7 night/8 day ex Port Douglas

Day one – step aboard M.Y. Beluga at the Port Douglas Crystalbrook Marina at midday and steam to Opal Reef (approximately 3 hours travel) for an afternoon of snorkelling and swimming. Guests wishing to do an afternoon dive can board the chase boat with our knowledgeable dive master to dive the southern end of Opal Reef.

Day two – wake up to smell of freshly baked bread and scenic views as we cruise to St Crispin or Rachel Carlson Reef. Guests who are keen to go fishing can board the chase boat for a few hours of bottom fishing on the reef – will you catch your dinner? We will be anchored near some fantastic dives. A morning wall dive is an exhilarating start to your day. Expect to be greeted with an absolute myriad of fish, from huge schools of fusiliers and sergeant major fish, to the always lovely greetings of numerous sweetlips. Unwind over a well deserved lunch on the deck before heading into dive two for the day at the southern end of St Crispin Reef, or just relax on the day bed with a great read and soak up the Australian sun.

Day three – early morning cruise to Ribbon Reef #3 – Home of the world famous dive site Steve’s Bommie. Steve’s Bommie is one of the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Incredible diversity and density of marine life. Macro life clings to the bommie while large schools of fish, drawn to the structure, circle around it. Expect to see reef sharks, rays, schools of trevally, anemone fish, stone fish, nudibranchs, colourful corals. This dive site has something for everyone! Afternoon cruise into Cooktown for overnight docking.

Day four – Adventure Day! – Aboriginal Historic Experience (land-based external tour)
7.45am – guest pickup from Fisherman’s Wharf for an exclusive indigenous discovery morning tour (approx. 5 hours) to Rainbow Serpent Rock Art. This tour takes you through a dramatic landscape to six rock art sites, including the Rainbow Serpent cave and an ancestral birth site where Willie’s (tour guide) grandfather was born. You’ll gain an understanding of the spiritual meanings and stories behind the paintings, and along the way learn some of the survival techniques of the Nugal-warra people – and maybe taste a green ant or two! Includes an estimated 30-minute bush walk; there is a short climb to two of the sites, but generally the terrain is easy. Don’t want to tour? No worries! Stretch your legs and discover Cookstown’s rich history, hilltop lookout and the local botanical gardens. Arrive back to M.Y. Beluga approx. 1.30pm. Afternoon cruising out to the northern Ribbons Reefs. Time to relax and recharge your batteries whilst enjoying M.Y. Beluga’s facilities and hospitality. Enjoy some downtime in the rooftop jacuzzi as the sun sets over the ocean and settle in until we arrive at our next anchorage.

Day five – fishing, diving or water-sports today? The choice is up to you! Try your luck trolling outside the reef’s edge for a marlin and other pelagic species or if sports-fishing is more your thing cast for giant trevally on the reef with poppers and stick bait lures. Alternatively, there are various scuba diving options for the adventurous. Have you tried our motorised sea bobs yet? Zoom your way around the shallow reefs but be warned, this is addictive fun for the whole family!

Day six – early morning cruise up to Ribbon Reef #9 or #10. Discover the Great Barrier Reef’s most famous site, the Cod Hole. Dive and snorkel with the large friendly cods and check out shark alley, then settle in for lunch whilst enjoying a leisurely afternoon cruise into beautiful Lizard Island. Alternatively, board the chase boat and head out fishing for the afternoon, returning to meet M.Y. Beluga in at Lizard Island later in the afternoon.

Day seven – tender over to beautiful Lizard Island to explore and hike up to the stunning Cook’s Lookout for a little exercise and some great photo opportunities! Back to M.Y. Beluga for a late lunch, followed by an afternoon of swimming/snorkelling and relaxing in beautiful Mrs. Watson’s Bay. Here the crew will set up a special beach BBQ complete with sunset views and memorable moments to enjoy your last evening on board. M.Y. Beluga will disembark Lizard Island late in the evening to begin your journey back to Port Douglas. Alternatively guests can opt for a one-way itinerary and fly out of Lizard Island by private air charter.

Day eight – enjoy a sleep in and a late breakfast on the bridge deck whilst we continue cruising the beautiful coast and arrive back into Port Douglas for disembarkation by midday.

Seven-night charter POA

To enquire, click the button below, or contact Morris Escapes Reservations Department +61 (0)7 4777 7377 or [email protected]