SAILAWAY ON THE PRISTINE REEF
incentives spotlight
THE World Heritage Great Barrier Reef is an unmissable experience, Jasmine O’Donoghue reports.
Away from the bustle of Cairns, Port Douglas is a relaxed resort town and a launching pad to the World Heritage Listed gems of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Snorkelling or diving from a coral cay, a pontoon in the middle of the ocean or straight off a boat are some of the experiences available from Port Douglas’ Reef Marina.
We choose a Sailaway Low Isles Afternoon Tour, and the moment we step on the marina, the sight of the luxury catamaran amongst the other vessels is enough to elicit an excited grin.
We are promptly greeted by our friendly and accommodating crew, directed to the sandwiches and muffins and allowed to get comfortable on the ship’s gleaming white surfaces.
Soon we find ourselves skimming across the Coral Sea en route to the protected coral cay of Low Isles, which is relatively untouched by coral bleaching and is home to a large population of turtles.
Eager to dive in, we jump aboard a glass bottomed boat and are swiftly delivered to the immaculate Low Island.
A few kicks and we are suspended above an underwater city.
Our guide leads us into the open and we are enveloped by the movement, as coral of all shapes and sizes rise and fall beneath us while tiny fish politely navigate around us.
Stopping here and there, our guide explains the nuances of the habitat and we ogle at a cleaning station - the beauty parlour of the underwater world where aquatic life congregate to be cleaned by smaller creatures.
Soon we are left to explore on our own and after a while our curiosity leads us to shore, where there’s the promise of a heritage walk and cold drinks.
Low Island is home to a fully functioning lighthouse & weather station which is manned by two caretakers.
But they are not alone, as fearless white-chested birds and their chicks hop around the bush floor, unfazed by their new company.
After lazing on the sand and watching the birds circle over the ocean, we are led back to the glass bottom boat and out to our luxurious catamaran.
We step on board and are instantly greeted with canapes, this time accompanied by a beverage from the bar.
As we settle in for the trip back, we watch as Low Isles turns into a tiny blip on the horizon and then move to the front, from where we can see clouds gathering on the Daintree mountains, preparing for an afternoon storm.
Sailaway offers full day, afternoon and sunset sailings and the company’s two vessels can be reserved for sunset sailings for up to 84 people.
The company has catered for large groups up to 120, broken down into multiple activities and with both boats simultaneously operating Sunset sailings over two evenings.