Sailing in Cairns Far North Queensland
Many miles away, the spectacular World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef floods the sea with colour. In the opposite direction is a mountainous coastline swathed in tropical rainforest. Embarking on a Cairns sailing day trips unveils a mesmerizing journey through the heart of the Great Barrier Reef's treasures. From sailing to Low Isles, adorned with their serene lighthouse and pristine beaches, to exploring the mesmerizing sand cays that emerge from the turquoise waters, or a relaxed sunset sailing tour. Visitors also set sail for Green Island, a lush gem embraced by vibrant coral gardens and teeming with marine life. Each sailing experience offers guests a day of exploration, inviting snorkeling amidst kaleidoscopic reefs, encounters with gentle sea turtles, and moments of tranquil contemplation amid the vast expanse of the sea. Cairns' sailing day trips promise an unparalleled odyssey, a symphony of natural wonders waiting to be discovered at every port of call.
There are few places in the world where this combination of factors come together to make a sailing environment so special.
Book your sailing, snorkeling and diving adventure here on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns Queensland Australia.
The Whitsunday Islands is another sailing mecca for visitors to see the Great Barrier Reef. Book a sailing dive and snorkel tour from Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays.
Three yacht clubs operate in Cairns, all offering day sailing and crewing positions during races and social sailing events. If you are interested in participating in a race simply turn up to one of the clubs, buy a beer, and start talking to the yachties hanging around the bar. They will be happy to give you a position on board their yacht, no matter what your experience level is.
The three yacht clubs in Cairns are:
Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron
Established for cruising yachts, the squadron boasts the best facilities in Cairns for visitors to the area. It has an extensive work-yard where all repairs and painting can be carried out, plus a chandlery for any items you may need.
For members or visiting yachts, toilets, showers, ironing facilities etc are available. There's also a restaurant and bar that is always occupied by old salts willing to share their stories of the sea. The Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron also offers a small marina and pile moorings in a protected arm of the Cairns Inlet.
Cairns Yacht Club
The Cairns Yacht Club is located close to the centre of Cairns city, and is a very popular place for cruising and racing sailors to congregate. It has a small beach that is ideal to launch a dinghy from, and an extensive bar and restaurant in the clubhouse.
This club has no mooring facilities, however it's proximity to the entrance of Cairns Harbour makes it a popular place for visiting yachts anchoring nearby.
Half Moon Bay Yacht Club
This is an upmarket yacht club located at Yorkeys Knob. The clubhouse is the biggest of all three clubs in Cairns, and it has a restaurant that is very popular with the locals every day of the week. There is also a large marina at this club, but haul-out facilities are not available. To reach Cairns from this club takes about 12 minutes by car.
There are many charter yacht operators in Cairns, however due to the proximity of the reef, no bareboat operators run out of Cairns. The closest bareboat charters can be found in Cardwell, south of Cairns. These charters focus on the area around Hinchinbrook Island - the largest national park island in the world.
Port Douglas, however, is home to maxi yachts from around the globe. There is a luxury protected marina in Port Douglas, just a one day sail north from Cairns. Two charter companies offer their stunning yachts for charter, with crew.
Port Douglas Reef Trip | Low Isles | Luxury Sailing & Snorkelling |SAAM
- Departs From: Port Douglas
- Duration:
8:30am to 4:00pm: 7.5 hours approx.
Fantastic sailing tour with a maximum of 33 guests departing from Port Douglas. Choose from 2 daily departures: 8:30am to 4:00pm OR 1:00pm to 6:30pm. The later departure includes a sunset cruise!
Cairns Reef Trip | 20 Guests | Sailing Dive & Snorkel Tour | Outer Great Barrier Reef | SV-RD
- Departs From: Check in is at D Finger, Marlin Marina Cairns
- Duration:
2 hours sailing each way
4 hours at Upolu Reef
SV-RD is a sailing boat visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland daily. This full day reef trip is a very affordable option to sail the Great Barrier Reef. Avoid big crowds with a maximum of 20 guests.
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tour | Sand Cay Experience | Michaelmas Cay
- Departs From: Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal
- Duration:
8.5 hours (approx)
Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns. Cruising to Michaelmas Sand Cay a solitary sand cay in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, spend a day snorkelling and diving . Instant book on line or call 1300 761 612 The most popular luxury day tour from Cairns. Enjoy a leisurely day on board this luxury sailing catamaran visiting the unique location of Michaelmas Cay where you can do activities as you like. Snorkelling, viewing the ocean depths in a semi-submersible submarine tour, trying a scuba diving lesson, taking a walk to see the huge amount of migratory birds nesting on the cay or just relaxing and soaking up the sun on this gorgeous little oasis in the middle of the reef. Perfect Cairns reef tour for non-swimmers and families as you can wade slowly into the water from the beach.
Port Douglas Luxury Reef Trip | Afternoon Snorkel Low Isles & Sunset Sail | Adults Only | SAPM
- Departs From: Port Douglas Marina
- Duration:
1:00pm - 6:30pm: 5.5 Hours
From Port Douglas take an Adults Only half day snorkel and sail tour to Low Isles and then enjoy a sunset sail adventure on the return journey to Port Douglas
Great Barrier Reef Tours | Cairns | Small Group | 2 Reef Sites
- Departs From: Reef Fleet Terminal Cairns
- Duration:
9 hours (approx)
Great value! Full day Great Barrier Reef sailing trip visiting 2 reef locations including a Sand Cay. Choose to snorkel or why not try an introductory dive.
Great Barrier Reef Tours | Only 25 Guests | Snorkel & Dive Tour
- Departs From:
- Duration:
9 hours (approx.) including sailing time
4.5 hours (approx) at Pinnacle Reef & Green Island
Jump on board our sail boat that departs from Cairns Marlin Marina each day to take 25 excited holiday makers to snorkel and dive a pristine reef on the Great Barrier Reef just off Green Island. Jump in our tender and take a ride over to explore the shops, pathways, Marineland Melanesia and the beaches of the ever popular Green Island
Cairns Dive Trips | 2 Day 1 Night | Cairns Liveaboard Dive & Snorkel
- Departs From:
- Duration:
2 days & 1 night
Spend 2 days and 1 night on a sailing boat on the Great Barrier Reef... now that's is something very special! this is a liveaboard experience with only a maximum of 12 guests and it includes a FREE try dive for all guest over the age of 12.
Port Douglas Yacht Charter | Half Day Snorkel & Sunset Sailing Tours | INO
- Departs From: The Crystalbrook Super Yacht Marina, Port Douglas
- Duration:
Afternoon Charter: 6.5 hours (approx)
Flexible private sailing charter boat options. Afternoon and/or sunset sailing charters available from port Douglas. Maximum 12 lucky guests.
Cairns Cheapest Dive Trip | 2 Day 1 Night | Budget Liveaboard Barrier Reef Tour
- Departs From: Departure is from Marlin Marina, E finger, Cairns
- Duration:
2 days 1 night
Boarding 7:00am - Departure 7:30am - Return the next day to Cairns at 3:30pm
Great value 2 day 1 night liveaboard Great Barrier Reef option departing from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. SV-RUMRUN welcomes 16 snorkellers and/or divers. Get a group of friends together and start your Great Barrier Reef adventure!
Port Douglas Private Charter Boat | Luxury Yacht Charter Snorkel Tour | INO
- Departs From: The Reef Marina, Port Douglas
- Duration:
Up to 6.5 hours (approx)
Choose 11 friends and/or family members and enjoy your own private sailing charter boat to Low Isles or Snapper Island. SV-INO is a 13 metres French designed catamaran departing from Port Douglas. Also available for afternoon and/or sunset private charters.
Cairns Cheapest Dive Trip | 2 Day 1 Night | Budget Liveaboard Barrier Reef Tour
- Departs From: Departure is from Marlin Marina, E finger, Cairns
- Duration:
2 days 1 night
Boarding 7:00am - Departure 7:30am - Return the next day to Cairns at 3:30pm
Spend a brilliant 2 days and 1 night aboard a sailing boat on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns snorkelling and scuba diving the reefs below the clear blue waters surface. Cairns best value liveaboard dive trip so don't miss this one!
