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Snorkel off of Australia's beautiful coast

Cape York & Arnhem Land

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Coral Discoverer
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This Cape York and Arnhem Land small ship expedition is a fascinating voyage combining the very best of Australia’s northern coastline, exploring the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ‘Tip of Australia’ at Cape York, the Arnhem Land Coast and the rarely visited Tiwi Islands. Come aboard the Coral Discoverer in Cairns for a remarkable 11-night voyage of discovery to Darwin, visiting otherwise inaccessible locations and meeting the friendly indigenous people of the Torres Strait and the Top End.
Access the shore aboard the the ZodiacAdmire ancient Aboriginal rock art Snorkel the vibrant waters of the South PacificNorth Australian bushSnorkel off of Australia's beautiful coast
Places Visited
  • Australia
  • South Pacific
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • Bathurst Island
  • Cape York
  • Cobourg Peninsula
  • Elcho Island
  • Forbes Island
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Gulf of Carpentaria
  • Hole in the Wall
  • Liverpool River
  • Lizard Island
  • Magra Island
  • Maningrida
  • Melville Island
  • Oceania
  • Stanley Island
  • Thursday Island
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Depart Cairns

  • 1 Dinner
Board the Coral Discoverer at Trinity Wharf, Cairns. This evening meet fellow travelers and friendly crew while enjoying the Captain's Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party.

Day 2: Lizard Island

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore secluded Lizard Island, one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling and a walk along the beautiful sandy beach. As special guests of the Lizard Island Research Station learn of the research being undertaken to help understand and preserve the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 3: Stanley Island & Davey Reef

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit Stanley Island in the Flinders Group to view the Endaen Aboriginal rock art gallery depicting sailing ships of the last century. This is a unique art site seldom visited due to its isolated location. At Davey Reef and Cay enjoy swimming and snorkeling and observe the large seabird rookery.

Day 4: Forbes Island & Magra Island

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy the day exploring historic Forbes Island. Its reef provides some fantastic swimming and snorkeling opportunities. This afternoon visit Magra Island for beachcombing, bird watching and to enjoy the tropical sunset.

Day 5: Cape York & Thursday Island

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Venture ashore at Cape York as the sun rises over the "Tip" on Australia's northernmost point. Enjoy champagne and welcome the new day. Anchoring at Thursday Island, learn of the history of European settlement and the large pearling fleets. Have the opportunity to observe the distinctly different cultures of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals whilst enjoying a tour of the island. Following lunch visit the Gab Titui Cultural Center, which showcases and promotes the heritage of the Torres Strait, before crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Day 6: Cruising the Gulf of Carpentaria

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with presentations by Guest Lecturers, who share the fascinating history of the Macassan traders and early explorers of the Arnhem Land coast.

Day 7: Hole in the Wall & Wessel Islands

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail through the "Hole in the Wall" to the Wessell Islands, which are perhaps the most remote and isolated islands found anywhere on the Australian coast. Enjoy a gourmet Aussie Beach BBQ as the sun spectacularly sets over the Arafura Sea.

Day 8: Elcho Island Artists

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome you to their community this morning. Enjoy an insight into their culture and meet some of the local artists who have their unique art exhibited in the famous art galleries of the world, including the Louvre. The island is also home to renowned indigenous musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Attend the local church service to share in the local culture.

Day 9: Liverpool River & Maningrida

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Anchor in the mighty Liverpool River before traveling ashore to explore the Maningrida Art Center, Museum and local "boutique", where hand painted clothing and fabrics are offered for sale. Later, join the Expedition Leader and guides on an Xplorer tour of the mighty river.

Day 10: Cobourg Peninsula

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a full day to discover to discover the Cobourg Peninsula. Port Essington is famous for its failed Victoria Settlement. Local National Park rangers guide an exploration of the ruins. Also visit the Ranger's Interpretation Center at Black Point.

Day 11: Bathurst & Melville Islands

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a true highlight, visiting remote Bathurst and Melville Islands. With traditional Tiwi people as guides, learn of the unique cultures and visit their fascinating art center. Tiwi hosts share a cultural performance and basket-weaving exhibition before a traditional afternoon tea of damper and billy tea. Say farewell to new-found friends while enjoying the Captain's Farewell Cocktail Party.

Day 12: Disembark in Darwin

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive into Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory and gateway to the "Top End".

Ship/Hotel

Coral Discoverer

Coral Discoverer
Bridge Deck Bar aboard the Coral Discoverer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.

Notes

Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.

Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
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