Cruising returns to Australia!

Coral Expedition Cruises recently became the first cruise line to resume sailing in Australia with a seven-night cruise on the Great Barrier Reef, and our good friends Keith & Mary were amongst the very lucky 42 passengers on board.

Coral Discoverer

Their holidays began with at the Pullman Cairns International, where they undertook COVID PCR testing and pre-screening to ensure the cruise went smoothly.  Then, they were off on board the intimate Coral Discoverer on a 7 night Barrier Reef Cruise

The first port of call they enjoyed was Cooktown, where expedition leaders Jamie Anderson and Marysia Pawlikowska took guests to visit the local museum, historic monuments, and Grassy Hill lookout.

Later that afternoon they arrived at Lizard Island where everyone enjoying swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and a glass-bottom boat tour.  More swimming and snorkelling followed with a day at the Osprey Reef, which was made accessible through the Coral Discoverer’s on board Zodiacs.

Lizard Island

Next up was Ribbon Reef, and with underwater visibility approximately 30 metres, snorkellers and divers enjoyed a plethora of reef fish and coral. Expedition leaders also conducted a guided snorkel tour, where guests spotted corals, anemones, clownfish, giant clams and a blacktip reef shark.

Leaving the islands, Coral Discoverer then arrived in the Daintree River, where they spotted local crocodiles and birds, before heading to Port Douglas and Undine Reef for more swimming and snorkelling.

Keith & Mary with Captain Miles of the Coral Discoverer

On Fitzroy Island, they made their way to Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation to meet Leila the Green Sea Turtle, who is sponsored by Coral Expedition Cruises

The final stop was Sudbury Cay, for the last opportunity to enjoy snorkelling and with tropical fish, turtles and corals before arriving back in Cairns to conclude this historic cruise.

Sunset drinks on Sudbury Cay

When we ask Keith and Mary what was the highlight of the cruise, we expected them to say the amazing array of wildlife and scenery, but they were very quick to say the highlight by far was the crew of the Coral Discoverer, who looked after them for every minute of the cruise.

We’re glad you enjoyed the cruise Keith & Mary!

The lucky 42 guests and guides from the Coral Discoverer’s first cruise since the restart of cruising in Australia

Coral Discoverer is sailing on 7 day Barrier Reef Cruises throughout November before heading down south to Tasmania for an amazing range of Coastal Wilderness Expeditions. For more information on the Tasmania cruises CLICK HERE