Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef Cruise – Premium Adventure

Join an immersive eight-day premium cruise adventure to the remote, untouched northern Great Barrier Reef

Hop on board the expedition vessel Coral Discoverer to embark on an immersive eight-day adventure to the remote, untouched northern reefs. We explore hidden corners, uninhabited sand cays, small islands and pristine reef systems, finding freedom and solitude amid this iconic seascape. You share the journey with soaring seabirds and swim, dive and snorkel at the far-flung Osprey and Ribbon reefs. Also learn about ancient indigenous culture and Australian heritage at historic Cooktown, stretch your legs with a hike to the summit of Cooks Look, and enjoy a sundowner with the sand beneath your toes at deserted Sudbury Cay.

Our purpose-designed small ships are custom-built for expedition cruising. With refined steering capabilities, shallow draught and nimble explorer tenders, they can bring you closer to remote sites and natural habitats. On board, you will be accompanied by expert guides, including a marine biologist. You also enjoy freshly prepared small-batch cuisine featuring the best local ingredients and can relax with quality local beers and wines. With an intimate atmosphere and renowned warm Australian hospitality, you will quickly feel at home and make new friends.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• The use of local guides and Australian crew means guests will be well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• Coral Expeditions acknowledges the First Nations people of Australia as traditional custodians of the lands on which they work and travel and pay respects to elders past and present.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
• Marine-friendly SPF50+ sunscreen is available for all guests to use, which helps to avoid harming the unique marine environment.
• By travelling on a smaller vessel with fewer than 100 passengers, and by using local guides and Australian crew, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• Coral Expeditions donates to the Bare Sands Turtle Sanctuary, a valuable research project, and offers logistical support to transport staff, equipment and turtles.
• Coral Expeditions is proudly accredited as an ecotourism cruise operator with world-leading EcoTourism Australia. Some of the initiatives they have been a part of include parting ways with plastic straws in 2018, bringing water and supplies to drought-stricken small island communities and providing onboard education to all guests. They have also been involved in coral species collection for the world’s largest coral biobank.
• Across the Coral Expedition fleet, they are continually looking for ways to improve their sustainability to reduce waste, partner with more organic and Fairtrade suppliers, and deliver a food and beverage experience in line with their expedition roots and beliefs.
• Coral Expeditions have successfully implemented measures to remove PC plastics and reduce packaging waste in their food and beverage supply chain. For example, water provided on board is packaged in reusable, recycled paper-based containers with a lid made from sugarcane in Far North Queensland.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
• Coral Expeditions rely on a community of local providores, farmers and growers and use locally sourced food (as much as possible) which has not been transported long distances. This ensures each regional menu champions seasonality, while creating delicious dishes sustainably wherever possible.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are available and included on all cruise menus, meaning passengers can opt for meals with a lower carbon footprint.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Activity Level Guidelines page for more on our trip gradings or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.  

This premium adventure seven-night/eight-day cruise is operated by Coral Expeditions. The day-to-day itinerary is indicative. No two cruises with Coral Expeditions are the same, with each expedition crafted by experienced Masters and Expedition Leaders. Throughout the expedition, there may be the need to make changes to the itinerary to maximise your experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may impact the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.

Please refer to the below that are applicable to this Coral Expeditions cruise:

Standard booking conditions

• A 20 percent deposit of your total booking value is required upon confirmation and is non-refundable.
• Final balance must be paid 90 days before departure for bookings made before August 2024.
• As of August 2024 Final Balance must be paid 104 days before departure.

Cancellation conditions

• Up to 90 days prior to departure: Forfeit the 20 percent non-refundable deposit
• 89 to 60 days prior to departure: Forfeit 50 percent of the relevant fare
• At 59 to 0 days prior to departure: Forfeit 100 percent of the relevant fare

Vaccinations and Health

Australia

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies (bat lyssavirus). You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (with the exception of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Australia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. Please note, entry requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas or ETAs for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/australia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Australia.html

Food & Drink

All inclusive

• Meals: All meals are fresh and chef-prepared on board
• Tea and coffee: 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
• Beverages: Selected wines, beers, juices, soft drinks and selected spirits are served complimentary with lunch and dinner. Drinks are available for purchase at other times.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Start your day with a tempting choice from a fresh continental or hot à la carte menu with options changing daily.

Lunches showcase a selection of hot and cold dishes, from salads and cold cuts to soups, fresh local seafood and seasonal tropical fruits both individually plated and small sharing plates.

Evenings are a convivial time to dine with new friends and reflect on an exciting day of discovery over dinner. We welcome you on board with a seafood-sharing concept dinner on the first night. Other evening meals are served over a three-course table d’hote dinner menu, when selections are offered as you enjoy table service from the friendly dining room staff.

All Coral Expeditions feature a memorable pre-dinner event ashore where sunset drinks and canapés are served, often on a beach, and always in a beautiful location with a sunset view. Casual sundowners are hosted by the captain and are the perfect time to kick off your shoes and enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail while mingling with fellow guests in a relaxed atmosphere.

Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a curated beverage list featuring boutique Australian and New Zealand wines, beers and ciders.

Each voyage, the captain hosts a Captain’s Table for invited guests and officers will endeavour to host dinner guests on an evening when operational matters allow.

Beverages on board

Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a curated beverage list; each evening, sunset drinks are held on the Vista Deck (weather permitting) where guests relax or socialise before dinner. Each voyage, the captain hosts a welcome and farewell event with complimentary canapés and beverages.

Drinks are complimentary during the official Captain’s Welcome and farewell events and the offshore sunset drinks. We invite guests to join the pre-dinner drinks at other times, but alcoholic beverages during these times will be at your own expense.

Sustainability in food and beverage

Across the Coral Expedition fleet, they are continually looking for ways to improve sustainability and reduce waste, partner with more organic and Fairtrade suppliers, and deliver a food and beverage experience in line with expedition roots and beliefs. They have successfully implemented measures to remove PC plastics and reduce packaging waste in their food and beverage supply chain. Since 2020, Coral Expeditions offer a selection of ecofriendly, Fairtrade and organic beverage products including:

• Pukka Tea range: 100 percent certified organic herbs, ethically sourced.
• Veneziano Coffee: 100 percent Fairtrade and Australian-certified organic by the Biological Farming Association.
• Tablelands Coffee Black Mountain: Grown locally in Mareeba, Cairns Tablelands of Far North Queensland.
• JUST Water: Packaged in reusable, recycled paper-based containers with a lid made from sugarcane in Far North Queensland. Made in Australia with water from Victoria.

Snacks and pre-dinner canapés

In between shore adventures, the chefs will welcome you back on board with freshly baked treats or delicious canapés to accompany pre-dinner or sunset drinks. When local regulations allow, there may be the chance for impromptu stops to enjoy sunset drinks and canapés in scenic locations.

Special meal requirements

Vegetarian, vegans, gluten- and dairy-free items are included in all menus. The chefs will happily cater to other special dietary requirements with advance notice. Please advise at time of booking.

Weather

North Queensland has some of the best year-round weather in Australia. Sunny days, warm waters, cool ocean breezes and a generally comfortable climate are part of what makes it such a popular destination. During our expedition voyages from October to December, the average daily temperature will be around 27C-32C (81F-90F), with water temperatures around a comfortable 28C (82F). October to December is possibly the best time of year to travel to the Great Barrier Reef. Generally, 10-15 knot southeasterly winds and glass outs are common.