The GREAT BARRIER REEF

Transcription

1 VOYAGE NUMBER: 1216 > DEPARTING: 16 DECEMBER 2016 > ARRIVING: 23 DECEMBER 2016 > TOTAL DISTANCE STEAMED: 620NM The GREAT BARRIER REEF CAPTAIN S VOYAGE LOG CORAL EXPEDITIONS II Flag > Australia Master > Ken Reynolds Mate > Josh McKenzie Purser > Udo Soltwedel Trip Directors > Evie Callander Bec Finlayson

2 REEF, RAINFORESTS AND POSTCARD ISLANDS > 3, 4 AND 7 NIGHT IMMERSIVE CRUISES THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Aboard Coral Expeditions II, guests have the choice of 3 different itineraries to visit the UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef. 3 NIGHT SOUTHERN REEF Untouched Cays & Ancient Rainforests The 3 night Untouched Cays & Ancient Rainforests (Southern) itinerary takes guests to some of the Great Barrier Reef s most biologically significant areas. From the mangrove channel at Hinchinbrook Island to the ancient rainforest of Dunk Island, and the untouched remoteness of Sudbury Cay, guests onboard will experience a myriad of habitats, both on land and under water. Spend time exploring the underwater world s of Coates and Nathan Reefs, and visit the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre you may even be able to swim with a Sea Turtle just off the beach! Enjoy presentations by our Marine Biologist on this fascinating biodiverse eco-system. 4 NIGHT NORTHERN REEF Remote & Ribbon Reefs Our 4 night Remote & Ribbon Reefs (Northern) itinerary takes guests to some of the most pristine available locations on the Reef. Exclusive mooring sites at nine locations, including Ribbon Reefs No. 3 and No. 9 offer unmatched diving and snorkelling, and the opportunity to see wildlife such as Christmas Tree Worms & Giant Clam Gardens. A full day on Lizard Island rounds out the remote reef experience, before heading to historic Cooktown, for a taste of the history of the area. For a Great Barrier Reef experience that focuses on the remote and untouched reef, ideal for divers, snorkellers or marine enthusiasts, the 4 night itinerary is an ideal choice. 7 NIGHT IMMERSION The Immersive Reef The 7 night Immersive Reef itinerary is created by combining our 3 and 4 night itineraries. This immersive and intimate Great Barrier Reef experience is where you can see it all; reef rainforests and islands. Guests also have the opportunity to experience the Tjapukai Cultural Park when the ship is in Cairns mid-cruise during turnaround. The 7 night itinerary is available each week either starting southbound or northbound, offering you complete flexibility. There s no finer way to see the best of the Great Barrier Reef than by expedition ship, and no cruise line knows the area better than Coral Expeditions.

3 3 NIGHT SOUTHERN DAY LOCATION: SUDBURY SAND CAY Wind S/E 15 knots Seas 1.0m Swell Low E Weather Mostly sunnny Barometer Depart Cairns 1400 Arrive Sudbury Sand Cay 1630 Glass-Bottom Boat transfers guests to Sudbury Sand Cay for sunset drinks 1830 Captain s Welcome Seafood Buffet Coral Expeditions II is docked at Cairns Trinity Wharf, under a sunny sky, awaiting her 44 guests to arrive. Smooth conditions today, guests complete boarding and settle into their rooms. As we cruise out of Cairns Harbour, our Purser, Udo, conducts the safety briefing and introduces the crew onboard. This is followed by an introduction to the voyage from our Trip Director, Bec, and a snorkel and dive briefing by our friendly Dive Instructor, Evie, both qualified Marine Biologists. We make our way past False Cape and head out to Sudbury Sand Cay, an isolated white sand cay exposed due to low tide and surrounded by the most turquoise blue waters, which we have all to ourselves on this sunny afternoon. While the crew set up drinks and nibbles, we wander along the waters edge, beachcombing and are surprised by an eagle ray, which effortlessly glides out into the deeper water. We enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling, Glass-Bottom Boat tours, dive skills and drinks as the sun sets over the Coral Sea. Back on board we are treated to an impressive seafood buffet, prepared by our talented Chef Mitch, a wonderful start to our southern reef cruise.

4 3 NIGHT SOUTHERN DAY LOCATION: COATES REEF NATHAN REEF Wind S/E 5-10 knots Seas Under 1.0m Swell Low E Weather Sunny Barometer Awake Coates Reef 1000 Guests depart for glass-bottom boat tours and snorkelling 1400 Arrive Nathan Reef 1430 Snorkelling and scuba diving from the back platform 1500 Glass-Bottom Boat tours 1830 Dinner onboard This morning we awaken at Coates Reef, an underwater coral garden, covered in the most wonderful hard and soft corals, which has made a truly remarkable recovery after its crown of thorn and cyclone damage. Perfect conditions for snorkelling, diving and Glass-Bottom Boat tours, 3 hours at this site allowing ample time to join in on all activities. Trip Director, Bec, puts on an impressive marine touch tank display on the back deck showcasing a few of the weird and wonderful marine critters to be seen on the reef, including Pineapple Sea Cucumbers, Blue Linckia Sea Star, Mushroom Corals and an assortment of colourful shells. A fresh, tropical buffet lunch is served underway as we steam towards our second reef stop for the day, Nathan Reef. Entry into the ocean is easy for all off the back platform that sits at water level as is the close proximity of the reef to the boat makes for an ideal snorkelling setup, so we donned our snorkel gear as soon as we could. Glass like conditions and good visibility created the ideal time for a swim. Some guests went scuba diving with Evie along the reef wall, circling bombies and checking out any ledges and crevices they could find. Whilst our First Mate Josh, took others on the Glass-Bottom Boat tour, with several Anemone, fish and white tip reef sharks spotted. A busy afternoon on the reef for all including the feeding Parrotfish, busy Butterfly Fish and Coral Trout. As we depart Nathan Reef, Trip Director, Bec, presents a lecture on the Marine Life of the Great Barrier Reef. Back on board, dinner tonight was a choice of herb crusted lamb rack or baked Red Snapper, which all guests thoroughly enjoyed.

5 3 NIGHT SOUTHERN DAY LOCATION: HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL SCRAGGY POINT WHEELER ISLAND Wind S/E 5-10 knots Seas Under 0.5m Swell Nil Weather Fine Barometer Awake Hinchinbrook channel 0800 Breakfast on the Sun Deck 0900 Glass-Bottom Boat cruise through the Channel 1200 Disembark at Scraggy Point for Haven Track walk 1500 Arrive Wheeler Island We awaken in the scenic Hinchinbrook Channel, with the early bird option to catch a magnificent sunrise, as the light creeps over the mainland and Hinchinbrook Island. Breakfast this morning is served on the Sun Deck, which allows us to enjoy the views as we cruise down the channel. We join Bec and Josh on the Glass-Bottom Boat for their interpretive commentary as we cruise through the mangroves, spotting crocodile tracks, bird life and crab pots in the maze of creeks that run through this channel. The mangrove system is an incredibly important buffer and connection between the marine and terrestrial environments in the area. It also remains an important breeding ground for Dugong, Sea Turtles and many marine animals. We cruise further up the Hinchinbrook Channel and disembark at Scraggy Point to take a walk along the Haven Track, which leads guests along beautiful creek beds, woodlands and rainforest. For thousands of years the Bandjin Aboriginal people lived and fished here. Middens and fish traps are reminders of their special culture. An Australian BBQ lunch is cooked by our clever Captain Kent and served by our friendly hospitality team. We arrive at Wheeler Island for an afternoon swim, kayaking, beachcombing and some friendly competition over bocce and cricket. Of course the afternoon is topped off with a round of sunset drinks on the island. Back on-board our final dinner together is served by the ever talented Chef Mitch, followed by cheese platters and the famous Coral Expeditions quiz, a challenging yet humorous night!

6 3 NIGHT SOUTHERN DAY LOCATION: FITZROY ISLAND CAIRNS Wind 5-10 knots Seas 0.4m Swell Low E Weather Mostly sunny Barometer Awake Fitzroy Island 0800 Glass-Bottom Boat transfer ashore 1000 Tour of Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre 1115 Depart Fitzroy Island 1325 Arrive Cairns, 3 night guests depart, 7 night guests transfer to Tjapukai for the afternoon Awoke this morning at Fitzroy Island, we boarded the Glass-Bottom Boat for our final island stop. We spent the morning snorkelling in sheltered waters over the islands Fringing Reef and Seagrass beds, spotting Green Turtles, soft corals and magnificent blue and yellow Angel Fish. Trip Director, Bec, leads those interested on a rainforest walk through the island, keeping an eye out for species of butterfly including the electric blue Ulysses Butterfly and bright green Cairns Birdwing, birdlife including Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Kingfishers and Ospreys and woodlands and rainforest species including Eucalypts, Acacias, Casuarinas and Pandanus Palms. We then visit the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, an impressive non-profit organisation, where we get to meet a team of passionate and dedicated volunteers. Each day the turtles, which have been saved from injury and illness out on the reef, are fed, tanks are cleaned and medication administered. The success rate for the rehabilitation of these turtles has risen from 30% to 85% over 15 years, one of the highest in Australia. A great chance here to get an up close view and photograph of a turtle and pick the brains of the knowledgeable volunteers. Unfortunately it is time to make our way back to Cairns for our disembarkation, we enjoy another delicious onboard lunch, partake in a group photo on the Sun Deck, a wonderful memory of newfound friends. Guests on the 3 night expedition will now disembark, while guests on the 7 night expedition will spend the afternoon at Tjapukai.

7 4 NIGHT NORTHERN DAY LOCATION: CAIRNS DOUBLE ISLAND ANCHORAGE Wind E/NE 5-10 knots Seas 0.3m Swell Low E Weather Mostly sunny Barometer Guests on the 4 night expedition board, joining 7 night guests on their second portion of the cruise night guests return from Tjapukai 1710 Depart Cairns Trinity Wharf 1800 Arrive Double Island anchorage At the start of the 4 night itinerary, the crew are busily preparing for boarding of new guests. Today, guests enjoying our seven night voyage disembark to enjoy a couple hours at Tjapukai Cultural Park to learn about the ancient culture of the traditional owners of the land. Guests onboard the 7 night expedition return to the ship, and we welcome our new guests coming aboard. After an introduction to the crew and a safety briefing for the new guests, we enjoy the scenic pre dinner drinks in the lounge as we cruise North past Cairns city, along the Queensland coast and the views of Palm Cove as we come into anchor in the sheltered waters of Double Island as the sun sets. Dinner tonight is a delicious seafood buffet complete with oysters, prawns and famous Moreton Bay Bugs.

8 4 NIGHT NORTHERN DAY LOCATION: COOKTOWN LIZARD ISLAND Wind E 5-10 knots Seas Slight Swell Nil Weather Mostly sunny Barometer Awake in Cooktown 0900 Disembark for Cooktown tour, James Cook Museum and Botanic Gardens 1200 Arrive Lizard Island 1500 Disembark for snorkelling and diving 1800 Sunset drinks on Lizard Island 2000 Fish feed from back platform We awake in the historic coastal township of Cooktown. Guests disembark to stroll the wide main street of Cooktown and see colonial buildings dating back to the 1870s. On the guided walk led by our Trip Director Bec, we learn about the history of Cooktown, when in June 1770, the local Aboriginal Guugu Yimithirr tribe cautiously watched the crippled sailing ship His Majesty s Bark Endeavour limp up the coast seeking a safe harbour after sustaining serious damage to its wooden hull on Endeavour Reef, south of Cooktown. After taking in the history of Cooktown, guests walk to the Botanic Gardens where they spot Kangaroos, Butterflies, Birdlife and enjoy a mango or two handed to them by the Cooktown locals, as well as some of the more unique flora of the area including the famous Cooktown Orchid and the Bush Foods garden showcasing native banana, Lemon Myrtle and the candlenut. Next, a visit to the James Cook Museum, where original artefacts from the ship Endeavour are displayed. The guests thoroughly enjoyed seeing the original anchor and cannon from the HMB Endeavour, both jettisoned from the ship in 1770 and only retrieved from the reef in the early 1970s. Returning to the ship for lunch, we arrive at Lizard Island for an afternoon of water activities off the pure white sands of Turtle Beach, a sheltered bay which creates ideal conditions for the first snorkel of the North run. Snorkellers spotted soft coral species such as Elephant Ear Coral and Spaghetti Coral, colourful Coral Clams, Blue Sea Stars and delicately patterned Rabbit Fish. Our budding scuba divers completed their dive skills off the beach with Dive Instructor Evie in pleasant conditions, ready for tomorrows dive. Around the corner in the Glass-Bottom Boat, comes First Mate Josh, with Amy and Jazmin.

9 4 NIGHT NORTHERN DAY LOCATION: LIZARD ISLAND COOK S LOOK RIBBON REEF NO.9 Wind Light N/NW Seas 0.3m Swell Low E Weather Mostly sunny Barometer Hike to Cook s Look 0800 Snorkelling and kayaking at Watsons Bay 1230 Lunch onboard and steam to Ribbon Reefs 1400 Arrive Ribbon Reef No Glass-Bottom Boat cruise, snorkelling and diving 1830 Dinner, documentary and presentation A majestic morning as guests awoke at the beautifully raw National Park that is Lizard Island. A number of guests took the opportunity of an early morning hike up to Cook s Look, the hike starts from the far end of Watson s Bay and climbs 359m to the summit. A privilege to follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook who hiked up to this same summit in 1770, to navigate a safe passage out of the reef. The remaining guests are transferred over to Watsons Bay for a morning of water activities. Excellent snorkelling was had by all guests today, with the opportunity to snorkel from the beach over giant clam gardens of up to 1.2m in length and weighing more than 220kg. Guests participating in snorkelling and Glass-Bottom Boat tours also spotting the resident Octopus, Parrotfish grazing at the reef, Blue Spot Lagoon Rays and Damselfish guarding their territory. Kayaking and walks along the beach up to see the remains of Mary Watson s cottage are additional activities on offer during the morning. Lunch is served underway as we head out to Ribbon Reef No. 9, one of our exclusive Reef sites on the rarely visited outer reef, meaning we have the reef to ourselves all afternoon, no crowds in sight. Excellent visibility and calm conditions enabling the sighting of a White Tip Reef Shark and of course a family of anemone fish from the Glass-Bottom Boat this afternoon. A beautiful variety of hard and soft corals found here, as well as an abundance of fish life. Our scuba divers surfaced with smiles on their faces after the sighting of a camouflaged Cuttlefish and Psychedelic Nudibranch. Three hours at this site enabled ample time to take part in a Glass-Bottom Boat tour, snorkel and scuba dive. Departing the site for our next reef destination, guests enjoy, a documentary.

10 DAY LOCATION: RIBBON REEF NO. 3 ESCAPE REEF - DOUBLE ISLAND ANCHORAGE Wind S/E 5-10 knots Seas 0.1m Swell Nil Weather Partly cloudy Barometer Arrive Ribbon Reef No Snorkelling and Glass-Bottom Boating at Ribbon Reef No Arrive Escape Reef 1530 Diving, snorkelling and Glass-Bottom Boat viewing 1600 Interactive marine creature display 1730 Pre-dinner drinks on the Sun Deck 2000 Anchor Double Island A full day to discover another two pristine outer reef sites, often our guests favourite day of the voyage. After tucking into a big breakfast of poached eggs, hash browns and fruit salad, we start our morning at Ribbon Reef No. 3, the crew in action, impressively secure the vessel to the reef and our water activities commence. With great visibility and a high tide we are able to snorkel straight over the top of this beautiful reef enabling a close up view of the coral life and juvenile fish playgrounds on the top of the reef. As well as follow the reef wall all the way around this impressive circular reef structure, spotting Giant Clams, Whip Corals, Sea Fans, Angel Fish. The loyal Glass-Bottom Boat viewers enjoying another sighting of anemone fish, impressive Porites coral structures, Moorish Idols and Yellow Tail fusiliers. Our snorkellers were stoked to swim with a friendly Maori Wrasse, impressive size and colour. Again ample time at the reef, allowing participation in all activities. The afternoon sees us at Escape Reef for our last afternoon of spectacular snorkelling and diving and Glass-Bottom Boat viewing. Our Trip Director/Marine Biologist collecting an impressive display of marine critters, a great opportunity for an up close look and feel of Liquorice Sea Cucumbers, Spider Shells, Slipper Corals and blue Sea Stars. After a full day on the water, pre-dinner drinks is hosted up on the sun deck, guests enjoy another delicious dinner, and take part in the ever-entertaining Quiz night. The skipper continues the steam south over dinner and we anchor at Double Island, to awaken the next day close to Cairns.

11 DAY LOCATION: DOUBLE ISLAND CAIRNS Wind S/E 5-10 knots Seas Nil Swell Nil Weather Partly cloudy Barometer Depart Double Island 0800 Arrive Trinity Wharf, Cairns 0810 Guests on the 4 night expedition disembark, whilst 7 night guests transfer for a morning adventure to Tjapukai Guests on our 4 night, or our 7 night journey, today is the final day of their voyage. We farewell these guests who depart at 0800 at Trinity Wharf, Cairns. For other guests, it is the midpoint of their voyage, and they disembark for a morning adventure at Tjapukai. We will await their return, and prepare the ship for the arrival of new guests, commencing either 3 or 7 night expeditions, due at Trinity Wharf for a 1000 boarding time, and the journey departing south at 1100.

12 VOYAGE: 1216 GREAT BARRIER REEF > LOCATION: HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL > PICTURE TAKEN: DECEMBER 2016 Online Freecall within Australia Outside Australia