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See Cairns from a different perspective on a 75-minute calm water cruise. Departing from Marlin Marina, you’ll head down into Trinity Inlet, taking in the sights of the Cairns waterfront and Navy precinct, before exploring the quiet stillness of the mangrove forests. The focus is on gentle exploration, with an unhurried pace and it’s amazing how quickly you leave the city behind. Your captain and skipper provides commentary along the way, providing information on local history and talking about the unique flora and fauna of this marine habitat. With a maximum of 14 guests on each cruise, this is not mass tourism but more of a personal cruise experience.
The Cairns River Cruise tour is suitable for all ages and is family friendly. The tour price includes the cruise, your captain and commentary, as well as 1 x cold drink for each participant. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Infants and those aged under 2 years old can sit on a parent/s lap and are free of charge. Children aged between 2 – 11 years old have their own seat and child price.
See Cairns from a different perspective on a 75-minute calm water cruise. Explore the mangrove forests of Trinity Inlet and the Cairns waterfront. 75 Minutes. Maximum 14 guests.
Get a free action camera rental when you book tours departing Cairns through us valued at over $750, we’ll lend you a GoPro camera to use for the duration of your tours. Numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Get in touch with us to claim this deal today.
Cairns Adventure Group (CAG) is a locally owned and family operated company, passionate about showcasing the best of our region to guests. We love what they do and they are mates of ours, sharing our passion for Cairns and all it offers. Their Cairns River Cruise tour operates every day with 3 departure times, being 10.45am, 1pm and 3.15pm. This tour is suitable for people of all ages and has Adult and Child Prices. Please note infants and children aged 2 years old and under are free if they sit on a parent/s lap. Departures are from the CAG Marine Centre, which is located on A Finger at Marlin Marina, immediately opposite the Reef Fleet Terminal.
The Cairns River Cruise is provided on a stable, pontoon-style boat which has a shaded canopy and retracting awnings, providing panoramic views from all seats. Departing from Marlin Marina you head into the calm and sheltered waters of Trinity Inlet, exploring the waterfront, cruising past the Navy base and up into the watery heart of Cairns. This is a marine landscape dominated by mangrove forests, with a backdrop of rainforest mountains. Despite its proximity to the city, you soon feel a world away, especially when you head into the tributaries and are surrounded by mangroves. Here the soundtrack is the clicking and popping of the living landscape that surrounds you, a wild place and nursery ground for many species of Great Barrier Reef fish. Your captain and guide provides commentary about the environment and local flora and fauna, during the cruise.
The mangrove forests of Trinity Inlet provide vital habitat for many species of flora and fauna, as well as supporting a range of aquatic life including fish, crabs and shellfish. These forests have evolved with the marine environment, developing ways to survive the constant exposure to seawater. They are dense in appearance and visually striking with their prominent aerial roots. While these forests are a long way from the Great Barrier Reef, they also play a vital role and nursery ground for many fish species. On the Cairns River Cruise you’ll explore different aspects of the mangrove forests, and the captain and guide will provide information on its unique survival techniques.
Trinity Inlet is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including but not limited to saltwater crocodiles, fish, crabs, snakes, frogs and birds. What you will see on your Cairns River Cruise is completely up to nature, as this is a wild environment and nothing is guaranteed. For the saltwater crocodiles, the chance of seeing these guys is weather and tide dependent and I will note that despite their presence, they are not frequently seen here due to the limited number of banks for them to rest on. If you are keen to see saltwater crocodiles in the wild, check out a Daintree Rainforest Tour with river cruise. You will certainly see a range of birds during the cruise, and in the waters beneath you over 40 species of fish are flourishing including barramundi, mangrove jack, salmon and fingermark. Depending on the time of year, you might spot moon jellys in the waters too.
The Cairns River Cruise has 3 departures daily. Each cruise lasts 75 minutes and has an identical itinerary. The first cruise of the day is 10.45am – 12pm. The second cruise is 1pm – 2.15pm. The third cruise is 3.15pm – 4.30pm. For the purposes of providing some detail, we’ve prepared the below itinerary based on the morning cruise. Please note details and times may be subject to change, pending weather on the day. The start and end point for the tours is the CAG Marine Centre at Marlin Marina. Whilst it is calm water cruising, if you are worried about motion sickness, we strongly suggest taking some preventative medication before setting out. The tour is fully guided and the ticket price includes 1 cold drink. Bring additional funds for additional drinks or souvenir purchases.
Arrive at the Cairns Adventure Group Marine Centre, located on A Finger of Marlin Marina, immediately adjacent to the Reef Fleet Terminal. The centre is easily identifiable with prominent signage. You will see the boat and also the CAG jet boats.
You depart the marina and commence your journey into Trinity Inlet. Along the way you’ll pass by some of Cairns’ waterfront hotels and bars, as well as the Navy base and commercial shipyards. The pontoon boat tracks deep into the Inlet, leaving the city behind and so begins your exploration of the waterways.
As you cruise you will see many different private and commercial vessels, which are moored in Trinity Inlet. Your captain and guide will provide information on some of the more prominent boats. A highlight of the Cairns River Cruise is heading into one of the Inlet’s many tributaries, where you’ll be surrounded by the magical mangrove forests. Here the waterway is narrow. You feel more connected to your surroundings and aware of the living landscape that surrounds you.
The cruise operates in a loop, returning the same way you came to end at the CAG Marine Centre. From here you can continue your Cairns holiday, perhaps having lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants which are located nearby, with waterfront views.
Yes, it’s a good idea to book the Cairns River Cruise in advance. The pontoon-style boat takes a maximum of 14 guests, so it can sell out. Once you know your dates, best to lock it in.
The Cairns River Cruise departs Marlin Marina and takes you into Trinity Inlet. Along the way, enjoy views of some of Cairns’ waterfront hotels and the Navy base. You travel into the Inlet and explore some of the tributaries and mangrove forests.
The Cairns River Cruise is 75 minutes in duration and 3 daily departure times, being 10.45am, 1pm and 3.15pm. It departs from Marlin Marina. You should arrive 15 minutes prior to your booked departure time.
Generally speaking ‘no’ you won’t get seasick on a Cairns River Cruise. This is a calm water cruise in the sheltered waters of Trinity Inlet. The pontoon-style boat is low to the water. That being said, if you are worried about this, then take preventative medication prior to travel.
Yes, the Cairns River Cruise tour is family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. Infants and toddlers aged 0-2 years are free of charge, if seated on a parent/s lap. There are also Adult and Child prices, making it affordable for families.
No, you cannot swim during the Cairns River Cruise tour. The tour travels in Trinity Inlet, which is home to a healthy population of saltwater crocodiles.
Yes, the Cairns River Cruise tour does operate in the rain. It has zipped awnings to provide protection from the elements. If there is severe weather and any tour changes, you will be contacted directly.
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