Lifeofriley1956 Posted July 4, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joandian Posted July 4, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitoh_777 Posted July 4, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted July 4, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peal Posted July 4, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted July 4, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peal Posted July 4, 2017 #7 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISLABONITA Posted July 4, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 4, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted July 4, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 4, 2017 All the tour companies should have stinger suits for their customers included in their prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cojuqui Posted July 5, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 5, 2017 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 PAST CRUISES: Discovery Sun 2003 Freeport Bahamas Day Cruise Celebrity Solstice 6/26/09 Eastern Mediterranean http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2251655 Carnival Conquest 08/10/10 Eastern Caribbean Carnival Victory 06/10/12 Southern Caribbean http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1659913 Carnival Miracle 07/30/13 Alaska http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...8#post39476968 Diamond Princess 12/23/13 New Zealand/Australia http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2112413 Carnival Pride 11/23/14 Exotic Western Caribbean http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2135404 Carnival Splendor 6/10/18 (Review in progress) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517375 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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