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Port Douglas Reef Trip | Dive & Snorkel Tour | Swim With Whales (Seasonal) | SS

Tour Code: 67

Departing: Port Douglas

Pickup: Cairns, Port Douglas

Swim With Whales
  • Our smooth ride control system ensures our Great Barrier Reef tour boat glides across the water, minimising seasickness
  • Hire an underwater camera (if you don't already have one) and take some selfies while you swim with a diverse range of colourful marine life on the Great Barrier Reef tour
  • From Port Douglas enjoy 5 full hours and 3 exclusive reef sites at Agincourt Reef on the Great Barrier Reef
  • This is the ultimate Great Barrier Reef tour from Port Douglas for dedicated scuba divers and keen snorkellers.
  • BONUS: This is one of only a few boats in the world that has a "Swim with Dwarf Minke Whales" licence (June - July). It is the most amazing thing you can do on Australia's Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas! 
  • Sighting and swimming with whales is seasonal & not an everyday occurrance this tour does not search for whales if you see them on the way to the reef sites it is the Captains discretion to stop and allow you to enter the water. 

Included In Price

  • Coach pick up from Port Douglas accommodation
  • Return Silversonic cruise from Port Douglas
  • 5 hours actual reef time
  • Morning and afternoon teas
  • Hot and cold tropical smorgasbord lunch
  • Qualified lifeguards on hand
  • Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel & fins) and instruction provided. Snorkel brief at each site
  • Equipment for divers provided, including wetsuits. All dives are guided
  • Guided snorkel tour
  • Prescription masks available at no extra cost
  • Lycra suits

Your day will be spent touring the Agincourt Reefs on the iconic outer Great Barrier Reef. Visit three stunning sites in this World Heritage area. You can snorkel and dive (even if you haven’t dived before) and discover a whole new underwater world. Swim with Dwarf Minke Whale Licence.

Get set for an incredible day on your Great Barrier Reef tour as you board your spacious, luxury catamaran at the Port Douglas Crystalbrook Super Yacht Marina.

Your tour boat for the day is the fastest on the Great Barrier Reef, meaning you'll have shorter travel times and more time to enjoy and explore each of the three coral reef sites that you will be visiting on this Port Douglas day tour. 

You will be diving and snorkeling the stunning Agincourt Ribbon Reefs on this Great Barrier Reef tour.

Each of the three dive and snorkel coral reef locations you'll visit will be chosen according to the weather and sea conditions on the day. This allows for each stop to offer the best marine diversity and snorkel-friendly environment at the time.

Swim with whales

Imagine swimming alongside inquisitive, gentle Dwarf Minke Whales!

These beautiful creatures who love interactions with snorkellers in the water, visit the Great Barrier Reef during July – August. Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where you can snorkel and swim with these gentle giants, and this is one of only three boats in Port Douglas with a "Swim with Dwarf Minke Whale" licence. 

Humpback Whales come to the Agincourt Ribbon Reef region to calve during the months of June –  August and sometimes September, dependant on the water temperatures.

It's a breathtaking sight to watch the humpbacks breaching in and out of the water as you cruise to your dive and snorkel location – a 'must-do' experience for young and old. 

Snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef

A full snorkelling briefing will be given before you descend into the calm, clear reef waters, so don't be concerned if you have never snorkelled before or are a little rusty, and there are snorkel guides in the water to offer extra assistance.

You can also join a guided snorkel tour and learn more about life on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Scuba diving is a must-do for anyone wanting to see the incredible underwater world from beneath the surface.

If you have never scuba dived before or are non-certified you can still go with a trained diving instructor and experience an amazing snorkelling adventure. 

Certified scuba divers can choose to take a guided diving tour with an experienced dive guide to one of the most amazing parts of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Lie back and relax

If you're after a bit of relaxation or don't wish to get wet, you'll love the expansive sundecks where you can lie back under the tropical sun and sip drinks from the licensed bar.

This is a friendly tour that takes up to only 85 guests and with the ratio of staff being one person to eight guests, you will receive the best service above and below the water. 

If you are a Non - Swimmer take a look at our Port Doulgas interactive pontoon tour and our list of other Great Barrier Reef tours that are perfect for Non - Swimmers.

Pick Up and Check-in

Return coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation are included in your Great Barrier Reef tour price.

Check-in at Port Douglas Reef Marina is between 7.30am and 7.45am.

You'll find a delicious morning tea/breakfast waiting for you aboard your spacious catamaran along with tea and coffee which will be served until your departure. 

At 8.30am it's time to head off to enjoy five full hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. 

Great Barrier Reef tour boat - Luxury 29-metre catamaran

Our luxury custom-designed 29-metre catamaran will whisk you out to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas at an amazing 32 knots.

This fabulous reef tour boat has been designed for both speed and comfort, with a computerised control ride system ensuring the vessel remains stable for a smooth ride if the weather is rough, which is just perfect for those guests who may suffer from seasickness.

You'll find plenty of room to lounge and sunbathe on the sundecks whilst sipping a drink from the licensed bar onboard, or cool off in the air-conditioned lounge areas. 

Reef Education and Guided Eco Reef Talk

Enjoy a fascinating eco presentation as you travel out to Agincourt Ribbon Reefs on the Great Barrier Reef.

You will learn that coral is a living animal, how the marine life interacts with each other and quirky facts many of the fish you will encounter on the Reef. 

Port Douglas Snorkel Tours - Great Barrier Reef Tours

A full snorkelling briefing will be given before you descend into the calm, clear reef waters, so don't be concerned if you have never snorkelled before or are a little rusty. 

There are also snorkel guides in the water to offer extra assistance and buoyancy aids are available and included in your Port Douglas snorkel tour price. 

You will never forget the experience of seeing the Great Barrier Reef underwater world unfurl below you as you look through your mask.

Guided snorkel tour

If you wish to know more about the Great Barrier Reef and it's inhabitants, you can join a guided snorkel tour group (included in the price) and learn in detail about life on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Everything is planned and organised for you, so all you have to do on the day is relax and enjoy a truly memorable experience.

Introductory Scuba Diving

Introductory scuba diving is available for beginner divers. No experience is necessary, you'll be provided with a full briefing from an experienced dive instructor who will take you through some theory and basic skills underwater. 

Your dive will be around 30 minutes and you will be taken to a shallow depth of 12m (36ft). 

The conditions on the Great Barrier Reef are perfect for first-time divers. 

With crystal clear, warm waters, no currents and, of course, loads of marine life to look at, this is the chance of a lifetime. 

Dives must be selected and pre-booked. 

Please note dive medical requirements. Enjoy up to two dives. 

Certified Scuba Diving

Here's your chance to dive the largest coral reef in the world! You'll be able to explore three stunning dive sites on this tour, some with pinnacles and bommies (coral mountains) others with walls and drop-offs, swim-throughs and amazing coral gardens. 

Your maximum depth will be a shallow 18 metres (60ft). Your experienced dive guide, who has intimate knowledge of the dive sites, will show you the best that each one has to offer.

If you have forgotten your dive certification card, no worries, for any PADI certifications this can be checked online.

Dives must be selected and pre-booked. Please note the dive medical requirements. 

Swim With Dwarf Minke Whales (June – July)

This reef trip is only one of three Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef tours with a Swim with Whales License.

This unique whale license enables them to allow snorkellers in the water to interact with the sweet, inquisitive Dwarf Minke whales for a period of ten minutes at a time.

The Dwarf Minke whales sometimes come right up close to you so you can just about touch them. Swimming with Dwarf Minke whales is magical – don't miss this bucket list experience from June to July.

Please note the whales are on the Great Barrier Reef at different times based on the water temperatures and water currents.

Swimming with the whales is not guaranteed, it is just a bonus. 

Humpback whales (June – July) 

Humpback Whales come to the Agincourt Ribbon Reef region to calve during the months of June – August and sometimes September dependant on the water temperatures.

It's a breathtaking sight to watch the humpbacks breaching in and out of the water as you cruise to your dive and snorkel location – a 'must-do' experience for young and old. 

See more swim with whales tours on the Great Barrier Reef and other Great Barrier Reef tours from Port Douglas.

Tour Languages Offered
  • English
Departs From

Port Douglas

Departure Time

Check in 7:45am - Boarding 8:15am - Departure 8:30am - Return to Port Douglas Marina at 4:30pm

Departure Instructions

Check-in at Quicksilver’s Reservations office, Port Douglas marina for boarding passes

Pickup Locations
  • Cairns
  • Port Douglas
Destinations

3 stunning & exclusive outer edge reef locations at the renowned Agincourt Ribbon Reefs

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Does not operate on Christmas Day
The vessel may differ to the images displayed. In such cases, we will be operating our Poseidon vessel. A tropical buffet lunch will be served as lunch and there will be freshwater showers available only”. Please call our Reservations team if you would like to confirm whether it is a Poseidon vessel or a Silversonic vessel on a particular date.

Duration

8 hours (approx.)

Available for Purchase / Hire
  • Coach transfers from Cairns to Port Douglas and Return
  • Introductory and Certified Scuba Diving - needs to be pre-booked
  • Wetsuits available for hire on board for snorkellers
  • Souvenirs, photos & underwater camera
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.

Advanced Dive Medical Intro Dive Medical

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information
  • Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving. Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years. Flying after scuba diving: A wait of 12 hours is recommended but preferably 24 hours, if doing multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.
  • The vessel may differ to the images displayed. In such cases, we will be operating our Poseidon vessel. A tropical buffet lunch will be served as lunch and there will be freshwater showers available only”. Please call our Reservations team if you would like to confirm whether it is a Poseidon vessel or a Silversonic vessel on a particular date.

Your camera, swimming costume and beach towel, hat, sunscreen and shirt for sun protection, cash for drinks at the bar, credit cards for souvenirs, certification card for Certified Dives

Customer Reviews

Average Rating

Lisa M

Reviewed on October 04, 2016

We had the most fantastic day out on the reef thanks to your recommendation. The boat, staff and location was absolutely brilliant. Everything was so well organized and the staff were friendly, helpful and professional. We were picked up from our accommodation by comfortable coach which was waiting for us when we arrived back tired and blown away by our amazing day out on the reef. Can't thank you enough for your recommendation and for the most amazing experience with memories that will last a life time.

Response From Barrier Reef Australia

Thanks Lisa! The Tour Specialists are pleased you enjoyed your time on the Outer Reef and Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. Visiting 3 amazing sites in the one day with the free guided snorkel tour really does allow you to see the best the Great Barrier Reef has to offer and the staff on this amazing vessel are well known for their great knowledge and service.

Containes notes on wheelchair accessContaines notes for the visually impairedContaines notes for the hearing impaired
Wheelchair Accessibility

From the Port Douglas Reef Marina there are no steps to reach the vessel

Doorway Measurements For Wheelchair Access

Access for wheelchair – but doors too narrow to access wheelchairs so would require a collapsible wheelchair

Number of Steps

To board the boat: 2 steps up and 1 step down (gradient of these steps will be dependent on tide)~|~For certified divers there is an entry from the side of the vessel – with a drop of 2 metres (6 ft). (Giant stride entry)~|~Access to Introduction Divers entry point – 6 steps down~|~Back ladders for return to boat: 5 steps

Boarding Access

To board vessel – 2 steps up and 1 step down

Activities

Introduction Divers will be taken down a descending line whilst holding on (with one hand)

Wheelchair Accessibility
Doorway Measurements For Wheelchair Access

Access for wheelchair – but doors too narrow to access wheelchairs so would require a collapsible wheelchair

Number of Steps

To board the boat: 2 step up and 1 step down (gradient of these steps will be dependent on tide)~|~Access to from snorkel area to water: 6 steps~|~Back ladders for return to boat: 5 steps

Boarding Access

From the Port Douglas Reef Marina there are no steps to reach the vessel.

To board vessel – 2 steps up and 1 step down

Pre-order Local Transport

You must arrange your own local transport in advance.

The minimum age for diving is 12 years

All cancellations must be in writing. Please note that all cancellations will incur an administration fee. Please see our terms and conditions page here for details prior to booking.

Operator's Cancellation policy:

No refund within 24 hours of travel

On rare occasions, services can be subject to the effect of weather or unforeseen circumstances. 

Should a cruise not operate for any reason passengers will be offered an alternative day of travel or a refund will be authorised.

Note: The vessel may differ to the images displayed. In such cases, we will be operating our Poseidon vessel. A tropical buffet lunch will be served as lunch and there will be freshwater showers available only”.  Please call our Reservations team if you would like to confirm whether it is a Poseidon vessel or a Silversonic vessel on a particular date.

Whales - June to August : Please note swimming with Whales is not a guaranteed activity it is totally up to the whales. The captain will not search for whales. It is the Captains discretion to stop and allow you to enter the water. There is no Guarantee.

Port Douglas Reef Trip | Dive & Snorkel Tour | Swim With Whales (Seasonal) | SS

Tour Code: 67

Departing: Port Douglas

Pickup: Cairns, Port Douglas

Swim With Whales

From

au$289.00

Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.

Child: au$207.00
Family: au$992.00

Tour Code: 67

From

au$289.00

15 yrs & over

4 - 14 yrs

0 - 3 yrs

Ages of Children
(Discounts May Apply)
Phone
1300 231 118
WhatsApp
+61 427 074 745
Phone
1300 231 118
WhatsApp
+61 427 074 745

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