07 4082 7470

Sailaway Coral Cay Day Sail

FROM: $315
45
SingleDay
Min. Age
All Ages
5.0 (5 Reviews)

Departure Times

Departs: 8:00 - Daily
Returns: 5:00pm - Daily

Departure Point: Sailaway Reef & Island Tours, Wharf Street, Port Douglas 

Pricing Options

$315 AUD / Person - Adult (13+) (Between: 01 Apr 2024 and 31 Mar 2025)
$217 AUD / Person - Child (4 - 12 years) (Between: 01 Apr 2024 and 31 Mar 2025)
$0 AUD / Person - Infant (0-3) (Between: 01 Apr 2024 and 31 Mar 2026)

Experience the Outer Great Barrier Reef up close aboard the Sailaway deluxe sailing catamaran.

  • See the breathtaking marine life and corals of the inner and outer Great Barrier Reef
  • Exclusive access to the Coral Cays of Mackay Reef with ample snorkel time
  • Unique fun with glass-bottom boat tours and guided snorkels
  • Guidance from marine biologists and a delicious tropical buffet lunch included

Sailaway's Coral Cay Outer Reef Day Sail allows you to relax and explore the ultimate paradise destination that is Mackay Reef and Coral Cay departing Port Douglas! Laden with interesting marine life such as sea turtles, giant clams and tropical fish, you can snorkel through the kaleidoscopic gardens of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. This inclusive, full-day sail through the sapphire waters is bound to show you the very best of the reef in style. Combine adventure and sailing luxuries on an unforgettable day with Sailaway! 

Aerial view of Sailaway VII sailing catamaran in the outer reef

Highlights 

  • Modern, deluxe and low-emission Sailaway VII catamaran 
  • Explore the Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • Exclusive access to the coral cays of Mackay Reef 
  • Marine biologist and expert crew onboard
  • Guided snorkel tours
  • Glass bottom boat coral viewing
  • Informative reef talks
  • High-quality snorkelling gear
  • Delicious, locally-sourced lunch
  • Morning and afternoon tea provided
  • Snorkelling instruction and in-water assistance
  • Eco Shamba Environmental Initiative $20 to local re-forestation
  • Advanced ECO Certification Standard

Sample Itinerary

Show Less

7:30 am Check-in to the Sailaway office at the marina.
7:45 am Board Sailaway VII and be welcomed by a tasty morning tea and safety brief.
8:00 am Depart Port Douglas en route to Mackay Cay Outer Reef, accompanied by a fun and informative reef talk from your master reef guide & marine biologist.
10:15 am Arrive at the protected mooring at Mackay Coral Cay and dive in for a snorkel. Enj...

Read More

7:30 am Check-in to the Sailaway office at the marina.
7:45 am Board Sailaway VII and be welcomed by a tasty morning tea and safety brief.
8:00 am Depart Port Douglas en route to Mackay Cay Outer Reef, accompanied by a fun and informative reef talk from your master reef guide & marine biologist.
10:15 am Arrive at the protected mooring at Mackay Coral Cay and dive in for a snorkel. Enjoy a guided snorkel, a relaxing swim and a glass-bottom boat tour.
12:45 pm Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board including prawns and plenty of fresh local delicacies before departing to your next reef site. Here, enjoy free time or another snorkel.
2:15 pm Delight in a scrumptious afternoon tea with coffee, cakes and a fresh fruit platter.
2:30 pm Begin the journey back to the mainland as you enjoy smooth cruising back into Port Douglas with a stunning island sunset as the perfect backdrop.
5:00 pm Arrive back into Port Douglas Coach before your complimentary transfer transport to Port Douglas accommodation.

Snorkelling + Guided Tours

Snorkel at two different reef sites and explore the bustling underwater wonderland that awaits you! With mindblowing coral gardens of all shapes, colours, textures and sizes, glide over intricate colour blooms! Home to playful fish, majestic turtles, elusive giant clams and more, you’re bound to have your Finding Nemo experience amongst the magnificent ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. Tag along on a guided snorkelling tour as our local marine biologist takes you to all the hidden corners of the reef-bound to impress. Stress less and enjoy more as our experienced staff provide you with all the gear and tuition, making this the perfect adventure for everyone!

Two girls with yellow snorkels and black wetsuits on the back of a boat


Glass Bottom Boat 

Let our master guide take you out on the glass-bottom boat for an exciting and educational marine activity! Watch as vibrant fish dart amongst spectacular coral structures, keeping your eyes peeled for those magnificent green sea turtles and black-tip reef sharks. With illuminating commentary, dig deeper into the breathtaking world below on this unique and eye-opening journey.


Catamaran Dining & Relaxing

Lap up the luxury features of Sailaway VII and relax in tropical heaven! Let our crew serve you up a decadent menu, full of local goodies such as prawns, fresh seafood and sweet fruity treats. Enjoy alfresco dining, quality produce and great company amongst a laid-back and friendly atmosphere. Experience the most sustainable form of travel as your skipper sails across glassy waters, oh-so-smoothly. This really is what the reef is all about!

Sailaway VII aerial view on the outer reed

Reef Sites

Show Less

On your sail to the Outer Reef, you'll visit Mackay Reef and its Coral Cays. Sailaway is the only Port Douglas tour operator who has access to this pristine section of the Great Barrier Reef! Enjoy exclusive use of the reef site for snorkelling at your own pace or on a guided tour. This is the perfect way to escape the crowds, spot marine life, and enjoy the serenity of the Ouer Reef. 

Colourful coral cays, Cairns

Read More

On your sail to the Outer Reef, you'll visit Mackay Reef and its Coral Cays. Sailaway is the only Port Douglas tour operator who has access to this pristine section of the Great Barrier Reef! Enjoy exclusive use of the reef site for snorkelling at your own pace or on a guided tour. This is the perfect way to escape the crowds, spot marine life, and enjoy the serenity of the Ouer Reef. 

Colourful coral cays, Cairns

Our Delicious Sample Menu

Show Less

Read More

More Information

Show Less

What To Bring

  • Beach towel
  • Swimwear
  • Hat
  • Sun-shirt
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
  • Sunglasses
  • Booking voucher
  • Credit Card

What's Included

  • Courtesy coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation (more info below)
  • Afternoon tea and coffee, cakes & fresh fruit platter (Using local produce Daintree Tea and Jaques Coffee)
  • Superb tropical buffet lunch
  • Snorkelling equipment, optical masks, seasonal lycra snorkelling suits, wet suits & flotation devices
  • Sno...

Read More

What To Bring

  • Beach towel
  • Swimwear
  • Hat
  • Sun-shirt
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
  • Sunglasses
  • Booking voucher
  • Credit Card

What's Included

  • Courtesy coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation (more info below)
  • Afternoon tea and coffee, cakes & fresh fruit platter (Using local produce Daintree Tea and Jaques Coffee)
  • Superb tropical buffet lunch
  • Snorkelling equipment, optical masks, seasonal lycra snorkelling suits, wet suits & flotation devices
  • Snorkelling instruction and in-water assistance
  • Guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist
  • Glass bottom boat viewing and reef interpretation talk
  • Access to the pristine Mackay Coral Cay
  • 4.5 hours at an unspoilt location on the Outer Barrier Reef
  • The experience of sailing on board the luxury sailing catamaran Sailaway VII
  • Eco Shamba Environmental Initiative $20 to local re-forestation

Bus Transfer Information

  • All bus transfers must be pre booked, at least 24 hours in advance
  • Transfers from Palm Cove are also available if pre booked. Rates are $67.50 per adult and $39.00 per child
  • Exact pickup times will be advised at the time of booking
  • Pickups from Palm Cove are now available every Friday and Monday only.
  • Palm Cove bus times: Departs Palm Cove at 7:00 am and return departs Port Douglas at 5:15 pm

What's Extra

  • Environment Management Charge - $8.00pp (payable at check-in)
  • Underwater camera hire
  • Onboard purchases of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks/juices
  • Champagne Welcome package
  • Private chauffeur transport
  • Branded Sailaway Towel package
  • Bus transfers from Palm Cove ($67.50 per adult and $39.00 per child)

Terms and Conditions

All information provided at any time by Cairns Tours and our affiliates is subject to these Terms & Conditions. This includes but is not limited to tour information, pricing, blog posts, travel advice, itinerary information and availability.

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Cairns Tours/Mr Travel and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. Please refer to the specific tour page for full check-in instructions.


Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.


Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 


Transport

It should be noted that any transport you have booked (buses, flights and ferries) through Cairns Tours is non-refundable and non-transferable. It might be possible to change flights however do note this must be done directly with the flight operator and we are unable to offer any support with this. This may incur change fees or cancellation fees, it depends on the T+Cs of the flight operators themselves. As we acted as a booking agent for you, it is possible to liaise with the airline directly should there be any unexpected events and the airline is forced to cancel your flights. If there are any changes to your flight times or days, we will get notified and send this email directly to you in a reasonable time.


Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.


Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.


Transfers:

The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies. Not all tours offer transfers, please refer to the individual product to see if this is applicable to your tour.


Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Cairns Tours/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.


Information & Advice

All information, advice or pricing provided by Cairns Tours and our affiliates, or through any of our team, is subject to change. Cairns Tours articles and products are provided online for general information purposes only and are intended as guides. Any advice interpreted from information on the website (including but not limited to financial, immigration, employment and tax information) is not specialist advice and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional instruction. Cairns Tours does not guarantee that any information provided is up-to-date or accurate. Please obtain professional advice before actioning any advice, including but not limited to tax, immigration, employment, travel restrictions and finances.


Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.

You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

Sailaway has a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. This means there will be no refund with a 100% fee if cancelled within 24 hours of travel. If you choose not to travel due to unfavourable weather, personal illness or change in travel plans, unfortunately there will be no refund. We would be happy to provide you with a letter to claim the cost of your tour on your travel insurance. If you cancel your tour with plenty of notice, you will be entitled to a full refund. 

Transfers between tours can be made at the suppliers' discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to: admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.


Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

All add-on activities (including but not limited to scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, helmet diving, guided snorkel tours, banana boat rides and waterslides) are subject to availability and price changing, and may not be available during your tour without notice. Guests are not eligible for refunds on the grounds of non-operating extra activities.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Travel Shop retail outlet located in Cairns, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Cairns Tours/Mr Travel online department.


Refunds:

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Cairns Tours/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.


Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel / Cairns-Tours.com . If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.


Customers who viewed this item also viewed...

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bus transfers included from Port Douglas?

Yes, free bus transfers from the Port Douglas area are included. These must be organised at least 24 hours in advance!

Can we get bus transfers from Palm Cove?

Bus transfers from Palm Cove are available to be pre-booked for an extra cost ($67.50 per adult and $39.00 per child).

Are there any age restrictions?

This tour is suitable for all ages!

Is food included?

Yes, a delicious buffet lunch as well as morning and afternoon tea are provided. 

How much time do we have at Mackay Coral Cay?

You'll have around 4.5 hours of free time to enjoy the unspoilt location on the Outer Barrier Reef.

Is snorkel gear provided?

Yes, all snorkel gear as well as expert instructors are onboard to ensure you have the best experience on the Outer Reef. 

Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0 / 5.0

Based on 5 reviews

5 star
5
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0

Reviews by our Cairns Tours customers

Renny Toh, 16 Jun 24
We did the full day outer reef tour, and had a really great day out at Mackay Cay. The boat was excellent and the staff onboard were all great - and very helpful - especially for my mom, who isn't the best swimmer. They guided her through the snorkeling, and she was very happy to be able to experience the reef. We were also very well fed throughout the whole day.
Jennifer Hay, 20 May 24
Did the Sunset cruise recently. Lovely nibbles' Great Staff. Cruising into Port Douglas as it gets dark is just beautiful. Very affordable and a "must" do with Sailaway cruises if visiting this lovely part of Queensland. Will definitely do this again on our next visit.
Sebastian Neus, 22 Apr 24
Perfect event! Mackay Reef! Great catamaran, crew, spots for snorkeling, food and drinks! One of the best trips we ever had! A lot of space on the boat, only about 25 guests! The small sandy island is very nice. We saw turtles and a shark chasing some stingrays!
Taylor, 30 Mar 23
Absolutely stunning trip! Can't fault a thing. Great staff, great atmosphere, beautiful boat, stunning reef site. I can't say enough good things about this one. Absolutely my favourite reef trip so far!!
Lou
Click To Chat

OUR CAIRNS EXPERTS
ARE READY TO HELP YOU

  • Can answer all your Cairns questions
  • We will build you exclusive packages to save you money
  • Available by email or chat 24/7

Quick Enquiry

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Support From Aussies

Our friendly team of local travel experts are available 24/7. Reach us by phone, live chat or email and talk to an experienced agent every time!

Secure Payment

Book seamlessly with confidence. All payments made through Cairns Tours are encrypted, safe and secure to safeguard your privacy.

Best Prices

Get the best deal on your Aussie experience with Cairns Tours. With our price-beat guarantee, do more for less and save on your next adventure.