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Wavedancer is a part of the Quicksilver Cruises fleet and provides daily Port Douglas to Low Isles tours. In fact, the Low Isles cruise was the foundation tour for Quicksilver way back in 1979. This tropical island is a beautiful destination and just a short sail from Port Douglas. Here you can relax on the sandy beach, explore the shallows and enjoy a guided island tour, including the lighthouse. When you choose the Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour, you have 3.5 hours to enjoy this tropical destination and part of the Great Barrier Reef. The day tour price includes return cruise to and from Port Douglas to Low Isles, reef presentation, guided snorkelling tour with a marine biologist, all snorkelling equipment, glass bottom boat tour, island tour, morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch. Did we mention the complimentary glass of wine, with cheese and crackers on the way home? It’s included too.
Please note that the reef surrounding Low Isles was heavily impacted in December 2023, by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the major flooding event that followed. This caused localised freshwater bleaching and while the coral itself is slowly recovering, you will see evidence of damage during your visit. There is still an abundance of Great Barrier Reef fish and turtles in the waters surrounding Low Isles. To assist reef recovery and minimize impact, Wavedancer have limited numbers on this tour.
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 UsThe Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour leaves a little later than some boats, which means you can enjoy a leisurely start to your day. In the 3.5 hours you have at lovely Low Isles, there’s an abundance of activities to participate in, all of which are included in the tour price. There’s glass bottom boat tours, marine biologist guided snorkel tours and beach walks, relaxing on the beach and exploring Low Isles with its lighthouse feature, and self guided snorkelling from the beach. This tour does involve swimming and snorkelling in the waters surrounding Low Isles, so is best suited for those who are comfortable and confident at swimming in the open ocean.
As noted above, the coral gardens that surround Low Isles have been damaged by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and subsequent major flooding event, in December 2023. They are in recovery, but you will see evidence of this damage when snorkelling. Wavedancer provides guests with all snorkelling equipment, including mask, snorkel, fins and lycra sunsuits. Buoyancy devices are also available, to make your time in the water as comfortable as possible and all in-water activities are monitored by a lifeguard. You can snorkel off the beach and join in a marine biologist guided snorkel tour, which is included in the tour price.
Please note you will be swimming in the open ocean, and as such, you should be comfortable and confident in the water.
Wavedancer has a glass bottom boat and provide guided tours, on their Port Douglas Low Isles day tour. You can expect to see hard and soft corals and an array of Great Barrier Reef fish and marine life, including giant clams, sea cucumbers, starfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and parrotfish. It is not unusual to see sea turtles during a Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour, but they are not guaranteed. Your glass bottom boat tour guide will provide commentary and you have the opportunity to ask questions.
Low Isles has walking pathways, which take you to the lighthouse – a popular landmark for photos. The lighthouse was built in 1878 and has an 18m tower. It was automated in 1993, when a solar conversion made it a self-contained beacon. For those who love lighthouses, this one is picturesque and the walk is nice and short, with interpretive signage along the way.
Low Isles is surrounded by fringing reefs. As the tide comes and goes, various parts of the reef are exposed. You can join a marine biologist guided beach walk to learn more about the tidal zone and what inhabits this area of the reef, they will also discuss some of the island’s history, plants and animals. This is a great way to learn more about the lovely Low Isles and is included in the tour price.
Wavedancer is moored at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, in Port Douglas. Prior to boarding the boat, you will need to check-in at the Quicksilver / Wavedancer reservations counter, which is located inside the marina. Check-in commences at 9.15am, boarding from 9.30am for a 10am departure. You will arrive back into Port Douglas at 4.30pm. All 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 / Wavedancer reservations counter, inside the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina.
Boarding commences at the Wavedancer boat, which is moored at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. Tea, coffee and morning tea is available and provided for your enjoyment.
Wavedancer departs Port Douglas and commences its journey to Low Isles, a part of the Great Barrier Reef. A safety briefing and snorkel equipment demonstration is provided on the way to Low Isles.
Arrive at Low Isles. There are shuttle transfers between the boat and Low Isles, running throughout the day. Snorkelling equipment is provided on the boat, but all snorkelling is from the beach at Low Isles. The marine biologist guided snorkel tour also starts from the beach at Low Isles.
A tropical buffet lunch is served onboard Wavedancer. You can eat in the air conditioned interiors or on exterior sundecks.
The marine biologist guided beach and heritage trail island walk commences at Low Isles. This walk departs from the shuttle / transfer area, on the beach.
The last shuttle departs Low Isles and returns to Wavedancer in preparation for departure. All in water activities are concluded for the day. Afternoon tea is served, which includes a complimentary glass of wine and cheese and crackers. Relax under the sails during the return to Port Douglas.
Wavedancer arrives back to Port Douglas.
The Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour goes too – Low Isles, a part of the Great Barrier Reef. Wavedancer will moor in the fringing reef that surrounds the island, and provides transfers between the boat and Low Isles, throughout the day. All snorkelling is done from the beach at Low Isles.
The reefs surrounding Low Isles were heavily impacted in December 2023, by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent major flooding event. As well as damage from the waves, there has been significant freshwater bleaching on many of the corals. This is evident when snorkelling, however, there is still an abundance of fish and turtles. Please note you will be snorkelling from the beach at Low Isles, in the open ocean. As such, it is recommended that you have reasonable swimming ability and fitness. There are flotation devices available for your use.
No, you can’t scuba dive on the Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour. This is a snorkel only tour.
Yes, you should be able to swim in open water to go on the Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour. All snorkelling is done from the beach on Low Isles, and while there are glass bottom boat tours and guided beach walks, the majority of your reef experience and interaction is by being in the water, swimming and snorkelling.
Yes, Wavedancer does have a glass bottom boat and they provided guided tours on it, when they are at their Low Isles destination. The glass bottom boat tours are included in the Wavedancer tour price.
Yes, the Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour is suitable for kids, but I would say it is not suitable for toddlers or young children who cannot swim. Although floatation devices are available, to maximise your day and reef experience, you really want to be comfortable and confident in the open water.
Yes, the Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour is family friendly. Although we suggest that to maximise your experience, your children should be old enough to swim confidently and comfortably in the open ocean, albeit from a beach.
Lunch on the Wavedancer Port Douglas Low Isles day tour is served buffet style on the boat. It’s a hot and cold buffet lunch, featuring a range of salads, cold meats, breads, condiments and hot dishes, including curry and stir fry.
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