Quicksilver Reef Cruises Review, Exploring the Great Barrier Reef

Wanting to visit the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas? You can do an easy day tour with Quicksilver Reef Cruises like we did. Find below our Quicksilver Reef Cruises Review with everything you need to know.

Great Barrier Reef Quicksilver Cruise Review

Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Tour Review

Port Douglas Australia is a gorgeous holiday destination in Tropical Queensland. There is so much to do near by, but one of the best things to do in Port Douglas is a Great Barrier Reef cruise.

On our most recent family trip, we had the opportunity to explore the mesmerising underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef with the Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Tour.

This incredible experience left us in awe of the natural beauty that this region has to offer.

The Great Barrier Reef

Do you wonder why the Great Barrier Reef has earned its place as one of the world’s seven natural wonders?

It continues to be one of the most popular bucket list places for many travellers, and for good reason. We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time!

This colossal reef system, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as the largest of its kind on Earth, with some portions dating back up to half a million years.

Comprising more than 3,000 individual reefs and 900 tropical islands, this remarkable ecosystem is entirely composed of living organisms.

It provides a haven for an astonishing range of marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, rays and reef corals.

Situated in the Coral Sea off the northeastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef stretches right along the Queensland coast, safeguarding the shoreline from turbulent sea conditions, waves, and floods. It serves as a unique natural refuge for lots of endangered marine species.

Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Tour

The Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Tour leaves from the Marina Mirage in Port Douglas. The easiest way to do the tour is to book online, then on your day of departure head over to the marina where you can start the smooth and hassle-free check-in process.

Upon arrival, the staff greeted us with warm smiles and efficiently handled the paperwork, ensuring a quick and easy start to our adventure.

The boat is equipped with all the amenities needed including spacious seating areas, clean restrooms, and a well-stocked bar.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are offered complimentary with morning and afternoon tea, and the staff come around to give lots of information about the tour and offer extras for purchase if you want such as tours and the option to hire an underwater camera.

There’s also an informative presentation area where marine biologists provide insights into the reef’s ecosystem and safety instructions. This was fantastic and we learned quite a bit before heading out into the water.

The journey to the Great Barrier Reef Quicksilver pontoon is an experience in itself. Sailing through the crystal-clear waters of the Coral Sea while enjoying the picturesque views of lush islands and distant horizons was truly captivating.

It’s worth noting that the boat is quite large and stable, making it a comfortable ride even for those prone to seasickness. We recommend bringing any sea sickness medication with you in case though as everyone has a different experience.

Arrival at the pontoon is around 11.30am and departure is around 2.30pm with lunch served between 12.30 -1.30pm.

There are a range of different experiences to do while there. We opted for the dry activities to start with, then lunch and snorkelling, which worked out perfectly for us.

Everyone leaves their bags around, we chose to leave ours at one of the tables we had lunch at with our shoes and they were fine.

Quicksilver Reef Tour Experiences

The highlight of the Quicksilver tour was, without a doubt, the underwater experiences. There are different ways to explore the reef depending on what you want to do.

1. Snorkelling

Snorkelling equipment and stinger suits are provided with the tour and the staff is there to assist beginners.

The reef’s vibrant colours and the incredible variety of marine life were breathtaking. We swam alongside so many colourful fish, the coral formations, and some snorkellers even spotted sea turtles.

Great barrier reef coral quicksilver tour

If you are doing the Quicksilver reef tour with older kids, this is a great experience. Our kids were 8 and 10 years old and strong swimmers so we knew they would be fine.

Quicksilver great barrier reef snorkelling

The only issue we had was that everyone was wearing stinger suits, and it was hard telling who was who, so we were constantly trying to watch the kids without getting lost. Other than that it was a great experience.

2. Semi-Submersible Submarine

Quicksilver Reef Tour from Port Douglas semi sub

Perfec for those with young kids or for those who prefer to stay dry, the semi-submersible submarine offers a unique perspective.

It allowed us to sit comfortably and observe the reef through large windows as our guide pointed out various species and explained their behaviours. We all loved this, and got to see quite a bit of marine life.

3. Underwater Observatory

The underwater observatory is another excellent option for non-swimmers. Descending into the observatory, you get a 360-degree view of the reef’s wonders without getting wet. It’s an educational and awe-inspiring experience for all ages.

4. Scenic Helicopter Flights

If you’re up for an extra adventure, you can book a scenic helicopter flight over the reef. We stayed in the water most of the time, however a few on our tour booked this option and said the aerial views of the reef from above are simply breathtaking.

5. Onboard Lunch

Lunch is provided on board and included in your tour. There is a range of food options including lots of fresh prawns, cold meats, green salads, rice and pasta salads, bread etc. There was also a great range of fresh fruit as well!

What to Take on your Quicksilver Reef Cruise

All snorkelling gear is provided so you only really need your personal items such as:

Swimwear
Towels
Thongs/Sandals
Change of Clothing
Backpack
Underwater camera if you have one

Note that sunblock is considered a huge problem on the reef because the chemicals can destroy marine life. Try to get a reef safe sunscreen or cover yourself as fully as possible with a rashy or stinger suit.

Final Thoughts

On the day we went, it was 26 degrees and spitting most of the day with not much sun. We were initially worried about the weather but it was fine, just wish the sun was shining to make those colours more vibrant!

The Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Tour itself was an unforgettable family adventure and the perfect start to our family trip to Port Douglas.

The incredible underwater experiences and the chance to witness the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef up close will be one of our best memories of our trip to North Queensland

We recommend this tour for families and any type of traveller as it really does offer something for everyone. Older kids will get more out of it as they can snorkel, but if you are happy with the underwater sub then it is perfect. It really is an experience of a lifetime that you won’t want to miss!