Tour Highlights
- This Great Barrier Reef trip caters for divers as well as snorkellers, something for everyone. Up to 3 certified dives and up to 2 introductory dives.
- Stand on the upper deck, with the backdrop being the crystal clear turquoise waters and darker blue areas of the Great Barrier Reef. Smile and click. You won’t believe how amazing the waters look behind you.
- One of only 3 day boats in Port Douglas with a "Swim with Dwarf Minke Whales" tours June to July. This is a rare event and not guaranteed.
- A very well-known and respected Great Barrier Reef tour operator. Professional crew, the choice of many reef moorings, visting 3 on a daily basis. A great trip for dedicated scuba divers looking for the best day tour.
Description & Tour Inclusions
Included In Price
- Return coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation.
- Return Poseidon cruise from Port Douglas.
- Morning tea, coffee with fresh muffins and focaccia on boarding.
- Afternoon tea with cake and tropical fruit platter.
- Tropical buffet lunch with prawns.
- Reef interpretation talk.
- Guided snorkel tour with marine biologist.
- Premium snorkelling equipment and instruction provided.
- Lycra suits and flotation devices.
- Prescription masks available at no extra cost.
Your Great Barrier Reef tour is on a 24 metre catamaran departing from Port Douglas, you will be taken out across the clear, aquamarine waters of the Coral Sea to the amazing Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, part of the outer Great Barrier Reef.
On your Great Barrier Reef tour from Port Douglas you will visit 3 reef locations in 1 day, each one will be carefully chosen to give you the best opportunity to see the best and most vibrant parts of the northern section of Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
You will be taken to the coral reef sites that can give the best conditions on the day to ensure great visibility, calmest conditions and the largest marine diversity.
Swim With Whales Licence: permits to swim with Dwarf Minke Whales are very limited, this is one of only 3 boats in Port Douglas with a "swim with whales" licences.
This allows guests to enter the water and hold onto a rope whilst the cute Dwarf Minke Whales come over and swim around and amongst you.
Dwarf Minke Whales are in this region from eary June to July.
Please note:- This is a dedicated diving and snorkelling tour and it is a rare event to swim with the minke whales. You may or may not be lucky on the day. If you wish to swim with minke whales look at these dedicated liveaboard tours.
Humpback Whales migrate annually to calve in the safe waters of the Agincourt Ribbons Reefs during the months of June to August and you may be lucky enough to see them breaching out of the water as you cruise to your diving and snorkelling locations
If you are a little rusty, or have never snorkelled before, then don’t worry.
Experienced snorkelling tour guides are on board to help you and to make you feel comfortable and you may get some tips and hints on snorkelling on this page.
A full briefing will be given before you enter the water and once in, your snorkelling guides can assist you.
If you wish to join a guided snorkelling tour then you can join the tour and enjoy learning about the amazing marine life you are seeing, as you see it.
Remember to bring your dive certification card.
Itinerary
Return Accommodation Coach Transfers
Transfers can be arranged from Cairns & Northern Beaches at an extra cost.
However if you are staying in Port Douglas, they are included on the price.
Your Day
Check-in at the Poseidon/Quicksilver reservations counter at the Port Douglas Port Douglas Marina between 7.30am and 8.00am.
You will then board the boat at 8.15am for a sharp 8.30am departure, returning to the Port Douglas Marina at 4.15pm.
Snorkelling & Diving Boat
Your Great Baarrier Reef Tour boat Poseidon is a 24 metre, high-speed catamaran and with a top speed of around 30 knots and she will transport you to the outer Great Barrier Reef in comfort and speed.
She has been custom-designed for ease of activities on board with easy access snorkelling platforms (hydraulically lowered), large open deck areas, perfect to laze on under the tropical sun and sip on a drink from the licensed bar.
Snorkelling Port Douglas
The shallow reef lagoons where sunlight is plentiful allows for flourishing coral growth and extensive coral gardens that makes for great snorkelling.
On these corals you will see vibrant fish life sporting an array of amazing colours.
From beginners to advanced there is stunning snorkelling for everyone at all levels.
For beginners the conditions are ideal with clear waters, minimal current and shallow reefs and for the more experienced there are coral pinnacles and steep drop offs.
Between the months of June to July you might be lucky to snorkel with a migrating Dwarf Minke Whale (this tour has one of the few permits that allow snorkelers to do this).
You will be fully briefed before your snorkelling activity and there will be snorkel guides in the water to assist.
If you wish, you can join a guided snorkel tour where the wonders of the deep will be unravelled.
Understand what coral is and find out about the quirky behaviour of the fish you are seeing.
Scuba Diving Port Douglas
On every diver’s ‘must do’ list is the Great Barrier Reef.
You will be diving the outer Great Barrier Reef on Agincourt reef, a set of ribbon reefs at the northern end of the reef system off of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest.
There are 16 different dive sites on the Agincourt Ribbon Reef.
Diving on the Great Barrier Reef is ideal for the novice or the more advanced diver.
You will swim past giant clams, meander through coral gardens, cruise with turtles and dive amongst the colourful clouds of basslets and chromis.
Look out in the blue and see shoals of barracuda and passing sharks and rays.
It really is like an aquarium with the crystal clear clarity of the water, no strong currents and comfortable, warm waters (from 22-29 Celcius, 70-80 Fahrenheit).
The maximum dive depth is 18 metres (60ft).
If you don’t have your certification card, it’s no problem, for any PADI certified divers this can possibly be checked online, but just in case make sure you bring it along with you on the day.
See our sister ship Silversonic that also visits 3 reef sites in 1 day and also has a swim with Dwarf Minke Whale licences.
Reef Education and Guided Eco Reef Talk
On your trip out to the Agincourt reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef, you have the chance to learn about the reef and the life on it.
In an eco presentation on board you will learn how the Great Barrier Reef was formed and of the microscopic animals that made it.
You will learn about the bizarre life cycles of the fish and all their quirky natures.
Nothing brings your Great Barrier Reef trip more alive than learning and understanding about the marine life that you will be encountering on your day cruise.
View all Great Barrier Reef tours from Port Douglas.
Tour Details
Tour Languages Offered
English
EnglishDeparts From
Port Douglas
Departure Time
7.00am to 8.00am check in - 8.15am boarding - 8.30am departure - 4.15pm return
Pickup Locations
- Cairns
- Cairns Northern Beaches
- Palm Cove
- Port Douglas
- Transfers are available from Cairns & Northern Beaches for an additional cost.
- Transfers are included from Port Douglas only.
Destinations
- Great Barrier Reef
- Visit 3 different reef sites at Agincourt Ribbon Reefs
Months of Operation
January - December
Days of Operation
Daily
Does not operate Christmas Day
Duration
8 hours
Available for Purchase / Hire
- Introductory Diving
- Certified Diving
- Wetsuits for snorkellers available onboard
- Professional photographer service onboard
Fitness Level Required
Medium, Active
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.
What to Bring
- Your camera
- Swimming costume and beach towel.
- Hat, sunscreen and shirt for sun protection.
- Cash for drinks at the bar, credit card for shopping and additional dives.
- Underwater digital cameras available for hire.
- Camera (charged)
Reviews
Customer Reviews
PAULA A
Reviewed on August 09, 2017
Crew was really friendly and professional. The trip was really nice and we visit some amazing spots around the reef. We booked an intro dive which was just right, crew was not too helpful, thought, as the tanks were really heavy and someone can injure their back getting off the water as they not help you with that. Also I think groups are too big so you can miss some explanations and the education about the reef if you are not next to the guide. They should have more bilingual crew members.
Response From Barrier Reef Australia
Hi Paula, thanks for your feedback! The Tour Specialists team are pleased you enjoyed your time on the Outer Barrier Reef. Introductory diving can be a little daunting and the gear can be unexpectedly cumbersome but once you are under the water there is nothing quite like it which makes the experience all worthwhile. We will pass on your feedback to the crew however next time you visit please be sure to let us know of your language needs and we can ensure you travel on a day with a crew member who is bi-lingual. We look forward to welcoming you back to Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef soon.
Grant D
Reviewed on May 19, 2017
Very professional but fun also. Good food and dive service/gear etc. 3 dives at 3 sites were a bit rushed but you could choose to do 2 if that is a problem. Rating the sites, 1st site 2.5 stars, 2nd site was about 4.5 stars third was 2.5 stars. Lots of bleaching and damage can be seen but still decent vibrant fish life. Very safety conscious also and dive guide was professional without being 'great'. Also this company was best price around to buy this tour.
Response From Barrier Reef Australia
Thank you Grant for your review of your Great Barrier Reef tour from Port Douglas. Very glad you enjoyed the day and we look forward to seeing you back in Cairns in the near future
Emma S
Reviewed on February 07, 2017
I can highly recommend this trip. Staff were absolutely lovely, boat was well-designed, numbers were not too many and three separate sights gave plenty of snorkling time. I would definitely book with Poseidon again. A fantastic day!
Response From Barrier Reef Australia
Thanks for your feedback Emma. The Tour Specialists are pleased you had a great day on the Southern Ribbon Reef and enjoyed the smaller numbers on your reef cruise from Port Douglas. We hope to see you back again soon - maybe in Winter next time to see the Minke Whales.
Paula C
Reviewed on August 19, 2016
Sea was rough but crew remained positive and we still enjoyed snorkel sessions.
Response From Barrier Reef Australia
We are very glad to hear you made the most of your day and enjoyed your snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. The Agincourt Reef system offers some of the most diverse fish & coral in the region. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back on Poseidon Port Douglas in the future.
Child Policy
- Child price applies to children 4 to 14
- Children 3 years and under travel free of charge
- Minimum age for diving is 12
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing.
We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.
In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.
Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Operators policy:
- Cancellations received within 24 hours are subject to full cancellation.
From
au$302.00
Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.
Child:
au$218.00
Family: au$1,040.00
Tour Code: 102
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