- Discover one of the world’s great seascapes accompanied by Great Barrier Reef experts
- Learn about ancient indigenous culture and Australian heritage at historic Cooktown
- Swim, snorkel, dive or simply view the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef
- Observe the vibrant underwater world of the untouched outer Great Barrier Reef
- Enjoy solitude and seven magical Queensland sunsets
- Sip sundowners and feel the sand beneath your feet on isolated sand cays and uninhabited islands
- Participate in efforts to conserve the Great Barrier Reef, and possibly visit a turtle rehabilitation centre

Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef Cruise – Premium Adventure





Join an immersive eight-day premium cruise adventure to the remote, untouched northern Great Barrier Reef
Hop on board the expedition vessel Coral Discoverer to embark on an immersive eight-day adventure to the remote, untouched northern reefs. We explore hidden corners, uninhabited sand cays, small islands and pristine reef systems, finding freedom and solitude amid this iconic seascape. You share the journey with soaring seabirds and swim, dive and snorkel at the far-flung Osprey and Ribbon reefs. Also learn about ancient indigenous culture and Australian heritage at historic Cooktown, stretch your legs with a hike to the summit of Cooks Look, and enjoy a sundowner with the sand beneath your toes at deserted Sudbury Cay.
Our purpose-designed small ships are custom-built for expedition cruising. With refined steering capabilities, shallow draught and nimble explorer tenders, they can bring you closer to remote sites and natural habitats. On board, you will be accompanied by expert guides, including a marine biologist. You also enjoy freshly prepared small-batch cuisine featuring the best local ingredients and can relax with quality local beers and wines. With an intimate atmosphere and renowned warm Australian hospitality, you will quickly feel at home and make new friends.
Highlights
Key Information
- Eight days/seven nights on a premium ship cruise
- All meals while on the ship
- Beer, house wine, spirits, juices and soft drink during lunch and dinner
- Stay on the Coral Discoverer, which provides premium accommodation and a more personalised service compared to larger vessels
- All excursions and sightseeing
- Daily lectures and briefings
- Countries visited: Australia
What's Included
- Premium accommodation on board the Coral Discoverer
- All excursions and sightseeing
- Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and Kayaks
- Snorkelling and scuba equipment (scuba diving at an additional cost)
- Daily lectures and briefings
- All meals, chef-prepared on board
- Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
- Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
- 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
- All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
- Tips and gratuities
- Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
- Departure transfer on day eight to Cairns CBD Hotel or Cairns Airport (must advise and pre-book with Exodus at least 1 month before departure)
What's Not Included
- Arrival transfers
- Pre- and post-cruise flights
- Pre- and post-cruise accommodation
- Travel insurance
- Scuba diving (view scuba diving rates)
- Entry visas to Australia
- Vaccinations
- Items of a personal nature including but not limited to phone and internet communications and bar charges (outside of the included drinks package as highlighted), laundry charges and souvenir purchases
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- The use of local guides and Australian crew means guests will be well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
- Coral Expeditions acknowledges the First Nations people of Australia as traditional custodians of the lands on which they work and travel and pay respects to elders past and present.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
- Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
- Marine-friendly SPF50+ sunscreen is available for all guests to use, which helps to avoid harming the unique marine environment.
- By travelling on a smaller vessel with fewer than 100 passengers, and by using local guides and Australian crew, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- Coral Expeditions donates to the Bare Sands Turtle Sanctuary, a valuable research project, and offers logistical support to transport staff, equipment and turtles.
- Coral Expeditions is proudly accredited as an ecotourism cruise operator with world-leading EcoTourism Australia. Some of the initiatives they have been a part of include parting ways with plastic straws in 2018, bringing water and supplies to drought-stricken small island communities and providing onboard education to all guests. They have also been involved in coral species collection for the world’s largest coral biobank.
- Across the Coral Expedition fleet, they are continually looking for ways to improve their sustainability to reduce waste, partner with more organic and Fairtrade suppliers, and deliver a food and beverage experience in line with their expedition roots and beliefs.
- Coral Expeditions have successfully implemented measures to remove PC plastics and reduce packaging waste in their food and beverage supply chain. For example, water provided on board is packaged in reusable, recycled paper-based containers with a lid made from sugarcane in Far North Queensland.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
- Coral Expeditions rely on a community of local providores, farmers and growers and use locally sourced food (as much as possible) which has not been transported long distances. This ensures each regional menu champions seasonality, while creating delicious dishes sustainably wherever possible.
- Vegetarian and vegan options are available and included on all cruise menus, meaning passengers can opt for meals with a lower carbon footprint.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Itinerary
Cairns Cairns
Arrive at Cairns Pullman International Hotel at 3pm for SailSAFE check-in. A transfer from here to the ship is provided. Board at 4pm, where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities on board before joining your fellow explorers on the Sun Deck for Captain’s Welcome drinks.
At Fitzroy Island, enjoy a walk through the Secret Garden rainforest or, for the more adventurous, a hike to the decommissioned lighthouse for panoramic views of the Coral Sea, islands and mainland mountain ranges.
Snorkel over the fringing reef, relax on the beach and there may be an opportunity to lend a hand to the volunteers at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where sick and injured turtles are cared for before being returned to the wild.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Late in the afternoon, we arrive at Sudbury Cay, a tiny sand cay that barely rises above the Coral Sea. Far removed from the bustle of civilisation, we slip off our shoes and feel the sand between our toes as the tropical waters lap against the shoreline. Surrounded by glistening sea and bathed in the glow of twilight, we enjoy sundowner drinks and the company of like-minded explorers as we relax and watch the sun sink below the horizon.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relax on picturesque Mackay Cay and snorkel the pristine reef around it. Mackay Reef is a mid-shelf platform reef, where vibrant hard and soft corals abound. The northern side enjoys additional protection from the cay, making it the perfect playground for turtles. There’s also a giant clam garden in the area, with some clams growing as big as 3.9ft (1.2m), all with unique colours and patterns.
On a clear day, you can look back from the cay to the mainland and see mountains covered by the Unesco-listed Daintree Rainforest. You can see Cape Tribulation and Mount Sorrow as named by Captain Cook during his eventful sail through the Great Barrier Reef. The Kuku Yalanji are the traditional owners of this region and have lived in harmony with the environment for more than 50,000 years. Dreamtime stories explain the unique shape of Mount Peter Bot.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Come ashore in historic Cooktown and learn the history of the Guugu Yimithirr, the first people of this ancient country. Discover recent European history with a visit to the site where Lieutenant James Cook beached HMB Endeavour to effect repairs in 1770. Wander through the rare flora collection at the Botanic Gardens and visit James Cook Museum, where the story of Cook’s landing is told from an Aboriginal perspective and where artefacts are on display.
Later, we cruise towards Lizard Island, arriving in time for sunset.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend a whole day at Lizard Island where there is time to hike to the summit of Cooks Look and enjoy the same view Cook did when searching for safe passage through the maze of coral reefs. Snorkel over giant clam gardens from the beach at Watsons Bay, relax on the white-sand beach beneath shady she-oak trees and learn about the tragic story surrounding Mary Watson.
There may be an opportunity to visit the Lizard Island Research Station, which is operated by the Australian Museum to facilitate coral reef research and education on the Great Barrier Reef.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
One of the best dive sites in the world, Osprey Reef is a submerged atoll in the Coral Sea. The top of a mountain rising from the seafloor, surrounded by a vast ocean, it draws many beautiful and rare marine creatures to its plummeting walls. It is a highly prized tropical dive location among scuba divers, called an ‘oasis for living creatures of all kinds’ by Sir David Attenborough.
Here we spend time in the water exploring the 100ft (30m) deep lagoon and drift diving the walls, where you may see large pelagic fish, rays, and sharks drawn in from the surrounding deep blue to enjoy the richness of this ocean oasis.
Osprey Reef is a true expedition-style destination and our visit is subject to appropriate weather conditions.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With a spot far from the Australian coast, the Ribbon Reefs are a narrow line of outer coral reefs on the edge of the continental shelf. Enjoy the rare opportunity to snorkel and dive in this location renowned for its prolific marine life and extensive coral species.
Ribbon Reef No.9 is a favourite for diving and snorkelling, with a wide variety of marine life and coral-cloaked pinnacles. Join a guided snorkel tour led by our expert Expedition Team and witness this extraordinary ecosystem up close. These northern reefs are renowned for their iconic marine species such as potato cod, wrasse, sharks and turtles.
Premium accommodation: Coral Discoverer
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our Great Barrier Reef adventure concludes in Cairns this morning as we bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8am.
A complimentary transfer is provided to CBD hotels or the airport. You must advise and prebook with Exodus at least one month before departure if you wish to have a departure transfer. Transfers to the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas can be arranged on board with the Purser (at cost), if not already arranged prior to embarkation.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Visa
Australia
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. Please note, entry requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas or ETAs for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Vaccination
Australia
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies (bat lyssavirus). You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (with the exception of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Eating and Drinking
All inclusive
- Meals: All meals are fresh and chef-prepared on board
- Tea and coffee: 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
- Beverages: Selected wines, beers, juices, soft drinks and selected spirits are served complimentary with lunch and dinner. Drinks are available for purchase at other times.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Start your day with a tempting choice from a fresh continental or hot à la carte menu with options changing daily.
Lunches showcase a selection of hot and cold dishes, from salads and cold cuts to soups, fresh local seafood and seasonal tropical fruits both individually plated and small sharing plates.
Evenings are a convivial time to dine with new friends and reflect on an exciting day of discovery over dinner. We welcome you on board with a seafood-sharing concept dinner on the first night. Other evening meals are served over a three-course table d’hote dinner menu, when selections are offered as you enjoy table service from the friendly dining room staff.
All Coral Expeditions feature a memorable pre-dinner event ashore where sunset drinks and canapés are served, often on a beach, and always in a beautiful location with a sunset view. Casual sundowners are hosted by the captain and are the perfect time to kick off your shoes and enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail while mingling with fellow guests in a relaxed atmosphere.
Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a curated beverage list featuring boutique Australian and New Zealand wines, beers and ciders.
Each voyage, the captain hosts a Captain’s Table for invited guests and officers will endeavour to host dinner guests on an evening when operational matters allow.
Beverages on board
Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a curated beverage list; each evening, sunset drinks are held on the Vista Deck (weather permitting) where guests relax or socialise before dinner. Each voyage, the captain hosts a welcome and farewell event with complimentary canapés and beverages.
Drinks are complimentary during the official Captain’s Welcome and farewell events and the offshore sunset drinks. We invite guests to join the pre-dinner drinks at other times, but alcoholic beverages during these times will be at your own expense.
Sustainability in food and beverage
Across the Coral Expedition fleet, they are continually looking for ways to improve sustainability and reduce waste, partner with more organic and Fairtrade suppliers, and deliver a food and beverage experience in line with expedition roots and beliefs. They have successfully implemented measures to remove PC plastics and reduce packaging waste in their food and beverage supply chain. Since 2020, Coral Expeditions offer a selection of ecofriendly, Fairtrade and organic beverage products including:
- Pukka Tea range: 100 percent certified organic herbs, ethically sourced.
- Veneziano Coffee: 100 percent Fairtrade and Australian-certified organic by the Biological Farming Association.
- Tablelands Coffee Black Mountain: Grown locally in Mareeba, Cairns Tablelands of Far North Queensland.
- JUST Water: Packaged in reusable, recycled paper-based containers with a lid made from sugarcane in Far North Queensland. Made in Australia with water from Victoria.
Snacks and pre-dinner canapés
In between shore adventures, the chefs will welcome you back on board with freshly baked treats or delicious canapés to accompany pre-dinner or sunset drinks. When local regulations allow, there may be the chance for impromptu stops to enjoy sunset drinks and canapés in scenic locations.
Special meal requirements
Vegetarian, vegans, gluten- and dairy-free items are included in all menus. The chefs will happily cater to other special dietary requirements with advance notice. Please advise at time of booking.
Weather
North Queensland has some of the best year-round weather in Australia. Sunny days, warm waters, cool ocean breezes and a generally comfortable climate are part of what makes it such a popular destination. During our expedition voyages from October to December, the average daily temperature will be around 27C-32C (81F-90F), with water temperatures around a comfortable 28C (82F). October to December is possibly the best time of year to travel to the Great Barrier Reef. Generally, 10-15 knot southeasterly winds and glass outs are common.
Is this trip for you?
This leisurely premium adventure seven-night/eight-day cruise is operated by Coral Expeditions.
The day-to-day itinerary is indicative. No two cruises with Coral Expeditions are the same, with each expedition crafted by experienced Masters and Expedition Leaders. Throughout the expedition, there may be the need to make changes to the itinerary to maximise your experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may impact the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.
Please refer to the below that are applicable to this Coral Expeditions cruise:
Standard booking conditions
- A 20 percent deposit of your total booking value is required upon confirmation and is non-refundable.
- Final balance must be paid 90 days before departure.
Cancellation conditions
- Up to 90 days prior to departure: Forfeit the 20 percent non-refundable deposit
- 89 to 60 days prior to departure: Forfeit 50 percent of the relevant fare
- At 59 to 0 days prior to departure: Forfeit 100 percent of the relevant fare
Premium Accommodation: Coral Discoverer
During this premium adventure cruise, you will spend seven nights on the Coral Discoverer.
Launched in 2005, the Coral Discoverer set a new benchmark of sophistication in expedition cruising. It is a 72-passenger ship built to take you closer to unspoiled vistas in comfort, style and safety. The shallow draught and manoeuvrability of the ship allow it to reach some of the most remote and rarely visited coastlines and islands in Australia. The tender vessel, Xplorer, features a hydraulic lowering system and can seat all 72 passengers for excursions to beaches and rivers. Coral Discoverer is equipped with latest-technology active stabilisers to ensure comfortable cruising in open waters and is fitted with modern safety and navigation equipment and wireless internet facilities.
It’s built to international SOLAS standards and with one aim in mind: to create the ultimate small-ship cruising experience. It’s also Australian flagged and staffed entirely by an Australian and New Zealand crew.
In 2016, a significant upgrade and refresh of the facilities brought the amenities to an even higher level. The Sun Deck, home to the circular Explorer Bar, is the hub of onboard community living. Guest accommodation also received a substantial upgrade with the addition of six Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms, providing coveted inside-outside living quarters. All other Stateroom grades also received a full upgrade with updated bathroom fixtures, soft furnishings and artwork providing an even more comfortable stay on the Coral Discoverer.
Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms
- Located on the exclusive Bridge Deck close to the Lounge and Bridge
- The six spacious Bridge Deck Staterooms are 215sqft (20sqm)
- Staterooms open onto private balconies for expansive ocean views
- Furnished with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of junior king or twin bedding
Promenade Deck (Category A) Staterooms
- Encircled by a full-ship promenade
- The 19 spacious Promenade Deck (Category A) Staterooms are 195sqft (18sqm)
- Featuring picture windows for expansive ocean views
- Furnished with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of junior king or twin bedding
Promenade Deck (Category B) Staterooms – sole use only
- Located in the bow of the ship and encircled by a full-ship promenade
- The two Promenade Deck (Category B) Staterooms are 160sqft (15sqm)
- Featuring picture windows for expansive ocean views
- Furnished with a desk, telephone and junior king bedding
- These rooms are allocated for sole use only
Main deck (Category A) Staterooms
- Located close to the Dining Room
- The six spacious Main Deck (Category A) Staterooms are 195sqft (18sqm)
- Featuring large, twin porthole windows for expansive ocean views
- Furnished with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of junior king or twin bedding
Main Deck (Category B) Staterooms
- Located close to the Dining Room
- The three spacious Main Deck (Category B) staterooms are 195sqft (18sqm)
- Featuring twin portholes for expansive ocean views
- Furnished with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of junior king or twin bedding
Specific cabin types can be booked for sole use (subject to availability). Please enquire with your sales representative for further details.
Share policy
Accommodation on the ship is based on twin-share occupancy. If guests are travelling alone and wish to share accommodation, a roommate will be assigned to your cabin whenever possible. When pairing roommates, we always pair participants of the same sex. Please note, in the event of a share partner not being found, you will be charged the full room rate (double the twin-share fare).
Trip Experts

Dawn Singleton
Expert Leader: Australia
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Monday Monday
11 Nov 2024 11 Nov 2024
Monday Monday
18 Nov 2024 18 Nov 2024
Availability On Request
Adult Price From £ 2,810 £ 2,810 Book with 25% deposit
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesMonday Monday
18 Nov 2024 18 Nov 2024
Monday Monday
25 Nov 2024 25 Nov 2024
Availability On Request
Adult Price From £ 2,810 £ 2,810 Book with 25% deposit
Availability
This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.
View Trip NotesNo departures found.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
Looking to set your own pace on your next adventure?
Then why not try our Self-Guided holidays that put you in control

To find out how much your perfect cruise adventure would be and different cabin types available, call our sales team for more information and pricing details. All cruise bookings are subject to availability and on request.
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