From Port Douglas: Luxury Sailing Cruise to Mackay Coral Reef With Glass Boat, Snorkel, Lunch & Transfers

Sail a 25m catamaran from Port Douglas to Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. You get 4.5 hours at the reef, a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist, a glass-bottom boat session, and a buffet lunch.

Getting started

Check in at the Sailaway office at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina (Sailaway Boathouse, 8 Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina) by 7:30am. Coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation are included. If you booked through a tour desk or travel agent, bring your booking voucher. Board Sailaway VII at Berth D6 at 7:45am for tea, coffee, muffins and pastries, then a welcome and safety briefing. The boat departs at 8am.

What to expect at Mackay Coral Cay

Mackay Coral Cay is a small sand cay surrounded by shallow, protected reef on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. It’s known for coral gardens, giant clams, turtles and reef fish. The sail out takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. You cruise along the Daintree Rainforest coastline and past Snapper Island, while a marine biologist gives a reef interpretation talk.

Features

• Moor at the cay at around 10:15am, then get a snorkel safety briefing and your equipment. Gear includes optical masks, seasonal lycra suits, wetsuits and flotation devices.

• Join a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist, or explore the coral gardens at your own pace. In-water assistance is available if you’re less confident.

• Take a glass-bottom boat tour for a dry look at the reef. Swim or relax between snorkels.

• Transfer to the cay itself to walk its sand and swim off the beach.

• Eat a tropical buffet lunch on board at 12:45pm, including prawns. The boat then moves to a second reef site, and snorkelling resumes.

• Afternoon tea, coffee, cakes and a fresh fruit platter are served at 2:15pm.

Wrapping up

The boat leaves the cay at 2:30pm. Relax on deck on the sail back, and arrive at Port Douglas around 5pm. A coach then takes you back to your accommodation.