Itinerary Expand all Cairns, Australia to Cairns, Australia Day 1 Cairns, Australia Arrive in Cairns and transfer to the Shangri-La Cairns for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Shangri-La Cairns Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Cairns / Embark Coral Expeditions II The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth, and you will spend a full day seeking out the region’s unique flora and fauna. At Cooya Beach, join members of the Kubirri Warra tribe for a fascinating tour of their private estate. Learn about ancient Aboriginal traditions as you explore beach, mangrove, coastal reef, mudflats, and tidal lagoons. Or, choose to take a ride along the Kuranda Scenic Railway, passing spectacular tropical forest, majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic gorges. Then visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens for up-close views of these adorable Australian marsupials, as well as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and a variety of reptiles, including freshwater crocodiles. Embark the Coral Expeditions II in the afternoon and set sail. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Rachel Carson Reef Named after the famous American conservationist, Rachel Carson, this well-protected platform reef is the perfect site for your first check-out dive, or to practice your snorkel skills. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Ribbon Reef #3 / Ribbon Reef #5 The Ribbon Reefs are long, thin strips of reef that form the outer edges of the Great Barrier Reef and lie on the edge of the continental shelf, an average of 30 to 60 miles away from the coast. Covered in colorful corals, these reefs attract a plethora of marine life, both large and small. Drop in for a sunrise dive at Steve’s Bommie, an isolated pinnacle which offers a wealth of macro life like anemonefish, nudibranchs, and pipefish; schooling trevally, batfish, snappers, and fusiliers; and large pelagics, most notably barracudas and white-tip reef sharks. After lunch, explore Ribbon Reef #5 on an afternoon dive, snorkel, or glass-bottom boat excursion. Discover a wealth of healthy corals including brain, staghorn, boulder, and mushroom, as well as colorful soft corals. The corals provide shelter for shimmering clouds of chromis and anthias, while shoals of fusiliers, trevally, barracuda, mackerel, sharks, batfish, and parrotfish can be seen cruising near the dropoff areas. Emperor angelfish, blueline demoiselle, hexagon grouper, bird wrasse, yellowmargin triggerfish, and slingjaw wrasse are other species frequently spotted in this area. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Lizard Island Beautiful Lizard Island was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770, and your morning begins with an optional hike to the highest point of the island, known as Cook’s Look, where the mariner attempted to find a path through the maze of beautiful, but deadly reefs. After breakfast, dive or snorkel among legions of colorful tropical fish and check out the giant clam gardens near the beach. Other activities include walking along the island’s powdery white-sand beaches, or hiking up to Chinaman’s Ridge, searching for goannas (Australian monitor lizards) and a multitude of birds, such as sunbirds, honeyeaters, pheasant coucals, and a variety of terns along the way. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Stanley Island Take a short walk to view several spectacular rock art sites on Stanley Island. The huge Yintayin, or “Ship,” rock shelter features images of ships painted in red and white ochre on the red sandstone—sailing ships rigged in the distinctive styles of the European lugger, the Macassan (Indonesian) proa, and a dugout canoe with a figure standing upright in it, hands outstretched. Spend the afternoon snorkeling or diving at a nearby reef. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 7-8 Ribbon Reef #10 / Cod Hole Spend two full days exploring Ribbon Reef #10, which is famous for the large number of dwarf minke whales that migrate past the reef from June to July. With luck, you may have an opportunity to swim with these curious creatures—a simply amazing experience. However, please note, these whales are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed. At world-famous Cod Hole, enjoy an unforgettable dive, where you’ll come face-to-face with massive potato cod, which often swim right up to inspect you with child-like curiosity. Other fish that can be found here include coral trout, sweetlips, triggerfish, and trevally. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 9-10 Osprey Reef / Ribbon Reefs Conditions permitting, venture to remote Osprey Reef, a large submerged atoll with a shallow central lagoon. The most northerly and isolated of all the reefs in the Coral Sea, the almost vertical reef walls rise from a depth of over 6,000 feet and offer some of the best diving in the region. This pristine reef is home to colorful soft corals and is frequented by sharks and other large pelagics. As the ship return to Cairns, make a stop on a sand cay for sunset drinks with the local seabirds. Currents channeled by the reefs have created various sand cays that shift and change with the elements over time; they are typically surrounded by amazing reefs and provide calm, sheltered waters perfect for exploration. If weather and sea conditions do not allow for a visit to Osprey Reef, continue exploring along the protected Ribbon Reefs, where you will find a diverse array of marine life, including anemones, giant clams, hard and soft corals, turtles, and many types of Great Barrier Reef fish. Accommodation: Coral Expeditions II Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Cairns / Disembark / Atherton Tablelands Disembark this morning and journey overland to the Atherton Tablelands, a fertile plateau with several stands of protected rainforest. On nature walks, search for a variety of wildlife among the giant trees, such as musky rat kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, and 12 endemic bird species. Along the pristine shores of Lake Barrine, you may spy eastern water dragons, bearded dragons, and saw-shell turtles. Check in to the Shangri-La Cairns for dinner and overnight. Or, choose to search for nocturnal species on an optional spotlighting excursion, returning to Cairns in the late evening. Accommodation: Shangri-La Cairns Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 12 Tour Ends Board your independent flight to your home City. Meals included: Breakfast
Australia All nationalities except New Zealand require a visa for Australia. British, most EU passport holders, Canadian and US passport holders can apply for an electronic visa online. For British passport holders this is done through www.australia.org.uk.
Coral Expeditions II Purpose-built for cruising the Great Barrier reef the 42-guest Coral Expeditions II is the ideal size to access the very best dive and snorkel sites in the region. Refurbished in 2015, public spaces include a spacious lounge, small library, single-seating dining room, and a large sun deck. A fleet of Zodiacs are available for water sports and landing on remote shores, while a glass-bottom boat offers a chance to view the underwater wonders while staying dry. All ocean-view staterooms feature an en suite bathroom, individually controlled air-conditioning, and ample storage space. GENERAL Three decks of passenger facilities. A Deck – sun deck, small library, and lounge with bar. B Deck – guest staterooms. C Deck – guest staterooms and restaurant with bar. Stairs (no elevator) service all decks. Coral Expeditions II allows bridge visits, contingent upon weather and navigation conditions. Smoking is permitted in designated areas only. STATEROOMS All staterooms have ocean views, en suite facilities, storage space, hair dryer, and individual air-conditioning control. Electrical outlets are 220 - 240 volts and take Australian-style slanted, flat-pronged plugs. B Deck has Category 3 and 4 staterooms that range from 151 - 162 square feet and feature a picture window and either double or twin beds. C Deck has Category 1 and 2 staterooms that range from 141 - 151 square feet and feature a picture window. Category 1 staterooms feature two twin beds, while Category 2 staterooms feature either a double or twin beds. DINING The main restaurant can accommodate all guests at one seating. When weather permits, meals can also be served on deck. Most diets can be catered for on board, but special dietary requests must be made in advance. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and coffee and tea are available 24 hours a day. SERVICES Coral Expeditions II carries Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat. Public spaces include a sun deck with lounge chairs, library, small shop, indoor and outdoor dining areas, lounge, and two bars. Coral Expeditions II is fully stocked with a wide range of snorkels, fins and masks (to fit all sizes), and shorty wet suits, along with all the necessary scuba equipment. The Australian dollar is the currency used on board. Ship accounts can be paid by traveler’s check or Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express.