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Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from Palm Cove

Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Palm Cove, Australia
  • 10 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Embark on a full-day adventure to the pristine coral cay of Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Palm Cove. Travel aboard a luxury catamaran with marine biologist guides, and snorkel straight from the white sandy beach among famous coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles Experience the reef another way on a glass-bottom boat tour, and explore the island on a guided nature walk. Your full-day tour includes a delicious buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and round-trip hotel transport from Palm Cove.
  • Full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef island of Low Isles from Palm Cove
  • Swim and snorkel from the beach with instructors on hand to help
  • Guided snorkel tour led by a marine biologist
  • Glass bottom boat coral viewing
  • Guided beach walk around Low Isles
  • Tropical buffet lunch
  • Cruise on a luxury catamaran accommodating up to 200 passengers
  • Hotel pickup and drop off at Palm Cove hotels

What's Included

  • Cruise from Port Douglas to Low Isles
  • Use of Snorkeling equipment
    Use of Snorkelling equipment
  • Guided snorkel tour with marine biologist
  • Glass bottom boat coral viewing
  • Guided beach walk with marine biologist
  • Lunch
    Buffet lunch served onboard
  • Morning tea/coffee on boarding, afternoon tea
  • Use of lycra suit
  • Hotel pickup and drop off from Palm Cove hotels
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Environmental Management Charge
  • Complimentary glass of sparkling wine on homeward journey
  • Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

YOU MUST CONFIRM BUS PICK-UP TIME AND LOCATION DIRECTLY WITH THE SUPPLIER, WAVEDANCER LOW ISLES RESERVATIONS. KINDLY BE PREPARED 5 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED PICK-UP TIME AND WATCH FOR A QUICKSILVER COACH.

or

Meeting point

  • Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina
    44 Wharf St, Port Douglas QLD 4877, Australia

    Check in at 9.00am at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Port Douglas

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.9:00 am

Itinerary

Ringed by sandy beaches and 55 acres of shallow reef, the beautiful coral cay of Low Isles makes an ideal spot to explore the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Your full-day adventure at sea begins with pickup at your Palm Cove hotel and a short drive to Port Douglas. Here, board a comfortable 98-foot (30-meter) sailing catamaran spacious enough to accommodate up to 200 passengers. On the 9-mile (15-km) voyage to Low Isles, admire the scenery from the sun deck or sip a cocktail inside the comfortable air-conditioned lounge (own expense). 

When you arrive at Low Isles, a sea shuttle will deliver you to the white sandy beaches, where the day is yours to spend as you choose. Jump into the cool, clear waters straight from the beach and snorkel among the surrounding reef independently, or join a snorkeling tour led by a marine biologist. Get an underwater perspective on native marine life including fantastic coral formations, giant sea clams, tropical fish and green sea turtles.

You can also explore the reef without getting wet on a glass-bottom boat tour, or simply soak up the sun on pristine sandy beaches. Learn more about the formation of Low Isles and local flora and fauna with a guided nature walk. In between adventures, recharge with a delicious buffet lunch and enjoy complimentary morning and afternoon tea.

After several hours at Low Isles, relax on the return catamaran cruise to Port Douglas. You will then be transferred back to your Palm Cove hotel, where your full-day tour concludes in the evening.

Note: Book early to secure your spot, and enjoy a flexible reservations policy that allows you to change the date of your tour at no additional charge once you arrive in Palm Cove.
1

Wavedancer Low Isles Cruise

4 hours Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 120 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

NanetteStephen
We found the bus trip informative as we were given a heads up on what to expect and we’re able to plan our day. The sky was clear with moderate winds so the glass bottom boat tour was fascinating. Lunch on board was superb. We spent the afternoon snorkeling off the Atol. The coral was beautiful, so colorful. We saw so many different fish. On the shuttle we viewed several turtles as well. It was a lovely ride home sipping sparkling on the foredeck listening to a crew member who entertained us with songs as he played his guitar. Truly a memorable day. Thank you Wave Dancer crew you are the best.

Reviews

4.7
based on 24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sort by: Most insightful

The crew and everyone...

Peter_T, Oct 2025
The crew and everyone involved were great. I recommend doing the snorkeling with the marine biologist

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We completely agree, snorkeling with our marine biologist is a truly unique way to explore and learn about the marine life. We hope to see you back on the water soon!

Amazing

Fanny_B, Apr 2025
Even if the weather was not with us entirely, the day was a pure bliss. Went on board of the Wavedancer catamaran on route for the Low Isles day trip. The crew was amazing and very knowledgeable. The food on board was amazing and we had more than enough for a second serve. All equipment for a day snorkeling, with an amazing Marine biologist on board (Glen). He is taking you on a journey to discover and understand the area. So much to learn. The snorkeling was a bit blurry by the recent weather, but it is nature and we cannot do anything about it. The coral was still a pure bliss and all the fishes were very colourful. No turtle this time but again nature is always giving you what she can. Glen also took us on a tour of the island, showing us the lemon shark attacking the fishes along the beach, telling us about the beautiful story of the island and how it works with its 2 ile keepers. He also showed us the nest of the island bird and explained to us a bit about History and the discovery of the Great Barrier Reef. What an amazing story teller, and he has so many things to tell you. We finished with a complementary glass of bubble and afternoon tea on our way back. Will definitely come back when the weather is nicer and give us more visibility. But I 100 recommend this cruise ! From the pick up at the hotel, to the boarding pass, the boarding, the cruise and the return, it was an amazing day! Thank you guys!

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear that even with the weather not fully on your side, you still had such a magical day. Glen will be so pleased to hear your kind words—he truly is a gem with endless knowledge and passion for the reef. We’d love to welcome you back when the sun’s shining and the visibility’s perfect. Until then, thank you for the glowing recommendation! 🌊✨

Exhuberating

Catherine_T, Sep 2023
Sea turtles, entertainment onboard, great staff, great food. Lovely experience all the way round. The glass bottom boat was excellent. Many activities to choose from.

Professional and well organised.

Michelle_S, Jan 2023
Professional tour staff, broad range of optional activities across the day, well organised, great communication, educational, delicious and generous lunch too!

Great Barrier Reef, Low Isles Review

Dave_G, Jan 2023
Excellent experience! Swimming freely with the turtles, fish and even small sharks was awesome! Got picked up from our apartment at Palm Cove and dropped off. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea was great! Plenty of beverages to stay hydrated (and even Aloe Vera for any burnt victims like myself) I liked how you had a choice to do anything you wanted and no restricted, I snorkelled for the entire time and was perfect! Great staff, very friendly and helpful if you needed anything they were there for you! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy the day and they take care of everything and value for money for sure!

Perfect day out

NanetteStephen, Jul 2022
We found the bus trip informative as we were given a heads up on what to expect and we’re able to plan our day. The sky was clear with moderate winds so the glass bottom boat tour was fascinating. Lunch on board was superb. We spent the afternoon snorkeling off the Atol. The coral was beautiful, so colorful. We saw so many different fish. On the shuttle we viewed several turtles as well. It was a lovely ride home sipping sparkling on the foredeck listening to a crew member who entertained us with songs as he played his guitar. Truly a memorable day. Thank you Wave Dancer crew you are the best.

Great day out!!

JoAnne_Q, Jun 2022
Snorkelling lunch sailing and singing was brilliant - wonderful day out to the low isles on Windancer

Low isles cruise

Christine_H, Mar 2022
The glass bottom boat was great and so was the food. The crew were very good and it was a great experience. Highly recommended

Superb

MatthewCostello, Mar 2022
What an incredible day out!! The staff were amazing! Super friendly and knowledgeable. One of the best experiences I've ever had. Would definitely recommend and wouldn't hesitate to go with the fabulous team at Quicksilver

Cancelled due to mechanical issues

Avril_C, May 2021
Sadly the boat broke down, after waiting on the boat in port Douglas for an hour the trip was cancelled. Disappointing for all. We’re still hoping we get a full refund.

A truly memorable and enjoyable day!

Stacey_B, Dec 2020
We had a fantastic day, the crew were so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The snorkelling was fabulous, we saw some gorgeous turtles and amazing fish. The boat was just lovely too. A truly memorable and enjoyable day!

From $228.53

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 41 days in advance.