Luxury Ocean Spirit Cruise to Michaelmas Cay
Sail in Style to a Stunning Coral Cay in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef
- Free cancellations*
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Full details
First class experience!
Board your luxury 5-star catamaran for an exhilarating journey across the Great Barrier Reef to stunning Michaelmas Cay, a tropical sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens and teeming with an abundance of marine life.
Our guide to Luxury Ocean Spirit Cruise to Michaelmas Cay
Sail in Style to Michaelmas Cay on a Luxury Great Barrier Reef Day Trip
Step aboard Ocean Spirit, a 32-metre luxury sailing catamaran, for an unforgettable full-day cruise to the beautiful Michaelmas Cay—a protected seabird sanctuary surrounded by vibrant coral gardens and calm, shallow waters.
Relax and enjoy a scenic two-hour motorised sail from Cairns with complimentary tea and coffee served onboard. Once you arrive at Michaelmas Cay, spend up to four hours exploring the reef and soaking up the tropical surroundings.
Snorkel directly from the beach in sheltered waters, take a ride in the semi-submersible for a diver’s view of the coral gardens, or simply unwind on the cay’s sandy shores or Ocean Spirit’s sun-drenched decks. A marine biologist is also onboard to share fascinating insights about this incredible ecosystem.
A buffet lunch is served on board, along with afternoon tea and a glass of sparkling wine on your return journey—complete with cheese and crackers for a relaxed sail back to Cairns.
Throughout the day, a beach buggy shuttle will transfer you between Ocean Spirit and the cay. Please note that access to Michaelmas Cay is limited to the roped-off beach area to protect the nesting birdlife.
Whether you're here to snorkel or simply enjoy the view, this luxury cruise offers the perfect balance of comfort and adventure.
Start Times:
Departs daily at 8.30am (check-in between 7.30am–8.00am)
Duration:
Approximately 8.5 hours total, with around 4 hours on the Reef
Departs:
Daily, year-round (excluding Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, ANZAC Day & Easter Sunday)
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions for Luxury Ocean Spirit Cruise to Michaelmas Cay
- Northern Beaches transfers include Palm Cove, Kewarra Beach and Trinity Beach.
- If you did not select a hotel transfer, please make sure to check in at the Ocean Spirit counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street in Cairns) 1 hour before your departure time.
- Ocean Spirit does not operate on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, ANZAC Day and Easter Sunday.
- On very rare occasions, services can be subject to the effects of weather or unforeseen circumstances. Should a cruise not operate for any reason, passengers will be offered an alternative day or a refund authorised.
- Those wishing to dive will be required to fill out a medical questionnaire on board before diving. Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from diving. It is recommended to wait for 12 hours, but preferably 24 hours if doing multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater. Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity. Please use caution and inform the crew of any medical conditions. The minimum age for diving is 12 years.
- Bring along a towel, sunscreen, hat, swimwear and camera to capture your memories. Limited underwater digital cameras are available to hire on board.
- An Environmental Management Charge of $6.50 is levied on all adults and children 4 years and over entering the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area. This charge is included in the above prices.
- Surcharge: Due to potential significant volatility in supply & operational costs, a surcharge may be applied due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, any charge will be collected on departure.
- *Cancellation Policy: Free cancellations for bookings cancelled before your holiday departure date. No refunds are given for cancellations made post-departure.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions for Luxury Ocean Spirit Cruise to Michaelmas Cay
- How do I check in before departure?
Please check in at the Great Adventures counters inside the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street in Cairns) 1 hour before your departure time. - Will I get seasick?
Hopefully not. The large, stable fast catamarans provide very good sea keeping even in rougher ocean conditions. Where there is motion, whether a car, bus, plane or boat, some people will suffer from motion sickness. Motion sickness tablets are available onboard for purchase. There are also ginger tablets as a natural alternative motion sickness medication on a complimentary basis. To be effective, motion sickness medications should be taken immediately on boarding. - Do you supply life jackets?
Life jackets are onboard for emergency use only. However, flotation/buoyancy vests are available for use whilst swimming or snorkelling. - What is the temperature of the water?
The warm waters of Tropical North Queensland range in temperature from 22-29 Celsius (75-85 Fahrenheit) and make for year-round comfort for water activities. - Is Michaelmas Cay suitable for young children?
Yes! As Michaelmas Cay is a shallow sandy cay area, it is perfect for children and families. Guests are only allowed in the allocated area on the island which makes it easy to keep an eye on children whilst they are playing on the island. The water is quite shallow so it is also suitable for children swimming off the cay
