Private Charter Boats and the World Renowned Great Barrier Reef Sights and Destinations
Cairns and Port Douglas are the gateways for two of the world's greatest snorkelling and diving icons, Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is a broad chain of 2,900 individual reefs and is the Earth's largest living structure built by organisms, being clearly visible from space as commented on by astronauts; but you don't need to go all the way to outer space when you can get the real deal right here in Cairns and North Queensland on a choice of local private charter boats.
How exciting and adventurous to be out on a private charter boat with your own skipper navigating the waters and who else better to be in charge of the responsible things on a boat than a hired skipper! Experience the beauty of unspoilt coral reefs at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef; the glorious private boat charter destinations are endless; Here are a few favourites that your private charter boat may take you depending on how many hours or days you charter the boat for:
The Osprey Reef
Depth: 2-20 Meters
Claim to Fame:Famous for being used as a shark feeding site for over 15 years and goes as deep as 1000 meters in depth. Natural underwater amphitheatre allows divers to sit 20m deep to watch the shark feeding frenzy above you.
You Will See:Species such as whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertips, dogthooth tuna, giant potato cod, seasonal schooling scalloped hammerheads,pelagic octopus, pleurobranch, nautilus, crabs and shrimps. The corals even include deep water trees that are exclusive to the Osprey Reef and they are gob smacking.
Lizard Island
Depth: 1-25+
Claim to Fame: The picturesque world renowned Lizard Island is located 120 km north of Port Douglas Queensland Australia with a travel time of approxamately 6-10 hours by boat. Or if you prefer you can fly to Lizard Island and meet your private charter boat on your arrival. Lizard Island is positioned to enjoy both the inner and outer reef areas. It is surrounded by 23 secluded beaches and numerous bays and lagoons. There are marked walks for guests to explore the island and Historic Watsons Bay. The Lizard Island Resort also provides luxury five star accommodation and restaurants for guests not wishing to stay onboard the private charter boat overnight.
You will see: The reefs surrounding Lizard Island offer an incredibly large variety of all types of tropical fish and corals. The star attraction and dominant fish to see in this area is the giant potato cod. Divers travel from all over the world to come and see these big guys and interact with them.
Tongue Reef
Depth:1-15 meters
Claim to Fame: The highlight to this part of the reef is Turtle Bay, where you will be sure to see MANY turtles.
You Will See: Turtles, massive moari wrasse, many species of sea cucumbers, giant clams, hard and soft corals, hovering trout, sweetlip and the occasional barramundi cod.
Upolu Reef and Sand Cay
Depth:1-10 metres
Claim to Fame:This site is great for everyone ranging from beginners to advanced; the Upolu Reef not only has a small sandy coral cay resembling the shape of the Mediterranean Sea. Instructors will tell divers to "Sail in through the Straits of Gibraltar, then dive and snorkel the Suez Canal and the depths of Dakar or drift the Casablanca Coast." The Upolu sandy coral cay on a low tide allows for time to relax off the boat and soak up some sun on the pure white sands that have been made by the Parrotfish knawing on coral and then excreting it back into the ocean. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful? Are you glad we told you that? This site is great for introductory diving and snorkeling as it is very shallow.
You Will See: A very wide variety of clams. The larger giant ones are brown, green, blue and turquoise, green and blue for smaller ones. Many of the corals in this area resemble "brains" therefore being nammed brain coral. This area is also home to many blue spotted rays that enjoy resting on the ocean floor amongst the sea cucumbers.
Agincourt Ribbon Reef
Depth: 0-24 meters
Claim to Fame: The numerous different dive sites, most popular being Point Break, Three Sisters, Horseshoe Reef, The Wreck, where you can still find pieces of the Taiwanese Wreck at the Fishbowl. Amongst the pristine Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, be sure not to miss the Nursery Bommie, also featured in the Disney hit "Finding Nemo". It goes as far as 22 meters and there are baby fish galore. An even bigger claim to fame for Agincourt Ribbon Reefs is the whaling season May to September when the Dwarfe Minkes and Giant Humpbacks make their way to Agincourt Ribbon Reefs to calve in amongst the dense corals safe from marauding sharks looking for an easy target. The whales then stay here for a few weeks while the calves grow stronger and then start heading south again for the southern oceans summer when the krill is at its peak in the Antartica with the melting snow
You Will See: Giant clams, Maori wrasse, karge fish, turtles, fairy basslets, yellow striped barracuda, green eels, groups of fairy basslets, garden eels, yellow-striped barracuda, lionfish, drummer, unicornfish, clownfish and MANY large fish and turtles. Stagborn and boulder corals are plenty the area too.
Snapper Island
Depth:The island itself rises 102m above sea level.
Claim To Fame:The island is part of the traditional sea country of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, who continue to hunt and fish around the island. The watercourse stonework of what is believed to be an early Chinese market garden is still visible on the island today. The island has many tourist activities from camping, beach and rainforest walks, wildlife watching, scenic lookouts and ocean views, and sightseeing along with and amazing array of bird species that inhabit the island and its surrounding waters, fishing (subject to marine park and fisheries restrictions, snorkeling and diving.
You Will See: Many Seabird species, particularily the pied imperial-pigeons.
Some say a private charter boat on Australia's Great Barrier Reef is a luxury they cannot afford but if you arrange a few friends to get together it can work out to be not only affordable but one of the most memorable experiences in your lifetime.
Private Charter Boats on Australia's Great Barrier Reef come in all sizes from the smaller 45 foot motor vessel to the larger white boats that are hundreds of feet long and have all the luxurious toys like jet ski's, speed boats for water skiing and bumper tubes for the kids. Some even have helicopters and your own personal chefs onboard. Private charter boat hire from Cairns and Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef can be used soley for a luxurious day or a few overnight charters for snorkelling and diving. If you are a keen fisherman or woman then a private game boat charter may be what you need to find those elusive fighting fish that Cairns is famous for. The days fishing can be on a smaller purpose built fishing vessel and then your nights spent luxuriously on a Mother Ship
A private charter sail boat is a romantic easy going way to experience the reef at an unhurried pace. You can just sit back and really appreciate the scenery with the wind in your hair or if you are feeling energetic jump in and help the crew set the mainsail and learn how to watch the tell tales and plot a course to your next reef destination.
Boats from Cairns and Port Douglas can also be privately hired for conference and incentive groups as well as special occassions such as a wedding and can be a combination of snorkelling, diving, visiting tropical islands or casting a line to catch some fish
Private Charter Boats can be small enough for four passengers overnight or up to 400 passengers for a day trip, catering is personally arranged along with other special requests guests may have for their private charter Great Barrier Reef adventure.
To arrange your private charter boat for your next holiday on Australia's Great Barrier Reef from Cairns or Port Douglas contact info@ciaspecialists.com or phone 07 4059 5959