The Great Barrier Reef
Rich in biodiversity and natural wonder, the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system stretching from the tip of Cape York in Queensland’s north, all the way to Bundaberg in the south. Composed of over 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on earth and is visible from outer space. Home to 25% of all know marine life and some of the best dive sites in the world, the Great Barrier Reef offers the opportunity for real adventure and exploration and is an extraordinary and unforgettable bucket list destination for Superyachts.
Southern Great Barrier Reef
Just north of the Sunshine Coast, the Southern Great Barrier Reef is the reef less travelled and all the more beautiful for it. Exquisite untouched reefs teem with vibrant marine life, from tiny reef fish to enormous humpback whales.
Sail through the naturally formed, all tidal entrance to explore the natural beauty of Fitzroy Reef lagoon, the Great Barrier Reef’s largest navigable lagoon. With no land in sight, you can enjoy the sensation of being an intrepid explorer sailing uncharted waters. The 2000-acre Fitzroy Reef fills the centre of the lagoon with a spectacular underwater forest brimming with rays, turtles, dolphins, and nearly 1,000 different species of colourful reef fish. Keep an eye out for the iridescent, blue-spotted lagoon ray and black blotched stingray.
Step ashore on Fitzroy Island to enter an enchanting world of casuarina and pandanus palms populated by sulphur-crested cockatoos, kingfishers, and emerald doves.
Take a dip in one of the Great Barrier Reef’s largest swimming pools at Lady Musgrave Lagoon to see a remarkable range of marine life, including friendly leopard and whitetip reef sharks. Then, visit Lady Elliot Island, home of the amazing Majestic manta ray. If you’re lucky enough to find one, be sure to take a photo of its underbelly. A manta’s underbelly markings are like its fingerprints: no two mantas are alike. If you discover a new ray, you can name it yourself! If you’re not a diving enthusiast, take a glass-bottomed kayak tour and enjoy a birds-eye view of thousands of starfish, anemones, sea cucumbers, turtles, and stunning reef fish that inhabit these pristine waters.
If you’re keen on the sportfishing scene, check out Platypus Bay for marlin and sailfish, or visit the Great Sandy Straits for tuna, mackerel, trevally, barramundi, threadfin salmon, and mangrove jack. With a bit of luck, you could even snag a giant herring or Mary River cod.
Before you leave, be sure to visit Heron Island to witness the acrobatic displays of humpback whales on their 10,000km migratory path from Antarctica to warmer, sub-tropical waters. Enjoy a day snorkelling straight off the beach or step aboard the semi-submersible I-Spy and descend into the intriguing world of turtles, sharks, and rays. You might even catch a glimpse of the magnificent reef manta ray during the winter months. Later, take an evening stroll to witness the extraordinary nesting behaviour of green and loggerhead sea turtles, or watch the new turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea.
Heart Reef
About 90km from Hamilton Island, Heart Reef is an extraordinary natural coral formation and sparkling lagoon in the shape of a perfect heart. Take a helicopter or seaplane flight for an unforgettable view of this iconic attraction. For a truly exclusive experience, land on the Heart Island pontoon’s floating helipad and indulge in champagne and canapes as you explore the reef in a glass-bottomed boat. Return to Heart Island for an undercover swim or snorkel from the back of the pontoon in the astonishingly clear lagoon. Anchor up for the evening for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sleep under the stars in the midst of the Great Barrier Reef.
Michaelmas Cay
Just 90 minutes off the coast of Cairns, Michaelmas Cay is one of the most important migratory seabird breeding sites in the Southern Hemisphere. This amazing sand cay was created entirely by plants, animals, and the ocean waves. Over thousands of years, broken coral and shells swept by underwater currents, seed and fertiliser deposits from passing seabirds, and sand excreted by parrot fish formed a permanent, stable island.
Michaelmas Cay is a bird watcher’s delight. Step aboard a luxury catamaran to witness more than 20,000 breeding pairs of seabirds, including sooty terns, common noddies, and crested terns. Arrange an overnight stay to watch the birds fly in at sunset after a long day’s hunt. The cay is fringed by pristine reef teeming with vibrant marine life.
Snorkel straight from the beach, take an introductory scuba dive, or enjoy a semi-submersible tour to encounter green turtles, upside down jelly fish, razor fish, unicorn fish, and giant clams up to 200kg in size! Snorkellers will love the large humphead Maori wrasse which swim fearlessly close, providing exceptional photo opportunities.
Ribbon Reef
At just 450m wide, the long, thin Ribbon Reefs form the edges of the Great Barrier Reef. They are home to a wide variety of marine life and boast several of Australia’s most exceptional dive sites. Great visibility and calm seas make them a great diving experience for beginners and experienced divers alike.
Visit Cod Hole at feeding time for a truly unique spectacle as dive masters handfeed the giant potato cod. Coral trout, sweetlips, and triggerfish also show up for a free feed. Steve’s Bommie is home to more of the Reefs’ larger denizens, including barracudas, whitetip reef sharks, and even migratory dwarf minke whales. Before you leave, head to the Temple of Doom for sharks, large rays, and bluefin trevally.
Osprey Reef
Beyond the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, around 70 nautical miles from The Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef 10, Osprey Reef offers the ultimate remote adventure diving experience. Perched atop a massive underwater mountain, the reef is a stunning oasis, drawing an extraordinary array of marine life from the surrounding ocean.
With crystal-clear waters and outstanding visibility, it is one of the best tropical dive sites in the world. Brilliant soft corals reach more than 2m high, coral walls plunge 1000m into the depths, and overhangs bloom with enormous gorgonian fans. Close encounters with moral eels, octopuses, and turtles are almost guaranteed, but Osprey Reef is most famous for its sharks. Take a heart-stopping wall dive at North Horn to witness the famous shark feed and see the waters erupt in a frenzy of grey reef, silvertip, whitetip reef, and scalloped hammerhead sharks. Don’t miss the chance to interact with the elusive nautilus, a living fossil usually beyond the limits of recreational scuba divers.
Lizard Island
Located at the northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island offers unparalleled tranquillity, privacy, and luxury.
Relax in one of 40 luxury beachside villas, indulge in world-famous local sea food at the Salt Water Restaurant, and visit the private cellar at the Driftwood Bar to sip on rare, specialty wines. If you’d prefer a little time to yourselves, arrange a gourmet picnic basket from the resort and be ‘marooned’ on one of 24 pristine white beaches to enjoy a romantic adventure in your own private paradise. For the ultimate romantic gesture, arrange a Sunset Beachside Dinner: an exceptional seven-course, wine-matched customised dining experience for couples.
Dine on your choice of exquisite cuisine as you take in the sunset on a private beach pavilion on Anchor Bay.
Surrounded by fringing reef, Lizard Island is the only island resort where you can snorkel the Great Barrier Reef straight from the beach. Complimentary equipment and lessons are available from the resort, and you can hit the water whenever you like. Visit Watsons Bay to snorkel at the renowned Clam Gardens, home to enormous giant clams and a wide variety of vivid corals. In the outer bay, divers can encounter a unique array of marine life, including feather stars, sea pens, sponges, and a range of solitary corals.
Back on shore, explore a network of walking trails and spot the monitor lizards as they work feverishly to create nesting tunnels around the island. Walk in the footsteps of Captain Cook as you hike to Cook’s Look, where the intrepid explorer once climbed in search of safe passage through the reef. At 360m high, the lookout offers spectacular panoramic views of Lizard Island, Watsons Bay, and the outer reef. Get a new perspective on the Great Barrier Reef with a tour of the internationally recognised Australian Museum Research Station and hear from the station’s professional marine researchers about this amazingly complex ecosystem.
For more information on The Great Barrier Reef click here.
- 4 Night Great Barrier Reef Itinerary -
4 Night Great Barrier Reef Itinerary
Courtesy of Captain Martin on M/Y SPIRIT
Day 1
Upon arrival you will be met by Captain Martin and introduced to the crew of SPIRIT who are here to make your stay memorable.
It is time to unwind, relax with a welcome drink in hand. At your leisure you will be briefed on safety and be fully familiarised with Spirit, her facilities and toys. We hope you will treat SPIRIT as your home away from home for your time on board.
We will depart Cairns Marlin Marina and head to our first anchorage. The rest of the day you will be free to use SPIRIT’s water sports equipment if you wish or perhaps just relax with a cocktail served by your Chief Stewardess, a chance to take in the glorious tropical surroundings and look for the breaching humpback whales. The crew will be on hand to make sure you enjoy all that we have to offer.
Anchorage for that evening will be taken at Fitzroy Island, and dinner will be prepared by Chef Jo and served alfresco on the spacious aft deck at your leisure.
Day 2
Today will see SPIRIT underway before sunrise, we will travel North some 55 nautical miles to anchor behind Rachel Carson Reef, named after the famed Marine Biologist.
Breakfast will be served underway so we are ready to experience Rachel Carson Reef, one of the most pristine reefs that the area has to offer. Snorkel to your hearts content enjoying these calm tranquil waters. For the divers among you, a short tender ride away will find yourself immersed in the calm colourful underwater world. For the non-certified guests we can offer instructor assisted dives and snorkelling is always available. From June to September you have the unique opportunity to snorkel with the incredibly inquisitive and gentle Minke Whales prevalent in these food enriched waters.
In the afternoon perhaps try your hand at fishing from one of our tenders or Stand-Up Paddle Boarding. Once dinner has been served SPIRIT will depart the anchorage and cruise North to Lizard Island arriving with the sunrise and ready to start a new day.
Day 3
Lizard Island is located 150 nautical miles north of Cairns, and approximately 60 miles north east of Cook Town.
Without doubt on board SPIRIT you are visiting one of the unspoilt gems that make the Northern Great Barrier Reef so special and unique. In 1770 Captain James Cook anchored in Watson’s bay and climbed to the highest peak on the Island to try and find a way out from the beautiful yet treacherous reef complex. From there (the now aptly named Cooks Lookout) he was able to see clearly the numerous passages that would enable him to navigate the Endeavour to the open ocean… On Lizard Island Goannas/Monitor Lizards are found everywhere – it didn’t take the Captain long to come up with the name for this tropical paradise!
Lizard Island is a National park covering around a 1000 hectares, it has its own airstrip, over 20 beaches with powdery white sand, fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities and ideally located to explore the Northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. It is home to an amazing array of birdlife and a fish sanctuary. It also boasts a world class kiteboarding destination in the Blue lagoon.
Today we will be anchored in the calm tranquil waters of Watsons Bay. After a leisurely breakfast you will be able to fully explore the island and its beaches, the blue lagoon and the pristine surrounding reefs. Today will be a great day for Paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, diving and snorkelling. Or perhaps head off in the Game Fishing boat to try your hand at catching dinner!
In the evening sit back with a cocktail and relax in one of the many areas SPIRIT has to offer, enjoy the sunset as it makes its way beneath the horizon. Once nightfall is upon us watch the incredible marine life come to visit and feed in our under water lights. Lunch and Dinner will be artfully prepared by Chef Jo and served at your convenience – perhaps Dinner experienced at water level with the ever present Lemon Sharks, Giant Trevally and Reef Sharks just beneath your feet!
Day 4
Today will see us head out from Lizard Island with the sunrise to the pristine Ribbon Reefs. This morning will see us anchored off Ribbon reef number Nine, home to a resident pod of Spinner Dolphins and the ever curious Minke Whales. Everyone will have a chance to catch dinner from the back of M/Y SPIRIT, these waters teem with Coral Trout, Nanagai and Job fish to name but a few. For the divers and snorkelers you have one of the lushest areas on the reef literally meters away.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as always served with flare by your on board private chef Jo and at your pleasure.
Departure Day
After a leisurely breakfast on board and perhaps a final snorkel, kayak or paddleboard we will make our way back towards the Marina to start your return journey home. Safely back in port, SPIRIT’s crew will wish you goodbye with memories that will last a lifetime of your trip to Far North Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef and hope to welcome you back on board again in the future!
Yachts in The Great Barrier Reef
54m | Up to 200 Guests
54m | 200 Guests | from $5,500p/h
44.5m | Up to 12 Guests
44.5m | 12 Guests | from $POA
42m | Up to 12 Guests
42m | 12 Guests | from $POA
40m | Up to 80 Guests
40m | 80 Guests | from $4,000p/h
37m | Up to 80 Guests
37m | 80 Guests | from $3,250p/h
36.6m | Up to 70 Guests
36.6m | 70 Guests | from $3,600p/h
36.6m | Up to 45 Guests
36.6m | 45 Guests | from $3,000p/h
35m | Up to 36 Guests
35m | 36 Guests | from $3,000p/h
35m | Up to 12 Guests
35m | 12 Guests | from $POA
35m | Up to 10 Guests
35m | 10 Guests | from $POA
35m | Up to 19 Guests
35m | 19 Guests | from $13,200 p/d
34.7m | Up to 10 Guests
34.7m | 10 Guests | from $POA
34.5m | Up to 45 Guests
34.5m | 45 Guests | from $2,000p/h
33.8m | Up to 110 Guests
33.8m | 110 Guests | from $2,800p/h
33m | Up to 12 Guests
33m | 12 Guests | from $POA
32m | Up to 8 Guests
32m | 8 Guests | from $POA
32m | Up to 105 Guests
32m | 105 Guests | from $3,700p/h
32m | Up to 100 Guests
32m | 100 Guests | from $3,300p/h
31.5m | Up to 60 Guests
31.5m | 60 Guests | from $2,500p/h
30.9m | Up to 100 Guests
30.9m | 100 Guests | from $3,000p/h
30m | Up to 36 Guests
30m | 36 Guests | from $3,000p/h
30m | Up to 34 Guests
30m | 34 Guests | from $1,850p/h
29m | Up to 12 Guests
29m | 12 Guests | from $POA
26m | Up to 36 Guests
26m | 36 Guests | from $1,800p/h
25m | Up to 45 Guests
25m | 45 Guests | from $14,820p/d
25m | Up to 35 Guests
25m | 35 Guests | from $1,850p/h
25m | Up to 20 Guests
25m | 20 Guests | from $POA
25m | Up to 10 Guests
25m | 10 Guests | from $6,600p/4hr
23.8m | Up to 12 Guests
23.8m | 12 Guests | from $6,820p/4hr
22m | Up to 12 Guests
22m | 12 Guests | from $POA
20m | Up to 24 Guests
20m | 24 Guests | from $POA
17m | Up to 33 Guests
17m | 33 Guests | from $9,400p/d
15.5m | Up to 33 Guests
15.5m | 33 Guests | from $9,400p/d
15.5m | Up to 10 Guests
15.5m | 10 Guests | from $POA
16.5m | Up to 10 Guests
16.5m | 10 Guests | from $5,800p/d
16.5m | Up to 8 Guests
16.5m | 8 Guests | from $5,145p/d
13.5m | Up to 6 Guests
13.5m | 6 Guests | from $4,500p/d
12m | Up to 8 Guests
12m | 8 Guests | from $4,500p/d
Great Barrier Reef Gallery
