3, 4 & 7
NIGHT
EXPEDITION
CRUISES
Great
Barrier
Reef
A PERSONAL JOURNEY
THROUGH NATURE’S GREATEST
MARINE WONDERLAND
coralexpeditions
Coral Expeditions knows the UNESCO World Heritage listed
Great Barrier Reef better than most, having pioneered
overnight cruises on the outer reef more than 30 years ago.
Sailing from our homeport of cosmopolitan Cairns, Queensland,
our recently refurbished expedition vessel, Coral Expeditions II,
takes a maximum of just 44 guests in relaxed comfort on yearround 3, 4 or 7 night expeditions. The extended duration of the
trips and our deep knowledge of marine conditions allow us to
offer a unique experience of the Reef.
Tropical private beach escapes, superb snorkelling and
diving, guided rainforest walks, and local history are all
included in our trips. Enjoy exclusive moorings well beyond
the day-tripping public and access pristine and colourful coral
gardens. Onboard Marine Biologists further enhance the
Reef experience.
When you dine aboard any Coral Expeditions small ship,
you can be assured of small batch cuisine prepared fresh
onboard by our chefs. Our Great Barrier Reef cruises
include sustainably-farmed and wild-caught produce such
as delicious local seafood including prawns, oysters and
ocean fish. The food is complemented by a superb wine
selection featuring boutique Australian wines and a full bar.
Most importantly, we take great care to preserve the natural
state of the Great Barrier Reef and ensure all our vessels meet
the stringent mechanical and safety standards demanded by
Australia’s marine authorities. Furthermore, Coral Expeditions
have satisfied the rigorous requirements of Ecotourism
Australia and are an accredited ecotourism operator.
Join us aboard the Coral Expeditions II and experience our
unique showcase of these tropical wonders.
NATURE’S MARINE WONDERLAND: YOUR PLAYGROUND
FOOD & WINE
EXPERT GUIDES & ACTIVITIES
With a maximum of just 44 guests,
our chefs have the creative freedom
to prepare small batch meals from
scratch using locally sourced ingredients
including the fresh seafood and
spectacular tropical fruits for which
northern Australia is renowned.
Expert expedition staff are a hallmark
of every Coral Expeditions’ voyage.
Curated by our resident wine expert,
our bar features artisanal spirits and a
range of Australian and New Zealand
wines. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are
available all day at no extra cost.
Our Dining Room offers open-seat
dining without the need to reserve
a table, allowing you to dine with old
or new friends on each occasion.
There is no dress code.
We are able to handle dietary
preferences and allergies with one
week’s advance notice.
OPEN BRIDGE POLICY
On all Coral Expeditions vessels guests
are welcome to visit the bridge, have a
chat with the Captain and Australian and
New Zealand crew and observe as our
officers navigate through inlets and rivers.
Background image: View of Endeavour River,
on the coast of New Holland where Captain Cook
had the ship laid on shore, in order to repair
the damage which she received on the rock.
Published by Alexr. Hogg, 1784-1786.
Reproduced with permission: National Library
of Australia. PIC Drawer: 7441#U2982.
On our Great Barrier Reef cruises,
a resident Marine Biologist will accompany
you on memorable glass bottom boat
tours, invite you to onboard fish feeding
displays and lead you on rainforest and
beachcombing walks. Guided snorkelling
tours are also available, and our qualified
Dive Instructor invites you to take part
in a complimentary SCUBA skills session
and offers novices and certified divers
optional diving over the magnificent
Great Barrier Reef.
EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
Both our in-water and land-based
activities are designed to suit a variety
of physical fitness levels. No athletic
ability is presumed.
> Experience the World Heritage listed
reef from our private moorings away
from the tourist crowds
EXCURSION BOATS
Coral Expeditions II is equipped with a
fleet of kayaks, an inflatable Zodiac and a
spacious glass bottom coral viewing boat.
Boarding of the glass bottom boat is safe
and easy, simply step aboard before the
boat is gently lowered into the water by
hydraulic lift, ensuring there is no need
to clamber aboard or get your feet wet.
> The complete Great Barrier Reef
experience. Snorkel over colourful
coral gardens, stroll golden sandy
beaches and wander rainforest trails
> Secluded gourmet beach BBQ
> Be guided by an expert Marine
Biologist on glass bottom boat and
snorkelling tours
> Informative presentations and
educational documentaries
> History and cultures of the region
and early explorers
> Join an optional resort or certified
SCUBA dive on the outer reef
Itinerary
3 night Cairns - Pelorus Island - Cairns
DAY 1 CAIRNS AND THETFORD REEF
14°
Ribbon Reefs
15°
Cooktown
Rachel
Carson
Reef
16°
Port Douglas
Cairns
Thetford Reef
Fitzroy Island
Sudbury Cay
17°
18°
Dunk Island
Hinchinbrook Island
Orpheus Island
DAY 2 HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL AND PALM ISLANDS
Cruise the scenic Hinchinbrook Channel, separating
Hinchinbrook Island from the mainland > possible sightings
include crocodiles, dolphins, whales, turtles and dugongs
> interpretive commentary and mangrove tour > discover a
private tropical island > guided bushwalk > gourmet Aussie
beach BBQ meal > snorkel and dive over the island’s fringing
reef showcasing a giant clam garden > kayaking and glass
bottom boat tours > relax on the sandy beach BLD
DAY 3 DUNK ISLAND AND NATHAN REEF
Nathan
Reef
Pelorus Island
15°
Board at Cairns’ Trinity Wharf at 10:00am › cruise Trinity
Bay › Thetford Reef snorkelling › glass bottom boat tours ›
fish feeding display › optional SCUBA diving › Sudbury Cay
Tuam Island
drinks ashore > Captain’s Welcome Seafood Buffet LD
Lizard Island
Rainforest walk on tropical Dunk Island with naturalist
guides > look for the striking electric-blue Ulysses
butterfly
Great
Barrier >Reef
afternoon to discover colourful Nathan Reef > snorkel, SCUBA
dive and glass bottom boat tours > interactive marine biology
presentation at the onboard display tank BLD
DAY 4 FITZROY ISLAND AND CAIRNS
Idyllic bushwalks and hikes > snorkel over the fringing reef >
beachcombing on the white sands of Nudey Beach > enjoy the
resort facilities > cruise concludes at Trinity Wharf, Cairns
at 1:30pm BL
19°
WHY NOT COMBINE BOTH 3 & 4 NIGHT CRUISES
FOR AN IMMERSIVE 7 NIGHT EXPEDITION
3 night cruise
4 night cruise
146°
147°
4 Night Cairns - Lizard Island - Cairns
150°
Board at Cairns’ Trinity Wharf at 4:00pm › cruise Trinity
Bay › welcome drinks > views of Double Island and the
pretty seaside village at Palm Cove › Captain’s Welcome
Seafood Buffet D
Watson > snorkel from the beach over giant clam gardens
>
20°
optional early morning hike to Cook’s Look for stunning views
over the reef > afternoon at Ribbon Reef #9 on the rarelyvisited outer Barrier Reef > snorkel and SCUBA dive and glass
bottom boat tours BLD
DAY 2 HISTORIC COOKTOWN AND REEF
DAY 4 RIBBON REEFS
Discover historic Cooktown > stroll the wide main street and
see buildings dating back to the 1870s > walk to the botanic
gardens where you may see kangaroos and wallabies >
visit James Cook Museum to see original artefacts from his
ship ‘Endeavour’ > snorkel over the reef on a desert island ›
glass bottom boat tours › optional SCUBA diving BLD
Full day to discover the pristine Ribbon Reefs > Ribbon Reef #3
> Rachel Carson Reef > snorkelling, optional SCUBA diving >
glass bottom boat tours with the Marine Biologist > marine
biology presentation at the onboard display tank BLD
DAY 1 CAIRNS
AND COASTAL CRUISE
145°
148°
DAY 3 LIZARD ISLAND AND RIBBON REEFS
Enjoy the morning on Lizard Island, one of Australia’s most
beautiful tropical islands > Discover the legend of Mary
DAY 5 CAIRNS
Cruise concludes at Trinity Wharf, Cairns at 8:00am B
INCLUSIONS
PRICES
DEPARTURE DATES
> 3, 4 or 7 night cruise on Coral Expeditions II
Please refer to the price insert, see your
travel agent, or visit our website.
3 Night Cairns – Palm Islands – Cairns
(Cruise Code CC3)
Departs every Friday, 11:00am
> Expert interpretation and presentations by
resident Marine Biologist
> Use of snorkelling equipment; masks, fins,
flotation vests and wetsuits
> Guided glass bottom coral viewing and
snorkelling excursions
> All meals, morning and afternoon teas
> Coffee, tea and selected soft drinks
> Use of all onboard facilities
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
At Coral Expeditions we understand that
sometimes you may be travelling on your
own. That’s why on our Great Barrier
Reef expeditions we offer genuine single
travellers the opportunity to travel in their
own room without the need to pay a single
surcharge. Enquire for details.
> Comprehensive sightseeing as detailed
> Access to islands, marine and
national parks
> Post cruise transfer from ship to Cairns
airport or central Cairns hotels
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN EXPEDITION CRUISE TAKING US TO REMOTE
COASTLINES AND WATERS RARELY VISITED BY LARGER CRUISE SHIPS. AS SUCH,
THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS.
OUR EXPERIENCED CAPTAIN AND TRIP DIRECTOR MAY MAKE LAST MINUTE
ITINERARY CHANGES TO OPTIMISE CONDITIONS.
4 Night Cairns - Lizard Island - Cairns
(Cruise Code CC4)
Departs every Monday, 5:00pm
7 Night Cairns - Lizard Island –
Palm Islands - Cairns
(Cruise Code CC7)
Departs every Friday, 11:00am and
every Monday, 5:00pm
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
Combine our 3 and 4 night cruises
for the complete 7 night Great Barrier
Reef experience and SAVE 10%.
Our 7 night cruise itinerary also
includes a complimentary tour of
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
"we travel noT to
escape life but for
life to escape us”
anon
CORAL EXPEDITIONS II
ACCOMMODATION & ONBOARD FACILITIES
Coral Expeditions II is an Australian-flagged, Australian-crewed classic catamaran
designed and built for maximum stability and guest comfort. With a shallow
draught and high manoeuvrability, she can go where large cruise ships cannot.
Accommodating just 44 guests, Coral Expeditions II has an intimate, informal
atmosphere. The 22 onboard rooms range from 14 to 15 square metres, are
comfortable with natural light, iPod docks, en-suites, and are serviced daily.
Coral Expeditions II’s spacious lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy a drink from
the cocktail bar in air-conditioned comfort, and features a comprehensive reference
library and plasma screens. The large Sun Deck is another popular place to relax and
take in the sights, with comfortable deck chairs and stylish teak furnishings.
Coral Expeditions II carries a glass bottom coral viewing boat, and a complement of
Zodiacs and kayaks that are used in our expedition itineraries.
Cabin
Deck C
Bedding configuration 2 x twin beds, max capacity 2 people
Stateroom
Deck C
Bedding configuration 2 x twin beds or 1 x double bed, pullman bunk,
max 3 people
Upper Deck
Deck B
Bedding configuration 2 x twin beds or 1 x double bed, max 2 people
Deluxe
Deck B
Bedding configuration 2 x twin beds or 1 x double bed, max 2 people
FACILITIES ONBOARD INCLUDE
> Two fully stocked cocktail bars
> Spacious, modern Dining Room
> Large Sun Deck Lounge
> Gift shop
> Open Bridge
> Library
> Phone
> Limited laundry facilities
> Fully equipped SCUBA
diving department
Two images courtesy of Tourism and Events, Queensland. Inside spread - Lizard Island. Image spread bottom left - Great Barrier Reef.
OUR RANGE OF EXPEDITIONS INCLUDE
> Tasmania > The Kimberley > Cape York and Arnhem Land
> Papua New Guinea > West Papua > Islands of the South Pacific
> New Zealand
coralexpeditions.com
Reservations
> BOOK ONLINE
www.coralexpeditions.com
> FREECALL WITHIN AUSTRALIA
1800 079 545
+61 7 4040 9999 outside Australia
cruise@coralexpeditions.com
> OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT
Head office PO Box 2093 Cairns 4870 QLD Australia
ABN 51 010 809 417
Issued September 2015
DECK PLAN