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Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises run daily dive and snorkel tours to the Great Barrier Reef, from Port Douglas. Their boat has been designed and fitted to maximise passenger movement and comfort throughout the day. It’s fast and stable in the water and gives you nearly 5 hours at the reef. It visits 3 different reef sites each day, with unlimited snorkeling and the opportunity to do certified and introductory scuba diving. Morning and afternoon tea is included, as is a cold buffet lunch.
Certified scuba divers can do up to 3 dives each day, 1 dive at each reef site. Introductory divers also have the option to do up to 3 dives. All diving is in addition to the tour costs and all diving is guided. There is no experience necessary to do an introductory dive, but the minimum age to participate is 12 and some medical conditions will preclude you from diving (more below).
What We Love About Calypso. In our opinion, Calypso goes to some of the best Port Douglas reef sites for diving! Awesome coral cover and diversity and so much life! We also love the boat layout, spacious and functional. Normally boats have wet areas (outside decks) and dry areas (inside areas). Lunch is always served inside, and you are not allowed to go inside wet; so there’s always a hustle to get lycra sunsuits / wetsuits on and off. There is no carpet inside Calypso, so you can move through with ease. So good! Read Our Calypso Trip Review.
We’ve been on all the tours we book. As a couple, as a family with a baby, then with a young child and now pre-teen. We’ve taken non-swimming friends and older relatives to the reef. So, we have first-hand experience and can help you make the right choice for your Cairns Reef Tour. Chat with us or send us an enquiry and we’ll get back to you.
Get In Touch Chat With UsCalypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises runs daily dive and snorkel tours from Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef. They visit 3 reef sites each day and can choose from moorings on Opal and Agincourt Reefs. These are all outer reef locations and the water visibility is usually great. Calypso structures its day to provide snorkelers and divers with maximum water time. Where they go each day will be determined by the weather and tides, choosing the best location to maximise your experience with the Great Barrier Reef. Please note all of Calypso’s reef destinations are open water sites, located on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Waves and current are sometimes present and as such, you should be a confident swimmer with reasonable fitness. Flotation devices are available, if required. There are no glass bottom boat tours available.
The Calypso dive and snorkel tour provides you with nearly 5 hours at the reef, with unlimited snorkelling. It visits 3 different reef sites each day. All snorkel equipment is provided and included in the tour price, as is a guided snorkelling tour. For your protection and comfort, lycra sunsuits are provided in summer and wetsuits in winter. Water access is via a large platform with steps, which is lowered into the water.
There are flotation devices and buoyancy vests, should you require them.
Calypso Reef Cruises Port Douglas provides introductory scuba diving, on its reef tours. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old. There’s no previous experience necessary to participate. Introductory scuba diving is in addition to the tour price. Its cost covers your dive equipment, dive briefings and information and of course, a dive guide who will be with you the whole time. Introductory dive groups have a maximum of 4 guests. You can do up to 3 dives.
Please note certain health conditions can prevent you from trying scuba diving, this includes but is not limited to: asthma, epilepsy, chronic sinus conditions and ear problems, heart disease and sugar diabetes. It is not advised to try scuba diving if you are pregnant.
Certified scuba divers can do up to 3 dives on Calypso Reef Cruises Port Douglas, dive and snorkel day tours. They visit 3 different outer Great Barrier Reef sites each day, picking the best locations to maximise experience, pending tides and currents. Usually the diving is conducted straight off the boat and if weather permits, drift diving might be included. All scuba diving with Calypso is guided, with a maximum of 7 guests per dive guide. Diving is in addition to the tour price and includes your equipment, dive site briefings and dive guide. The dives generally last around 40 minutes.
Please note that you will be required to provide proof of your dive certification and you will be required to complete a safety waiver, prior to dive (and snorkel) activities.
The Calypso Reef Cruises boat is moored at the Crystalbrook Marina Port Douglas. Check-in is at the boat from 8.20am, with boarding from 8.20am to 8.45am. Snorkelling equipment is issued on boarding, as is dive equipment, and morning tea is available. Lunch and afternoon tea are also included. 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 Calypso boat, which is moored at the Crystalbrook Marina Port Douglas. Once boarded, you will be issued with your snorkel and dive equipment and given all relevant paperwork for completion. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
Calypso departs Port Douglas and commences its journey to the 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 Great Barrier Reef site. Certified divers enter the water. Followed by introductory divers and snorkelers. Morning tea is served as the boat moves from its first, to second reef site.
Arrive at your second Great Barrier Reef site for the day, with more snorkelling and scuba diving. A guided snorkel tour is provided at this site, should you wish to participate. A tropical buffet lunch is served, featuring cold meats, salads and breads. An interpretive reef presentation is provided by one of the crew, as Calypso moves to its third and final reef destination for the day.
Calypso arrives at its third reef destination. Opportunity for additional snorkelling and scuba diving.
Once in-water activities are concluded, afternoon tea is provided and the crew complete a final headcount, before Calypso heads back to Port Douglas. During the return trip you are welcome to purchase additional beverages from the bar.
Calypso Reef Cruises arrives back to Port Douglas.
Calypso Reef Cruises dive and snorkel tours has moorings at Agincourt and Opal Reefs, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They will pick the best reef and location to maximise your in-water experience, on your day of travel. It visits 3 different sites, each day.
The snorkelling on Calypso Port Douglas Reef is good. These outer Great Barrier Reef destinations have excellent coral cover and an abundance of marine life. Being so far from shore, the underwater visibility is usually very good. As well as enjoying unlimited snorkelling at the 3 reef sites, you can also join a guided snorkel tour, allowing you to learn more about the corals and fish you are seeing. This is highly recommended. 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, Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises provides both certified and introductory divers the chance to complete 3 dives, during their reef day tour. All scuba diving is in addition to the tour price and all diving is guided. The dive price includes your equipment, dive site briefings and dive guide. Calypso provides guests with nearly 5 hours at the reef. Please note certified divers will be required to show proof of certification. The minimum age to participate in an introductory dive is 12 years old. The maximum depth you will go on an introductory dive is 12m.
Certified scuba divers and introductory scuba divers can all do up to 3 dives each day. Introductory divers may be limited to less dives, pending demand on the day. Each dive is completed on a different site.
The scuba diving with Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises is good. Certified dive groups have a maximum of 7 guests, introductory dive groups have a maximum of 4 guests. All dives are guided. The dive deck is really well managed to avoid congestion and the equipment is well maintained. Water entry is giant stride, off the lowered platform on the back of the boat.
Yes, Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises is a dive and snorkel boat. It does not have a glass bottom boat. As such, the only way to ‘see the reef’ with Calypso is to get in the water and swim / snorkel / dive. Floatation devices and buoyancy jackets are available if needed.
No, Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises does not have a glass bottom boat.
Yes, Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises is suitable for kids, who can swim with confidence. 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, Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises is family friendly – especially for families with older children, who are confident at swimming in open ocean. This tour is not really suitable for families with young children or infants.
Lunch on Calypso Port Douglas Reef Cruises is pretty good. It provides a cold buffet with a selection of deli meats, salads, cheese and bread. Most boats provide a hot and cold buffet, but we didn’t ‘miss’ the hot options. There’s plenty of food for everyone. 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.
Peering over the edge of the boat, we see glimpses of the coral gardens below. Excitement builds. Weight belts on. BCDs on. Buddy checks complete. We stride in and begin our scuba diving discovery of the Great Barrier Reef with Calypso Reef Cruises, from Port Douglas. This was a great day, exploring amazing reef sites.
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