Circumnavigating Australia and Seeing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

[Ken the cruiser]

We're looking at cruises that circumnavigate Australia. We've isolated the cruise lines we favor down to Oceania (Regatta) and HAL (Maasdam). In looking at their respective itineraries relative to the Great Barrier Reef, it appears HAL after leaving Cairns spends 2 days actually cruising through the GBR Marine Park (i.e., Lizard Island, the Ribbon Reef Region, the Far North region, the Torres Straight and Boobie Island) before heading on to Darwin while Oceania cruises through the Coral Sea and spends 2 days in Papua New Guinea before heading to Darwin.

 

Our question is to those folks familiar with the Oceania cruise on the Regatta that circumnavigates Australia. Does Oceania actually bypass the GBR Marine Park altogether or do they at least cruise through parts of it on the way to Papua New Guinea? As this is one of the major areas we're looking forward to seeing, we just want to make sure we at least see parts of the Marine Park if we choice to cruise with Oceania. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[Paulchili]

You do not see the Marine Park from the cruise ship. The cruise ships cannot sail over the reef as they would damage it, They sail around the GBR or though one of the channels where there is a break in the reef. Thus one must take a boat out to the reef and snorkel to see it. For example, from Cairns it is almost a 2 hour boat trip on a fast catamaran to get to the reef. It can be reached from other islands as well but again it is a longish boat ride to get there.

Also, depends on when you cruise there. During their summer it is cyclone season and the waters can be churned up quite a bit, making the ride out rough and visibility poor (unless you get lucky with the weather). Shoulder season is a better time to visit the GBR.

[Ken the cruiser]

Thanks for your insight! We had a feeling that was the case and it was also confirmed by folks on a similar HAL thread I posted today. I received multiple comments saying you really can't see much and going to Papua New Guinea would be the better choice.

[cbb]

Go to the Sydney Aquarium....that will give you an idea of what the GBarrier Reef is like.

 

We did take an O shorex to GBR and were very pleased with our snorkeling experience; others on board did a private snorkeling/diving excursion and liked theirs as well.

 

according to scientists, the GBR is on the endangered list since bleaching is a real problem so see it while you can.

 

if you've not snorkeled before, the O excursion takes you to a "floating platform" and life guards are on duty to help you. Even if you only go under for 5 minutes it is totally worth it!!!

 

And the boat ride to get there is fun with gorgeous sights whether you go with O or private!!!

[Ken the cruiser]

Go to the Sydney Aquarium....that will give you an idea of what the GBarrier Reef is like.

 

We did take an O shorex to GBR and were very pleased with our snorkeling experience; others on board did a private snorkeling/diving excursion and liked theirs as well.

 

according to scientists, the GBR is on the endangered list since bleaching is a real problem so see it while you can.

 

if you've not snorkeled before, the O excursion takes you to a "floating platform" and life guards are on duty to help you. Even if you only go under for 5 minutes it is totally worth it!!!

 

And the boat ride to get there is fun with gorgeous sights whether you go with O or private!!!

Thanks! We'll definitely have to check out that excursion if they offer it.

[Cruise Junky]

As mentioned. You'll see nice blue water from the ship, that's about all. Focus on the ports around the reef and how much time you have there.