The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. It is longer than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space.

The Marine Park stretches over 3,000 kilometres along the Queensland coast, from Bundaberg up past the tip of Cape York. The reef is home to the world’s largest collection of corals (more than 400 different varieties), plus coral sponges, molluscs, rays, dolphins, over 1,500 species of tropical fish, more than 200 species of birds and around 20 species of reptiles including sea turtles and giant clams over 120 years old.

The Great Barrier Reef is also the habitat of endangered species such as the Dugong and Green Sea Turtle. Because of its ecological significance, the Great Barrier Reef was among the first Australian sites to be listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Coral Princess II is the ideal small ship to discover the very best of the Reef, Rainforest and Islands of Tropical North Queensland –fully equipped with modern conveniences and large enough to be comfortable and safe, but small enough to manoeuvre in waters crowded with reefs and coral cays.

Day 1 (L,D) HOME, CAIRNS, TRINITY BAY, DOUBLE ISLAND, PALM COVE
Following your Melbourne metropolitan home pick up, we transfer to Melbourne Airport for the flight to Cairns (lunch as we fly). Interstate passengers fly direct to Cairns. On arrival in Cairns, we transfer to Trinity Wharf to board Coral Princess II for a 5:00 p.m. departure. As we depart Cairns and cruise Trinity Bay there is time to settle in and discover your home for the next seven nights. In the evening, join the crew and your travelling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne as we cruise northward past Double Island and Palm Cove. Admire a spectacular sunset over the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Macalister Range before sitting down to a sumptuous dinner.

Day 2 (B,L,D) COOKTOWN, GREAT BARRIER REEF
We have the morning to discover historic Cooktown. It was here that Captain James Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery after claiming Australia as a British colony in 1770. Visit Cooktown’s fascinating historical museum, featuring artefacts from Cook’s ship Endeavour. This afternoon we visit one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Join our marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens before our first snorkelling opportunity for up-close views of the hundreds of varieties of coral growing on this section of reef. Our experienced crew will be on hand to provide assistance, advice and guided snorkelling tours for less experienced swimmers.

Day 3 (B,L,D) LIZARD ISLAND
This morning we awaken to find Coral Princess II moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join our guides on a walk to “Cook’s Look” on the island’s peak. It was from here that Captain Cook was able to find a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the Endeavour near Cooktown. The views from the lookout over the World Heritage-listed reef and surrounding tropical islands are magnificent. Lizard Island’s fringing reef, in the shallow waters just metres off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Relax on the golden beach, join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour or, for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, take the plunge with our Dive Instructor on a guided SCUBA dive. This afternoon we cruise to Ribbon Reef No. 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef.

Day 4 (B,L,D) RIBBON REEFS
We spend today visiting two of the most pristine sections of the reef, Ribbon Reef No. 3 and Rachel Carson Reef. Explore the coral gardens and marine life with guided snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. Our Marine Biologist will explain the natural history and evolution of the reef and help you discover the local wildlife, which includes sea turtles, giant clams, rays and over 200 different species of native birds.

Day 5 (B,L,D) THETFORD REEF, SUDBURY CAY
We enjoy the afternoon experiencing the reef at our exclusive Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay moorings. Join a glass bottom boat tour over the coral gardens before gathering on the snorkel deck to participate in a fish feed. Discover some of the 1,500 species of fish that live on the reef, including Spangled Emperor, Giant Trevally and the Hump-Headed Maori Wrasse as they are hand fed by the Marine Biologist. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon snorkelling in the shallow waters.

Day 6 (B,L,D) HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL, PELORUS ISLAND BEACH BBQ
This morning we cruise the spectacular Hinchinbrook Channel, discovering Hinchinbrook Island’s towering cliffs and mangrove eco-systems. Subject to tides, we will cruise the length of the channel, separating the Australian mainland from the island, one of the most diverse marine environments on the Australian coast. Keep an eye out for a myriad of marine life including crocodiles, dolphins, turtles and dugongs, all of which feed on the region’s plentiful sea grasses. During the afternoon discover Coral Princess Cruises’ very own tropical paradise, Pelorus Island. Join us for a gourmet beach BBQ, freshly prepared by the Captain. Then, explore the surrounding rainforest on a guided nature walk. Pelorus’ fringing reef, in the shallow waters just metres off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities.

Day 7 (B,L,D) DUNK ISLAND , NATHAN REEF
This morning join our naturalist guides on a fascinating rainforest walk discovering Dunk Island’s unique flora and fauna. We may be lucky enough to see Dunk Island’s “mascot”, the brightly coloured blue-winged Ulysses Butterfly. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for many of the up to 100 species of native birds recorded on the island. Following lunch, discover Nathan Reef. From our exclusive mooring experience some of the most colourful coral gardens to be found anywhere along the entire length of the reef. Later, discover some of the amazing creatures living on the reef at the on-board display tank. Enjoy the rare opportunity for a close up look at sea cucumbers, brightly coloured starfish and other marine life. Tonight, join us in the dining room for another sumptuous dinner as we settle in for our final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 8 (B,L,D) FITZROY ISLAND, CAIRNS
Travel ashore to explore beautiful Fitzroy Island. The island offers wonderful bush walking opportunities and idyllic white sandy beaches. Savour our final snorkelling opportunity over the island’s fringing reefs. Following lunch, early this afternoon we cruise through Trinity Bay before arriving in Cairns around 1:30 p.m. for disembarkation at Trinity Wharf. Transfer to our overnight home at Cairns Sebel Harbour Lights. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore this thriving tropical city.

Day 9 (B,L) CAIRNS, HOME
We transfer to Cairns Airport for our flights home. Melbourne passengers enjoy lunch as we fly. In Melbourne, metropolitan home and hotel transfers complete a most enjoyable exploration of the Great Barrier Reef.

Note: Due to weather, tides or mechanical reasons itineraries may be subject to change without notice.