Experience the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Whitsunday Islands, Cape York Peninsula, Princess Charlotte Bay, Papua New Guinea and more.

By air visitors arrive at Cairns International Airport. The trip north to Port Douglas along the Captain Cook Highway, is one of Australia's most spectacular coast drives. Visitors should allow one hours drive to reach MV Joe Joe or pre-cruise accommodation choice.

You may prefer a helicopter transfer from the Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Group base at General Aviation, Cairns Airport. From here you can fly to Port Douglas and enjoy a 'birds eye view' of the region.

The Great Barrier Reef

Clear warm waters and sun-drenched shallows are the two main ingredients for coral reef development. Coral reefs are sometimes compared to tropical rainforests due to their ecological complexities and abundance of species referred to as bio-diversity. Fossil evidence demonstrates that reefs are an ancient phenomena originating more than 400 million years ago.

The Great Barrier Reef is the only living mass that can be seen from outer space. It has more than 2900 individual reefs and around 900 islands. There are some 400 different types of hard and soft corals, 4000 molluscs and in-excess of 1500 species of fish.

The Reef is also a breeding ground for a number of rare and endangered species including the annual pilgrimage of Humpback, Pilot and Minke Whales. These marine giants journey north from the Antarctic to give birth in our local warm waters. This natural wonder can often be viewed by visitors to the Reef under strict conditions outlined by the Marine Parks Authority.

There is a broad range of reefs and islands throughout the marine park areas, the most common being ribbon reefs, fringing reefs and patch reefs. Ribbon reefs occur in the northern waters and are relatively narrow walls on the edge of the continental shelf. Fringing reefs develop off the sloping sides of continental shelfs or along the coastline. Patch reefs are usually round and grow like platforms on the continental shelf.

Dive and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef from your well-equipped base onboard MV Joe Joe.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas was once a drop off point for English immigrants heading to the Goldfields of Cape York, and later serviced the sugar plantations around the coastline and is now a vibrant tourist destination.

With a very relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals, it has become the tropical home for the travelling rich and famous. This is where Presidents choose to take their vacations.

Being the closest port to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas provides immediate and convenient access to the reefs and fishing grounds that make this area so popular and desirable amongst visitors.

Cruise along a river estuary or transfer to the beach on a remote island, other locations easily accessible from Port Douglas include the following:

• Wreck Bay: Located 2nm north of Cape Kimberley (1 hour north of Port Douglas), Wreck Bay is only accessible by water. Here the rainforest meets the Reef. Witness amazing bird and animal life, snorkel off the beach, surrounded by an abundance of juvenile fish and crustations. Watch Siberian Sandpipers that migrate half way around the world for 6 months of the year.
• Snapper Island: 12nm north of Port Douglas (30mins cruise time), Snapper Island is a marine park so unfortunately no shell collecting. The Island has plenty of beaches offering protection from the prevailing winds. Being a continental island, it has its own unique wildlife and flora - including orchids only found in the far north of Australia.
• Cape Tribulation: An ideal sheltered anchorage allowing access to restaurants and resorts nestled in the rainforest, beyond this word famous tropical beach.
• Mackay Cay and Undine Cay: Both can be reached within one hour from Port Douglas and offer plenty of seabirds, turtles, Coral Gardens and excellent snorkelling off the beach - a fantastic environment for kids.

Lizard Island

During his epic voyage of 1770, Captain James Cook climbed the peak on Lizard Island to chart a course out to sea through the maze of reefs which confronted him...

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, then Lizard Island should be top of the list. This is without question, one of Australia's premier resort destinations.

The Giant Clam Garden (between Anchor Bay and Watsons Bay) offers superb snorkelling. You can expect to see giant clams and gorgeous coral. Manta rays come into Anchor Bay and Watsons Bay from time to time so be sure to keep a look out for these incredible creatures.

The Cod Hole is most famous for fish feeding. Expect to see species such as Potato Cod, Maori Wrasse, white/grey tip sharks, and in the alleys Titan Triggerfish guarding their nests. You can also see dolphins and Moray Eels.

Dynamite Pass has wonderful soft and hard corals, Coral Trout and large schools of Barracuda, while Crystal Caves (off Lizard Island) has great visibility with lots of soft coral. You may spot a crayfish or turtle around Stuey's Caves.

Visit the Lizard Island Resort website for further information, while those with an interest in fishing should also visit Lizard Island Game Fishing Club and their annual Black Marlin Classic.

Holmes And Osprey Reefs

Holmes Reef is situated 145 nautical miles from Port Douglas and diving this location is awe-inspiring with 30m visibility all year and some great wall dives with huge dropoffs into hundreds of metres of water. Two small sand cays allow you to step off on dry land for a picnic, surrounded by very rare shells.

The fishing is great as well, with yellowfin, sailfish, dog-toothed tuna, coral trout, giant trevally, as well as numerous other reef species.

Osprey Reef situated 70 nautical miles north-east of Lizard Island. Similar to Holmes Reef, but it offers a great shark dive and a dive on a wall that descends down to 1000m! Needless to say, fishing is wonderful around this area.

The best time for visiting both Holmes Reef & Osprey Reef is September to January.

Deserted Tropical Beaches

The beaches of Tropical North Queensland offer variety and exquisite climate.

From Port Douglas north and south to some of the most isolated coastal regions of Australia; enjoy beachcombing and a taste of South Pacific relaxation.

Our tender can deliver you to otherwise inaccessible coastal beaches in style and comfort.

Take a stroll along a sun drenched beach, husk a coconut fallen from its tree. Explore those remote nooks and crannies - both above and below the waterline.