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Great Barrier Reef Adventure

Great Barrier Reef Adventure

GGRIE
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Description

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, consisting of 2900 individual reefs spanning 14 degrees of latitude and stretching 2100 kilometres from north to south. We cruise through the reef over 8 nights in comfort and luxury, from the Gold Coast to Cairns. Highlights of this voyage include a scenic seaplane flight over heart reef and a visit to the stunning Whitehaven Beach.

Trip Name
Great Barrier Reef Adventure
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Yacht Length: 53.5 metres Passenger Capacity: 32 Built: 2020/2021 At Island Escape Cruises we are passionate about preserving the beautiful water in which we are travelling. We have built a yacht which goes above and beyond the future global standards for emission, but we want to go further. The elimination of single use plastic is our goal. Onboard each guest receives a reusable water bottle which can be refilled around the yacht and taken with you as a souvenir. We have installed an advanced wastewater treatment system onboard enabling us to have zero impact in sensitive areas. Our new yacht complies with SOLAS and is fitted with state-of-the-art stabilisers, fuel-efficient diesel-electric propulsion, and catalytic invertors that reduce NOX emissions to air up to 90%. With this innovative technology and our 15 years of experience, Island Escape will set a new standard, making her one of safest, most environmentally friendly and comfortable yachts of her class. To further reduce energy consumption, we have installed a waste heat recovery system that uses waste heat from the engines to make hot water for your showers and the galley.  We want to leave any destinations we visit in the same or even better condition than we found it to make sure future generations will have the chance to experience it as we did. Therefore, we have fitted our yacht with a dynamic positioning system, which allows us to be stationary in areas where the use of anchors would damage the seabed. The Art Of Dining Relaxation, exceptional food and carefully selected wines are an essential part of your vacation. Fresh sea air not only clears your mind, it also makes you hungry. Our chefs are dedicated, ensuring that every meal is magnificent. Local seafood, maybe even some that you caught yourself, is featured daily. You´ll enjoy locally sustainable specialities and even an opportunity for the chefs to prepare some of your own fresh catch. All Inclusive We strive to give you a relaxing lifelong memorable experience on-board our yacht. All food, drinks, activities, unlimited Wi-Fi and services are included in your fare. Our Suites With only 32 guests on-board our yacht is spacious, yet intimate enough to give you a truly exclusive private yacht atmosphere. All seventeen suites are designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden and come with ocean views. Our premium Owners suite and six Horizon suites are located on the upper deck and have floor to ceiling panoramic doors to your balcony. The spacious Ocean Suites are available in king, twin or single configurations.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Gold Coast
Passengers who arrive in the Gold Coast on early flights or have an early hotel check-out may drop their bags at the yacht by 10am and may explore the area until we are boarding from 2pm. Freshen up and be on deck when we sail at 3pm. Our welcome dinner is served as we become acquainted while sailing to Fraser Island.
Day 2 - Day 2 Fraser Island
Fraser Island is one of the world’s most unusual islands. Not only is it the largest sand island in the world, being 120 kilometres long and 20 kilometres wide, but it’s the only place on Earth where tall rainforests grow on sand dunes. It also has half the world’s perched lakes, being lakes formed when depressions in dunes fill permanently with rainwater. Also home to the most pure strain of dingoes remaining in eastern Australia. The island has superb scenery, with massive shifting sand blows and superb swimming spots. No visit to the island is complete without a long leisurely float in Eli Creek, a clear freshwater creek. You can walk along its boardwalk then float with the current about a kilometre to the beach. Champagne Pools, where the surf crashes over a series of rock walls into a calm but bubbly rock pool below the headland on the northern tip of the island, is another top spot to cool off after walking the miles of dune trails on this very special nature island.
Day 3 - Day 3 Swain Reefs National Park
This reef complex has over 250 reefs with more than 25 cays. The reefs range in size from a few hundred metres to 20 kilometres in length. The reefs are rich in sea life while the cays are important as seabird rookeries and nesting areas. It is usual to see trout, cod and whitetip reef sharks in the gutters. Angelfish, butterfly, damsels, surgeonfish wrasse and parrotfish are commonplace. Snorkel, swim and kayak to your hearts content in this enormous reef system. We sail during dinner for Percy Islands.
Day 4 - Day 4 Percy Islands
This morning we wake up in the Percy Islands. These pristine islands were named in September 1802 by Captain Matthew Flinders, commander of the British sloop HMS Investigator, are uninhabited and protected by National and Conservation Park status. Head out in the zodiacs to explore the bays and beautiful beaches.
Day 5 - Days 5 and 6 The Whitsundays
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, this group of 74 tropical islands are highly regarded as a holiday haven. Days are filled with kayaking, paddling a stand-up board, a stroll on the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, and snorkelling over the reef. A highlight of your voyage will be the scenic seaplane flight from Whitehaven Beach over the spectacular heart reef. This will be a dream come true for many. We will experience selected parts of the Whitsundays Ngaro Sea Trail, this journey allows walks through some of the most magical sites as we weave our way through Haslewood Island, Whitsunday Island, South Mole and Hook Islands. Along the way, there are opportunities to sight the native flora and fauna and really appreciate the beautiful view of the islands and aqua coloured Coral Sea.
Day 6 - Day 7 Orpheus/Palm Island
At Orpheus Island, in conjunction with James Cook University, marine scientists are busy working to preserve the Great Barrier Reef system. We anchor in Pioneer Bay and have an overview of their activity before continuing onto Havannah Island. Uninhabited, here spend the afternoon in the zodiac boats sightseeing, swimming in clear waters, snorkelling the reefs and beachcombing the white sands. Dinner is served from 7pm as we cruise towards Fitzroy Island.
Day 7 - Day 8 Fitzroy Island/Sudbury Reef
Wake to the tropical island backdrop that is Fitzroy. Breakfast on the aft deck and a refreshing swim are a great way to start the day. The crew will be on-hand to introduce you to the island environment. Fitzroy is a continental island 4 square km in size while 97% of the island is National Park, covered in tropical rainforest and accessible via an established network of clearly marked walking tracks. The gentle, hilly terrain inland makes for great walking throughout the whole island, including to the two main beaches, Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach, the Summit the highest vantage point on the island and the historic lighthouse at the Eastern end. The island is a major sponsor of the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre; to ensure sick and injured sea turtles are able to recuperate in clean waters of Welcome Bay. During lunch we lift anchor and sail to Sudbury Reef.
Day 8 - Day 9 Cairns
Our incredible, memory-filled journey through the Great Barrier Reef concludes in Cairns this morning at 9:00am. We serve breakfast alfresco as we sail into Perth and it is now time to say goodbye to your new friends, captain, and crew onboard Island Escape. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon for another adventure in the near future.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Due to the nature of the areas where we are cruising, there may be alterations to activities and timings at the Captain’s discretion.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Gold Coast
    • Fraser Island
    • Swain Reefs National Park
    • Percy Islands
    • The Whitsundays
    • Orpheus/Palm Island
    • Fitzroy Island/Sudbury Reef

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