Port Douglas Reef Tours | Great Barrier Reef Tours | QS

Port Douglas Reef Tours | Great Barrier Reef Tours | QS

Save $125.00 on our Family Pack Deal, 2nd Child Travels Free

Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef Tours - Snorkeling - Diving - Helicopters with Quicksilver Cruises

Now for a bit of information on the Port Douglas Outer Great Barrier Reef location where our boat travels to our floating pontoon for your day of snorkeling and scuba diving adventures.  

Agincourt Ribbon Reef is situated on the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. 

This area is 39 nautical miles (72 kilometres) from Port Douglas and is situated opposite the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation Rainforest and this of course means you will have pristine water clarity and visibility all year round. 

As this Great Barrier Reef tour was the first company to visit the reef daily they have chosen two of the best locations for the placement of their Outer Barrier Reef snorkeling pontoon platforms and to this day they are still the only platform on the very outside edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. 

The Boat Ride To The Great Barrier Reef

Getting out to the reef is almost as exciting as actually being on the Great Barrier Reef.  The reef trip boat is what we call a wave piercer and with the torpedo shaped multi hull this vessel actually does pierce the waves giving a smooth floating like feeling on your journey out to the Great Barrier Reef. 

This Port Douglas reef tour company is also very conscious of the environment and the flagship vessel underwent a complete refit on the engines which cost around $3 million. 

This enabled carbon emissions to be reduced by about 20%. Now that’s money well spent to ensure our future generations can also enjoy our beautiful rainforests and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 

Agincourt Ribbon Reef Port Douglas Floating Pontoon Activities

Upon arrival to the Great Barrier Reef tours pontoon it is a big decision what to do first. 

Our suggestion is to do a semi submersible submarine tour first and then have a look at the underwater observatory on the platform and get these activities completed while you are still dry and it also means once you get in the water you don’t have to get out again.  

These two under water activities are included in your reef trip ticket price. They are also a great option for people who still want to see the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet so non-swimmers line up and book this Port Douglas reef trip.

• Semi Submersible Submarine Tour

The Semi Submersible submarine  tour is a fantastic experience that takes 25 minutes and includes an informative commentary on the reef and the marine life inhabitants on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 

The Semi Submersible Submarine tours depart every fifteen minutes from the pontoons rear platform.

As it name describes you walk down stairs to the seating in the base of the semi submersible floating submarine which has Perspex windows for you to witness all of the marine life that swim by, the beautiful corals along with the underwater activities such as the divers floating around on the bottom of the ocean.

From here you will see turtles, fish, divers, snorkelers and an amazing array of coral outcrops, bommies and the marine life that inhabit the differing coral structures.

The driver controlling the semi-submersible submarine is up top and fresh air flows thru the semi submersible submarine.

You may join this tour as many times as you like during the day which is a great way for the non swimmers to see the Great Barrier Reef.    

• Marine Platform Underwater Observatory

Our underwater observatory is located in front of the platform and this is a great place to check out the “first time” scuba divers trying out the introductory scuba diving classes.

It’s even better if you know some of the guests doing the introductory scuba diving classes as you can take photographs for them. 

And don’t forget that not only the scuba divers and snorkelers can be viewed from here an abundance of  tropical species of fish can also be viewed from the observatory and again this is a great place for the non swimmers to regularly visit during the day to watch all of the Agincourt Ribbon Reef pontoon underwater activities.

• Snorkeling The Great Barrier Reef

All snorkeling equipment is provided on the platform from various different sanitization storage containers and the boats crew will look after and assist you in choosing the right gear for you.

It is super easy to get in the water from the submerged platform. Our crew are always there to offer you assistance with snorkelling equipment and provide you with a few tips for snorkelling.

You will find it very easy to snorkel of course and if you or your children are having a bit of trouble keeping afloat or are a bit nervous then there are various flotation aids available for adults or children from the crew. 

You will also find long lines of rope or guidelines and floating rest stations which are great to take a break if you are starting to feel a little fatigued. 

Don’t forget when you are out in the water to watch the mad feeding frenzy of the fish feeding it’s amazing how crazy the fish go for some food.

Optional Extra Great Barrier Reef Activities

There a number of different optional extras that our Port Douglas reef trip offers and it is strongly recommended that they are booked at the time you book your Great Barrier Reef tour to avoid disappointment.

• Introductory Scuba Diving – something you have to try at least once in your life and there is no better place than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 
• No experience is necessary the only requirement is that you are over 12 years of age and pass the on board medical questionnaire. 
• We conduct a scuba dive briefing which takes about 30 minutes and this is conducted on the way out to the reef.  All equipment is provided including wetsuits, and prescriptions masks if required. 
• All dive instructors are PADI qualified and there are even multi –lingual scuba diving instructors available on request.
• Certified Scuba Diving – We are sure if you are a certified scuba diver that you could not go past diving on this most pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef where both the marine life and visibility is excellent. 
• Certified scuba divers can partake in up to 2 dives.
• Ocean Walker – Helmet Diving – This is a fun way to see the reef up close.  Breathing is just like normal as fresh air is delivered to your helmet as you walk on an underwater platform which sits seven meters underwater.
• Ocean walker or Helmet Diving is suitable also for non swimmers and anyone over the age of 12 years and don’t fear you can even wear your glasses on this activity.
• Guided Snorkeling Adventures - There are two types of snorkeling adventures to experience one being for those with little snorkeling experience and the other for the advanced snorkeler these trips are all guided by an experienced Marine Biologist who can show you and explain some fantastic areas of the Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants.
• Scenic Helicopter Flights – There is no more awe inspiring way to see the reef than by helicopter. 
• You will obtain a different perspective of the reef and be given an insight into the sheer size of the Great Barrier Reef.  We highly recommend to stretch that budget just a little more for a 10 minute Scenic  flight that is so amazing as it takes you up over the coral reefs systems you have actually snorkeled and the surrounding reefs. 
• We have personally done this trip a couple of times and even in this short duration the amount of marine life sighted from the Helicopter is amazing, turtles, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks and lot’s more

If you want to experience a bit more then of course there is the ultimate way to get the reef and that is by Helicopter. Flying out to the reef pontoon and then cruising back by boat to Port Douglas.

This can be done in reverse order of course. This is an exciting adventure to either start or finish the day and of course there is also the option to fly in both directions. Imagine the photography you will have to show your friends.

Catering on the Great Barrier Reef

Morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch are served on the Outer Barrier Reef pontoon during the day.

Lunch is a superb hot and cold tropical buffet, which includes fresh prawns, pasta, meats salads and fruits. 

There is also a full bar facility where drinks can be purchased during the day.

Coach Transfers

From the moment the luxury air conditioned silver coach arrives to pick you up from your Cairns or Port Douglas holiday apartment hotel or resort accommodation its time to sit back, relax and enjoy the drive watching the beautiful scenery go by.

If you are lucky enough to be holidaying in Cairns or the Northern Beaches you are in for a spectacular trip along some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the whole of Australia.

The road to Port Douglas is one of the most highly photographed journeys in Australia so make sure your camera is on hand.

Port Douglas Reef tour Caters For Disabled Guests 

The only Great Barrier Reef tour to cater for guests in wheelchairs. We cater for guests who may be disabled or in a wheelchair by the installation of a hydraulic powered lift on the back of the pontoon that gently lifts the guest down into the water.

This allows the guest to swim directly off the hydraulic lift chair to snorkel and explore the Great Barrier Reef at your own pace.

The necessary floatation equipment is provided giving disabled guests the same opportunity to experience the azure waters of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in comfort and safety.

Please note that tours are to be confirmed 24 hours prior to depature as the boats and pontoon platforms may have changed making it inoprable for disabled guests. 

Things To Take Note Of

For self drivers check in for the boat at the Port Douglas Crystalbrook Super Yacht Marina office is at 9.15 am and once on board, complimentary tea and coffee is served with some biscuits. 

With seating it is up to you whether you want to sit outside and enjoy the wind blowing through your hair or inside in the saloon with club style seating air conditioned comfort.

Please beware if you do sit outside hold onto your hat and also do not forget the sunscreen and lip balm. The reef trip cruise time from Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef floating pontoon takes approximately 90 minutes which you will find is a smooth and fast journey.  

So sit back, relax and enjoy the Marine Biologists Great Barrier Reef presentation which is shown on the monitors 30 minutes after departure. 

If you have never snorkeled before and feeling a bit nervous there is also a snorkeling demonstration following this presentation to show you how easy it is. We have a saying that if you can breathe you can snorkel. 

For those who have pre booked Scuba diving, Snorkeling Adventure Tours or Ocean Walker you will need to listen out for your briefing as these are done on the boat way out to the reef as well.

When booking on line see the great optional extras you can do to make your day even more special.

This is the perfect Great Barrier Reef tour for non-swimmers and guests with young children from Port Douglas.

To see the Great Barrier Reef from a spectacular vantage point book a seat on our brand new 7 seat helicopter for a scenic flight out to the pontoon or a return scenic flight back to Port Douglas or book a fly/fly helicopter with transfers both ways.

Please ask our Great Barrier Reef reservations team about our disabled facilities on our floating reef pontoon.

Our tour is also the perfect option for Cruise ship passengers who are berthing in Port Douglas. 

Port Douglas Cruise Ship Passenger Tour to The Great Barrier Reef

When cruise ships call into Port Douglas the passengers love to get off the boat and enjoy some shore excursions and whilst in Port Douglas they like to see the Great Barrier Reef.

Our Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef tour is perfectly timed to accommodate these cruise ships and the facilities on our floating pontoon are also perfect for non-swimmers.  

Return Time To Port Douglas

We arrive back to the Port Douglas Marina Mirage at 4.30pm where once again if you have transfers your coach will be awaiting to take you back to your holiday hotel accommodation in style.

See more tours to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas 

Have you seen this Tour Offer