8 Day Lizard Island and Townsville Cruise

Introduction

Become a lazy beachcomber or an inquisitive adventurer on your 7 night island-hopping voyage of discovery.
An incredible underwater world will be revealed to you at our numerous exclusive reef sites. Our informative crew will always be on hand to provide assistance and information about the fascinating reef life and habitat. Join our Marine Biologist aboard the glass bottom boat or go snorkelling amongst the brilliant corals and teeming marine life on the fringing reefs of Lizard Island and our exclusive Pelorus Island. Our experienced Dive Instructor will also be there to offer you the exhilarating experience of scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Make use of the resort facilties at Dunk Island or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of these wonderful tropical islands and coastline.
Our award-winning 35 metre expedition style cruise ships, Coral Princess and Coral Princess II, are large enough to provide all the comforts and facilities you would expect from larger cruise ships, yet small enough to enable us to access reef and island sites inaccessible to other vessels. With our open bridge policy and a maximum of just 50 passengers, your environmental experience will be both personal and memorable.

Itinerary

Day 1

4:00pm: Board your Coral Princess Cruises small ship for a 5:00pm departure from Cairns. 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 our crew and travelling companions on the top deck to enjoy a glass of champagne as we cruise northward, passing Double Island and the pretty beachside village of Palm Cove. Admire a spectacular sunset over the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Macalister Range.

Day 2

We have the morning to discover historical Cooktown. It was here that the famous explorer Captain James Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery after claiming Australia as a British colony in 1770. You have the option to visit Cooktown’s fascinating historical museum, featuring original artefacts from Cook’s ship – Endeavour. See the original anchor and cannon, jettisoned overboard after Endeavour struck a reef and began taking on water. Cooktown is steeped in history with most stone buildings dating back almost a century. Enjoy time to discover Cooktown at your own pace. Perhaps visit the Botanic Gardens, where you may catch a glimpse of some native Australian wildlife including Kangaroos and Wallabies. 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 and discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home. You may wish to enjoy our first snorkelling opportunity for an up-close view 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

This morning we awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join our guides on a walk to “Cook’s Look” on the island’s peak (hiking shoes or boots are recommended). It was from here, the highest lookout on this part of the reef, that Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the Endeavour near Cooktown over 200 years ago. A photographer’s delight, 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 meters off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Discover giant clams and a profusion of fish. Simply relax on the beach, join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour, or for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany our Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive. The choice is yours! This afternoon we cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef where our activities will include more snorkelling opportunities and glass bottom boat tours with the Marine Biologist.

Day 4

The Great Barrier Reef is not actually one continuous reef, but a series of thousands of individual coral cays stretching over 1800 miles between the town of Bundaberg and the tip of Australia at Cape York. We spend today visiting two of the most spectacular 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

Enjoy the morning to discover Cairns at your leisure before returning to Coral Princess at 10:30am for an 11:00am departure. This afternoon we arrive at the outer Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Thetford Reef and Sudbury Cay. Join our Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens before gathering on the snorkel deck to participate in a fish feed. Discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home, including Spangled Emperor, Giant Trevally and the Hump-Headed Maori Wrasse as they are hand fed by the Marine Biologist. In the evening, join our crew and travelling companions on the top deck as the sun spectacularly sets over the reef.

Day 6

This morning we enjoy ample time to discover Coates or Nathan Reef. This section of the reef offers some of the most colourful coral gardens found anywhere along the length of the reef, allowing us to view many of the 400 different species of coral living in this World Heritage-listed wonderland. Venture in to the warm tropical waters to explore the corals and marine life on a guided snorkelling tour and join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour. For the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany our Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive.

Later, discover some of the amazing creatures living on the reef with our Marine Biologist at the on-board display tank. Enjoy the rare opportunity for a close up look at sea cucumbers, colourful starfish and other marine life living on this part of the reef. This afternoon we visit Dunk Island Resort where there is time to relax by the resort’s pool, enjoy a drink in the cocktail bar or join a guided rainforest walk discovering the island’s unique flora and fauna. We may be lucky enough to see the brightly coloured blue-winged Ulysses Butterfly, impossible to miss against the ancient rainforest background. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for many of the up to 100 species of native birds recorded on the island, including the Yellow-bellied Sunbird, Emerald Dove or Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Day 7

Enjoy a delicious breakfast as we cruise further amongst the scenic Family Group of Islands, the only tropical islands on the Australian coast. Discover the towering island cliffs and mangroves of the Hinchinbrook Channel before arriving at Coral Princess Cruises’ very own tropical island, Pelorus. We invite you to join us on the beach for a delicious beach BBQ, freshly prepared by the Captain.

After lunch, explore the surrounding rainforest on a guided nature walk. Pelorus’ fringing reef, in the shallow waters just meters off the beach, offers some fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Admire the colourful corals from the glass bottom boat with the Marine Biologist, accompany our Dive Instructor on an unforgettable SCUBA dive or simply relax on the long stretch of golden sandy beach, the choice is yours! This evening, relax with our crew and new-found friends on the top deck as we cruise through the spectacular Palm Islands before settling in for our final night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 8

This morning we cross Halifax Bay, passing close to Magnetic Island before arriving in Townsville at 10:00am.

Note

Due to weather, tides or mechanical reasons the itinerary may be subject to change without notice.

Fly and Cruise Option

Fly back to Cairns from Townsville after your Cairns-Lizard Island-Townsville cruise. ADD $180 per person to total tour fare.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

CRUISE INCLUSIONS

• All meals, morning and afternoon teas
• Tea and coffee 24 hours a day
• Use of snorkeling equipment, masks and fins
• Guided glass bottom boat coral viewing and snorkeling excursions
• Presentations by Marine Biologists
• Access to islands, marine and national parks
• Use of comprehensive range of library and video resources
• An introductory scuba experience for first time divers

EXCLUSIONS

• Pre and post cruise transfers
• Bar and shop purchases
• Shop to shore telephone and facsimile calls
• Coasts associated with scuba diving
• The Government Environmental Management Charge (EMC)

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Notification of cancellation must be received in writing. At the time we receive your cancellation the following penalties will apply:

• 14 – 30 days prior to departure – 20% of the relevant fare
• 7 – 13 days prior to departure – 50% of the relevant fare
• no show – 6 days – 100% of the relevant fare

CORAL PRINCESS

Onboard Accommodation

Resort style living at its best. Select from four types of accommodation - all spacious and elegantly appointed.
The discerning traveller has a choice of Standard, Deluxe, Upper Deck Staterooms, while the more budget conscious may select a Cabin. A number of Staterooms have extra divans or Pullman berths, and others have connecting doors. All accommodation is spacious and air-conditioned with private ensuites and the choice of single or double beds.
All rooms are serviced daily.

Onboard Facilities

Onboard amenities include what you would expect of a much larger cruise ship:

• Air-conditioned dining room
• Two modern air-conditioned lounges
• Sundeck and Spa Pool
• Comprehensive reference library featuring videos and books on the reef, islands and outback
• Phone and fax facilities
• Security Safe
• Fully stocked cocktail bar
• Comprehensive dive shop
• A range of souvenirs and personal items is available for purchase

Dining

All meals during the cruise are included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are usually served in the dining room located on the Main Deck and are buffet-style. Coffe and tea is available 24 hours. Standard hours are breakfast from 7:00-8:30am, lunch at 12:30pm and dinner at 7:30pm. However meal times may vary according to the day activities. Meal times will be advised in the onboard daily bulletins.

Excursion Boats And Zodiacs

The "Explorer" is a specially designed aluminium excursion vessel used for the majority of our excursions. This vessel has high horsepower engines and will accommodate all passengers at one time. The "Explorer" will be used for landings and for extensive exploration of rivers and tributaries. For your added convenience and comfort, the "Explorer" is equipped with an awning and toilet.

We also carry two inflatable landing craft (Zodiacs). Designed for expedition work, these large and heavy-duty inflatables are extremely safe. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if the boats damaged. The flat bottom design permits these crafts to land directly onto the beaches. Expect nonetheless to wade through shallow water to reach the shore.

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