Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
So outer reef then.
I see Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom gets good reviews operating out of Cairns. Anyone used them? They go to Upolu Cay.
Greg.
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Hi Greg,
Haven't used that particular operator but I've snorkeled at Michaelmas on occasion
which is nearby in the Michaelmas & Upolu Cays National Park.
This is a mid-reef system which is one set-aside for the tour operators that use
the larger boats that take people out for the day, feed them smörgåsbord lunches,
let them splash around if they want to go in the water or take them in glass
bottom boats or semi-submersibles if they can't or don't want to swim.
After Green Island, these mid-reef systems see the most number of people
and thus have more pressure on them.
Given the choice of sitting here in Sydney on this cool and overcast day or being
up on that reef at this very moment, I would pick the reef and happily spend hours
snorkeling there. If you were to ask would you see some fabulous things, the
answer would be absolutely. If you were then to ask, are there more pristine,
colorful and diverse reef systems accessible from Cairns, the answer would be yes
there are.
But whether going further afield makes sense to you and other family members,
will depend upon you.
The mid-reef systems are serviceable by large comfortable high-speed boats
and within an hour or so you are out there. If you or a family member suffer
from sea sickness, these types of tours provide the best chance of not
getting green under the gills. That can make a big difference to some people's
enjoyment of a day out. I am somewhat lucky in that, despite trying,
I have never been sea sick, but I've certainly been on many a boat out on the
reef where passengers are either over the side feeding the fish with their
breakfast or looking just plain miserable. Fortunately, the waters at the reefs
tends to be calm and I note that once the boats moor, passengers don't
seem to take long to recover.
Likewise, on these larger luxury boats that go to the
mid-reef systems, when the boat arrives at the destination
a sizable majority seem content to fill themselves up on the all-you-can-eat lunches
whereas personally I am there to go snorkeling so I will get in straight away
and only get out for a short break now and then and eat a light lunch on the
way back. Some get in the water and after 45 minutes or so feel as if they
have seen everything and are then happy to get out. I fall into the class that
doesn't get bored of it and will spend just about every possible hour in the water.
Though I am content to explore on my own, it can also be immensely gratifying
to share the experience alongside a partner, family member or friend.
For example, the more time you are in the water, the more chance you might
get to see something like a turtle, ray or reef shark.
Along the Esplanade in Cairns there are a countless number of tour booking
agencies and unless you are on a super-tight schedule, rather than booking
from here I would recommend roaming around, picking up some brochures
and chatting to some of the more knowledgeable people behind the desks.
The large luxury boats that cater for the mass tourist business tend to have the
glossiest brochures.
For example, time and budget permitting, you might decide to take a day trip
out to Upolu to see whether you enjoy it and then come back and decide whether
you want to spend some more on a trip to the outer reef. When traveling with
a family, the costs can quickly add up. The luxury mid-reef day trip boats also
include a big lunch in the price of the ticket. Some of the mid-size day-trip boats that
cater to budget travelers where you either pack your own brown paper bag lunch
or buy one of their meat pies on board can offer good value. Their boats aren't
as fast but sometimes they actually spend more time on the reef than the
large tourist boats.
Another easy tourist trip is to Fitzroy Island. Given its proximity to the mainland,
the snorkeling use to be pretty good there, but things may have changed.
It also has the amenity that you can snorkel off the beach and sea turtles
use to be easy to spot.
Some of the boutique operators that are going out for multiple days work on the
assumption clients will also be interested in diving, not just snorkeling, so the
fit may not be good if you are not a diver.
Making a decision what to do when you arrive in Cairns is also wise given if the
forecast is for rain, then you might want to postpone the trip for a clear day.
Hiring a car and driving to Cape Tribulation, the Daintree or up to the Athertons
is a great thing to do on a wet day.
Enjoy the trip.
. If you do come to the area make sure to get in touch and maybe we can get togerther for a visit.
I hope you have a lovely holiday and find some nice reefs 
