Our Latest Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charter

We have just finished a relaxing five days on a private yacht charter around the tropical reefs and islands off Cairns and around North Queensland, Australia. There is nothing more relaxing then enjoying the beauty of the natural wonders of the world. Several days on the outer Great Barrier Reef and several days sailing around the islands, a perfect balance of both worlds and a great escape from civilization.

Nothing like the fresh sea air and wide open ocean space to wind down and enjoy your time away from the office. Enjoying the underwater marine life and experiencing the best of the world's reefs is both a refreshing and humbling experience. The 5 days were perfect with the sea conditions flat to flatter and the skies clear, dotted by the occasional cloud to break the monotony of a perfectly blue sky. The days started with spectacular sunrises and ended with glorious sunsets. During thee days there were turtles, dolphins, whales, too many fish to mention and of course some spectacular diving and snorkelling.

Minke Whales - Species of the Reef

This young Minke whale decided to cruise around one of our dive sites on the outer reef. The curious young fellow was very intrigued with these strange creatures wearing bottles and blowing bubbles constantly. Jonny our intrepid young dive instructor happily snapped these photos as Fred swam around the boat and divers.
The Minke whales migrate from southern waters off Victoria to the northern areas of the Great Barrier Reef from about June every year. They grow to about 8m (26') log and adults can weigh about 6 tonnes.
More on the Dwarf Minke Project can be found at the CRC Reef Research website.

Water Filters for the Reef - Mangroves

As with any ecosystem there are many components that go to make a healthy and resilient system such as the Great Barrier Reef. The picture above shows a tributary off Trinity Inlet lined by dense mangrove forest on a beautiful sunny Cairns day. The mangroves provide home to hundreds of different species ranging from egrets and ospreys to mudskippers and crocodiles. The root systems are dense and interweave with roots from other trees to provide a very stable base for the mangrove forest. These roots serve many functions in the environment from protection for the many different fish species inhabiting the inlet to filter system. The dense root systems trap sediment and impede the tidal flow thus helping clean the water of heavy metals, silt, and other contaminents both natural and deposited by man.
The seeds drop to the mud or water and can float until they are washed to a suitable bank where they will then grow.
The picture below shows the dense mangrove forest with the individual trees packed together closely competing for both sunlight and forming a dense root system.

Customer Satisfaction Surveys for April 2009

The latest independent customer satisfaction results have come back for April 2009, thanks to the diligent team at James Cook University.
Well done to the crew and every one involved again for a great job.

Received Value for Money: 96.5% said yes
Would Recommend the Trip: 100% said yes
Trip Met Expectations: 75% said very much
Average Satisfaction Score: 8.79

Customer Satisfaction Surveys for March 2009

The latest customer satisfaction scores have come back from JCU. Again another great performance from our crew and the local reef and wildlife, showing guests the best parts of the Barrier Reef and providing unforgetable experiences enjoyed by all.

Satisfaction:
Trip Met Expectations: 91% said very much
Received Value for Money: 100% said yes
Would Recommend the Trip: 96% said yes
Average Satisfaction Score: 8.84 /10

Travellers Tips and FAQ for Cairns and the Reef

Being a North Queensland local, many of my friends and guests have suggested that we write up a quick list of travel tips for visitors to Cairns. I will start this and continue to add to it as we get different questions and suggestions. So send in your questions and I will endeavour to answer them and post them here. The most common question is how far should I book ahead? Well as we only take 10 people per dive and snorkel trip it is best to plan ahead as much as you can. Our trips often sell out 4-6 months in advance so booking well in advance makes sure you secure your spot.

1. How easy is it to get around Cairns? How do I get from my hotel?
Many hotels offer a shuttle service if they are not in the centre of the city. If the hotel is not in the centre of the city it is best to check with the hotel and check the quoted walking time against a map. Whereis offers a pretty reliable map service for Cairns. Taxis are a pretty reliable means of travel and there is a fairly extensive bus service also available.
2. What shops are open and when?
Most businesses in Cairns open at 8 or 9 a.m. close at 5 or 6 p.m. Some supermarkets stay open until 9 p.m. during the week however close at the earlier times on the weekend. There are some smaller markets such as IGA that have much more extended hours.
3. What Medical Clinics and Services are Available?
There are two hospitals in Cairns both a public and private one. There are also 24 hr and other clinics available. The closest 24hr hour medical centre is on the corner of Grafton and Florence St. It also has a 24hr pharmacy and chemist as well as doing dive medicals for certification.
4. Can I see as much just snorkelling on the reef as diving?
While you can see a lot snorkelling and it is truly a fantastic experience the diving just raise the bar to another level completely. The interaction and personal experience with the natural reef and wildlife is a fantastic experience.
5. What is an Introductory Dive?
An "Introductory Dive" or "Resort Dive" is basically an escorted dive with a fully trained dive instructor. Limitations for your safety are placed on the dive and it is a great way to experience the thrill of diving just to try it or before you commit to a course. A short briefing is given to explain the basics of diving and the instructor will be with you at all times during the dive. We limit the amount of introductory divers to two people per instructor, other companies may do more and you should check before booking.
6. Is there any prior experience needed and do I need to take a medical exam?
No experience is needed to go on an introductory dive, however you must be relatively healthy and complete a medical declaration which can be found here.
7. What is the best time to visit the reef?
Anytime that you can fit into your schedule is the best. There are certain times that are a little bit more special such as whale season or reef spawning to name a few. Unlike many parts of the world the rain here is warm and often monsoonal meaning it only rains for periods of the day. Rain falling onshore does not mean it is raining at the reef, the outer reef is about 50km out of Cairns so the weather is different.
8. It has been awhile since I have dived and would not feel comfortable diving without a guide. Is this possible?
Of course, safety in the Queensland Diving Industry is the among the best in the world and paying personal attention to guests that require it is both a safety consideration as well as a service we are pleased to offer to anyone.
9. Can you still dive and snorkel during stinger season?
Yes, most operators offer protective wetsuits or stinger suits to offer protection. We include this in the price however many operators will charge extra for this so again check before you book.
10. How Do I Know What Tour to Book?
Look for the sort of tour that suits you, set some criteria that you want to stick by and do not be swayed from it. Ask the agent if they have been on the trip or if they are getting cash or other "incentives" to sell the trip. The better trips will not offer such "incentives". Ask if the companies are community and environmentally minded, our list of supported projects and charities has some but of course not all in the area.
11. Are your tours suitable for children?
We recommend that children are older then 5 to come on our sailing boats for both safety and to make sure they get the full enjoyment out of the trip to the reef. If the family is experienced on the water and boating we may consider younger children. For other children there are pontoon options available such Reef Magic, a locally owned and operated company.
12 . Where Do Your Guests Come From?
Everywhere - More specific details can be found here.
13. What does the UV Index mean?
We have included the international UV index and ways to avoid sunburn here at this blog entry.

Did I Mention Amazing Sunsets?

Here are just are few of the scenic sunsets we get to enjoy on a regular basis. This is the precursor to the wonderful blanket of stars that we get to view without the interuption of city lights.

Night Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Diving at night opens up an entire new perspective on the Great Barrier Reef highlighting different formations and wildlife that are not normally seen during the day. Different fish behaviour and activities are often displayed at night much different to the daylight hours.

Here an inquisitive turtle has followed our divers on their dive. Swimming alongside them for several minutes exploring the reef with them. Thanks to Malcolm one of our guests for this great photo.

Beautiful Islands Around Cairns

When the winds and seas pick up as they sometimes do, we have the chance to appreciate some of the reefs and beaches that surrounds the islands off Cairns. Our guests today enjoying a private charter made our yacht their own and enjoyed the beauty of the tropical north at their own pace.

Whale Season in Full Swing

Humpback whales are everywhere again as the the migration is in full swing. Large pods of whales have been seen lots of breaching, waving as well as other antics. Guests and crew alike are always amazed at these creatures athletic ability and grace they show. This is truly is an amazing sight that has to be seen to be appreciated.

Great Times on the Great Barrier Reef

Another fantastic few days on the Great Barrier Reef, sailing, diving and snorkelling. There is nothing like diving on the reef with just a few people and having a dive site to yourself. Today we were graced with beautiful weather and as usual the fantastic colours of the fish and reef under the tropical sun. We finished the trip with a wonderful sail home with Coral Sea Dreaming maintaining a consistent 8 knots under sail. No engines just the sound of the waves and wind filling the sails.

Air New Zealand Announces New Flights to Cairns

Air New Zealand is increasing the number of direct flights to Cairns. This is great news reducing the number of lay overs that you have to take to get to Cairns. The increase will be from New Zealand, USA, Canada as well as Asia. The full report is located at the Cairns Post.

Great Weather in Cairns

Traditionally the tourist season slows down after Easter and picks up again in July. This seems such a shame as many people miss the best time of the year. We have had great conditions both in town and out on the reef. The wind continues to behave itself giving us fantastic conditions again this week. If you want to enjoy Cairns in the slower time of the year I suggest you head on down in the off season and get to experience North Queensland in the quieter times.

Dolphins Everywhere

This has been a great year for dolphins with almost every trip encountering dolphins on multiple occasions. Whether they are playing riding the bow or circling the boat and launching themselves across the waves they are a treat to watch and a sight we never tire of.

Santa Maria Sails Again

Santa Maria has just finished an extensive several month refit and is looking absolutely great. Coupled together with the great weather we are getting this year it just doesn't get any better then this on the anywhere in the world. We are privileged to enjoy this on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Most Personal Dive Experience on The Reef

Dive the Great Barrier Reef without the crowds. New Horizon has been operating live-aboard sailing and scuba diving adventures from Cairns, Australia since 1995. Our fleet of sailing boats includes the gaff rigged schooner Santa Maria, which does 3 day/2 night trips, the luxury ketch Coral Sea Dreaming, which offers an alternative for those wanting a shorter tour of 2 days/1 night.

All our charter yachts take a maximum of just 10 passengers with an attentive crew of 3 on each boat you’ll receive personalised attention not possible on the larger tour vessels.

The scuba diving and snorkel sites we sail to are not frequented by the masses & are chosen for their unique coral formations & abundant marine life. We want you to have the vacation you have been looking forward to. So it’s up to you how you want to spend your live-aboard vacation. You can enjoy water-based activities including snorkelling, introductory & certified scuba diving. If you’re looking for a little more relaxing trip, simply come aboard with a great book and enjoy the serenity and the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with a small group of people you will call your friends. If you wish you can join in and help sail the boat or just ‘supervise’ from the deck. Our objective is to allow you to experience the reef at your own pace. Our experienced and friendly crew will pay every attention to your comfort and well being…to ensure that you return from your Great Barrier Reef Sail and Dive Adventure with fantastic memories to last a lifetime.

Private charters are available on all our sailing yachts for dive clubs, managerial off-sites, team building events, or intimate affairs such as family vacations, engagements, commitment ceremonies, weddings, reunions, and other special occasions.