Australia Cruise from Cairns to the Grat Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Explore Australia's Great Barrier Reef, one of the wonders of the world with this fabulous 7-night cruise.

Stretching over 3000 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest marine park. Beautiful beyond belief - here you will find the world's largest collection of living corals and a kaleidoscope of over 1400 species of fish.

Scuba on the Reef

Stroll along fringes of white sand and snorkel amongst a kaleidoscope of fish on the outer Ribbon and Hedley Reefs. Discover Lizard Island's giant clam gardens only metres from the shore. Hear native birds call from the towering rainforest canopy on Dunk and Fitzroy Islands and climb the same lookouts as the first explorers to Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is the only living thing on earth that you can see from space so imagine what it is like face to face.

Glassbottom Boat

Nestled between the world heritage Daintree Rainforest and Atherton Tablelands is our departure point of Cairns the international gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. An exotic centre, Cairns offers all the comforts of a large city as well as the pleasures of a tropical resort.

Purpose built for Great Barrier Reef cruises, your ship, the Coral Princess, mixes adventure cruising with good living. It has an air-conditioned dining room, two modern air-conditioned lounges, sun deck and spa pool.

Lizard Island

More information about Coral Princess and Coral Princess 2

CC380: Cruise Departure Dates 2012

Cairns to Townsville
Jan 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28;
Mar 6, 13, 20, 27
Townsville to Cairns
Jan 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28;
Mar 6, 13, 20, 27

CC380: Great Barrier Reef Cruise 2012Australian Dollars price per person

Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin/double cabin

3 night cruises from Cairns to Townsville and Townsville to Cairns are available, please call us for details

4 night roundtrip cruises from Cairns are available, please call us for details

Prices shown are in Australian Dollars

The cruise price does not include

Return flight from Townsville to Cairns

Pre- and post-cruise transfers

Costs associated with SCUBA diving

Government EMC (AUD16.50 approx)

Call our dedicated Cruise Team: UK: 01756 706500
International: +44 1756 706500

Useful Links

More Coastal Cruises

Call our dedicated Cruise Team: UK: 01756 706500
International: +44 1756 706500

Useful Links

More Coastal Cruises

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Board your small ship cruise at 4:00pm for a 5:00pm departure from Cairns. Join our crew and travelling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne as we cruise northward, passing Double Island and the pretty beachside village of Palm Cove.

Day 2

Spend the morning to discovering historical Cooktown. Visit Cooktown's fascinating historical museum, featuring original artefacts from Cook's ship Endeavour. This afternoon we visit one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef and Join our marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens and discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home.

Day 3

This morning we awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join our guides on a walk to 'Cook's Look' on the island's peak. Spend the morning relaxing on the beach, snorkeling in Lizard Island's turquoise bays. This afternoon we cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef where our activities will include more snorkelling opportunities and glass bottom boat tours with the Marine Biologist.

Day 4

We spend today visiting two of the most spectacular sections of the reef, Ribbon Reef No 3 and Rachel Carson Reef. Explore the coral gardens and marine life with guided snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. Our Marine Biologist will explain the natural history and evolution of the reef and help you discover the local wildlife, which includes sea turtles, giant clams, rays and over 200 different species of native birds.

Day 5

This morning enjoy free time to discover tropical Cairns. Back on board spend the afternoon cruising cruising to the outer Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay.

Day 6

This morning we enjoy ample time to discover Coates or Nathan Reef. Enjoy the rare oppertunity for a close up look at sea cucumbers, colorful starfish and other marine life living in this part of the reef. This afternoon we visit Dunk Island Resort where there is time to relax by the resort's pool or join a guided rainforest walk discovering the island's unique flora and fauna.

Day 7

Enjoy breakfast whilsts cruising amongst the scenic Islands. Discover the towering island cliffs and mangroves of the Hinchinbrook Channel before arriving at Coral Princess Cruises' very own tropical island, Pelorus. Enjoy a delicious beach BBQ before exploring the surrounding rainforest, admiring the corals from the glass bottom boat or by Scuba dive or simply relax on the long stretch of golden sandy beach.This evening, relax as we cruise through the spectacular Palm Islands before settling in for our final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 8

This morning we cross Halifax Bay, passing close to Magnetic Island before arriving in Townsville at 10:00am for disembarking.

Itinerary subject to change due to weather and other operational requirements. 4 night cruises include days 1 to 5 and 3 night cruises include 5 to 8 of the above itinerary.

Coral Princess