Michaelmas Cay is a small sand cay positioned on the well-known Cairns Nice Barrier Reef. For my part, visiting the outer reef was top-of-the-line experiences I had in Cairns.
So, in case you’re seeking to go to the most effective of the Nice Barrier Reef, ensure you don’t miss a visit to Michaelmas Cay.
Methods to Get to Michaelmas Cay and the Outer Reef
Cairns has turn out to be one of the crucial in style locations to go to on the Australian East Coast. That is because of the comparatively quick access it supplies to the reef.
Once you’re planning your outer reef journey, there are dozens of various coral cays and reefs to select from. For my part, top-of-the-line is Michaelmas Cay.
To get right here, it’s a 40 KM boat trip North East of Cairns.
You possibly can ebook a visit to Michaelmas Cay on-line with Ocean Spirit Cruises. It will value roughly $220 per particular person. Nevertheless, it features a full day of cruising previous the Nice Barrier Reef Islands, snorkeling on the reef, and a glass-bottom boat trip.
On the way in which, you’ll go the favored Inexperienced Island. This is among the finest islands to go to near Cairns, as you may take pleasure in tropical island rainforest and coral reefs on the identical day!
In the event you’re on the lookout for different choices to go to the outer reef, then you may ebook this whole Nice Barrier Reef Cruise right here.
READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Inexperienced Island, Cairns – Your Full Information to Nice Barrier Reef Island Paradise
About Michaelmas Cay Nationwide Park and the Cairns Nice Barrier Reef
Michaelmas and Upulu Reefs are Nationwide Parks and guarded below the World Heritage Itemizing. Because of this, they’re fairly properly taken care of, in addition to the specter of coral bleaching on account of local weather change.
The reef was initially named Oyster Cay in 1849 however was later renamed when it was utilized by the beche-de-mar (sea cucumber) trade. It was acknowledged as an official Nationwide Park in 1975.
The small stretch of sand is positioned on the tip of Michaelmas Reef, which itself stretches for a lot of kilometers additional north.
The cay has little to no vegetation and resembled a sandbar with surrounding reef. There isn’t a in a single day tenting at Michaelmas Cay, because the web site is a crucial nesting place for birds. Moreover, you may solely stroll on the sand cay contained in the roped space, and solely between 9:30 AM and three:30 PM.
Fowl Nesting Website
As much as 20 0000 birds within the peak nesting season. For a short while, the droppings left by the birds have been collected and offered as guano. Because the Nationwide Park classification, the birds and reef have been a lot more healthy. Now, solely indigenous use is allowed by the standard house owners; the Gungandji, Mandingalbay-Yidinji and Yirriganydji individuals.
Snorkeling at Michaelmas Cay
The principle attraction at Michaelmas Cay and the remainder of the outer reef is the unbelievable snorkeling and diving.
In the event you ebook a ship, they’ll in all probability take you to some good snorkeling spots simply off the sting of the cay. Right here, you’ll see a whole bunch of species of wholesome corals, giant colleges of fish and infrequently a cruising turtle.
Some tour corporations even supply a guided snorkeling tour. This can be a nice solution to find out about reef biodiversity.
Scuba Diving on the Outer Reef
In fact, scuba diving might be the easiest way to expertise Michaelmas Cay and the outer reef. Nevertheless, you’ll have to ebook forward both in Cairns or Port Douglas.
There are a whole bunch of companies that supply journeys to the reef. The dive websites will fluctuate relying on the corporate and the climate situations. In the event you’re eager about scuba diving day journeys, then I can advocate Quicksilver for normal journeys and dependable gear.
In the event you’re a newbie and desire a full 5 Day Scuba Diving Course, then you may click on that hyperlink to get an inexpensive on-line deal. This presents 9 dives, and also you’ll get licensed below PADI, which is essentially the most recognised physique in diving.
Scenic Helicopter Flight over Michaelmas Cay
On the lookout for a little bit of adrenaline and the absolute best view of Michaelmas Cay and the Nice Barrier Reef? You possibly can take a scenic flight over the cay and surrounding reefs.
Guide a scenic flight over the Nice Barrier Reef from cairns for lower than $220.
Seeing the Nice Barrier Reef from the sky is among the most surreal views possible, and definitely top-of-the-line issues to do round Cairns.
Crusing and Anchorage Data at Michaelmas Cay
Michaelmas Cay is nice for sailors and boaters because it’s a reasonably fast and straight shot from Cairns Harbour. It took us roughly 2 hours to achieve the cay from Inexperienced Island, and roughly 5 hours from Cairns in complete.
There are two public courtesy moorings accessible if you would like a handy mooring near the cay. To get right here, you’ll have to navigate across the white reef markers and navigate via the bommies on the North finish of the reef.
If none can be found, it’s attainable to anchor simply exterior the northern entrance to the cay in 16 meters of water.
Boaters and sailors on the lookout for extra details about Michaelmas Cay can achieve this right here.
READ THE SAILING LOG: Crusing Log Week 11: Inexperienced Island and the Nice Barrier Reef
Marine Stingers on the Reef?
In the event you’re already on the Nice Barrier Reef, then you definitely’ll have in all probability have already got heard in regards to the harmful marine stingers.
It’s usually suggested to put on a stinger swimsuit in the summertime months, as they’re much extra prevalent on the coast at the moment. Nevertheless, stingers are infrequently seen on the outer reef, nevertheless it’s as much as you to take precautions.
Extra Images of Michaelmas Cay and the Nice Barrier Reef
Already in Cairns and occupied with the subsequent factor to do in your Nice Barrier Reef itinerary? Hopefully, a few of these aerial and underwater pictures from Michaelmas Cay will encourage you to go to one in all Queensland’s finest locations.
Extra Nice Barrier Reef Blogs
