Exclusive savings just for you
Package summary: 12 nights Fly, Cruise & Stay
Package starts: 29 October 2024 with flights to Cairns
Cruise starts: 31 October 2024 from Horn Island
Cruise ends: 10 November 2024 into Cairns
Package ends: 10 November 2024 with flights from Cairns
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EXCLUSIVE Savings!
It`s always better when you book with Cruise Traveller!
Twin Category B Main Deck cabin – was $14,635 – your special price from $13,795*pp – very limited space
Twin Category A Main Deck cabin – was $15,845 – your special price from $14,935*pp
Twin Category A Promenade Deck cabin – was $18,275 – your special price from $17,225*pp
Twin Bridge Deck Balcony Suite – was $19,495 – your special price from $18,375*pp
Single prices on request.
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Highlights:
– Experience the vibrant art, culture and natural beauty of the Torres Strait Islands, including community visits of Badu and Moa Islands
– Land at the northernmost tip of Australia at Pajinka on Cape York for a sunset champagne toast
– Experience remote Osprey Reef, called an `oasis for living creatures of all kinds` by Sir David Attenborough.
– Snorkel remote reefs and bird-watch at Davie Cay on the northern Great Barrier Reef
– Explore Lizard Island`s reefs and beaches and hike to historic Cook`s Look
– Share time with local artists and purchase from the source in community art centres
– View rock art at Stanley Island, with interpretation by a traditional owner guide
– Learn about Indigenous culture and maritime history at Cooktown and Restoration Island
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BARRIER REEF BEAUTIES Fly, Cruise & Stay package prices include:
– Return economy class airfare from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Cairns inc tax
– Return airport – hotel – airport transfers, Cairns
– BONUS Free* 2 night hotel stay in Cairns
– Full day tour to Kuranda including Scenic Railway and BBQ lunch (from Cairns)
– One way economy class airfare from Cairns to Horn Island inc tax
– 10 night Torres Strait Islands and Great Barrier Reef small ship expedition cruise aboard Coral Discoverer from Horn Island to Cairns
– All meals onboard, chef-prepared
– Captain`s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
– Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
– 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
– All excursions with our Expedition Team
– Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and kayaks
– Snorkelling & SCUBA equipment (SCUBA diving at an additional cost)
– Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
– All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
– Tips and gratuities during cruise
– Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
– Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
– Wifi Access – Standard speed connectivity enabling email, social image sharing, web browsing and messaging
– One way transfer from Cairns port to airport post cruise
Special Conditions
Special Validity Dates
Exclusive savings just for you
Pre-cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2024 | Fly Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Cairns, transfer to hotel | ||
| 30 Oct 2024 | Enjoy a full day tour to Kuranda with lunch | ||
| 31 Oct 2024 | Transfer to airport, Fly Cairns to Horn Island, make own way to jetty | ||
| 31 Oct 2024 | Embark Coral Discoverer |
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Oct 2024 | Horn Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| 01 Nov 2024 | Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| 02 Nov 2024 | Moa Island, QLD Australia |
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| 03 Nov 2024 | Badu Island,QLD Australia |
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| 04 Nov 2024 | Cape York, Qld, Australia |
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| 05 Nov 2024 | Forbes Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| 06 Nov 2024 | Restoration Island, QLD Australia |
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| 07 Nov 2024 | Stanley Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| 08 Nov 2024 | Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia |
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| 09 Nov 2024 | Cooktown, Qld, Australia |
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| 10 Nov 2024 | Cairns, Qld, Australia |
Post-cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Nov 2024 | Transfer to airport, Fly Cairns to Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
10 Night Cruise sailing from Horn Island to Cairns aboard Coral Discoverer.
Join Coral Expeditions on a small ship adventure to explore the mystical Torres Strait Islands and the remote coastlines to the tip of Cape York. Share an intimate expedition onboard Coral Discoverer with a maximum of 72 guests that takes in small islands and reefs of the northern Great Barrier Reef, Cape York coastal walks and the magic and mystery of our rarely seen Torres Strait Islands. With almost 300 islands dotted across the narrow stretch of water between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the people of the Torres Strait Islands have a distinct and vibrant culture. An expedition by small ship is the ideal way to access these remote regions, visiting uninhabited sand cays, remote islands and pristine reef systems. Our expert guides will share their knowledge both above and below the water. With decades of experience and deep respect for the communities of the region, Coral Expeditions will facilitate an enriching journey accompanied and hosted by local elders who will share the customs and stories of this ancient country.
Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.
Torres Straits Community Access: The remote island communities of the Torres Straits are special areas. Over the past decades, these communities have welcomed Coral Expeditions and guests on many occasions. We respect that from time to time, planned visits my not be possible at short notice for varied reasons and will offer alternative excursions should visitation not be possible.
Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Her shallow draught and manoeuverability make her highly versatile. She boasts ocean views from all public spaces, all outside-facing staterooms (some with balconies), and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. Her Xplorer bar and adjacent sundeck lounge with 360-degree views are much-loved features. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.
Coral Discoverer conducts expeditions across Australia’s coast – Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Australian flagged and staffed by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be memorable.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 63m
- Tonnage: 1,838 tonnes
- Maiden Voyage: 2005
- Refurbished: 2016
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 72
- Crew Nationality: Australian
- Dining Staff Nationality: Australian
- Ship Registration: Australia
Ship Amenities
- All Oceanview Cabins
- Individually Controlled Air Conditioning
- Private Ensuite
- Sitting Area
- i-Pod Dock
Ship Facilities
- Xplorer, Zodiacs and Glass Bottom Boat
- Wireless internet available for laptops, PDAs and onboard computer
- Laundry Facilities (Limited)
- Phone and fax facilities
- Lecture Lounge
- Reference Library
- Sun Deck
- 3 Cocktail Bars
- Main Dining Room
- Gift Shop
- Workout Area
Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.
While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.
There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.
A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.
OUR HOME TURF When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.
OUR SMALL SHIPS At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.
OUR CREW Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.
OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.
THE FUTURE As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!
Select the Deck to view detail.
Select the Cabin to view detail.
Encircled by a full-ship promenade, our 19 spacious Promenade Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Located on the exclusive Bridge Deck close to the Lounge and Bridge, our six spacious Bridge Deck staterooms are 20sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Available now, and brand new, Bridge Deck Staterooms offer guests private balconies opening out from french windows providing comfortable indoor outdoor living.
Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category B) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature twin portholes for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Located close to the Dining Room, our six spacious Main Deck (Category A) staterooms are 18sqm (195 square feet) in size and feature large, twin porthole windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Located in the bow of the ship and encircled by a full-ship promenade, our two Promenade Deck (Category B) staterooms are 15sqm (160 square feet) in size and feature picture windows for expansive ocean views, along with a desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.
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