• Discover an amazing array of birdlife on Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef
• Great for families and beginner snorkellers and divers
• With the amazing array of birdlife and sea life and the pristine surroundings at Michaelmas Cay, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Snap yourself on the pristine beach or snorkelling with a friendly green sea turtle. 
• Snorkel in the calm, shallow waters off the beach at Michaelmas Cay
• Stay dry and view the spectacular fringing reef and diverse marine life from a glass bottom boat

Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef is a small, low-lying sandy island surrounded by a spectacular fringing reef. Your tour to this beautiful sandy island from Cairns includes a range of family-friendly and adventure-filled activities: snorkel, dive, take a glass bottom boat tour.

On our Cairns dive and snorkel tour you can be as active or relaxed as you like, the choice is yours!

Snorkel in the calm waters off Michaelmas Cay

Great for families and first-timers, you can snorkel straight off the beach into the calm, shallow waters of Michaelmas Cay. The fringing reef surrounding the Cay is rich with colourful and varied marine life and is renowned for its abundance of giant clams. Around 90 per cent of the Reef’s diversity is in the top four metres of the water.

View the coral reef from a glass bottom boat tour

Hop on a glass bottom boat and get a fish-eye view of the stunning underwater scenery. This is a fabulous way to experience the beauty of the Reef whilst staying dry and is perfect for non-swimmers.

Dive the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns

Experience what it’s like to breathe underwater on an introductory scuba dive (extra cost) in the shallow, calm waters off Michaelmas Cay. You'll receive a thorough briefing and participate in practice exercises before you commence your dive adventure. No experience is necessary and you’ll have an experienced dive instructor by your side the whole time.

Cairns Reef Tour - Michaelmas Cay

Michaelmas Cay is a small, vegetated sand island surrounded by a spectacular fringing reef. It is located on the western tip of Michaelmas Reef 43km north-east of Cairns.

Heaven for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts

Declared a national park in 1975, Michaelmas Cay is an important bird sanctuary and home to over 23 species of seabirds. At the height of nesting and breeding season (during summer months) up to 20,000 birds have been observed. 

The Cay is also rich with a myriad of sea life including green sea turtles (which occasionally nest there), molluscs and hundreds of species of tropical reef fish including Humphead Maori Wrasse. The reef surrounding the Cay is known for its abundance of giant clams.

Snorkelling off Michaelmas Cay

Families and first-timers will love the easy access of snorkelling straight off the beach into the calm, shallow waters of Michaelmas Cay. The reef surrounding the Cay is rich with colourful and varied marine life and coral formations. 

All your snorkelling equipment will be provided and a briefing will be given by your guide on how to use your equipment as well as tips on how to snorkel, to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable time in the water. 

If you would like to learn more about the Reef, for an extra cost you can join a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist. 

Glass Bottom Boat Tour - Coral Viewing Tour

If you prefer to stay dry as a non-swimmer, you can view the Great Barrier Reef from the comfort of a glass bottom boat.

On this 30-minute tour, you'll cruise quietly over the water's surface and have a fish-eye view of the Reef and its inhabitants. View pristine coral, colourful fish, giant clams and maybe even a sea turtle as you cruise through this amazing underwater world. 

Introduction to scuba diving (optional activity – not included in tour price)

The shallow, calm waters off Michaelmas Cay offer a perfect environment for first-time scuba divers. No experience is necessary and you’ll have an experienced dive instructor by your side throughout the dive.

After a briefing and some basic skills practice, you’ll be ready to commence your dive adventure amongst the stunning coral formations and colourful fish.

At the completion of your first scuba dive, you’ll receive a certificate of recognition and wonderful memories to last a lifetime of your Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns.

See a range of Great Barrier Reef tours for Non-swimmers here and other dive and snorkel tours here. 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

8:30am departure

Departure Instructions

• If making own arrangements, please check in at 07:45am at Reef Fleet Terminal. 1 Spence St Cairns.
• Optional coach transfers available from Cairns, Cairns Beaches and Palm Cove accommodation.

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

Destinations

Michaelmas Cay

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Does not operate on Christmas Day

Duration

8.5 hours experience with 4 hours on the Reef

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Introductory scuba diving (pre-booking recommended)
• Coach transfers from accommodation

Fitness Level Required

Low

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

• Diving activities subject to medical questionnaire.
• Recommended wait of 12 hours but preferably 24 hours, if doing multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.
• Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity. Please use caution and inform our crew of any medical conditions.

Eco Certifications

• Camera
• Towel
• Hat
• Swimming costume
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Cash/Credit Card for onboard purchases.

• 0-3 years are free of charge
• 4-14 years inclusive, child rate applies
• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children

• Cancellations made between 12 midday and 5.00pm on the day prior to travel incur a 50% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations made after 5.00pm on the day prior to travel incur a 100% cancellation fee.