Amazing Barrier Reef

Pricing based on departure date: 12 January 2024

Dive in to the Great Barrier Reef for stunning islands with turquoise water, exotic and colourful reefs and wildlife! Continue the adventures onboard with the North Star and flow rider!!

Itinerary highlights

Airlie Beach is the Queensland coast's go-to spot for maritime adventure. It's the mainland town that allows the easiest access to the 74 incredible Whitsunday Islands — take the ferry out and spend your day relaxing by clear aqua waters at Whitehaven Beach or snorkeling among the heart-shaped portion of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a dip in Airlie Beach Lagoon, or head to Conway National Park, where you can hike your way through rain forest to panoramic views of the city and the harbour.

Point of interest

• ISLANDS AMONG THE REEF - Doing a half or full-day trip to the Whitsunday Islands is the thing to do in Airlie Beach. For best Great Barrier Reef experience, do a tour to Hardy Reef's pontoon. There are also half-day trips available to both South Molle Island and award-winning Whitehaven Beach.

• WANDER THE RAIN FOREST -  The area is known for its lush rain forest, seasonal waterfalls, scenic lookouts and walking and biking trails. Locals recommend the easy Coastal Fringe Circuit, a 1.2-kilometer (0.7-mile) track.

• LAZE BY THE LAGOON - Located in the town center, the Airlie Beach Lagoon is a free, self-chlorinated swimming pool. The Lagoon is surrounded by grassed areas, barbecue facilities and swaying palm trees for sunbathing or reading in the shade.

• LOCAL CUISINE - The Esplanade is Airlie Beach's go-to spot for dining. Head here for traditional fish and chips as well as higher-end seafood-focused fare — try tempura-battered local tiger prawns or wild-caught Barramundi with new potatoes.

• SHOPPING - The Airlie Beach Saturday Markets happens on the foreshore every Saturday. Drop by and browse the local art, craft and clothing stalls for a unique souvenir.

Situated in tropical north Queensland, Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. These two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are why Cairns is the fourth most popular destination for international tourists in Australia. Enjoy the city's year-round tropical summer weather as you relax beside the man-made lagoon on the Esplanade.

Point of interest

• DIVE THE REEF- Experience the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's seven natural wonders. Take a half-day snorkeling tours to the outer reef via jet boat. There are also brief daily snorkeling trips to picturesque Green Island available.

• LAZE BY THE LAGOON - The Esplanade Lagoon is a man-made pool on the foreshore. With its sandy edges and saltwater from the Trinity Inlet in Cairns, it's the city's most visited attraction.

• BEACHY KEEN - If you want to swim in the sea, hop on a public bus and head to the region's northern beaches. Palm Cove is the most popular outer Cairns suburb, with luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches and boutiques. Trinity Beach is a more local alternative.

• LOCAL CUISINE - Cairns offers an array of upscale and casual eateries specializing in everything from international fare to Australian classics. Fill up on local prawns and oysters at a harborside seafood spot. During your Cairns cruise, you can find top-tier Thai food and Korean food.

• SHOPPING - The Pier offers the best waterfront shopping experience in Cairns. Specialty shops at The Pier include Wild Sugar, a bright and bold women's clothing range by Cairns designer Sajeela Jamie. Along Abbott Street, you'll find several stores that stock Cairns-specific souvenirs.

Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. The main attractions are the sights you'll see as you cruise through the Coral Sea. Spot tropical birds like black noodies, sooty terns and wedge-tailed shearwaters. 

Point of interest

• TURTLE TIME - Being next door to the Great Barrier Reef means the area surrounding Willis Island is filled with magnificent coral and marine life. Green sea turtles call the reef and the island home. Meteorologists on Willis Island have said that the turtles nest on the island annually.

• JUMP FOR JAWS- Osprey Reef is also a part of the Coral Sea Islands Territory. Located on the outer Great Barrier Reef, Osprey is one of Australia's best dive sites. It's been a reef shark feeding site for 15 years, and divers can sit in a natural amphitheater to watch the daily action.

Your ship:  Ovation of the Seas - one of the boldest ships in the fleet. Scope out the scenery from the unrivalled perspective of North Star, the highest vantage point on any cruise ship. Settle in for edge-of-your-seat entertainment, game-changing family fun you can enjoy in any climate and breathtaking vistas from every stateroom – even interior staterooms offer real-time views from a Virtual Balcony.

All fares are displayed in Australian Dollars and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.