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Discover the Great Barrier Reef on Quicksilver’s Pontoon

Port Douglas

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Discover the Great Barrier Reef on Quicksilver’s Pontoon. With two levels and a 1,100m² foot print, this permanently moored platform is the largest on the GBR. Spacious, stable and sheltered within a lagoon at Agincourt Reef, at the edge of Australias Great Barrier Reef, it offers a comfortable and covered platform to enjoy a day of activities. Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, scuba diving, ocean walking “helmet diving”, or keep your hair dry on a trip around the reef on board the semi-submersible or in the underwater observatory, or enjoy the great expanse of the reef from a scenic helicopter flight. A gourmet buffet lunch is served offering a wide range of culinary delights accommodating all dietries.

Departing Port Douglas Quicksilver VIII’s wave piercing catamaran arrives smoothly at the pontoon in approximately 1.5 hours, reducing the likelihood of seasickness. There’s ample air conditioned, cushioned seating onboard and a large open deck to taking in the gorgeous tropical weather. The large vessel and spacious pontoon make this the most suitable experience for those wheelchair bound, and there’s a chair lift for assistance into the water.

Book your Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef experience today and enjoy a comfortable day out on the outer barrier reef pontoon.

Location

PORT DOUGLAS

Seasonality

YEAR ROUND

Duration

7 HOURS

Minimum Age

ALL AGES

Difficulty

2 OUT OF 10

Food

INCLUDED

PRICING
Adult Rate (16 years +)
Child Rate (5-15 years)
Infant (0-4 years) 

Included in the ticket price:

  • Morning and afternoon teas are served onboard Quicksilver VIII on the outbound and inbound journeys.
  • Reef presentation by marine biologist.
  • Hot and cold tropical smorgasbord lunch.
  • Activities (snorkelling, semi-submersible reef tour and underwater observatory) 
  • Qualified lifeguard supervision
  • All hire equipment for snorkelling included (wetsuits/stinger suits, snorkel, mask (prescription available), fins, life vests and floats.

Option Extras:

Please contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au) for pricing. This is then paid for on the day.

  • Guided Snorkel Tours (Introductory and Advanced)
  • SCUBA Diving (Introductory and Advanced)
  • Ocean Walking “Helmet Diving”
  • Scenic Helicopter Flight
  • Soft drinks, snacks & alcohol
Snorkelling at Agincourt Reef (Included in your ticket price)
Tick off one of the greatest bucket list activities and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. This sheltered lagoon on Agincourt Reef is suitable for first timers and advanced snorkelers. Accessed via wide-tread, gradual steps with hand rails, or via a chairlift for those who require extra assistance, to a large submerged platform, even the most nervous of swimmers have the opportunity to enter the water at their own pace. Life jackets and floats are available for those that need them and all of the hire equipment is well maintained and included in the price.Their friendly crew are on hand to show you the best techniques for snorkelling and theirs a lifeguard for added supervision. On your journey out to Agincourt Reef, you can view an instructional video on how to snorkel to teach you the right techniques.
 
Marine Biologist Guided Snorkelling Tours (Optional Extras)
Would you like to learn more about the reef, or rather some added supervision in the water? Why not try one of the optional guided snorkelling tours. Their Reef Biosearch team of University qualified marine biologists will introduce you to a new and exciting world. You will be part of a small group, guided by an experienced marine biologists who can reveal so much more about the magnificent marine life of this breathtaking eco-system.
 
Please contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au) for pricing. This is then paid for on the day.
 
Introductory Guided Snorkel Tour (novice/beginner snorkelers)
  • Duration: 30-40 minutes
  • Tailored for families, and those wanting an educational experience.
  • Tours leave and return from the protected snorkelling platform. As a safety precaution, the marine biologist tows a safety float and a whistle.
  • Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Advanced Guided Snorkel Tour (More adventurous/experienced snorkelers)

  • Duration: 45 – 60+ minutes
  • Learn how to duck-dive safely.
  • Tours generally leave from the platform, but sometimes may involve a drop-off from a small tender, so participants can cover a greater distance, and have the chance to “drift with the current”, before returning to the platform.
  • Distance travelled can be up to several hundred metres.
  • Duration of up to 60+ minutes depends on conditions and snorkelling experience.
  • To be eligible for an Advanced Snorkel Tour guests must be able to swim unassisted with no flotation device for the duration of the tour.
  • Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Helpful Safety Information

  • Always swim in buddy pairs – it’s a much safer option, and you have someone to share your amazing experiences with!
  • Never look directly down when snorkelling, or your snorkel may turn into a drinking straw!
  • Keep your face looking forward, and ensure your snorkel is slightly angled backwards – this should keep your snorkel dry.
  • Snorkels don’t require refills!

Certain medial conditions, medications and height restrictions may preclude some people from participating in optional in-water activities. For advice, contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au). Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity. Please use caution and inform the crew of any medical conditions.

Having a dry hair day? The semi-submersible reef tour offer you the opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef from one meter below the surface. Experience a divers view from the safety and comfort of a semi-sub, with air conditioning and cushioned bench seating you’ll marvel at the vibrant coral formations and reef inhabitants on a 25 minutes tour around the reef.

This experience is included in your ticket price and departs every 15 minutes. Access is via steep steps and therefore, is not suitable for wheelchair access.

Great for watching the fish feeding or the introductory divers, the underwater observatory offers an exciting glimpse of life below the waves without getting wet.

The observatory is included in your ticket price. Accessed via stairs this is unfortunately, not suitable for wheelchair access.

Introductory Scuba Diving (Optional Extra)

Please contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au) for pricing. This is then paid for on the day.

Introductory diving is suitable for everyone 12-years and above, who pass the on-board medical questionnaire. No prior experience or certification is necessary.

All equipment, including wetsuits and prescription masks (if required) are included, and multi-lingual PADI diving instructors are available on request.

You’ll receive a 30 minute dive briefing, and get taught a few basic skills on your journey out to the pontoon. Once geared up, and in groups of up to 4 people, you’ll first get comfortable on the specially designed dive platform where you can practice your skills in a safe environment and under your dive instructors supervision. Once ready, your descent is done while holding ropes, allowing you to proceed at your own pace. Your dive will last approximately 30 minutes giving you plenty of time to enjoy other activities on the day.

Certified Scuba Diving (Optional Extra)

Please contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au) for pricing. This is then paid for on the day.

For qualified divers. Experiencing the Great Barrier Reef comes second to none! Enjoy up to two incredible dives of approximately 40 minutes. Visibility is excellent at this dive site and the variety of marine life is breathtaking! All dives are guided by PADI dive instructors at no extra charge, ensuring that you get the most out of this incredible dive experience and you’re kept safe.

For those travelling with non-divers, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to experience diving the reef while they enjoy a number of different activities on offer.

All equipment, including wetsuits and prescription masks (if required) are well maintained and included in the ticket price.
 
Proof of certification is required and divers must pass the medical questionnaire.
 

Dive medical questionnaire

You’ll be asked to answer YES or NO to the following. If you answer YES to any of the following, you will be required to consult with a physician prior to participating in scuba diving.

Have you suffered from, or do you now suffer from, any of the following:

  1. Asthma or wheezing

  2. Fainting, seizures or blackouts

  3. Chronic Bronchitis or persistent chest complaints

  4. Chronic sinus conditions

  5. Chest surgery

  6. Recurrent ear problems when flying

  7. Epilepsy

  8. Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes)

  9. Tuberculosis or other long-term lung disease

  10. Brain, spinal cord or nervous disorder

  11. Heart disease of any kind

  12. Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

  13. Ear Surgery

  14. Are you currently suffering from:

  15. Breathlessness

  16. Chronic Ear Discharge or infection

  17. High Blood Pressure

  18. Perforated eardrum

  19. Other illness or operation within the last month

  20. Are you currently taking any medicine or drug (excluding oral contraceptives)?

  21. Have you ingested any alcohol within the last 8 hours prior to diving?

  22. Are you pregnant?

  23. Do you understand that any concealment of any condition incompatible with safe diving might put your health or life at risk?

  24. Do you understand that you should not go to altitude (fly) within 12 hours of completing a single dive or a minimum of 18 hours when doing multiple dives (recommended 24 hours)?

Experience the fun of Helmet Diving (Optional Extra)

Please contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au) for pricing. This is then paid for on the day.
 

Helmet diving is a unique and exciting way to experience the Great Barrier Reef without all of the equipment used in SCUBA diving. You’ll breathe fresh air delivered from the surface via a hose and have room to reach into your mask to equalise your ears. You’ll keep your hair dry, your make-up on and if wear spectacles you won’t need to take them off. 

Ocean walker is suitable for non-swimmers and persons aged over 12 years. After a short briefing and subject to medical conditions, in maximum group sizes of 6 people, you will be walking amongst the reef fish and corals.

Scenic 10 minute Reef Helicopter Flight

Please contact Salty Swims (info@saltyswims.com.au) for pricing. This is then paid for on the day.

Take in the majestic beauty and scale of the Great Barrier Reef from the sky on this 10 minute scenic flight over the reef.

Departing from a heli-pad moored at Agincourt Reef, close to the pontoon, you’ll enjoy the reef from a whole new perspective, 150 metres/500ft above. 

Helicopter flights can be booked onboard but to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited, we recommend you enquire at booking.

*Helicopter availability subject to operating conditions and maximum loads. 

Nautilus Aviation Conditions:

  • Passenger Weight: Individual passenger weights and accompanying carryon luggage MUST be advised at time of booking. Weight variances greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130kg. For passenger comfort and aircraft weight and balance, passengers exceeding 130kg are required to purchase an additional seat at 50% of the ticket price and payable to Nautilus Aviation on the day of travel.
  • A minimum of 2 passengers per aircraft required for Scenic Flights.
  • Child Rate: One (1) infant under their 3rd birthday may travel free of charge if seated on a guardian’s lap. Maximum one infant per helicopter as per CASA regulations. Child 3 years and above pay full fare.
  • Cancellation must be made 48 hours prior to the flight to receive a full refund

Check in time is 9.15am at the Quicksilver office, at the Crystalbrook Marina, Wharf Street, Port Douglas. Boarding commences at 9.30am, vessel departs 10.00am. Parking is available free of charge at the Marina.

You will receive a confirmation email upon purchasing this tour which will provide you with all of the relevant information, e.g. CONTACT NUMBERS,  ADDRESS ETC.

What to Bring:

  • Swimwear and towel
  • Reef Safe Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and protective clothing
  • Light jacket/sweater for a cool or windy day
  • Camera

Medication: (If you require to take medication throughout the duration of this tour, please remember to bring this with you. If you deem it necessary, please inform a member of staff, on board your vessel, where within your belongings this can be found).
Seasickness Medication – You may experience seasickness out on the open ocean. We suggest that you should speak with your pharmacist in advance of your trip, to seek their advice on seasickness medication. We will not reschedule bookings or issue refunds for those suffering from seasickness.

 

Quicksilver’s technologically advanced Wavepiercers ensure that your cruise to the Outer Reef is pure enjoyment from the moment you step aboard. Relax in the luxury of the spacious air-conditioned cabin areas with fully licensed bar, or sit outside and enjoy the cool sea breezes.

Our flagship 45metre wavepiercer, Quicksilver VIII, is powered by four MTU 2000 series diesel engines, following a complete refit at a cost of $3million. With significant advances in technology, the choice of these engines ensures we will continue to deliver the “best practice” we strive for as a company. They reduced our carbon emissions by about 20%, reinforcing our commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Please be aware that the crew reserves the right to prohibit anyone from anyone joining this tour if they deem it unsafe.

  • All children under 16 must be accompanied at all times.
  • The vessel and the pontoon are wheelchair accessible.
  • If you are pregnant, then you are welcome to join in with all activities (apart from SCUBA diving and Helmet Diving), at your own risk. Floatation devices can provide extra buoyancy and gentle kicking will provide enough propulsion for you to snorkel on the reef. Medicated sea sickness tablets can’t be taken but Ginger tablets are safe for pregnant women. If in doubt, speak to a pharmacist.

Cancellations/changes to your booking must be made by contacting the tour provider on your booking confirmation email or by contacting Salty Swims  at info@saltyswims.com.au

Please be aware that refund policies do not cover travel, accommodation or any other associated costs. We recommend you take out travel insurance to cover unforeseeable cancellations.

What if the tour provider cancels?
In the event of poor sea conditions, minimum numbers not being reached or for any other reason, the tour operator reserves the right to cancel the tour. If your trip cannot be rescheduled to your satisfaction, you will receive a full refund.

What if you cancel?

If you wish to cancel your tour more than 24 in advance of your departure date/time, you will receive 100% of your refund.

Cancellations within 24 hours of the departure date/time will not receive a refund.

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