Arrive at Cairns Pullman International Hotel at 2:00pm for SailSAFE Check-in. A transfer from here to Coral Geographer is provided. Board at 4:00pm where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard before joining your fellow explorers on the Sun Deck for Captains Welcome Drinks.

This morning we visit historic Cooktown where Captain Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery. Embark on a guided walk led by our expedition team along the esplanade and learn about history of the town, a Cooktown coach tour will also be available. The Milbi Wall at the Wharf tells the story of the Guugu Yimithirr people in hand-painted tiles, and the views from Grassy Hill over the Endeavour River are spectacular. Visit the James Cook Museum and examine the relics of Australia’s exploration era.Later enjoy a quiet beachcomb at the Hope Islands before we cruise north.

The Ribbon Reefs are a narrow line of outer coral reefs on the edge of the continental shelf and are renowned for their prolific marine life and extensive coral species. Enjoy the rare opportunity to snorkel and dive on the Ribbon Reefs which sit on the edge of the continental shelf.Due to their location far offshore from the Australian coast, the Ribbon Reefs offer excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities with Ribbon Reef #5 and/or #2. Join a guided snorkel tour led by our expert expedition team and witness this extraordinary ecosystem up close. These northern reefs are renowned for spotting iconic marine species such as potato cod, wrasse, sharks and turtles.

Explore secluded Lizard Island, one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast, and venture into the crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkelling or take a walk along the white sand beach. The more energetic may join our guides on a walk to ‘Cook’s Look’ on the island’s peak and the highest lookout on this part of the reef. From this high point, Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the HMB Endeavour near Cooktown over 250 years ago. A photographer’s delight, the views from the lookout over the World Heritage-listed reef and surrounding tropical islands are magnificent.

Visit Stanley Island in the Flinders Group. View the Yindaen Aboriginal rock art gallery, a unique art site seldom visited due to its isolated location that depicts sailing ships of the last century. Later we will snorkel at Davie Reef or land ashore at Cape Melville, depending on tides and conditions.

Today we visit the Piper Islands National Park for beach combing and wildlife viewing.The Piper group consists of five islands (Beesley, Baird, Farmer and Fisher islands and Kay Islet) that lie off the north-east coast of the Cape York Peninsula. The traditional owners of this land are the Kuuku Ya’u people. These low and vegetated cays are home to many species of birds and is recognised by Bird Life International as an Important Bird Area. The unspoiled wilds of the islands host one of the largest populations of black noddies in Queensland alongside a significant population of pied imperial pigeons and is an important nesting area for the hawksbill turtle.Visit Restoration Island or Resto, as the locals call it. Here Captain Bligh, of the infamous Mutiny on the Bounty, made his first landfall after a long ocean crossing from Tonga, in May 1789. He named it Restoration Island because the food they found (oysters and native fruits) greatly restored their spirits and because that date was Oak Apple Day, the anniversary of the restoration of King Charles II.Today Restoration Island is not just a National Park; one-third of the island is leased to David Glasheen, a former mining tycoon, who, after losing his fortune in the Black Friday market crash, decided to live a solitary existence on the island, and has done so for over 2 decades. It is an idyllic coastal island with a granite and volcanic peak 116 metres in height and a beautiful shark tooth-shaped beach spit where guest will enjoy time to explore the island.

This morning we visit Albany Island, also known as Pabaju in the local language. This idyllic tropical island is closely associated with one of QLD’s worst maritime disasters, the tragic sinking of the RMS Quetta in 1890, in which 134 people lost their lives. Today the island is home to a fishing camp where keen anglers can throw a line in. Enjoy a walk to the island interior to see the graves of the ill-fated Kennedy expedition, beachcomb, or take an Xplorer cruise around the bay.Visit the ruins at Somerset, where a station was established on Gudang country in 1864. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Cape York Peninsula, and was planned to be a port and administrative centre for the Torres Strait region, but this remote colony became a violent place presided over by the infamous Jardine family. Here we can see the tombstones of Frank Jardine and his wife.

This morning we will go ashore at Muttee Head for a walk to the historical RAAF 52 Radar Station. Built during 1943, this radar tower and aerial is the only intact example of a World War II Air Warning radar tower on its original site in Queensland.Later we head ashore to the Tip of Cape York, the northernmost point of mainland Australia and a true bucket list destination. Sip sparkling and explore the surrounds as the sun sets.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with presentations by our guest lecturers. You will hear about the fascinating history of the Macassan traders and early explorers of the Arnhem Land coast.

As we continue to enjoy the serenity of being at sea, today we travel by the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’. Board the Xplorer to get a closer look by cruising through the Gugari Rip, which marks where one island was split into two in the last ice age

Relax on deck as we spend a day at sea cruising towards Darwin, with onboard presentations from our Guest Lecturers, workshops, and demonstrations.Arrive into Darwin early this evening. As our incredible adventure draws to a close, on our last evening aboard we will enjoy the Captain’s farewell drinks.

Our Cape York & Coral Sea adventure concludes in Darwin this morning as we bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8:30am.

Itineraries are subject to change.