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Silverswift is a Cairns reef boat that is committed to providing maximum reef time for its dive and snorkel guests, each and every day. The catamaran claims to be the fastest dive vessel in Cairns, and it certainly provides a comfortable, swift and stable ride to the reef. Silverswift visits 3 different outer Great Barrier Reef locations each day, spending up to 5 hours at the reef. The tour price includes a hot and cold buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, as well as all of your snorkelling equipment and instruction and a guided snorkel tour.
Certified scuba divers can enjoy up to 3 dives each day. Those wanting to try introductory diving (no experience necessary) can book up to 2 intro dives (the minimum age to participate is 12 years old). All scuba diving on Silverswift is guided and in addition to the tour price.
What We Love About Silverswift. Silverswift is a reef tour for snorkelers and divers. Its focus is on giving you maximum time in the water. The dive deck is well managed, with the certified and introductory divers getting into the water, while the snorkel briefing takes place. This means there’s no congestion on the dive deck at peak times. It visits 3 reef sites per day, which is the maximum amount of any day boat, has spacious sun decks for relaxing and air conditioned interior. Read Our Silverswift Trip Review.
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Silverswift is a Cairns dive and snorkel boat, which provides daily tours to the Great Barrier Reef. The boat has a range of moorings at 4 different reefs – Flynn, Milln, Thetford and Pellowe – and picks the best 3 sites to maximise your reef experience, on your day of travel. Its speed enables it to provide guests with up to 5 hours at the reef, with unlimited snorkelling. Please note all of the Silverswift destinations are at the Outer Great Barrier Reef and in the open ocean. As such, this Cairns reef tour is suited to people who are comfortable and confident swimmers, with reasonable fitness. There are no glass bottom boats or semi-submersible options on Silverswift.
The Silverswift Cairns reef tour allows unlimited snorkelling, during your up to 5 hours at the reef. All equipment is provided and included in the tour price – mask, snorkel, fins and lycra suit for sun protection – as is a guided Reef Discovery snorkel tour. The crew provide reef site briefings at each location, pointing out the best places to snorkel. Water entry and exit is via a platform and stairs, which is lowered into the water at each site.
Please note that Silverswift visits outer Great Barrier Reef locations. All snorkelling is conducted in the open ocean, which may have waves or current, pending conditions on your day of travel. As such, this tour is recommended for those people who are confident swimmers with a reasonable level of fitness. For your peace of mind, there is a lifeguard monitoring the snorkel sites at each location and you can use flotation devices and buoyancy vests if you prefer, which are available on the boat.
Certified scuba divers travelling on the Silverswift Cairns reef tour, can book up to 3 dives. Each dive is at a different location and all dives are guided. The Dive Crew provides equipment and safety briefings on the way to the reef. Dive guests will be split into groups, according to experience and type / level of certification. If you are traveling with your dive ‘buddy’, you will be in a group together. If you are not, one will be allocated on the day. All dives last around 40 minutes and dive depth varies, pending your certification level and reef sites. All reef sites are suitable for divers with Open Water certification and above. Water entry is giant stride from the side of the boat.
The dive price, which is in addition to the tour price, includes all dive equipment, briefings and guides. Please note, you will need to provide evidence of your certification to the Dive Crew. You are also required to complete a safety waiver, prior to dive (and snorkel) activities.
Silverswift Cairns is moored at the Cairns Marlin Marina. Prior to boarding, you must check-in at the Quicksilver Cruises office, which is located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, to receive your boarding passes. Boarding commences at 8.15am with an 8.30am departure from Cairns. You arrive back into Cairns at 4.30pm. Snorkelling equipment, snacks and lunch is provided and included in the tour price. You should take a towel, sunglasses, hat, change of clothes and sunblock for the day, as well as cash or credit cards to make any beverage purchases. Tea, coffee and cold water is supplied and included.
Check in at the Quicksilver Cruises Office, inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Boarding commences at Silverswift, moored at the Cairns Marlin Marina. Tea, coffee and morning tea is available and provided for your enjoyment.
Silverswift departs and commences its cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. All safety, dive and snorkel equipment briefings are conducted on the boat, on the way to the reef.
Arrive at the first reef site. Certified divers enter the water. Followed by introductory divers and snorkelers.
Silverswift moves to its second reef destination. For certified and introductory divers with 2 dives booked, you enter the water on arrival, followed by snorkelers.
A hot and cold buffet lunch is served in the air conditioned interior. You can eat inside, or outside on the sundecks.
Silverswift moves to its third and final reef destination for the day. Certified divers who have booked 3 dives are into the water on arrival, followed by any introductory divers with 2 dives booked, who are yet to complete them both. Snorkelers are welcome to participate in a guided Snorkel Tour.
Afternoon tea is made available.
All guests back on board Silverswift for a final head count. In-water activities have ended for the day.
Silverswift commences its return journey to Cairns.
Silverswift arrives back to Cairns.
The Silverswift Cairns reef tour visits the Outer Great Barrier Reef. They have a range of moorings at 4 different reefs – Flynn, Milln, Thetford and Pellowe – and will pick the best reef sites, to maximise your in-water experience, on the day of travel. It visits 3 different reef sites, each day.
The snorkelling on Silverswift Cairns is good. The coral gardens rise up to within a few metres of the surface, putting you very close to the reef. The colourful corals and fish, will excite and delight and you can expect to see butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, clams and more. Please note you will be snorkelling in the open ocean, so for your comfort, it is recommended that you have reasonable swimming ability and fitness. There are flotation devices available for your use.
Yes, Silverswift Cairns provides Great Barrier Reef dive trips, catering to certified divers and those wanting to try scuba diving for the first time. Please note all dives on Silverswift are guided and the dive price, which is in addition to the cruise / snorkel price, covers your guide, equipment and all briefings. Certified divers will need to show proof of certification. The minimum age for people to participate in an introductory dive is 12 years old.
Certified scuba divers can do up to 3 guided dives each day. Introductory divers can do up to 2 guided dives each day.
The scuba diving with Silverswift Cairns is good. All dives are guided, so you don’t need to worry about ‘getting back to the boat’, and the equipment is well maintained. The dive crew are very professional.
Yes, you should be able to swim in open water to go on the Silverswift Cairns reef tour. This is a dive / snorkel boat. It does not have a glass bottom boat or semi-submersible, so the only way to ‘see the reef’ on Silverswift is to get in the water and swim / snorkel / dive.
No, Silverswift does not have a glass bottom boat.
Yes, Silverswift Cairns is suitable for kids, who can swim with confidence in the open ocean. If you have younger children, or children who are not comfortable swimming at sea – where there may be waves and/or current, pending conditions at the time of travel – then we suggest a reef pontoon or island trip.
Yes, Silverswift Cairns is family friendly. We took our son diving and snorkeling on this boat, when he was aged 11 years old.
Lunch on Silverswift Cairns is pretty good, with plenty for everyone. It has a hot and cold buffet with deli meats and chicken, breads, a curry dish and a vegetarian dish. Cold water is included in the tour price and you have the option of purchasing additional drinks (soft drinks etc) at the bar, at additional cost.
If you have any question regarding this tour, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can help you find the perfect tour for you, we understand it can be overwhelming trying to decide. Our advice and booking service is free.
It’s raining, should I still go to the reef? Yes! – It was pouring rain when we boarded Silversonic at Port Douglas, but this swift, smooth catamaran transported us away from the storm, out to a beautiful, sunny day of diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Fast boat. 3 guided dives at 3 different locations. 1 amazing day.
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Fast boat, smooth ride and guided dives on some stunning Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef sites, that’s what Silverswift is all about. They visit 3 reef sites each day, with plenty of time for diving and snorkelling. Meals, snacks and equipment are all included, so without further ado, let’s dive into our review.
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