Calypso Low Isles – Half Day Cruise – Snorkelling

from $229 AUD

Have a wonderful snorkelling experience at a secluded island

About your day with Calypso Reef Cruises

You can expect a snorkelling experience at a secluded island at the best times of day….early morning and afternoon. Arriving at Low Isles after a 30-minute journey, you will explore the coral reef and its inhabitants without the crowds.

Trip Overview

You get 2.5 hours to snorkel and explore this picturesque coral cay. Snorkel in the calm lagoon or view the reef from glass bottom boatCalypso’s crew will provide tours for guests to learn and appreciate the incredible Great Barrier Reef. Access to the reef is very easy, either from the back of the vessel or from the beach as the reef hugs close to the island.

With two departures daily*, you can access the island** and explore the sandy paths winding through the vegetation. See first-hand the historical Lighthouse, the Lighthouse Keeper’s home and the Weather Station where local weather data is collected. Bird life found here is spectacular, with many sea birds breeding and nesting in the vegetation and on the ground.

This tour is perfect if you are short on time and wanting to explore the picturesque Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef.


Highlights

  • Maximum of 23 Guests
  • Guided snorkel tour
  • Glass bottom boat
  • 2.5 hours to snorkel on this half-day cruise
  • Eco-certified tour focused on conservation and sustainability

What to Bring

  • Towel, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Swimwear
  • Credit cards for drinks, snacks and camera hire. The tour operator doesn’t take cash.

Peak Season Dates

  • 1st April – 26th April
  • 22nd June – 11th October
  • 21st December – 17th January 2025

Off-peak Season Dates

  • 27th April – 21st June
  • 12th October – 20th December
  • 18th January – 31st March 2025

Inclusions

  • Environmental Management Charge
  • 30-minute cruise to Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef
  • Refreshments
  • Glass bottom boat tour
  • Snorkel equipment incl. lycra suits, wetsuits, flotation devices & prescription masks
  • Guided snorkel tour & guided island walk

Optional Extras

  • Beverages
  • Underwater camera hire

Pricing Tables

Half Day Cruise - Snorkelling Low Isles Rates (Off-peak season)
Option Cost
Adult $229.00
Child (4-14 years) $189.00
Half day snorkelling tour to Low Isles ex Port Douglas. Only 23 guests. AM: 7.30am - 11.30am. PM: 1.15pm - 5.15pm. Guests are to make their own way to the Port Douglas marina for their scheduled departure. Transfers not available. Infants 0-3 yrs FOC. Rates include Environmental Management Charge
Half Day Cruise - Snorkelling Low Isles Rates (Peak season)
Option Cost
Adult $249.00
Child (4-14 years) $199.00
Half day snorkelling tour to Low Isles ex Port Douglas. Only 23 guests. AM: 7.30am - 11.30am. PM: 1.15pm - 5.15pm. Guests are to make their own way to the Port Douglas marina for their scheduled departure. Transfers not available. Infants 0-3 yrs FOC. Rates include Environmental Management Charge

Itinerary

Morning Itinerary

  • 7.15am to 7.30am: Boarding Commences – At 7.15am at the Crystalbrook Marina, Port Douglas. As the Calypso Low Isles crew welcome you aboard you will be fitted out with your own snorkelling equipment before relaxing with light refreshments.
  • 7.30am to 8:00am: Cruise Time – It is time to sit back and relax while we travel to Low Isles. Half-hour travel time with refreshments served
  • 8:00am to 10:30am: Free time – Choose your own experience. Walk to the lighthouse, jump on a guided snorkel tour, swim, sunbathe, jump on Glass Bottom Boat or relax
  • 10.45am to 11:00am: Boarding – Jump back on board Calypso bost to head back to Port Douglas.
  • 11:00am to 11:30am: Cruise back – Enjoy short cruise back to Port Douglas.

Afternoon Itinerary

  • 1pm: Boarding Commences – At 12.45am at the Crystalbrook Marina, Port Douglas. As the Calypso Low Isles crew welcome you aboard you will be fitted out with your own snorkelling equipment before relaxing with light refreshments.
  • 1.15pm: Cruise Time Departure – It is time to sit back and relax while we travel to Low Isles. Half hour travel time with refreshments served
  • 2:00pm to 4:30pm: Free time – Choose your own experience. Walk to the lighthouse, jump on a guided snorkel tour, swim, sunbathe, jump on Glass Bottom Boat or relax
  • 4.30pm to 4.45pm: Boarding – Jump back on board Calypso bost to head back to Port Douglas.
  • 4.45pm: Cruise back – Enjoy short cruise back to Port Douglas.

FAQ

Yes, you can cancel or amend your tour to a different date (subject to availability) if you notify us 24 hours or more prior to travel. If you need to cancel or change dates within 24 hours of travel a 100% cancellation fee applies Please note a ‘no show’ (where passengers do not turn up to the specified pick-up point or departure point without notification) automatically incurs a 100% cancellation fee.
On very rare occasions, tours can be subject to the effect of weather or unforeseen circumstances. If a tour does not operate for any reason, passengers will be offered a full refund or an alternative day of travel.
Low Isles is a smaller area with roughly 55 acres of coral reef surrounding a picturesque coral cay and a mangrove island. Separated from the main reef system by the shipping channel, Low Isles is home to many giant green sea turtles, beautiful coral gardens and ample marine life.
The Great Barrier Reef contains thousands of different species of marine life. We cannot guarantee what marine life you will see on your day of travel, however there will be many different species of fish, coral and molluscs. Giant green sea turtles are found around the Great Barrier Reef and are frequently sighted at Low Isles. Reef sharks are quite common and a wonderful sight to see.
Calypso takes approximately 30 minutes to travel to Low Isles
Please bring along swimmers, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and credit card (VISA, MasterCard or EFTPOS, sorry no cash) for any on board purchases. We do not provide towels for guests, however please ask your accommodation provider who will supply beach towels for you.
Operating in the Wet Tropics, we expect rain mainly during the summer months. However, it can rain all year round. Rain doesn’t affect our day to day operations to the Great Barrier Reef. We do not cancel tours due to rain as it does not affect the quality of the reef.
Stingers are a generalised term for jellyfish. During the summer months (November through to May), marine stingers, Irukandjis and box jellyfish, are present in the waters off the coast of Tropical North Queensland. All Calypso vessels are equipped with lycra suits (free of charge) during these summer months. As well as a precaution, lycra suits have other benefits such as sun protection and also reducing the amount of sunscreen in the water.
Our smaller Calypso Low Isles boat is still a wide-bodied catamaran for stability and has the advantage of cutting through the waves instead of riding the swell. Vessels do encounter some form of movement no matter what the conditions so prevention is best. Two types of medication are offered on board our vessels. Ginger tablets are provided free of charge to passengers who prefer a natural option and are good for pregnant women. The other form of sea sickness medication is called Travacalm and costs $3 for 2 tablets. Please see the crew on board. If you know you suffer from sea sickness, its best to see a pharmacist prior to your trip to the reef.
Yes, you can travel to the Low Isles. There is plenty to do such as Glass Bottom Boat or walks to Lighthouse if you wish to stay dry and relax. Snorkelling is low impact and a non strenuous activity great for pregnant women. Flotation devices are perfect for extra buoyancy and gentle kicking will provide enough propulsion for you to get around and explore the reef. Medicated sea sickness tablets cannot be taken but Ginger tablets are safe for pregnant women to take and are free onboard. If in doubt, see a pharmacist.
Most dietary requirements can be catered for, such as: coeliac, vegans, lactose intolerance and other allergies for the morning or afternoon tea. Please let us know if you have an allergy 24 hours before your departure. If in doubt please contact us on 07 4222 7454.

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