ocean freedom cruise upolu cay & the reef
Ocean Freedom
UPOLU CAY is a naturally formed coral cay situated 30 kilometers from Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef and is the perfect location with protected, shallow waters from which to explore the reef snorkeling & scuba diving. A popular spot with the locals to camp on for the day. We even spent a Christmas Day on this beautiful Coral Cay. Ocean Freedom cruises you to Upolu Cay in less than an hour and a half. Being the first boat to arrive at Upolu Cay, gives you over one hour to explore the Cay and surrounding reef totally uninterrupted. You may even want to try your first ever scuba dive, or for the certified diver, enjoy being guided by the qualified instructors on some of the best dive sites on the reef. You are guaranteed a ratio of only 2 divers for one instructor on your very first intro dive to ensure you get maximum enjoyment (other boat ratios 4:1!)
Your Upolu Cay tour includes:
- An adventure Drift Snorkelling Tour with a Marine Naturalist
- A fascinating reef talk by a Marine Interpreter
- Enjoy a Glass Bottom Boat Tour to see the marine life without even getting wet
- Snorkelling Tuition
- Top quality Snorkelling equipment (masks, flippers, snorkel)
- Buoyancy (flotation) snorkel vests
- Transfers to and from Upolu Cay off Ocean Freedom
- Lycra suits /or wet suits (depending on season and they look so cool on every body)
- 2 Reef destinations in one day including Upolu Cay and outer edge Upolu Reef
- 5 full hours on the Reef
- Tea and coffee all day
- A sumptuous smorgasbord lunch with seafood (sorry Nemo and friends)
- Platters of tropical fruits, cheese and crackers, and assorted cake served during day
- Refreshments, Licensed bar, and quality merchandise available for purchase
Your day on Ocean Freedom
- Board Ocean Freedom at 7:30am from E Finger Marlin Marina in Cairns. You will be greeted on the wharf by one of the crew (just look for the big white "O" and dolphin). Enjoy a morning tea or coffee + Danish pastries in the comfortable lounge. Following an introductory safety brief — kick back, relax and enjoy the one and half hour cruise to Upolu Cay on the Great Barrier Reef
- First Cay + reef site: (approximately 9.30am) : Enjoy a Glass Bottom boat tour to Upolu Cay — Ocean Freedom is the first boat to arrive at the beautiful Upolu Cay — enjoy it uninterrupted! Surrounded by stunning turquoise water and many types of corals, reef fishes, stingrays, cucumbers, sea stars — this is a great introduction to the reef. Snorkel and dive here. All necessary assistance is provided to ensure all guests get to enjoy the reef.
- Lunch approximately 11:30am. Self serve buffet. Large smorgasbord lunch consisting of 3 meats and chicken platter, prawns, smoked salmon and 3 salads and a selection of yummy breads. While lunch is being enjoyed you cruise slowly to the second site.
- Second reef site: (approximately 11.45am) Amazing "Wonder Wall" on the Outer Edge of Upolu Reef . View many different types of hard and soft coral in addition to fans, giant clams, turtles, a huge diversity and abundance of reef fish of all sizes, Nemos everywhere! Snorkel and dive here. Enjoy an informative adventure drift snorkel tour with a Marine Naturalist
- After a full 5hrs of unrushed pleasure on the reef and Cay — cruise home while the crew serve a sumptuous selection of tropical fruit, cheese + crackers and the decadent cake platter — an ultimate way to wind down after a magical day on the one and only Great Barrier Reef.
- Arrive in Cairns around 4.30pm just in time for some sundowner drinks and reminisce on the wonderful day you had
The Tour Specialists tip
A real 5 star day, fantastic crew, even the owner drives the boat sometimes. If you have always wanted to dive but have not had the confidence well this is the crew to go with we constantly have guests thanking us for recommending them. Tammy from our office did her first dive with this crew and she still has not stopped talking about it! Small guest numbers make it really personable.
