Set sail to Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef aboard the beautiful sailing catamaran Ocean Spirit. Snorkel or dive in the fringing reef, filled with vibrant marine life, or spend some time observing the seabirds that call this protected sanctuary home. Your once in a lifetime day cruise on board Ocean Spirit; sailing the Great Barrier Reef and exploring Michaelmas Cay.
Scuba dive, snorkel, jump on board our semi-submersible or take a guided tour to explore the magnificent marine world. Seabirds, Turtles, and hundreds of reef fish; discover the array of marine and bird life on and around this magical sandy cay. After a 2 hour motorised sail on board the 32 meter sailing Catamaran, Ocean Spirit, you will arrive at Michaelmas Cay where there is so much to see and do.
Scuba dive, snorkel, jump on board our semi-submersible or take a guided tour to explore the magnificent marine world. Seabirds, Turtles, and hundreds of reef fish; discover the array of marine and bird life on and around this magical sandy cay. After a 2 hour motorised sail on board the 32 meter sailing Catamaran, Ocean Spirit, you will arrive at Michaelmas Cay where there is so much to see and do.
Services
Ocean Spirit Cruises has been sailing the Great Barrier Reef since 1988, specialising in revealing the wonders of Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef. Our crew are experts in delivering a once in a life time experience in one of the most magnificent and unique environments on the planet.
Operating within this spectacular World Heritage environment, the Quicksilver Group is committed to sustainable environmental practices and preserving and conserving the health of the Great Barrier Reef for future generations to enjoy.At Ocean Spirit, we look forward to welcoming you aboard to share our very special part of the world.
Operating within this spectacular World Heritage environment, the Quicksilver Group is committed to sustainable environmental practices and preserving and conserving the health of the Great Barrier Reef for future generations to enjoy.At Ocean Spirit, we look forward to welcoming you aboard to share our very special part of the world.
Be active and enjoy all the included activities - snorkel in the cay's protected shallow waters, cruise in the semi-sub for a diver's view of the reef, watch the fish feeding presentation and observe the island bird life. Throughout the day, the "beach buggy shuttle" will transfer you between Ocean Spirit and the beach.
Ocean Spirit operates daily, some times and scheduled activities may vary subject to conditions on the day. Our coach service picks up from most major hotels and accommodation in Cairns and the Northern Beaches. If the hotel you are staying at is not one that we pick-up from, we can arrange coach transfers from a pick-up point nearby.
It's now six months since the Great Barrier Reef experienced the widely reported coral bleaching event, predominantly in the Far Northern sector. Whilst our Cairns and Port Douglas region reef sites were impacted to a much lesser extent, we're delighted to showcase the health and resilience of coral communities in this magnificent World Heritage environment.
On very rare occasions all cruise services can be subject to the effect of weather or unforeseen circumstances. Should a cruise not operate for any reason, passengers will be offered an alternative day or a refund authorised. If you'd like to know more about the current weather we have 3 day forecasts and receives weather updates every morning from the bureau of meteorology as well as from crew.
Reviews (11)
Ann Lee
Feb 08, 2021
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Decided to go to Cairns for my birthday back in November and Ocean Spirit Cruises was the highlight of my trip. The entire day was well organised and planned out and my partner and I felt very welcomed by the friendly team. There were presentations given about the Great Barrier Reef (which I learnt a lot of things I didn’t know before) tea, coffee, lunch provided and constant support and communication given throughout the entire trip by the team.
I was sea sick at one point and the team took care of me and checked in to make sure I was okay. When taken out to Michaelsmas Cay, we had plenty of
I was sea sick at one point and the team took care of me and checked in to make sure I was okay. When taken out to Michaelsmas Cay, we had plenty of
Victor Nomine
Nov 14, 2020
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Edwin Reese
Sep 27, 2020
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An absolute must do boat cruise to the edge of the continental shelf onto an incredible and vibrant living Coral Reef! Chance to mix up close to wild life and snorkel or dive in a Natural Wonder.
Oh yeah, the Ocean Spirit is a Sail Boat and I’ve been out both in calm conditions without a sail and under full sail, which is unforgettable.
Oh yeah, the Ocean Spirit is a Sail Boat and I’ve been out both in calm conditions without a sail and under full sail, which is unforgettable.
Mary Monaco
Sep 08, 2019
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Booked last minute for our 20 year anniversary as we wanted to do something special! Special it was! What an experience from the minute we boarded the Catamaran.
Great food!! Great staff especially Davo....his expertise & professionalism was on point!
The Semi Submerge experience was wonderful but nothing beats the Snorkeling experience & the beautiful Coral & Marine life you see in the stunning waters off Michaelmas Cay....from turtles, sting rays & colorful fish we absolutely loved it & did not want to leave!! A spectacular day!!! A must do experience.... we will be back to give our kids this
Great food!! Great staff especially Davo....his expertise & professionalism was on point!
The Semi Submerge experience was wonderful but nothing beats the Snorkeling experience & the beautiful Coral & Marine life you see in the stunning waters off Michaelmas Cay....from turtles, sting rays & colorful fish we absolutely loved it & did not want to leave!! A spectacular day!!! A must do experience.... we will be back to give our kids this
Peter Liu
Aug 17, 2019
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I loved it! Was one of the best experiences of my life. The crew are so friendly, the food was tasty, the island was great and not too far. If you choose the diving option, you see the vibrant and beautiful reef through crystal blue waters. Beautiful coral and seems to be favourite spot for giant turtles. The boat was also quite steady which help prevent my seasickness. I changed my booking twice due to changing weather forecasts and they were so nice about it. Professionalism of the diver instructors was good. Exceeded expectations. I highly recommend Ocean Spirit.
Simon Oxenbridge
Aug 16, 2019
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Disappointed with the trip, not for kids. I think I totaled 5 hours of sitting around. Yes that is on a large catamaran or beach buggy or submersible etc but still a lot of sitting . This was our Reef Experience while in Cairns with our sons (7 and 5) and both boys were upset at the end of the day that all they did was sit around. Our little one can’t snorkel so there was very little for him to do for most of the day. Food was good. Also feel a little miss lead by the “sailing” aspect as they simply opened the sail but keep the motors running. If we wanted a motor boat experience we would
Laura Dickey
Jun 04, 2019
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The most amazing snorkeling!!! That's why you go. Although the beach is beautiful, this is not about beach time (it's a bird sanctuary, so that's interesting to look at but it also smells like guano). I honestly wouldn't bother with the semi-submersible again. It made me feel sick and the views were nothing compared the snorkeling. The food was decent. The staff on this boat was extraordinary. So friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and kind. Overall, worth every penny.
Chelcie Pike
Sep 21, 2018
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I loved my experience with these guys. We had a great day and the staff were very friendly and had great knowledge. The trip was easy and hassle free. The buffet lunch was not too bad. At some points the boat felt a little crowded but once everyone was snorkelling this was no problem. The snorkel equipment was in great condition and they provide everything you need. I would definitely go again!
Elise Robertson
May 28, 2018
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A beautiful experience. Staff were very attentive and lovely, even though it was jelly fish season we saw none. Would book again.
My mum doesn’t swim so the island was a great chance for her to walk around and swim in the shallows. She’s not a big fan of birds but they keep to themselves and it’s really fun to learn about the different species. The semi submersible was also great for her!
Snorkelling wise, brilliant, the coral isn’t bright anywhere alone the reef as it absorbs light so those super intense coloured photos you see are from strobe lights on the reef. However the fish are
My mum doesn’t swim so the island was a great chance for her to walk around and swim in the shallows. She’s not a big fan of birds but they keep to themselves and it’s really fun to learn about the different species. The semi submersible was also great for her!
Snorkelling wise, brilliant, the coral isn’t bright anywhere alone the reef as it absorbs light so those super intense coloured photos you see are from strobe lights on the reef. However the fish are
Andrew Steel
Nov 07, 2016
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We had an amazing day out with Ocean Spirit, the boat was very comfortable, well maintained and had plenty of space, staff clearly loved their work and were happy and gave great service and Michaelmas Cay was an amazing pristine destination. Azure water and great visibility, beautiful corals and snorkeling and the huge bommies of hard corals in the semi sub tour were spectacular and we'll explained in the commentary. I would highly recommended this reef cruise with Ocean Spirit.
Jim R.
Dec 27, 2014
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Our family traveled out to Michaelmas Cay with Ocean Spirit excursions in
late December 2014 as part of a holiday down under.
Things that were amazing:
- warm clear water teeming with fish- saw a moray eel too
- small island (a large sandbar actually) literarily covered with a variety of shore birds swooping all about you- many had chicks
- seeing green turtles around the reef and huge clams and lots of kinds of coral
- helpful staff on the boat and in the water
Other things to know:
- sun is super strong! Most people ended up renting these black Lycra suits on board- only $7 (AUS)- to protect
late December 2014 as part of a holiday down under.
Things that were amazing:
- warm clear water teeming with fish- saw a moray eel too
- small island (a large sandbar actually) literarily covered with a variety of shore birds swooping all about you- many had chicks
- seeing green turtles around the reef and huge clams and lots of kinds of coral
- helpful staff on the boat and in the water
Other things to know:
- sun is super strong! Most people ended up renting these black Lycra suits on board- only $7 (AUS)- to protect
