Port Douglas: Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full-Day Cruise

Name: Port Douglas: Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Full-Day Cruise
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 242.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.75 (602 reviews)

4.7 (602 verified reviews)

Aerial view of the Quicksilver activity platform moored at Agincourt Reef

A freediver swimming alongside a green sea turtle

A snorkeller beside an anemone sheltering clownfish

Divers over a staghorn coral garden in clear water

Scuba divers gathered around coral during a guided dive

About This Experience

Quicksilver's wavepiercing catamaran runs from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef - a ribbon reef on the very outer edge of the continental shelf, where the water is clearer and the coral structure more dramatic than the inshore reefs most day trips visit.

The boat moors at a permanent activity platform in a protected lagoon for about 3.5 hours, and the range of ways to see the reef from there is the point: snorkelling, a semi-submersible coral-viewing vessel, an underwater observatory, and crew-led fish feeding. Non-swimmers can have a full reef day here without getting in the water.

Included are the cruise, morning and afternoon tea, a hot and cold tropical buffet lunch, snorkel gear and instruction, buoyancy vests, lifeguard supervision and a marine biologist presentation. Introductory and certified dives, guided biologist snorkels, helmet diving and scenic helicopter flights are bookable on the day for an extra fee, and a fuel surcharge is collected at check-in.

Highlights

Cruise aboard the award-winning Quicksilver catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef
Snorkel on the pristine reef of Agincourt with the best visibility and biodiversity
Enjoy a wide range of activities for swimmers and non-swimmers
Discover the reef dry at the underwater observatory or a semi-submersible tour
Add on optional extras, such as introductory dives, marine biologist guided dive

What's Included

✓ Wavepiercer cruise from Port Douglas Marina
✓ Morning and afternoon tea on board
✓ Reef presentation by marine biologist
✓ 3.5 hours at Agincourt Reef Activity Platform
✓ Hot and cold tropical buffet lunch
✓ Snorkeling equipment and instruction provided (mask, snorkel, and fins)
✓ Buoyancy vests
✓ Qualified lifeguard supervision
✓ Underwater observatory fish & coral viewing
✓ Coral viewing by semi-submersible vessels
✓ Fish feeding (conducted by crew)

Not Included

Optional activities: Introductory scuba diving; Certified Scuba Diving; Marine biologist guided snorkel tours; Oceanwalker helmet diving; Scenic helicopter flights (all available for an extra fee). To book: on the day (pending availability)
Surcharge: Due to significant volatility in fuel supply and operational costs, a surcharge will apply and be collected at check-in on the day of travel (Adult - $10 AUD, Child - $5 AUD). Surcharge is included in the rate of Cruise + 10 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight, no payment will be collected at check-in

Good to Know & Caveats

Full Day Cruise and Return Coach Transfers from Cairns: Quicksilver Cruises will contact you directly to confirm your pick-up location and time. Please ensure you respond promptly. For bookings made within 24 hours of travel, please contact the supplier directly to confirm your pick-up details. Failure to finalise your pick-up arrangements may result in missing your transfer and the tour
Fuel Surcharge: a surcharge will apply and be collected at check-in on the day of travel (Adult - $10 AUD, Child - $5 AUD). Surcharge is included in the rate of Cruise + 10 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight, no payment will be collected at check-in
Full Day Cruise + 10 Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight: If you are traveling with a 3-year-old child, please contact the supplier after completing your booking. Children aged 3 travel free on the cruise portion of the package and are eligible for a partial refund. Please note that standard charges still apply for the helicopter portion for children aged 3

Meeting Point

Quicksilver terminal, Port Douglas Marina. Check in before the morning departure; coach transfers from Cairns are arranged directly with the operator.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.7/5 by 602 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Fantastic! We have snorkelled in Fiji, Cook Islands and variety of places but have never felt as safe and comfortable. This was awesome and we saw two turtles wow!! Thank you great day!
— Gai, Septemb

Seamless pleasurable experience. everything catered for with attention to safety and comfort. The pontoon experience was amazing with room to spread out move around observe the fish and enjoy the activities.
— Michael, Septemb

Not only would we do it again, we did do it again. Went twice in 3 days. Our first time we booked the snorkel add on with a marine biologist. We had Glen as our guide and couldn’t have asked for a better intro to the outer reef. Snorkeling the reef was the main reason for our trip to Australia so we were wiling to splurge for the add on. He educated us, gave us time to explore and ensured we were safe in the somewhat choppy water. Boat (and bathrooms) were clean. Our 12 year old daughter had a blast sitting outside most of the ride out to the reef. Lovely starting off and ending with tea, coffee and biscuits. Definitely a few folks sea sick so if you are prone to that, bring your Dramamine. Note it is a long way out but this is one of the few (or maybe only) tours that truly gets you to the outer reef and what you see is spectacular. Plenty to do at the pontoon if you don’t snorkel. If you do, be prepared for open ocean water. Every member of the Quicksilver team was exceptional!
— Anne, August

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-swimmers do this trip?

Yes, and it is the best choice on this site for that. Agincourt Reef is seen from a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory as well as from the water, so a non-swimmer gets a full reef day without snorkelling.

What is Agincourt Reef?

A ribbon reef on the outer edge of the continental shelf, north-east of Port Douglas. Ribbon reefs sit in clearer water than the inshore reefs, which is why visibility there is generally better.

How long do you spend at the reef?

About 3.5 hours moored at the activity platform in a protected lagoon, within a day of roughly 6.5 to 9 hours depending on whether you add transfers or a helicopter flight.

What costs extra?

Introductory and certified scuba diving, marine-biologist guided snorkel tours, Oceanwalker helmet diving and scenic helicopter flights - all bookable on the day subject to availability. A fuel surcharge is also collected at check-in.

Can I be picked up from Cairns?

Yes, return coach transfers from Cairns are available. Quicksilver contacts you directly to confirm the pick-up point and time, so respond promptly or you risk missing the transfer.