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Low Islands, Coral Reef Cruise
Port Douglas Day Cruise| Price Includes |
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Morning and Afternoon Tea| Reef Tax |
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| Tour Highlights |
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Itinerary
Set like a jewel in a Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Low Isles is an idyllic, unspoilt coral island that appeals to everyone. And why not, when this is everyone's idea of a secluded tropical paradise! The wide, sandy beach and clear, calm lagoon waters are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and families.
Visitors are limited to protect the reef's ecology, so you'll experience this island heaven with a select few. So Relax - the whole of this beautiful, palm fringed island beach is yours to explore and enjoy.
Cruise Timetable
Set like a jewel in a Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Low Isles is an idyllic, unspoilt coral island that appeals to everyone. And why not, when this is everyone's idea of a secluded tropical paradise!
| 9.30 | Complimentary morning tea/coffee on boarding. For your safety, hot drinks are not served once the vessel is underway. Passengers are required to be onboard the vessel 15 minutes before departure. |
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| 9.45 | An informative Marine Biologist presentation is shown in the main cabin. |
| 10.00 | Wavedancer departs Marina Mirage for Low Isles. |
| 10.30 | A snorkelling demonstration is conducted during the journey to Low Isles. |
| 11.15 | Wavedancer arrives at Low Isles and your activities commence. The coral viewer and shuttle vessels leave for the island, and continue to run throughout the day. Your snorkelling equipment is available from the storage containers on the foredeck of Wavedancer. We recommend that you conduct all snorkelling from the island. The guided snorkelling tour operates from the island. Introductory dives operate from the back of Wavedancer. |
| 12.00 | Lunch is served aboard Wavedancer. Enjoy your tropical buffet. Bar operates throughout the day. |
| 1.30 | A guided beach and heritage trail walk is conducted by a Marine Biologist. This walk departs from the shuttle boarding area on the beach. |
| 2.45 | Last shuttle leaves the island to return passengers to the vessel. Afternoon tea is served. |
| 3.10 | Depart Low Isles for Port Douglas. Enjoy light entertainment during the return journey. |
| 4.30 | Arrival at Marina Mirage, Port Douglas. |
Low Isles (145.5592°E, 16.3842°S)
Situated 15km north-east of Port Douglas Low Isles is a 4 acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef. The corals are very close to the island, which makes snorkelling an enjoyable experience. On the island we erected permanent thatched umberellas for our passengers' comfort. Your experience can be as educational as it is relaxing - many activities are available for your participation. The two small islands are separate with one common reef. The larger of the two, Woody Island, is uninhabited except for a large bird population. It is a vital habitat for many species.
Low Isles' History
In 1770 Captain James Cook described Low Isles as a 'small low island' and was officially called Low Isles in 1819. The Aboriginal people know these islands as Wungkun. It is an important Indigenous and cultural site for the KuKu Yalanji and Yiragandi people as the sea country for both groups overlaps at Low Isles.
Weather data has been gathered from the island since 1887 and the historic lighthouse has been operating since 1878. In 1928 it was the base for the first scientific study of a coral reef anywhere in the world, examining the structure and ecology of the surrounding reef. Many current theories of coral reef ecology are based on the findings of this early expedition.
Low Isles' Coral Reef Environment
There are 150 different species of hard corals in the waters surrounding Low Isles, although these are dominated by 15 species of soft corals. If you look closely, the feathery tentacles of soft corals can often be seen collecting tiny food particles from the water around them. Living amongst the corals is a large variety of fish, molluscs, sea cucumbers and other animals. Colourful blue, green and purple parrotfish are a common sight as well as angelfish, damselfish, anenomefish or clownfish, trevally, rabbitfish, sweetlip, moon wrasse and fusiliers, just to name a few!
At least seven species of seagrasses grow on the intertidal sandflats of Low Isles, providing a home and food for such animals as sea cucumbers, the attractive spidershell, as well as rays, green turtles and dugongs.
Questions and Answers
What is the temperature of the water?
The warm waters of Tropical North Queensland range in temperature from 22-29 Celsius (75-85 Fahrenheit) and make for year round comfort for water activities. Summer 29 c 83f, Autumn 25c 76f, Winter 22c 72f, Spring 25c 76f.
As a guide, average water temperatures in our region are:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average Water Temp (C) | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 27 |
| Average Water Temp (F) | 85 | 85 | 83 | 79 | 79 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 73 | 79 | 79 | 81 |
What is the weather doing?
As a guide, average air temperatures in the Cairns and Port Douglas region are:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average Water Temp (C) | 32 |
32 |
31 |
29.3 |
28 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
28 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
| Average Water Temp (F) | 89 |
89 |
87 |
85 |
82 |
79 |
78 |
79 |
82 |
85 |
87 |
89 |
What if the weather is really bad?
Providing we have availability you are welcome to change dates of your cruise. On very rare occasions cruise services can be subject to the effect of weather. Should a cruise not operate for any reason, you will be offered an alternative day or a refund authorised.
Do you ever cancel cruises?
Very rarely. However as we are located in a tropical region, we can experience the effects of a seasonal tropical cyclone and would therefore cancel our operation. This is not common.
General Questions
Can I change the date of my cruise?
Yes you are welcome to change your day of travel providing we have availability. There are no fees to change dates.
What's the best day or time to visit?
We operate year-round, everyday is a holiday! Generally you will find the warm air and water temperatures in the tropics (see our average temperatures charts) make for comfortable conditions year-round for water activities.
If you are visiting between the months of May to October, while certainly not guaranteed, there is the added bonus of potential whale sightings on the journey to and from the reef. Humpback whales regularly migrate from Antarctic waters every winter to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef. They are most commonly sighted from June to September. The smaller Minke Whales can often be seen at Agincourt Reef from as early as April but from our experience, the most common sightings occur from June to July.
How far out is the Outer Barrier Reef (Agincourt Reef) and how long does it take to get there?
Agincourt Reef is 72km NE of Port Douglas. Travelling time aboard our state-of-the-art wavepiercer catamaran from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef is 90 minutes.
What do I bring?
Bring along a towel, sunscreen, hat, swimwear and camera to capture your memories. Limited underwater digital cameras are available to hire onboard. A professional photographic service is also available for you to purchase photos of your day. For optional activities or onboard purchases like souvenirs or drinks from the bar, bring along your credit card or some cash.
