Page 102 - Port Douglas Magazine 46

daintree.
OCEAN
SAFARI
Step into a world where rainforest touches reef
The best trips are the ones where
adventure and relaxation come together
effortlessly, especially when you’re
heading to one of the only places on
Earth where two World Heritage sites
meet - the Daintree Rainforest and the
Great Barrier Reef. You want to be fully
immersed, to take it all in, without
worrying about every little detail.
Words by Jamie Jansen
With Safari Lodge, Turtle Rock Cafe, and tours
to the Great Barrier Reef all on-site, everything
you need for an unforgettable rainforest-to-reef
experience is right at your fingertips.
SNORKELLING WHERE TWO SMALL, PERSONAL, AND
WONDERS MEET CONNECTED TO NATURE
Ocean Safari is best known for its multi award- Safari has a different rhythm to the larger operators
Being a small, family-operated business, Ocean
winning reef tours and holds the unique distinction
further south, you can feel it in every detail. Here,
of offering the only direct tours to the Great Barrier
there’s space to breathe, freedom to explore, and a
Reef from within the Daintree.
quiet that invites you to truly connect with nature.
Their half-day eco-tours are designed for connection That sense of intimacy is exactly what owners Jan
and immersion, taking you to two incredible
and Peter Claxton fell in love with when they first
snorkelling spots at Mackay Reef, a pristine sand cay
visited Cape Tribulation in 2008. Captivated by the
surrounded by vibrant coral and abundant marine
rainforest’s ancient magic and the reef’s vibrant life,
life.
they saw an opportunity to do something unique:
With a maximum of 25 guests, each trip feels create a family-run, eco-friendly adventure hub
personal and unhurried. A high-speed vessel carries that celebrated the region while keeping tourism
you across turquoise waters in just 25 minutes,
authentic and sustainable.
setting the stage for the wonders beneath the
surface. From the very beginning, the Claxton children were
part of the journey, helping paint, dig, and shape the
At the coral cay, snorkellers glide through colourful spaces that would become Safari Lodge and Ocean
coral gardens alongside turtles, and schools of Safari HQ. Today, three generations of the family are
tropical fish. And often, even as you swim, the involved, with Cole Claxton, one of the sons, and
Daintree rainforest rises in the distance, a stunning his partner managing daily operations. They work
reminder that this is the only place on Earth where side by side with an incredible team, many of them
two World Heritage wonders meet. locals, all united by the same ethos: care for the
environment, warm hospitality, and a genuine love
for the natural surroundings.
EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION
BUILT-IN
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is about more than
just the experience, it’s about visiting responsibly.
Ocean Safari’s mission is to educate guests, so they
leave inspired, aware of their impact, and more
connected to marine conservation.
The company maintains a dedicated Tourism Reef
Protection Initiative (TRPI) stewardship site at
Mackay Reef, a government-backed program where
the crew conducts regular reef surveys and manages
threats like crown-of-thorns starfish. Guests visit
the site as part of their tour and learn about reef
monitoring, coral species, and the factors affecting
reef health.
AWARDS, RECOGNITION, AND
LOCAL PRIDE
This commitment to conservation and authentic
experiences hasn’t gone unnoticed. They hold
multiple Queensland Tourism Gold Awards,
consistent 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, and the #1
Picture this: you wake to the sounds of the world’s oldest rainforest in spot for Cape Tribulation tours, as well as a “Best of
a comfortable rainforest-side cabin, take a few steps to the cafe for a Queensland Experience” title in 2024.
wholesome breakfast made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. By mid-
morning, you’re strolling down to the nearby beach and slipping into the Yet what drives the Claxton family isn’t accolades, it’s
turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, snorkelling among vibrant coral the joy of sharing the Daintree with others, and the
satisfaction of seeing guests leave with unforgettable
and tropical fish. Sounds like a dream, right? But it’s real, and it’s exactly the memories.
kind of experience that awaits at Ocean Safari in Cape Tribulation.
Tucked in the heart of the Daintree, and just a 1.5-hour drive from Port For anyone seeking to explore where the rainforest
Douglas, Ocean Safari is a complete destination. It sits perfectly at the meets the reef, Ocean Safari is the gateway, the
intersection of these two wonders, giving visitors the rare chance to destination, and the guide. Wander through the
rainforest, dive among vibrant coral, and let the
experience both ecosystems in a single, unforgettable adventure. passionate, local team guide you through one of the
What truly sets Ocean Safari apart is the integration of tours, accommodation, most extraordinary places on Earth.
and dining. Guests don’t need to navigate multiple bookings or leave the area
to experience the Daintree fully. oceansafari.com.au