Yacht Charter Itinerary The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Written by Missy Johnston

Cairns

Fly into Cairns to meet your yacht. After settling in, set sail past the mouth of the Daintree River and enjoy spectacular views of the adjacent World Heritage rainforest. At the end of the day, relax with a cocktail while enjoying a magnificent sunset behind the Alexander Range.

Outer Reef Sea Horse

Head off to the outer reef to spend the day snorkeling or diving amongst the profusion of corals and colorful reef fish. Enjoy a barbeque dinner of freshly caught lobster or delicious reef fish served with fresh salads and fine Australian wines.

Inner Reef Islands

After breakfast, cruise north along the Ribbon Reefs. Island hop through the inner reef islands, and perhaps stroll on a beautiful beach at sunset.

Spend the next day cruising along the Ribbon Reefs exploring the outer reefs. Spend the day scuba diving or snorkeling in this terrific underwater wonderland.

Giant Neon Lipped Clam

Cruise to the “Jewel of the Reef,” Lizard Island. Walk to the same lookout used by Captain James Cook, who discovered Australia. Lizard Island has spectacular “clam gardens” – coral gardens filled with amazing neon colored lips of giant clams growing within the coral, some clams being three feet in width.

No visit to the Ribbon Reefs and Lizard Island would be complete without a snorkel or dive at “Cod Hole”. World famous potato cod, weighing up to 1000 pounds, gather in this area where underwater scuba divers and snorkelers can hand feed these giant fish. You’ll not soon forget this incredible experience of swimming among these huge, gentle creatures.

Enjoy another day of diving, snorkeling, swimming, or hiking ashore at Lizard Island.

Whitsunday

Disembark at Lizard Island for a flight back to Cairns. Or, alternatively, extend the charter to cruise through the Whitsunday Islands, including ending and disembarking at Hayman Island Resort.