Without a doubt, the most glamorous large vessels visiting the Outer Reef are the Quicksilver Wavepiercers (tel. 07/4087 2100) based out of Port Douglas. These ultrasleek, high-speed, air-conditioned 37m (121-ft.) and 46m (151-ft.) catamarans carry 300 or 440 passengers to Agincourt Reef, a ribbon reef 39 nautical miles (72km/45 miles) from shore on the outer edge of the Reef. After the 90-minute trip to the Reef, you tie up at a two-story pontoon, where you spend 3 1/2 hours.
Quicksilver departs Marina Mirage at 10am daily except on December 25. The cost for the day is A$189 (US$170/£85) for adults, A$95 (US$86/£43) for kids 4 to 14, or A$473 (US$426/£213) for families of four. Guided snorkel safaris cost A$60 (US$54/£27) per adult, half-price for kids, and introductory dives cost A$136 (US$122/£61) per person. Qualified divers take a dive-tender boat to make one dive for A$94 (US$85/£42) or two dives for A$136 (US$122/£61) per person, all gear included. Because Quicksilver carries so many passengers, booking snorkel safaris and dives in advance is a good idea.
The dive boat Poseidon welcomes snorkelers. It presents a Reef ecology talk and takes you on a guided snorkel safari. The price of A$165 (US$149/£74) for adults and A$125 (US$113/£56) for children 4 to 12 includes lunch and transfers from Port Douglas hotels.
The snorkeling specialist boat Wavelength (tel. 07/4099 5031; www.wavelength.com.au) does a full-day trip to the Outer Reef for A$175 (US$156/£79) for adults, A$125 (US$113/£56) for children 2 to 12, and A$540 (US$486/£243) for families of four. The trip visits three different snorkel sites each day and incorporates a guided snorkel tour and a reef presentation by a marine biologist. It carries only 30 passengers and includes snorkel gear, sunsuits, lunch, and transfers from your hotel. Both beginners and experienced snorkelers will like this trip. It departs daily at 8:15am from the Wavelength jetty on Wharf Street.
Another way to spend a pleasant day -- closer to shore -- on the Great Barrier Reef is to visit the Low Isles, 15km (9 1/2 miles) northeast of Port Douglas. The isles are 1.5-hectare (3 3/4-acre) coral-cay specks of lush vegetation surrounded by white sand and 22 hectares (54 acres) of coral -- which is what makes them so appealing. The coral is not quite as good as the outer Reef's, but the fish life is rich, and the proximity makes for a relaxing day.
The trip aboard the 30m (98-ft.) luxury sailing catamaran Wavedancer (tel. 07/4087 2100), operated by Quicksilver, is A$126 (US$113/£57) for adults, half-price for kids 4 to 14, and A$315 (US$284/£142) for families. You have the option of making an introductory scuba dive for an extra A$115 (US$104/£52) per person. Coach transfers are available through Quicksilver from Cairns and Palm Cove for A$16 (US$14/£7.20) adults, half-price for children.
