Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charters
A Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charter is Perfect for Divers and Snorkelers
The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian gem, one of the world’s most captivating natural wonders, and a breathtaking destination for yacht charters.
The largest coral reef on the planet, it is home to an abundance of marine life in its more than 3000 individual reef systems, coral cays, and islands with golden sand beaches.
Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charters – The Itinerary
A week-long yacht charter in the Great Barrier Reef will let you explore some of the most magnificent dive sites in the world and get you close and personal with the amazing marine life.
Cairns
Your journey begins in Cairns, a modern, sophisticated city that is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You will cruise past Snapper Island and the Daintree River, taking in the awe-inspiring view of rainforest-clad mountains as well as the reef itself. You’ll stop at Mackay Sound Cay, which is a great spot for bird watching or a short jaunt below the surface of the water, whether snorkeling or scuba diving. Cap off your day in the Coral Sea by watching the sun set behind the Alexander Mountain Range with a refreshing cocktail in hand.
Opal Reef
Opal Reef is your base for exploring the outer regions of the Great Barrier Reef. It is a large, mostly shallow reef near the edge of the continental shelf, and its crescent shape protects guests from the winds. These conditions combined with the clear water make for excellent snorkeling among the diverse habitats. Rayban, located halfway up Middle Opal, has shallow water teeming with colorful fish including clown anemonefish, spinecheek, and Great Barrier Reef anemonefish. It also has staghorn coral forests, brightly colored giant clams, and dancing schools of damselfish. You might also spy on a stingray or a lizardfish.
Other areas to explore while on your Great Barrier Reef yacht charter are South North Opal with its gardens of plate coral, Sandbox with its boulder and staghorn corals, Bashful Bommie where the reef edge meets the deep ocean channel, and Beautiful Mooring with colorful orange and green anemones. The sandy patches throughout Opal Reef are home to sea cucumbers and sand perch, while the deeper edges hold titan triggerfish and stingrays.
Ribbon Reefs
The famous Ribbon Reefs have some of the best snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing on the outer reef, and the inner reef is great for sunset walks along the beach, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. You will be immersed in the sounds of the reef and the sea from the moment you arrive. Dive at Steve’s Bommie and see the isolated pinnacle that attracts large schools of pelagic fish. Snorkelers will love the large coral heads within the lagoon, making you feel as if you’re swimming in a valley of colorful tropical fish. Andy’s Postcard is another dive spot to explore, with an abundance of underwater life. You might even see migrating minke whales that swim right up to your yacht’s stern. End your day with the sunset and stargazing over cocktails.
Pixie Pinnacle
Situated off the coast of Cooktown is Pixie Pinnacle, a pyramid of coral and marine life with a peak that sits two meters under the water’s surface. The crystal clear water is home to vibrant marine life, including hard and soft corals, sponges, lionfish, moray eels, anemones, surgeonfish, and barracuda. Dive down the pinnacle’s sloping edges and discover this magical underwater world.
Lizard Island
Lizard Island is referred to as the “Jewel” of the Great Barrier Reef, with an exclusive resort and more secluded beaches than you can imagine. Follow the State Park nature walk to the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered, private lagoon surrounded by white sand beaches. It’s perfect for an afternoon picnic and swim. Then head over to Cook’s Lookout for a view of the reef, and to see where Captain James Cook first viewed the scenery. From Lizard Island, you can head out on a deep-sea fishing expedition, or take a scenic helicopter ride to truly appreciate the colors of the reef.
Cooktown
Cooktown’s history spans more than two centuries and is the site where Captain James Cook landed. In fact, you can see the anchor and cannon recovered from the reef that wrecked Cook’s ship, The Endeavour. On this yacht charter stop, you can dive for crayfish or troll for large billfish, sunbathe on the pristine beaches, discover tropical lagoons and waterfalls, or take advantage of the water sports offered by your yacht. The Grassy Hill Lookout is a popular spot with a panoramic view of the countryside and beaches.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas, 70km south of Cairns, has become a holiday hotspot for visitors from around the world. It has a quaint, friendly ambiance and old-fashioned charm with shaded streets. Start your day with a dip in the shallow turquoise water. Venture to Daintree National Park, a world heritage rainforest, or explore Mossman Gorge’s clear water and dedicated walking track. For a luxurious escape, book a treatment at Port Douglas’ day spa.
Cairns
Your Great Barrier Reef yacht charter will return to Cairns where you can explore the city, including its restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, botanic gardens, and even a casino. Take a stroll and admire the architecture, which is a mix of traditional Queenslander style against more modern designs. You’ll also want to visit the Cairns Esplanade, an area of landscaped parkland with a busy thoroughfare and restaurant strip on one side, and a natural harbor inlet on the other.
Why Charter a Yacht in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest underwater ecosystems
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to one of the richest underwater ecosystems on the planet — an awe-inspiring part of the world composed of 2,900+ coral reefs and more than 900 islands. The Great Barrier Reef is often referred to as Australia’s “Blue Outback” because of its thriving populations of colorful fish, sea life, turtles, and birds.
You can combine history with the great outdoors at Babinda Boulders
Babinda Boulders is both a renowned swimming hole and a sacred Aboriginal site. Just a short drive from Cairns, and surrounded by lush rainforests, it is home to large boulders, quiet creeks, and pools of cool water where people can swim. The water originates from Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland’s tallest mountain, which you can see just beyond it.
Of course, you can (and should) go for a dive
Diving yacht charters in the Great Barrier Reef offer some of the best diving in the world. There are many dive spots in the Great Barrier Reef, but one of the most popular areas for diving is Townsville. Perfect for any level diver, Townsville has a range of dive spots that show off the Reef’s beautiful sea life: clownfish, purple anthias, sea fans, species of butterflyfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, and more.
There are plenty of landscapes to see above ground, too — like Kuranda, a village in the rainforest
Known for its location, Kuranda has been attracting elite, adventurous travelers from across the globe for centuries. Home of the Barron Falls, which are beautiful in their own right, Kuranda is now the source of a thriving arts and culture scene. From relaxed local markets selling local handicrafts, to the spectacular views fueled by the rainforest that surrounds it, Kuranda is a buried treasure in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
Whether you are a diver, a snorkeller, or an explorer, a luxury yacht charter in the Great Barrier Reef will fill your week full of adventures and underwater wonders. Book your charter today!
