Michaelmas Cay
Michaelmas Cay is a sand island located about 40km northeast from Cairns, found on the western tip of Michaelmas Reef. Spanning 1.5 hectares, it boasts a healthy population of sea birds and grass vegetation. You'll find crystal clear waters, fringing reef and a garden of seagrass that turtles love to munch on.
How To Get To Michaelmas Cay?
Boat is the most common way to get to Michaelmas Cay. There are several commercial tour operators that travel out to the sand island. Ocean Spirit Cruises and Seastar provide everything you need for a relaxing day out on the reef. If you're after a more exclusive way to travel to Michaelmas, you can charter a private boat. Or if you just want to see the island, but not visit it, you can opt for a more scenic route by taking a helicopter or plane overhead, taking in the aerial views in a shorter time.
Visit Michaelmas Cay and surrounding reefs on one of these day tours!
How Far Is Michaelmas Cay From Cairns?
Michaelmas Cay is located 43km northeast and about a 90 minute boat trip from Cairns. It's a popular destination for both private and commercial boats for it's white sandy beach, shallow reef and the frequent visit of sea turtles. The cay can only be visited between 9:30am and 3:00pm and has restricted access points, limiting the number of visitors and making it a slightly quieter place to visit.
How Was Michaelmas Cay Formed?
Michaelmas Cay is unique in that it is completely plant and animal made. The cay was formed by an accumulating of broken shells and other animal debris that began to form an island. Over time, sand deposits were formed and with the help of passing seabirds, vegetation was able to form by way of seed and fertilizer deposits. As vegetation grew and more sand accumulated, a stable sand cay was formed. Today, the cay plays an important role on the reef and is vital to some species of sea birds and sea turtles.
Things you might see at Michaelmas Cay
Sea turtles
Sea turtles can be found in the water surrounding the cay, enjoying life on the coral reef. They are often spotted munching on coral or swimming along the top of the reef. Some sea turtles nest on Michaelmas Cay, where they will return time and time again to lay their eggs.
Humphead Maori Wrasse
Humphead Maori Wrasse are easily spotted when snorkelling in the reefs around Michaelmas Cay. You can spot these fish not only by their large size but also by their large bulbous forehead and big, plump lips. Maori wrasse are territorial, so you will often see one large, colourful male with several smaller females around. Females are often brown, red or grey in colour and are smaller than their male counterparts. Maori wrasse are generally quite friendly and will often swim up close to snorkellers, providing great photo opportunities! But be wary - it's important you don't touch them if they come near. They are covered in a protective mucus that you could damage by touching them.
Giant Clams
Giant clams are found in the reef surrounding Michaelmas Cay. These huge crustaceans range from small to large but can reach sizes of 200kgs! You will find them attached to the ocean floor, reef beds or crammed into cracks, where they will live out the entirety of their lives. They have colourful lips that are known to change colour in a shimmering pattern, lighting up with blue, green purple and gold.
Seabirds
Michaelmas Cay is a bird sanctuary and supports 23 different bird species! The environment is ideal for nesting, drawing in huge numbers of birds certain times of the year. It is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the Great Barrier Reef. Sooty Terns, the Common Noddy and the Crested Tern can be seen here all year, with other species visiting to mate, nest or rest.
Michaelmas Cay is also host to a huge variety of marine plants and corals, as well as hundreds of species of tropical fish including parrotfish, trevally, reef sharks, fusiliers and more. You can look forward to a huge variety of animals whether snorkelling or diving on this unique and beautiful reef site.
