Cape York and Great Barrier Reef Cruise

This is an 8-day cruise to explore Australia's Great Barrier Reef and travel to the northern tip of Australia at Cape York

Book early and save 20%
on 2007 departures*

Embark on a 7 night adventure and cruise through the Great Barrier Reef to the Northern tip of Australia and beyond. Explore a new and remote destination every day including Cape York, Cooktown and exclusive Lizard Island. Cruise into the Torres Strait to Thursday Island and experience what few others have before.

Join our team of adventure specialists including our marine naturalist, local and indigenous guides and marine pilots who will guide you through the reefs, rainforest, art and culture of Cape York world heritage region.

Learn the secrets of marine life on the edge of the continental shelf and visit historic
Cooktown on the mainland frontier. Discover impressive galleries of ancient
aboriginal rock art with a Stanley Island elder and meet a modern day hermit.

There is probably no other place in Australia with a history longer or more colourful than that of the Torres Strait and Thursday Island. Explore the township, historic sites and shops that feature the island’s most famous export – the pearl, before arriving at your ultimate destination – the northern tip of Cape York and mainland Australia.

Purpose built for Great Barrier Reef cruises, your ship, the 168-passenger MV Reef Endeavour, mixes adventure cruising with good living. It has roomy tropical lounges, excellent cuisine, air-conditioned outside cabins, swimming pool, spa pools, sauna are onboard.

Reef Endeavour carries four onboard reef vessels, including a glass bottom boat, snorkelling and dive tenders. Our own Marine Naturalist will introduce you to the beauty of the Reef as well as the intricate ecology that created it. You will come to know the countless varieties of flora and fauna, both land and marine, on a cruise where we are ever respectful of the environment.

View information about your cruise ship, the MV Reef Endeavour

We also offer the Great Barrier Reef Cruise going north and/or south from Cairns

We also offer the Great Barrier Reef Cruise going north and/or south from Cairns

View information about your cruise ship, the MV Reef Endeavour

Check availability of this cruise
Back to the Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Check availability of this cruise
Back to the Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Call us to check availability:
UK: 0845 226 2475
Overseas: +44 1756 693609

Also see the Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Itinerary 7-night cruise comprises both cruises below, taken in either order
• Stand on Australia’s tip • Unique World Heritage region • Snorkel & dive remote reefs • Superb fresh local cuisine • Marine naturalist & indigenous guide
FRIDAY	Cairns Depart Cairns at 2.00pm passing through the Cairns leads with magnificent views of Cairns City. This afternoon visit one of the local islands or coral cays before the ship sails north towards the Ribbon Reefs.
SATURDAY	No.5 Ribbon Reef / Cooktown This morning’s destination is the magnificent No 5 Ribbon Reef. Snorkel, dive, join the glass bottom boat tour and listen to the waves from the Coral Sea cascade over the outer edge of the reef. After a magnificent lunch we arrive at Cooktown where you can join an optional tour (additional cost – approx $20) of this historic settlement or wander through town’s shops, museums, pubs and historic sites at your own pace. Make sure you don't miss the James Cook Historical museum.
SUNDAY	Stanley Island Today we anchor in Owen Channel sheltered by the dramatic cliffs of Stanley Island in the Flinders Group. The islands are administered by local Aborigines in conjunction with Queensland Parks and Wildlife. Your guided island tour will be led by a Stanley Island elder who joins the Reef Endeavour crew for this voyage. On the tour you will be shown impressive galleries of ancient aboriginal rock art, learn about the history and traditions of the area and sample the edible native plants. The Marine Naturalist will also conduct tours of the mangrove forests which shelter an amazing array of marine life.
MONDAY	Bligh Reef / Restoration Island After the mutiny on the Bounty, Captain Bligh and his Officers were cast adrift in an open boat in the South Seas. His epic journey to safety took him through the Great Barrier Reef to Java. Today Reef Endeavour anchors at Bligh Reef where Captain Bligh found passage to sheltered water. Due to its remote location this reef is rarely visited and its pristine condition offers amazing snorkelling opportunities and glass bottom boat viewing. This afternoon visit remote Restoration Island, once visited by Captain Bligh. Every visit to this island offers a surprise - from its shell strewen beaches, perfect for beachcombing to its only inhabitant - a modern day hermit.
TUESDAY	Cape York / Thursday Island There is probably no other place in Australia with a history longer or more colourful than that of the Torres Strait. Our Thursday Island optional tour (additional cost -- approx $30 pp) includes the Torres Strait Museum, Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial and Green Hill Fort, plus fascinating insights into the local history. There is also time to explore the local township, the new Cultural Centre (small admission fee) and the shops that feature the island’s most famous export – the pearl. At lunchtime we leave TI and head for Cape York. The ship's tenders will take passengers ashore at Frangipani Cove where you can stand on the most northern tip of Australia. Although not a long distance the walk to the tip is over rocky and uneven terrain.
WEDNESDAY	Morris Island Today we make our way around Cape Grenville to Morris Island. This island offers the only safe anchorage for many miles and is frequently used as a safe haven by yachts. Enjoy a few leisurely hours here swimming and exploring the local environment. Morris Island is well vegetated with sisal and is a nesting site for Green and Hawksbill Turtles as well as a dozen species of sea and reef-wading birds. This afternoon we sail south to the most northerly resort on the Great Barrier Reef – spectacular Lizard Island.
THURSDAY	Lizard Island Lizard Island is dominated by the 366 metres high 'Cook's Look' and weather permitting there is an opportunity to climb the peak. Enjoy a spectacular day of swimming, snorkelling and diving (for certified divers). The island offers extensive fringing coral reefs, a stunning blue lagoon, and superb beaches with a backdrop of a stately mountain peak. The waters around the island are considered to be the world's best fishing grounds for Black Marlin and the island is also close to some of the most superb diving spots in the world. The Captain's Dinner and an opportunity to dress up a little if you wish, offers a dining and entertainment experience to remember.
FRIDAY	Cairns Return to Cairns at 8am.
It may sometimes be necessary to amend itineraries or arrangements due to weather or other operational needs.