Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Set sail from Port Douglas for a day of snorkeling and adventure on the Outer Barrier Reef. Immersed in the northern frontier of Great Barrier Reef, this is the perfect sailing and snorkeling adventure for a conservation minded visitor. Ideally suited to those who can swim and have a spirit of fun and adventure. The white sands of the coral cay are surrounded by tropical waters filled with fish, turtles and coral. This smaller cruise is limited to just 52 passengers on a 82ft custom built catamaran, ensuring good company and helpful assistance from the crew. A buffet lunch is included, along with morning & afternoon tea, a reef interpretation talk, a guided snorkel tour and an interpretive glass-bottom boat. Discerning guests can fully enjoy an inspiring full day of adventure using wind power to the absolutely stunning cay on the Great Barrier Reef in the most environmentally way!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Vegetarian, vegan or gluten free option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please bring towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and hat. We also recommend a jumper in the cooler months.
Underwater Camera's available for hire $75 for the day. Security deposit of $600 required.
To participate in the activity of snorkelling, you must be confident in the water with the capacity to swim unassisted. If you are a poor swimmer, you may not be suitable to snorkel in the open water. Not all passengers will be suitable to snorkel, and our experienced crew have the discretion to advise against snorkelling if deemed “not suitable for the activity”. This is for the safety of the passenger. Please be advised snorkelling can be a strenuous physical activity, even in calm water and that older people are at an increased risk of death and/or injury due to a higher incidence of medical conditions made worse by physical exertion, such as heart disease and stroke. All passengers intending to snorkel will be asked to complete our Medical Declaration for Snorkelling form. Our experienced crew will discuss any issues relating to medical conditions and swimming ability. Sailaway reserves the right to decline any passenger from participating in snorkelling if we are concerned about your health condition and/or swimming ability. This is for your own safety, please listen to the advice of our experienced snorkel guides to ensure the safety of our guests.
Our Sailaway vessels are luxury sailing catamarans and we offer a pure sailing experience. This means the vessels travel in open seas and will move around whilst under sail. The decks of the vessels are multi levels and can be slippery when wet. Passengers must have good mobility to safely move around the vessels, step onto the glass bottom boats (if applicable) and get in and out of the water via the ladders on the back of the vessels. Unfortunately, we do not offer wheelchair access due to the layout of the decks and saloon areas. Our tours are adventure experiences for active travellers. Please choose your tour carefully to ensure it is suitable for your experience, age and physical health.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Guided snorkel tour with marine biologist
Glass-bottom boat tour on our E-Tender, the 'EV Explorer'
Morning and afternoon tea & coffee with muffins and fresh fruit
Wetsuits during the winter months and lycra suits in summer
Buffet lunch
Time to explore the pristine coral cay
Use of snorkel equipment and instruction
Environmental Management Charge
Great Barrier Reef sailing cruise
Soft and alcoholic drinks (available for purchase on board)
What To Expect
Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina
The adventure starts with an early departure from the Port Douglas Marina. Sit back and relax as we set sail to the Mackay Cay, out from Cape Tribulation. Enjoy an authentic sailing experience, following the coastline and views of the Daintree mountains. Once at the protected sites at the Coral Cay, nature activities will include snorkelling over the pristine coral reef with a qualified marine biologist offering reef interpretation on a guided snorkel tour. A glass bottom boat coral viewing tour is also on offer. Premium reef sites showcase abundant marine life, including encounters with turtles and an amazing display of giant clam gardens, beautiful corals and a wide variety of fish. Explore the white sands of the coral cay, soak up the sun and swim in turquoise clear waters. A tropical buffet lunch, morning and afternoon teas & coffees will compliment a day of adventure and relaxation.
Options
Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas
Reviews
431 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome reef experience
Jane B,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience of the reef with an experienced team who were keen to share it with us. Saw more bright coral and fish than I expected and even a turtle. Well catered across the day with plenty of food and they have prescription snorkel masks so I could see clearly underwater. Small group so it wasn’t crowded in the water - Highly recommend!
Incredible, Awe Inspiring Experience Sailaway Team brilliant, knowledgeable, friendly, confidence giving and helpful.
Dream12428917681,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible day, hi light of our tour of east coast of Australia. Staff so friendly knowledgeable and helpful. As a poor swimmer who panics underwater I had no intention of snorkelling but the crew put me at ease and made every effort to give me confidence to try and I did! It was so awe inspiring words can’t do the experience justice. My husband (more confident than me) felt exactly the same about it all. Equipment was supplied. Every effort made to ensure our safety. Very knowledgeable interesting talks about the reef by staff. Staff in the water with us were showing us different fish and corals. Lunch and all food was very good. Would have liked to have done both snorkel sessions and the glass bottom boat but unfortunately this wasn’t possible. Plenty of time after the snorkelling to enjoy the views and the journey back. Have since done a similar experience in the Whitsundays and the level of the trip, equipment and staff came nowhere near the Sailaway team and day. A brilliant day, would recommend Sailaway to everyone looking to see the Reef. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.
Great day on the outer reef
Heather M,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef was a bucket list item for me, and this trip definitely delivered! The variety of fish and coral was like nothing I'd ever seen before, and the water was clear and beautiful. This trip included 2 1-hr snorkeling sessions in different locations, with a stop at a pristine sandbar in between, and lunch on the boat. One thing I really appreciated with Sailaway was their effort to be inclusive of snorkelers with all abilities and comfort levels. They checked on how much experience everyone had, and provided options that included independent snorkeling, snorkeling with a pool noodle for support, and snorkeling while being towed by one of the guides. They also had the option to go inside of a small glass-bottomed boat on the second stop for people who didn't want to get in the water. Additionally, I have dietary restrictions that they were able to accommodate for the lunch and afternoon tea (with advance notice). Highly recommended!
Fantastic snorkelling over the Outer Reef.
JFBell,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00One of the items on my bucket list had been to snorkel the Barrier Reef, and I can’t think this experience could be improved on. Great crew with good knowledge about the reef, and good equipment provided. Highly recommended.
Great for snorkelling - or just to relax
795beccig,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this trip whilst in Australia on Honeymoon and what a fab day we had. From the minute we boarded the vessel, the staff were wonderful. I didn’t snorkel but was given the chance to go in a glass bottom boat instead which was brilliant. My Husband did snorkel and said it was an amazing experience that he will never forget. Definitely worth booking as the yacht it’s self is very relaxing - Especially on a nice sunny day!
Enjoyable day spent on the Great Barrier Reef with a fun crew!
hodophile4nature,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The ocean was a bit choppy with a strong current that limited snorkeling and reef viewing a bit but the crew was great and helpful to those onboard. We were provided wet suits for prevention against jellyfish, however, none were seen . The skipper also provided a glass bottom boat when farther out for viewing. The passengers were local and international and the crew did a wonderful job accommodating all levels of age and swimming ability. Only reason for a 4 vs a 5 was lack of visibility on the glass bottom boat. I recommend the company for snorkeling the reef.
Nice day sailing and snorkelling
GrandTour55083772687,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a lovely day on this nice catamaran. Well organised. All the staff were great, attentive and helpful. Food was good and the equipment was excellent. They took time to make sure it all fitted properly. The marine biologist talk was interesting. One enhancement would be to ask people at the front of the presentation to remove hats to improve the view for those at the back and to leave the pictures showing after the talk so that those at the back had a better chance to see more clearly later on.
Honeymoon Sailing
567nikolav,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our sailing experience was absolutely amazing. Having the opportunity to see the Great Barrier Reef with our own eyes was truly unforgettable. The staff were incredibly polite, friendly, and professional, making the entire journey feel smooth and enjoyable. The food on the boat was exceptional; far beyond what we expected, and the overall trip was nothing short of fantastic. We are leaving with beautiful memories that we will cherish for a long time. Highly recommended!
Shirin Laji
0shirinl,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend it. Excellent service with personel with knowledge and great passionate to help and assist in any time. Very satisfying and a beautiful experience of the Reef. Magnificent.
Great day out
948ashleighj,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great day out, it filled up the whole day and everyone enjoyed themselves! The lunch was amazing too. Would recommend
From A$340.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Sailaway