Great barrier reef

[Lifeofriley1956]

disembarking in Sydney in February . Want to snorkel GBR. Is it worth taking a flight to Cairns or Townsville for 2 nights straight off ship? Any hotel suggestions close to docks? Should we book reef tour well ahead?

[joandian]

If you are going to be flying, I would fly into Hamilton Island and get a trip to the reef from there. There is so much beauty in the Whitsundays with the islands and reef.

[rabbitoh_777]

 

disembarking in Sydney in February .

 

Want to snorkel GBR. Is it worth taking a flight to Cairns or Townsville for 2 nights straight off ship?

 

Any hotel suggestions close to docks? Should we book reef tour well ahead?

 

 

.

If it were me and such a short amount of time or you are here for the once in a lifetime visit I would do it but look to stay overnight out on the reef to cut down the time constraints and maximise your reef viewing experience.

 

Try something like this...

 

https://www.cruisewhitsundays.com/great-barrier-reef-experiences/reefsleep/

 

Cheers r

 

:cool:

.

[MicCanberra]

Cairns is certainly a easy place to fly to from Sydney and they would have plenty of different tours for the GBR from there. Booking ahead is advisable. I would research on Trip advisor for more detailed info and recommendations of tour companies.

[Peal]

Definitely skip Townsville. Another option is Port Douglas about 70km (approx 1 hour drive) north of Cairns. Much nicer town than Cairns in my opinion - more like a holiday village than big city Cairns. Only issue with your short time available is another hour travel on top of the 3 flight to Cairns.

And I guess you are aware it is the wet season in Far North Qld - risk of wet days and the occasional cyclone. But don't be put off by that if this is your only chance to see the reef.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I would go to Port Douglas rather than Cairns. There are plenty of shuttle buses that do transfers from Cairns airport. From Port Douglas you can do a full day on Wavelength - a small group snorkelling trip which goes to three different reefs. We did it some years ago and it was brilliant.

[Peal]

a small group snorkelling trip which goes to three different reefs.

 

I agree, a small boat tour is much better than one of the large ones. We've done both at various times. Last trip was in Dec 2013 on a boat called Calypso. (Except of course when you have big seas).

[ISLABONITA]

I was pondering this same trip but decided against it due to the stinger season and unpredictable weather of February and water conditions for snorkeling , they seem to be better for diving. Short on time also as I only planned 3.5 full days in Sydney.

[MicCanberra]

All the tour companies should have stinger suits for their customers included in their prices.

[cojuqui]

HI there,

 

I have a full review of my Auckland-Sydney trip in my signature but we did just two days in Cairns after disembarking in Sydney.

 

Ours was a little crazier as we flew from Sydney to Uluru just for the afternoon (Bucket list item in my review), from there we flew to Cairns and stayed two nights. We stayed a Cairns City Motel. A modest place, but it was just what we needed. We explored the Great Barrier Reef on a tour with Reef Experience and would definitely recommend them. A friends' son used them last November at my recommendation and thoroughly enjoyed his trip as well.

 

Whatever you decide on, have a fantastic time!!!

 

Connie

 

 

 

 

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