Commonly asked questions

Q:Is there a half day reef trip to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas?

A: No. There are half day reef trips which visit Low Isles- a coral cay just 8 miles off the coast of Port Douglas. The true outer Great Barrier Reef is a minimum of 30 nautical miles off the coast of Port Douglas, therefore it usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours travel time one way to get to the reef. Most full day reef trips allow you 4-5 hours snorkelling time on the Great Barrier Reef.

If time is limited and you only have a half day available then a helicopter flight to a sand cay would be a good alternative. If you wish to dive and only have a half day available you can do a helicopter flight to an outer reef boat, the cost is around $900 per person for the flights and diving.

Q:What is the difference between Low Isles and the Outer Reef?

A:Typically the difference between the outer reef and Low Isles is clarity of water and distance. The visibility at Low Isles averages out at 2-3 metres whereas the clean water from the Coral Sea means that visibility on the outer Great Barrier Reef usually averages out at 15-20 meters. Low Isles is a great option for families especially during the peak season when we get the south easterly trade winds. Low Isles is also a good option for those concerned about getting seasick or those with older passengers or toddlers intheir group.

Q:What will the weather like in Port Douglas for the reef/fishing/wedding/diving trip I want to do?

A: Have a look at these great weather forecast sites that we in the boating community in Port Douglas rely upon. The weather bureau has a radar which shows where the rain squalls are, the intensity and volume of rain recieved,plus Port Douglas local wind readings from weather buoys located at Low Isles, Green Island- right up the coast to the Torres Starits.

Wind forecasts and the actual winds velocity can be two very different things. In fact, a lot of the time the weather bureau forecast higher than winds actually recorded in Port Douglas. (just in case!)

It's a big area from Cooktown to Cardwell- a distance of around 600klm by road.

Here are the weather links for Port Douglas:

Cooktown to Cardwell Marine Forecast including Port Douglas Area

Local Port Douglas Rainfall location and intensity and shower location

What the wind is actually blowing out on the reef near Port Douglas

Q: Will it cost me more to book my reef charter or Barrier Reef Cruise through Port Douglas Reef Charters?

A: No it will not cost more. Whatever the price on the brochure is, it will be the same if you book your reef tour through Port Douglas Reef Charters. The benefit to you is that Port Douglas Reef Charters deals with all reef operators, therefore you will recieve the best impartial advice based on your individual requirements.

Q:I will be in Port Douglas during the stinger season, can I still go to the Great Barrier Reef?

A: Yes you can still snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Stinger Season rund from October to May depending on local weather conditions. During the "stinger season" there are enclosures on the Port Douglas 4 mile beach. These nets prevent box jellyfish from entering the enclosure. Box Jellyfish live up to a mile offshore from the beaches. Irukandji are small jellyfish that inhabit the offshore waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The chances of encountering them are rare, but all reef operators have a duty of care to provide pretection against the likelihood of a "sting", that is why all reef and Low Isles tour operators will insist that you wear a lycra or "stinger" suit. These lycra suits also protect you from the sun.

Q:I am having a holiday with my wife. I REALLY want to go fishing while I am up that way. What is something my wife could do while I go fishing?

A: Send her to a luxury day spa for some pampering! You will be flavor of the month when she returns. A more risky alternative is to send her shopping in Port Douglas with your credit card.

Q:I want to do some reef fishing. Is there a half day reef fishing trip available from Port Douglas?

A:No, there are only full day reef fishing trips available to the outer reef owing to the distance the reef is from the Port Douglas coast. The only half day fishing trips are estuary fishing tours and inshore reef fishing tours. These are catch and release owing to the sensitivity of the mangrove ecosystem and the interests of sustainable tourism

Q:What are fin fish closures? What other sorts of fishing can I do from Port Douglas during fin fish closures?

A:Fin fish closures occur during the months of October, November and December. The closures usually occur for 10 days or so during the spawning of the reef fin fish like Coral Trout and Red Emporer. You can still go and fish the Great Barrier Reef during this time, but you will be trolling for the likes of Giant Trevally, Spanish Mackerel and Cobia. Consider a charter with Daintree River Coastal Sportfishing tours during the fin fish closures, or do a spot of estuary fishing on the Dixon Inlet with Trinity Sportfishing. There is also a 6 hour inshore reef and estuary fishing charter that allows you to try your luck with poppers, soft plastics, lures and live baiting. The cost for the 6 hour inshore reef and estuary fishing is $130 per person and the tour departs at 6am daily. Species targeted during fin fish closures would be Giant Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Queenfish, Tuna and other prime fighting pelgic fish.

Q: I really want to try Game Fishing for Marlin. Do you organise share charters for Game fishing?

A:Sorry no, Port Douglas Reef Charters do not organise share charters for Game Fishing. The reason for this is that there are too many variables that can affect your end price. If you want to go Marlin Fishing, the cost usually starts around $2500 for the day.

Q:I am worried about getting seasick, which reef tour would be best for me?

A: It really depends on the time of the year you are in Port Douglas, the tides and wind speed. The best bet if you are worried is to visit a chemist and speak with the Pharmacist, they will be able to recommend suitable medication for you to prevent seasickness. On the day of your reef tour, eat a light breakfast and whilst on the tour make sure you get plenty of fresh air and keep your eyes on the horizon. Avoid enclosed areas like toilets or saloon. Ginger tablets are great, crystalised ginger pieces are also recommended. If you want a short boat trip and some terra firma then consider a Low Isles tour. Low Isles is great for families with young children, there is a lovely sandy beach, a protected lagoon for snorkelling..teeming with Turtles and Giant Clams.

Q:Which reef tour operator should I do my Great Barrier Reef cruise with?

A:It really depends on you and what your individual needs or requirements are. Port Douglas Reef Charters are the local experts on reef tours for fishing, scuba diving and introductory diving- send us an email with some information about yourself and we will do our best to assist.

Q: What reef is the best to visit from Port Douglas?

A:It depends on which tour shop you go into! There are lots of marketing myths out there about the best reefs. Each boat operator has a permit for a particular reef- based upon the numbers the boats take and their impact on reef sites. Most of the large operators that take anywhere from 100 passengers to 400 passengers visit Agincourt Reef. They will have you believe that this is because Agincourt is the best reef...when in fact it is the reef that they HAVE to go to. Some operators will also tell you that they go to the very outer edge of the reef. This is another marketing myth. If they were to put passengers on the very outer reef- there wouldn't be much between you and an unscheduled visit to Fiji !

Also the water at the very outer edge is over 1klm deep. In reality tour operators take you to the inside edge of an outer reef. Here you get the benefit of the crystal clear waters of the Coral Sea, but also the protection of the edge of the reef from the swell. The coral gardens here are sheltered from swell and are very colorful and pretty.

So in a nutshell... the best reefs to visit from Port Douglas are the Outer Reefs like Opal, Tongue and Agincourt Reef.

Q:Are there bare boat yacht charters available in Port Douglas, like in the Whitsundays?

A:No there are no bare boat charters available. All charters in Port Douglas are fully crewed. There is a great liveaboard yacht that can sleep up to passengers and visits Low Isles and Snapper Island and incorporates Scuba Diving and fishing, as well as island exploration. Or if you want a private charter, there are many options available on this site.

Q:Where can I get good coffee in Port Douglas?

A: Best coffee in Port Douglas in my opinion (being a coffee snob myself) would be from Whileaway Cafe, Rehab on Macrossan Street and OTZ at 4 Mile beach. Marina Views also do great coffee.