Outer Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise
Highlights & inclusions
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August 2026
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Highlighted reviews
Met/exceeded expectations - great day both trip and reef
Picked up on time. Well organized. Clean/tidy vessel. Friendly and helpful staff. Appropriately watchful and attentive to the safety and comfort of guests. Plentiful food - not super fancy but tasty and in keeping with the nature of the activity. As for the reef experience: dazzling water, intricate/varied types of coral, vast types/numbers of fish, very appropriate for mid-level snorkelers who are good swimmers and comfortable in the water. There were people who seemed to be more advanced, others who seemed to be more beginner, older folks who didn’t get in the water. Seemed like overall the others were really enjoying themselves too. Wild trip back when some showers moved in late, anyone with motion sickness should be prepared. Luckily we all seemed fine. Thanks, would definitely use this outfit again.
This was an amazing day on the outer reef!
Amazing organization, staff and boat! We started the day being picked up on time at our hotel and dropped at the office. The boarding of the boat was smooth with excellent instructions and a reef overview of marine life as well as the corals we would see. Amazing snorkeling- felt as if you were in an aquarium- tons of fish, starfish, coral at two locations! Courtney, Mick and Dylan as well as the other staff (I cannot remember their names) were all top notch!
What you can expect
Get set for a full day sailing and snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas, sailing to Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Departing at 8.00am, sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic journey to the Outer Reef, with views of the Daintree coastline and Snapper Island. Morning tea is served upon boarding and you can listen in to an interesting marine presentation. As you approach the Outer Reef, you will get a comprehensive snorkel briefing, then enter the water for the first snorkel of the day. Be amazed by the colour and variety of the corals and giant clams. There is an abundance of colourful marine life with different fish, turtles, rays and many other marine species. The reef is full of colour and life! Head to the sand cay on the E-Tender for a look around this spectacular island - make sure to take your camera! Back on board for a delicious buffet lunch and after lunch and the vessel will move to another location. You can then enjoy another snorkel, join the marine biologist and marine guides for an informative guided snorkel tour, or a glass-bottom boat tour on a solar powered glass bottom boat, the 'EV Explorer'! A delicious afternoon tea is served as you enjoy the journey back to Port Douglas. Relax and soak in the incredible views and return to the marina at 5.00pm.
Location
What you need to know
- 4.5 hours at two unspoilt locations on the Outer Barrier Reef
- Morning and afternoon tea and coffee, cakes and fresh fruit platter
- Superb tropical buffet lunch
- Snorkeling equipment, optical masks, seasonal lycra snorkeling suits, wet suits and flotation devices
- Snorkeling instruction and in-water assistance
- Guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist
- Glass bottom boat viewing and reef interpretation talk on the solar powered E-Tender 'EV Explorer'
- Explore the pristine coral cay
- Courtesy coach transfers from selected Port Douglas accommodation
- The experience of sailing on board the luxury sailing catamaran Sailaway VII
- Environmental Management Charge
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks/juices
- The vessel departs and returns from/to the Port Douglas marina.
- Port Douglas return hotel transfers are included if needed and the exact pickup time will be advised at the time of booking.
- Beach towel and swimwear
- Sun-shirt
- Sun protection including sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Camera
- Consideration for this precious Marine National Park and World Heritage site
- All passengers are required to complete a Medical Declaration for Snorkellers form
- Please note if a passenger is identified as a High Risk snorkeller they will not be permitted to snorkel. The supplier has alternative activities to offer such as the Glass Bottom Boat tours, island heritage walk / visiting the cay, delicious food and sailing on our beautiful yachts, offering a wonderful day out on the Great Barrier Reef
- The supplier and assisting crew reserves the right to decline any passenger from participating in snorkelling if we are concerned about the health condition and/or swimming ability of a passenger for the safety and well-being of all guests onboard
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no-shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Cruise vessel subject to change without notice
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
Recent reviews
World Class!
World class crew, boat and snorkeling. I liked my first trip so much I went again two days later. Both were great trips, the snorkeling is safe, well organized and amazing.
Great Barrier Reef day tour
We had a fantastic all day trip with the Sailaway crew out to the reef. The vessel was well equipped and the staff knowledgeable and extremely attentive to all throughout the day. Both snorkeling activities were brilliant with time to explore the reef, spot many colorful marine life and under the safe watchful eye of the crew - an experience our party of 4 would thoroughly recommend - well done to the Sailaway crew👏👏👏
Fantastic
The reef trip was very well organised. Crew were friendly and professional. The marine bio talk prior to snorkeling was interesting and informative and really helpful to have heard prior to entering the water and seeing the coral and wildlife. Which were spectacular. Absolute highlight. Journey back was rough. Crew were attentive and were constantly checking in on people and making sure they were as comfortable as they could be. Overall fantastic experience.
