers who can move around a moving boat and get in and out of the water independently. If you're not a confident swimmer or have cardiovascular concerns, the crew will discuss this with you before the day starts. They have the discretion to advise against snorkeling for your own safety, and all passengers intending to snorkel complete a medical declaration form.

What’s included

• Guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist.
• interpretive glass-bottom boat tour.
• snorkel equipment and instruction.
• wetsuits or lycra suits depending on season.
• morning and afternoon tea with muffins and fresh fruit.
• tropical buffet lunch.
• time to explore the coral cay.
• Environmental Management Charge.
• nine-hour sailing cruise on an 82-foot catamaran from Port Douglas.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 60

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sailaway

Is this one for you?Book this if you're a confident swimmer who wants to snorkel with a marine biologist's knowledge of what you're seeing, and you're comfortable moving around a sailing catamaran in open seas. The small group and the guide's live reef interpretation set this apart from snorkeling off a platform or a motorized boat.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 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's the water like at Mackay Cay when I get there?

Mackay Cay is a protected coral cay surrounded by turquoise clear water. The snorkeling sites showcase abundant marine life including turtles, giant clam gardens, beautiful corals and a wide variety of fish. The white sand beach is yours to explore between water time, and the water is calm enough for swimming in the shallows.

Do I need to be an experienced snorkeler to go?

You need to be a confident swimmer and able to swim unassisted in open water. The crew will assess your swimming ability and medical fitness before the day starts. If you're a poor swimmer or have concerns about your cardiovascular health, let the operator know when you book so they can advise whether snorkeling is suitable for you.

What happens if I don't want to snorkel the whole time?

The glass-bottom boat tour lets you view the coral and marine life without entering the water. You also have time to explore the white sand beach and relax on deck. The day includes morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch, so there's plenty of non-water time built in.

How long is the sailing part of the day?

The full adventure runs nine hours from Port Douglas Marina. The sail to Mackay Cay takes you along the coastline past the Daintree mountains. You'll have several hours at the cay for snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat, beach time and meals before sailing back.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. In cooler months, bring a jumper as well. Wetsuits are provided in winter and lycra suits in summer. Snorkel equipment and instruction are included, so you don't need to bring your own.

Are dietary requirements catered for?

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available for the buffet lunch. Let the operator know your requirements when you book so they can prepare your meal.