Page 92 - Port Douglas Magazine 46

WORDS by Rosie Wang
The Great Barrier Reef
supports over 1500 species
of fi sh, 400 species of coral
and 4000 species of molluscs.
There is more diversity of
species of plants and animals
per cubic metre than in any
other environment in the world.
Port Douglas is ideally located
as the perfect gateway OPAL REEF &
to discover this amazing MACKAY
underwater world. TONGUE AGINCOURT OSPREY
This guide will help you LOW ISLES CORAL REEF ADDITIONAL INFO

decide how you want to CAY REEF REEF
explore the Great Barrier Reef

Low Isles is located approx. 12 Approx. 25 km East of Cape 50 km from Port Douglas 50 km from Port Douglas 300 km from Port Douglas, WHAT TO BRING?
km from Port Douglas. Tribulation. These reefs are ideal Boats will moor up in about 10m Osprey Reef is truly wild and • Hat
The white sands dip gently 50 km from Port Douglas. for snorkelers with of water and snorkellers swim remote • Towel
from the shore making this Snorkelling is in shallow water shallower water (3/4 (approx 30m) to the shallower • Swimwear
LOCATION island ideal for paddling in a 1-3m metres) snorkelers can areas to view the reef. • Environmentally friendly sunscreen
comfortable depth of water.. swim around bommies Diving here max depth 18m
(coral outcrops) and along • Sunglasses
All tours include the use of a Snorkelling is along walls and • Camera
glass bottom boat. shallow walls. tops of bommies. • Certifi ed Divers – Certifi cation Card & Logbook

SEA SICKNESS
SPEED BOAT - 15 MIN SPEED BOAT - 25 MIN HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN - HIGH SPEED CATAMARAN - CHARTER YACHT • Natural remedies may include ginger
SAILING CATAMARAN- 90 MINS SAILING CATAMARAN - 2HRS 90 MINS 90 MINS (raw or tablets)
VESSELS CHARTER YACHT CHARTER YACHT CHARTER YACHT CHARTER YACHT • Fresh air
•
Sitting facing the direction you are travelling
• Looking to the horizon
• Otherwise get organised prior travel with a
medication suitable for you and remember to
consult directions 24 hours before departure
Giant clams, batfi sh, turtles, Mackay Cay is a picturesque Clown fi sh (Nemo), Shoals of Barracuda, nurse Close encounters with schools WATER TEMPERATURE

barracuda, black tip sharks, snow white sandy coral cay damselfi sh, parrot fi sh, sharks, butterfly fi sh, angel fi sh, of trevally, giant potato cod,
clown fi sh, angel fi sh, sea fringed with crystal blue waters surgeon fi sh, butterfly fi sh, parrot fi sh, clown fi sh, mauri green turtles, moray eels, April till July ranges from 24 to 26 degrees celsius

cucumbers, trevally, sweetlips, and populated by terns. angel fi sh. Blue spotted wrasse, fan corals, lion fi sh, octopuses, and a variety of
WHAT WILL moon wrasse, fusiliers. Sea turtles, clown fi sh, stingrays, lizardfi sh, blue sweetlips, squid, lettuce coral, sharks are all but guaranteed. EMC - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CHARGE
table coral, boulder corals,
chromis, paddle tail snappers,
$8 per person ($8.50 from 1st April 2026)
Dugongs and Humpbacks

butterfly fi sh, a huge variety
I SEE? (in season) can also be seen of colourful coral, eagle rays, red bass, reef sharks, turtles, blue stripe snappers, gobies, Usually within your ticket price, this applies to all adults
around the Low Isles sea cucumbers, starfi sh, a wrasse, white tip reef shark, goldband fusiliers. Octopus, and children 4 years and over entering the Great Barrier
These are not guaranteed Low Isles attracts many birds fantastic giant clam garden, giant clams, red bass, green humphead parrot fi sh, Reef World Heritage area.
as marine life is always on including Orange-footed blue spotted stingrays barracuda, trevally, Maori manta rays, loggerhead turtles, All funds received are applied directly to the Marine Park
the move scrub fowl, reef egret, osprey, wrasse, Spanish mackerel, grey reef whaler sharks, for its day-to-day management and to improve its long-
schooling baitfi sh,
brahminy kite, terns,kingfi sher, Corals - fan, table, boulder term resilience.
honey-eaters, triller, spangled Corals – boulder, staghorn lettuce, pavona
drongo. Humpback Whales (May-Sep) , The Great Barrier Reef is a National Marine Park
Minke Whales (July-Sep) so remember to take home only memories and
photographs
1928 the Low Isles was the Being only 25 km from shore With Opal Reef being Agincourt Reef, the southern Its exceptional architecture, with All outer reef day cruises include a buffet lunch,

base of the fi rst scientifi c coral you can still snorkel with a formed in a crescent this most part of the Ribbon vertical walls, drop-offs and morning and afternoon snacks and equipment. This

reef study in the world. view of the Daintree Rainforest. offers optimum shelter from Reefs, offers around 30 swim-throughs, is the summit includes lycra suits and buoyancy aids (life vests and

SPECIAL Lows Isles has 150 different The only place in the world prevailing winds allowing different dive/snorkel sites. It of a great mountain that rises noodles). All diving equipment for divers.

gentler waters.
is adjacent to the Coral Sea
sharply from the ocean floor.
INTEREST species of hard corals and where a rainforest meets a trench. At dive sites like North Horn, If you wish to dive and don’t have a certifi cation then
15 species of soft corals. 7
reef.
it is possible to partake in an introductory dive with an
FEATURES species of seagrass. Admiralty and False Entrance instructor (subject to medical conditions).
you’ll fi nd walls stepping
You can design your own day on the reef with
It takes 20 minutes to walk
around the island on a self- down to 1000 metres, caves a private charter vessel.
guided walk. and grottoes to explore, and Explore and book your next adventure on
overhangs covered in huge soft
corals. the Great Barrier Reef
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 93
15/12/2025 7:57:38 PM
PDM46 REEF SUMMARY.indd All Pages
PDM46 REEF SUMMARY.indd All Pages 15/12/2025 7:57:38 PM