Monday, 16 May 2016

GREEN ISLAND... MORE THAN YOU THINK!


GREEN ISLAND
GREAT ADVENTURES HALF DAY VISIT


Everyone knows about Green Island… right? It seems to be the “number one” on your wish list when coming to the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region. The Green Island marketing machine overseas must be pulsing in high gear since so many tourists know about it! It must be a high hit in Google!
Green Island with Great Adventures. Photo by Tara Reynolds

 I am going to be honest with you, I am a Cairns local (I have lived away for awhile, only to return) and have been to Green Island years ago a few times and I have always seen it as a destination for tour groups and non-swimmers. Yes…. this reins true... but on my recent visit I realised there is actually so much more to see and do and appreciate on Green Island. Although frequently loaded with tour groups it is actually… well… very beautiful! PLUS, you get good bang for your buck on a visit here! I always recommend this to visitors if you have an extended visit here in Cairns and have the time…. then go to Green Island as well in addition to your reef trip. It’s an Island day, a different adventure. It’s NOT just all about the Great Barrier Reef! BUT… some people just don’t like boats, get sea sick and can’t swim at all..... so in that case… Green Island is a fantastic option.
Green Island aspects at low tide. Photos by Tara Reynolds

My journey this time is in the safe hands of Great Adventures. The journey is on a big “Fast Cat” large boat 45minute journey to the Island. This appeals to those not in to boats and being on the water (aka, likely to perform the technocolour yawn off the back of the boat in the slightest swell!).

What I noticed, whilst sipping my included coffee on the journey over, there is a gazillion staff on this boat ready to help you! They wear T-shirts with what they can help you with…example, Do you want to Parasail? Look for the Parasailing lady! Do you want to pop a helmet on your head and walk under the ocean to spot Nemo? Look for that guy with the associated shirt! It’s so easy and every passenger gets a meet and greet by some kind of member of staff. They also have International staff who can speak different languages AND guide brochures in different languages as well. They will make sure you know where your Glass Bottom Boat Tour leaves from and what time, also what time or where you collect your snorkel gear. It’s a very well organised operation. Perfect for those new to the region and knowing little English.

On arrival I partook in the Glass Bottom Boat Tour for half an hour. The commentary was not as in-depth as other tours I had been on (They play a Japanese commentary for you as well)… however… we saw 6 turtles!!! This is not a place to view a huge vast broad array of corals and fish…but…I repeat… WE SAW 6 TURTLES! 
Fish feeding takes place on the Glass Bottom Boat Tour. Photo by Tara Reynolds

The rainforest on Green Island is unique, it’s 6000 years old and nowhere in the world does anything exist like it. There are comfortable board walks on the Island, making for easy walking for everyone and information panels are provided  along the walks which is fun and informative for the young and old. You can also walk the circumference of the Island on the sand and find a little private spot to have a picnic, away from all the crowds.

Exploring Green Island's Information panels and beach. Photo by Tara Reynolds

If no picnic is on the cards (as the price to go over to the Island and back to Cairns does NOT include lunch) you can eat at the Island Resorts Buffet for an additional cost (suitable for tour groups) or at Emeralds restaurant a-la-carte (which had a lovely atmosphere and the food was delicious, decent sized meals!) or chips and a burgers from the take-away.

Delicious Lunch at Emeralds. Photos by Tara Reynolds

If you are looking for something unique… don’t look past Melanisia (at a small price to enter). It’s a quicky little “zoo” experience with the LARGEST CROCODILE IN CAPTIVITY… CASSIUS!  There is also some aquariums, turtles, croc holdings and also the vast collection of Melanisian artefacts.

Melanisia... let's hold a croc! Photos by Tara Reynolds

I was on the Island for 3 hours and I felt I did a lot in that time. You can go over for a whole day or less time for the same price with a choice of snorkel gear or glass bottom boat for all options. My opinion has changed a little about Green Island and I was pleasantly surprised! There is a trip out on to the Great Barrier Reef… for everyone!

HARD FACTS…

The Tour:
  • Full day OR half day trips
  • Departs Cairns
Times:
  • 08:30am - 4:30pm
  • 08:30am - 2:30pm
  • 08:30am - 12:00pm
  • 10:30am - 2:30pm
  • 1:00pm - 4:30pm  (Check in Reef Fleet Terminal)
Suitable for: 
  • Families with younger children
  • Someone who only swims/snorkels a little OR not at all!
  • Elderly
  • Those scared of deep open water
Fitness level (out of 5):
  •  ðŸ’ª 
Time of year:
  • All year round
  • Stinger suits worn October to May
Price:
  • $90.00 AUD Adult
  • $46.00 AUD Child
  • $226.00 AUD Family
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OCEAN SPIRIT REEF TRIP - CAIRNS

OCEAN SPIRIT CRUISES

To Michaelmas Cay

TARA'S THOUGHTS…

If you want a relaxing day out on the reef… this is the Great Barrier Reef day trip boat for you! Some people don’t care what vessel they head out on to the reef, only the site is important....however.....with Ocean Spirit it is also about the journey out to it’s destination, making the whole day an amaze-balls experience!

If you enjoy boats and sailing, this majestic large catamaran takes it’s time out to Michaelmas Cay giving you plenty of time to sit back, relax and leave the world behind! Leaving conveniently from Cairns Marlin Marina, it's an easy check in if staying at a Cairns CBD hotel.

 Let that Tropical North Queensland sun bathe you at the bow of the boat on the journey out to the reef or stretch out in air-conditioned comfort in the spacious interior of the main cabin.

Immediately the staff greet you with smiling faces and serve up morning tea to fuel you up for the day ahead. There is plenty of room to move about, even when they hold the site and snorkel briefings (when you must all be in the main cabin), never a moment did I feel I was squashed in or without a place to sit.
The 32 Metre Catamaran. Ocean Spirit website.

On arrival to Michaelmas Cay (2 hours later) you notice some wild life right away! Hundreds of different species of sea birds nest on this beautiful part of the reef…. perfect for the nature enthusiast amongst us. 

On my day, we got aboard the semi-submersible half an hour tour on arrival. This can feel a little claustrophobic for some upon entering the semi-sub vessel but you soon realise it has air conditioning and is very roomy and get right under way. The commentary begins (which was extremely thorough, interesting and factual by the way!) and soon you forget all about being in a smaller space and just focus on the world around you. This was my favourite part of the day!

The Semi-Submersible Tour. Photo by Tara Reynolds.
Link for the Semi-Submersible Tour & commentary, Video by Tara Reynolds.
Lunch was soon served afterwards including a couple of hot dishes with rice and a huge array of salads and fresh fruits with the added WOW factor of fresh prawns! 
The delicious Salads & Fresh Prawns for lunch. Photo by Tara Reynolds

After our lunch break on the boat, with totally full bellies we headed over to the the Cay in the tender craft and get our snorkel gear on to join the guided snorkel tour (additional cost but definitely worth every cent!). Now, I have been to Michaelmas Cay many many many times before but THIS was on a whole new epic level! Our guide was a Marine Biologist of 30 years and can hold his breath like no other!! He dives down to point out all there is to see.
Link to finding Nemo with our Guide. Video by Tara Reynolds
Snorkel equipment, Stinger suits (October to May) included. Photo by Tara Reynolds
Link shows a 4 minute video of shallow reef snorkelling. Suitable for all! Video by Tara Reynolds
Several Sets of Nemo's reside at the Cay, plus his cousins! Turtles love to play around the protected Cay, Giant Clams are awe-inspiring and if you’re lucky you will spot a Black Tipped Reef Shark (harmless peoples!!!!) or a Ray. Just magical!

 You will find Nemo! Photo by Tara Reynolds
 Giant Clams are a plenty. Photo by Tara Reynolds
Beautiful blue Star fish, just relaxing! Photo by Tara Reynolds

The area is shallow enough allowing you to get close to all the beautiful coral species… this makes for some amazing GO-PRO footage if you are lucky to own one, or hire one. There was plenty of snorkel time so you could investigate all over the Cay area.

Heading back to Cairns in the afternoon, again, is part of the day out and journey. Afternoon tea is served and also in addition… CHEESE, CRACKERS & A GLASS OF BUBBLES!!! (Yes… that needed shouty caps... excited much?!).

As the sun lowers itself closer to the Great Diving Range it makes for lovely viewing and photo opportunities, especially of Cairns city and other boats returning from their day out on the reef on the return to land.

TARA’S TIP…

Get an underwater camera for this day. Check out http://calypsoproductions.com.au/cairns-underwater-camera-hire/ located at the Reef Fleet Terminal where you check in. We took some amazing photo’s with their cameras as you can get nice and close to all the action in shallow waters. The CANON G16 was easy to use (it comes with instructions and the staff show you how to use it when you collect it) and it comes in a protective case and SD card for you to keep.



Take only a little cash or a credit card and no valuables (there are small lockers available for additional cost), you may want to purchase one of the professional photos taken of you throughout the day or an additional beverage at the fully licensed bar in the afternoon! Yeuw!
HARD FACTS…

The Tour:
  • Full day trip
  • Departs Cairns
Times:
  • 08:30am - 5:00pm (Check in Reef Fleet Terminal)
Suitable for: 
  • Families with younger children
  • Someone who only swims/snorkels a little
  • Somone who loves snorkelling!
  • Elderly
  • Those scared of deep open water
Fitness level (out of 5):
  •  ðŸ’ª 💪
Time of year:
  • All year round
  • Stinger suits worn October to May
Price:

  • $202.50 AUD Adult
  • $104.50 AUD Child
  • $516.00 AUD Family
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