• Small and intimate Great Barrier Reef luxury cruise, maximum 72 guests.
• Discover the serenity of the Great Barrier Reef at sunset with drinks on unspoiled island shores.
• Snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef’s pristine sites, home to turtles, clownfish, reef sharks, and colourful coral formations.
• Visit Cooktown to connect with Indigenous culture and the early history of European exploration in Australia.
• Explore the Great Barrier Reef’s most remote regions with expert marine guides.
• 2025 Departures: 13th, 27th November, 11th December - 2026 Departures: 26th October, 6th,17th & 28th November

Luxury Great Barrier Reef cruise for 7 nights departs Cairns. Our Great Barrier Reef Cruise ship tours from Cairns are for real explorers looking for expedition style cruises.

What to Expect

Join a 7-day Great Barrier Reef expedition cruise departing from Cairns, carefully designed for travellers seeking extraordinary experiences far beyond the ordinary reef tour. Aboard the luxury small-ship Coral Discoverer, this expedition ventures deep into the rarely explored Northern reefs, where marine biodiversity thrives and human footprints are few.

Led by marine biologists, cultural historians, and expert expedition leaders, you’ll discover the Great Barrier Reef through a combination of immersive activities, authentic cultural encounters, and scientific interpretation. Each day offers opportunities to snorkel, dive, or simply observe the reef’s vibrant ecosystems from the comfort of the vessel or onboard tenders. From Cooktown to the Ribbon Reefs and remote sand cays, every stop is chosen for its ecological richness, natural beauty, and cultural significance.

Features and Highlights

• Expedition-Style Cruising on the Outer Great Barrier Reef
  This itinerary takes you far beyond day-trip destinations, reaching pristine coral gardens, submerged atolls, and reef systems few ever visit.
  With over 35 years of reef expedition experience, this operator is one of the most trusted names in outer reef exploration.

• Exclusive Access to Remote Locations
  The Coral Discoverer is purpose-built for shallow-draft exploration, enabling access to untouched reefs, isolated cays, and rarely visited islands where larger ships simply cannot go.

• All-Inclusive Reef Experiences
  Choose your daily adventure – from snorkelling over technicolour coral gardens and diving with reef sharks and giant clams, to drifting above lagoons teeming with marine life.
  For non-swimmers, glass-bottom boat viewing options and expert-led interpretation ensure you won’t miss a moment.

• Cultural and Historical Insights
  Come ashore at Cooktown to explore its rich Aboriginal and maritime history.
  Visit the site where Lieutenant James Cook made repairs to the Endeavour in 1770 and learn from the local Guugu Yimithirr community, the traditional custodians of this ancient land.

• Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
  Participate in reef monitoring activities and learn how climate change is impacting the reef.
  Depending on the itinerary, you may also visit a turtle rehabilitation centre and engage with conservation initiatives onboard.

• Sundowners on Sand Cays and Sunset Moments
  Enjoy the serenity of the Coral Sea as you sip sunset drinks with your feet in the sand on a deserted cay.
  Each evening brings a new anchorage, offering seven unforgettable Queensland sunsets in remote, postcard-worthy locations.

• Expert Expedition Team and Interpretation
  Accompanied by a professional Marine Biologist, guest lecturers, and experienced guides, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of reef ecology, marine species, and Aboriginal Indigenous culture throughout the voyage.

• Locally Sourced Cuisine and Warm Hospitality
  Dine on chef-prepared meals made with premium Australian ingredients.
  The relaxed onboard environment is complemented by regional wines, craft beers, and a welcoming crew delivering true Australian hospitality.

This Great Barrier Reef expedition cruise from Cairns is more than a holiday, it’s a chance to connect with one of the world’s greatest natural wonders in a way few people ever do.

See all Great Barrier Reef cruises - Here

Great Barrier Reef 7 Night Cruise 2025

• 13th November 2025
• 27th November 2025
• 11th December 2025

Great Barrier Reef 7 Night Cruise 2026

• 26th October 2026
• 6th November 2026
• 17th November 2026
• 28th November 2026

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Cairns

• Arrive at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal (berth to be advised) by 4:00pm, with ample time to settle into your stateroom before our scheduled 5:00pm departure. Take a moment to familiarise yourself with the ship’s amenities, then head to the Sun Deck to join your fellow explorers for Captain’s Welcome Drinks as we set sail.

Fitzroy Island

• At Fitzroy Island, choose to wander the shaded trails of the Secret Garden rainforest or, for those seeking a challenge, hike to the island’s decommissioned lighthouse where sweeping views of the Coral Sea, surrounding islands, and mainland ranges await.
• Enjoy snorkelling over the vibrant fringing reef, unwind on the island’s pristine beaches, and—subject to availability—lend a hand at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where dedicated volunteers nurse injured and ill turtles back to health before releasing them into the wild.

Sudbury Cay

• As the afternoon light begins to soften, we arrive at Sudbury Cay, a remote, sun-kissed sand cay of the Coral Sea.
• Far from civilisation, it feels like stepping into another world. Shoes are forgotten as toes sink into the warm, powdery sand, and the gentle rhythm of tropical waters lapping the shore soothes the senses.
• With a chilled sundowner in hand and the company of fellow explorers, we settle in to savour the serenity. The horizon glows gold and rose as the sun slowly dips beneath the sea, casting its final rays across this secluded slice of paradise.

Mackay Reef & Cay

• Step ashore on Mackay Cay, an expansive and secluded mid-shelf platform reef teeming with life. Here, you’ll have the rare opportunity to snorkel in some of the most pristine coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef, where both hard and soft corals flourish in every imaginable hue.
• The northern side of the reef is protected by the cay itself, creating calm, turtle-friendly waters perfect for leisurely exploration. Keep an eye out for the remarkable giant clam garden, where some clams measure over 1.2 metres wide, each one boasting vivid colours and intricate patterns unique to its shell.
• On clear days, look back towards the mainland for a view of Cape Tribulation and the rugged ridgeline of Mount Sorrow, both steeped in maritime history and named by Captain James Cook during his dramatic voyage through the reef. This region is also the traditional land of the Kuku Yalanji people, who have lived in harmony with this environment for more than 50,000 years. Their rich Dreamtime stories offer insight into the landscape’s features, including the unusual silhouette of Mount Peter Bot.
• Whether you’re snorkelling among reef fish, photographing turtles, or simply soaking up the serenity, Mackay Cay offers a remarkable blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and untouched reef wilderness.

Cooktown (Gungardie)

• Uncover the deep cultural heritage of the Guugu Yimithirr people, Traditional Custodians of this timeless land. Walk in the footsteps of Australia’s early history with a visit to the site where Lieutenant James Cook beached the Endeavour in 1770 for urgent repairs. Explore the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, home to a rare collection of tropical flora, some dating back to the early colonial plantings.
• Gain new insight at the Cooktown Museum, where the story of Cook’s landing is told through both European and Aboriginal perspectives. Here, authentic artefacts and compelling narratives offer a profound connection to the events that shaped this region.

Cruise to Lizard Island

• In the late afternoon, we continue our journey northward, arriving at Lizard Island just in time to toast the sunset. As the day fades, the island’s pristine shoreline and rich marine waters set the scene for the adventures still to come.

Lizard Island

• Experience the splendour of Lizard Island with a full day to explore its natural beauty and historical significance. Hike to the summit of Cook’s Look, where Lieutenant James Cook once stood, scanning the horizon for a safe route through the intricate maze of coral reefs below. Snorkel directly from the shore at Watson’s Bay over vibrant coral gardens and giant clams—some growing over a metre long. Unwind beneath the shady she-oak trees on the island’s powdery white sands, and delve into the poignant tale of Mary Watson, whose story is woven into the island’s layered past.

Osprey Reef

• Dive the Legendary Osprey Reef – Coral Sea’s Remote Underwater Frontier
• Renowned as one of the world’s premier dive sites, Osprey Reef is a remote, submerged atoll rising from the depths of the Coral Sea. This isolated seamount, essentially the peak of an underwater mountain, creates a dramatic marine sanctuary, where the seafloor drops away to thousands of metres.
• Described by Sir David Attenborough as “an oasis for living creatures of all kinds,” Osprey Reef is a magnet for rare and exotic marine life. Its vertical walls are adorned with vibrant corals, while the visibility in its crystal-clear waters is simply unmatched.
• Certified scuba divers will find this reef an unforgettable experience. Spend your time exploring the 30-metre-deep lagoon and exhilarating drift dives along the sheer reef walls. These nutrient-rich currents attract a spectacular array of pelagic species - expect encounters with reef sharks, rays, barracuda, and other apex predators drawn in from the open Coral Sea.
• Accessible only by liveaboard dive expeditions, Osprey Reef promises a truly remote and immersive adventure for experienced divers seeking something extraordinary.

Note: This destination is suitable for certified divers only.

Ribbon Reefs

• The Ribbon Reefs form a slender chain of vibrant coral reefs stretching along the edge of Australia’s continental shelf, far from the coastline and teeming with marine life. This isolated location provides an exclusive opportunity to experience one of the most pristine and biologically diverse sections of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Snorkel or dive in crystal-clear waters where towering coral pinnacles rise from the depths and are cloaked in thriving hard and soft corals. Join a guided snorkelling tour with our expert Expedition Team and witness this underwater paradise firsthand. The Ribbon Reefs are particularly renowned for encounters with iconic reef species including the majestic potato cod, giant wrasse, reef sharks, and graceful sea turtles.
• Ideal for experienced divers and adventurous snorkellers, the Ribbon Reefs offer an unmatched perspective of the reef’s outer edge—where vibrant coral gardens meet the open Coral Sea.

Day 8: Arrive Cairns

• Our unforgettable Great Barrier Reef voyage concludes this morning in Cairns, where we bid farewell to the Master, crew, and new-found friends. Disembarkation will take place at 8:00am.
• A complimentary transfer is available to hotels within the Cairns CBD or to Cairns Airport. For guests requiring transfers to the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas, these can be arranged on board with the Purser (at additional cost), unless pre-arranged prior to embarkation.

Scuba Diving

1 Jan 2025 until 31st December 2025

• Scuba Skills Lesson – Free

• Non Certified Divers (1st & 2nd Dive) – $155 AUD per dive

• Non Certified Divers (Subsequent Dives) – $125 AUD per dive

• Certified Dives (requiring all gear) – $125 AUD per dive

• Certified Dives (requiring weight belt and tank only) – $115 AUD per dive

Please note diving on selected departures may be operated by concessionaires (3rd party operators) at a different rate, which will be notified onboard by your expedition team at the start of your voyage.

Introductory Diving

• No experience necessary if you are discovering scuba diving for the first time, with one of our experienced Dive Instructors by your side and all training is undertaken on board.  You do however need to be at least 12 years old, and in good health.  If you wish to undertake an introductory scuba dive, you will be required to undertake a dive medical assessment conducted by a registered physician (overseas or Australia) with experience in diving medicine highly recommended, declaring you medically fit to dive.

Subject to Dive Medical Questionnaire

• If you are deemed medically unfit to dive, snorkelling is available.
• If you have suffered any illness or injury following your initial dive medical assessment that may affect your ability to dive safely, an additional dive medical assessment may be required.  Please advise our reservations department if this occurs.
• After your Discover Scuba Dive briefing and successful in-water skills assessment, you will be able to dive to a maximum of 12 meters’ depth.  You will have an experienced Dive Instructor by your side and a maximum of three ‘intro’ divers with you.  The duration of your first dive lasts between 20 and 35 minutes. And give you a whole new perspective of the underwater world!
• Following your first dive, you will have more opportunities to dive at another location, where you can expect your dives to last between 30 and 45 minutes, diving to a maximum 12 meters’ depth.
• The Coral Expeditions Dive Instructor will make the ultimate determination of a person’s condition and suitability to dive. If you are feeling unwell, show symptoms of a medical condition that is unsafe for diving, have a head or chest cold or display a respiratory condition onboard prior to diving you will not be permitted to dive.

Certified Diving

• As a Certified diver you are required to provide a copy of your certification card and logbook PRIOR to your cruise.  Please ensure to bring these with you on your cruise as well.  All dives are guided by an experienced Dive Instructor.  You will be asked by the Coral Expeditions Dive Instructor prior to your cruise and on the day of diving about your current medical fitness to dive.  To avoid disappointment, Coral Expeditions require you undertake a dive medical assessment conduced by a registered physician (overseas or Australia) with experience in diving medicine highly recommended, declaring you medically fit to dive.  Some medical conditions that present a risk to diving may require you to additionally provide a written medical certificate stating that you are fit to dive.  If this is required, you will be informed following dive medical questionnaire provided prior to cruise.

Subject to Dive Medical Questionnaire

• If you are deemed medically unfit to dive, snorkelling is available.
• If you have suffered any illness or injury following your initial dive medical assessment that may affect your ability to dive safely, an additional dive medical assessment may be required.  Please advise our reservations department if this occurs.
• The Coral Expeditions Dive Instructor will make the ultimate determination of a person’s condition and suitability to dive. If you are feeling unwell, show symptoms of a medical condition that is unsafe for diving, have a head or chest cold or display a respiratory condition onboard prior to diving you will not be permitted to dive.

REFRESHER COURSE

• We recommend that Certified Divers who haven’t dived within the last 12 months, contact their local dive club and do a refresher course. This allows you to make the most of your scuba dives in these exceptional destinations.

***Please ask us for a copy of Divers Medical Questionnaire***

DIVE MEDICALS MUST:

• Be the Dive Medical Questionnaire provided by Coral Expeditions (is to Australian Standard AS4005.1)
• Be completed in English
• Assessed and certified by a registered physician, experience with diving medicine highly recommended
• Be completed within 12 months of the LAST day of your cruise, to ensure it is valid for the duration of the voyage
• Clearly state you are medically fit to dive
• Be sent back four weeks prior to your cruise, to allow time for assessment

Please also provide a written clearance from a registered physician with their medical centre letterhead alongside the Dive Medical Questionnaire

Ship Information

• Coral Discoverer is exceptionally nimble and manoeuvrable, with a shallow draught to get up close to destinations.
• Much loved by loyal Xplorers for its truly intimate onboard atmosphere, Coral Discoverer carries a maximum of 72 guests.
• Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Her shallow draught and manoeuverability make her highly versatile. She boasts ocean views from all public spaces, all outside-facing staterooms (some with balconies), and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. Her Xplorer bar and adjacent sundeck lounge with 360-degree views are much-loved features. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.
• Coral Discoverer conducts expeditions across Australia’s coast – Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Australian flagged and staffed by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be memorable.

Cabin Types

Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom

• Located on the exclusive Bridge Deck close to the Lounge and Bridge, our six spacious Bridge Deck staterooms are 20sqm (215 square feet) in size and open out onto private balconies for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage.

Promenade Deck (Category A) Stateroom

• Encircled by a full-ship promenade, our 19 spacious Promenade Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage.

Main Deck (Categoty A) Stateroom

• Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature large, twin porthole windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage.

Main Deck (Category B) Stateroom

• Located close to the Dining Room, our three spacious Main Deck (Category B) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature twin portholes for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding. The compact ensuite has a toilet, shower and ample storage.

 

What's Not Included

• Pre-cruise transfers
• Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
• Pre and post cruise accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• SCUBA Diving (view Scuba diving rates)
• Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are travelling to/from
• Alcoholic & non alcoholic specialty beverages outside of lunch and dinner service
• Laundry service (available at a cost)
• Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
• Optional Extras (in some destinations)

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Arrive at Trinity Wharf (berth to be advised) at 4:00pm, where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard before joining your fellow explorers on the Sun Deck for Captain’s Welcome Drinks.
• Our Great Barrier Reef adventure concludes in Cairns this morning as we bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8:00am.
• A complimentary transfer is provided to CBD hotels or the airport. Transfers to the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas can be arranged on board with the Purser (at cost), if not already arranged prior to embarkation.

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Fitzroy Island
• Sudbury Cay
• Mackay Reef & Cay
• Cooktown (Gungardie)
• Lizard Island
• Osprey Reef
• Ribbon Reefs #9 & #10

Months of Operation

October - December

2025 departure dates: 13th & 27th November, 11th December
2026 Departure Dates: 26th October, 6th, 17th & 28th November

Duration

7 nights

Available for Purchase / Hire

Scuba Diving

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

• NOT INCLUDED:
• Pre-cruise transfers
• Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
• Pre and post cruise accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• Entry visas & travel permits for the country you are traveling to/from
• Alcoholic drinks (including beer and wine) outside of lunch and dinner service
• Internet services (available at a cost)
• Laundry service (available at a cost)
• Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
• Optional Extras (in some destinations)

• Soft bag with personal items for a beach holiday and cruise ship tour
• Good walking shoes, sun hat, ocean friendly suncream
• Packing list available on request