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Ocean Spirit Cruises | Michaelmas Cay Day Tour

The Michaelmas Cay Ocean Spirit Cruise tour departs from Cairns for a full-day visit to Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Guests sail on a large catamaran with time to snorkel in protected shallow waters, view marine life from a semi-sub, watch seabirds on the cay, or relax onboard. The tour includes morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, snorkelling equipment, a marine biologist talk, and optional scuba diving or guided snorkelling. A glass of sparkling wine is served on the return journey.

Features

• Return cruise from Cairns
• 8.5-hour tour with 4 hours at Michaelmas Cay
• Snorkelling equipment and instruction
• Lycra suits and buoyancy vests
• Marine biologist presentation
• Semi-submersible coral viewing tour
• Fish feeding presentation
• Hot and cold buffet lunch with fresh prawns
• Morning and afternoon tea
• Complimentary sparkling wine with cheese and crackers on return
• Hotel transfers available

Itinerary

Check-In at Reef Fleet Terminal
Guests can check in digitally via a link sent by SMS and email 24 hours before departure. If checked in online, they can go straight to the Ocean Spirit vessel and present their digital boarding pass.
Alternatively, check-in is available from 7:30 am at the Ocean Spirit counter inside Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, where printed boarding passes can be collected.

Boarding and Departure
Boarding starts at 8:00 am. Tea and coffee served. Vessel departs at 8:30 am. Safety briefings, snorkelling demos and a marine biologist presentation take place during the cruise.

Arrival at Michaelmas Cay
The vessel arrives at 10:30 am. Guests transfer between the boat and the cay via shuttle. Activities begin, including snorkelling, fish feeding, semi-sub tours, and optional diving.

Buffet Lunch
Lunch is served onboard between 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm, followed by more time for snorkelling or relaxing.

Return to Cairns
Afternoon tea served at 2:30 pm. The vessel departs Michaelmas Cay after a safety head count. Complimentary sparkling wine and cheese are served on the return. Arrival back in Cairns is at 5:00 pm.

Meeting Point & Times

Check-In Location
Ocean Spirit counter inside Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns

Departure Information
Daily departures

• Check-in from 7:30 am
• Boarding at 8:00 am
• Departs at 8:30 am
• Returns at 5:00 pm

What To Bring

• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Camera

Additional Information
Access to Michaelmas Cay is restricted to a roped beach area to protect seabird habitat. The tour is suitable for beginners. Optional guided snorkel and introductory dive sessions are available at an extra cost. Scuba diving is only for guests over 12 who pass a medical check. Prescription masks and multilingual instructors available on request.

Instant Booking & Mobile-Friendly Tickets
Check availability & book here to secure the Michaelmas Cay Ocean Spirit Cruise
Pre-booking is essential. Please do not turn up on the day without a booking.

Special Child & Family Rates
We offer special rates for families. Please check the booking for form for up-to-date family pricing.

Ocean Spirit operates daily, some times and scheduled activities may vary subject to conditions on the day.
Check-in at Ocean Spirit’s counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal for boarding from 7.30am.