Citizen Science On The Great Barrier Reef | Cairns - Cairns | 10 Nights

Board Coral Discoverer at 4:00 pm where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00 pm departure. Cruise northwards from Cairns toward Cooktown, and at days end, join fellow explorers and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.

The Ribbon Reefs are a narrow line of outer coral reefs on the edge of the continental shelf and are renowned for their prolific marine life and coral species.  Due to their location far offshore from the Australian coast, the Ribbon Reefs offer excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities, with Ribbon Reef #9 a favourite for its wide variety of marine life and pinnacles cloaked in coral. These northern reefs are renowned for spotting iconic marine species such as potato cod, wrasse, sharks and turtles. Enjoy excellent diving and snorkelling, with guided interpretation from our marine biologist.

Here we will search for and have the chance to snorkel with the graceful dwarf Minke whales. The outer Great Barrier Reef is the only place in the world where it is possible for humans to interact with these majestic whales! Growing 8-9 metres long, they migrate through the Great Barrier Reef during the winter months, feeding on krill and small fish.  Snorkelling with them is a truly magical experience, as the slender whales glide through the water at up to 34kms an hour.  They are known for their curiosity and may want to have a closer look at you as well!  Our time spent at the Ribbon Reefs will be dictated by the whales, as we may have to search or wait for them. As wild animals, they are unpredictable, and we cannot guarantee a whale encounter.

Learn more about the Ribbon Reefs >

Named after the famous American conservationist, Rachel Carson, this well-protected platform reef provides our main opportunity to assist with the citizen science project. Dr Miller will present on the Coral Biobank project before he leads an expedition underwater to survey coral species and marine life. The GBR Legacy team will review survey results and conduct collection of specimens.

The following day, continue your surveying work at beautiful Mackay Reef and Cay, located off Cape Tribulation. The vibrant fringing reef offers a rewarding underwater discovery and you might spot some of the numerous turtles that gather here.

Osprey Reef is the summit of an undersea 2,000m mountain located beyond the continental shelf, in the Coral Sea. This atoll provides amazing underwater visibility from 30-60 metres, and you can observe magnificent corals, plummeting drop-offs and many fish in the crystalline waters. Osprey Reef is a highly prized tropical dive location amongst scuba divers, called an ‘oasis for living creatures of all kinds’ by Sir David Attenborough. This once-in-a-lifetime destination, Osprey Reef is a true expedition-style experience and our visit is subject to appropriate weather conditions.  Diving here is most suitable for experienced divers, and our visit is subject to weather conditions. In the late evening, observe as the marine science team conducts research on the elusive Nautilus.

Come ashore in historic Cooktown and learn the history of the Guugu Yimithirr, the first people of this ancient country. Discover recent European history with a visit to the site where Lt. James Cook beached HMB Endeavour to effect repairs in 1770. Discover the Grassy Hill lookout with its 360^o views of Cooktown and Endeavour River, where kangaroos were first spotted by Europeans, and see the monument to the first act of reconciliation. Wander through the rare flora collection at the Botanic Gardens and visit James Cook Museum, where the story of Cook’s landing is told from an Aboriginal perspective and where artefacts are on display.

Visit Stanley Island in the Flinders Island Group and, with a Traditional Owner guide, take a walk to view the remarkable Endaen Aboriginal rock art. Our guide will tell us the stories of the first settlements on the island and interpret the contact-period paintings in the impressive rock shelter. The art here depicts the first sailing ships to visit Queensland shores, identified as 16^th century Portuguese and Makassan ships.

At Davie Reef enjoy snorkelling or glass-bottom boat tours over the colourful fringing reef or stroll on the cay to see the lively Brown Boobie bird colony.

Start the day with a dawn hike to the summit of Cook’s Look and enjoy the same view Lt. James Cook did when searching for safe passage through the maze of coral reefs. Snorkel over giant clam gardens from the beach at Watson’s Bay or relax with a walk on the white-sand beneath shady she-oak trees and learn about the tragic story surrounding Mary Watson.

There may be an opportunity to visit Lizard Island Research Station, operated by the Australian Museum to facilitate coral reef research and education on the Great Barrier Reef. The research station hosts about 100 research projects each year.

After the day’s adventures, enjoy sunset drinks on a quiet beach as the sun sets over the Coral Sea.

At Fitzroy Island enjoy a walk through the Secret Garden rainforest or for the more adventurous, a walk to the decommissioned lighthouse rewards hikers with panoramic views of Coral Sea, islands and mainland mountain ranges.

Snorkel and spot turtles over the fringing reef, relax on Nudey Beach or lend a hand to the volunteers as we learn about the turtles at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where sick and injured turtles are cared for before being returned to the wild.

In the late afternoon, arrive at Sudbury Cay, a tiny sand cay that barely rises above the Coral Sea. Far removed from the bustle of civilisation, slip off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes as the tropical waters of the Coral Sea lap gently against the shoreline. As the sun gently sinks below the horizon, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Drinks on your own private sand island.

Our Great Barrier Reef adventure concludes in Cairns this morning as we bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8:00 am.

A post-cruise transfer to the city or airport is included.