Quicksilver Cruises Review
Quicksilver is the answer when someone in the group does not swim. The Wavepiercer runs out to a moored platform at Agincourt Reef, where an underwater observatory and a semi-submarine voyage let you see the reef without getting wet. You get 3½ hours at the platform, and for mixed families this one solves a real problem.
GuestTours Verdict
GuestTours award: Best for Non-Swimmers. GuestTours rating: 4.8 / 5.
Quicksilver Cruises
Agincourt Reef Platform Day · Port Douglas
Fares
Adult
per person
$338
Child
4–14 years
$179
Infant
3 years and under
Free
Family fare
2 adults + 2 children of the same family
$864
A fuel surcharge of $10 per adult and $5 per child (4 to 14 years) is collected at check-in on the day of travel, on top of the fare. The Marine Park Environmental Management Charge is already in the fare.
What your fare covers
- Return Wavepiercer cruise from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef
- 3½ hours at the Agincourt Reef Activity Platform
- Morning and afternoon teas on board
- Hot and cold tropical buffet lunch
- Reef presentation by a marine biologist
- All snorkelling equipment and instruction
- Lycra suits, buoyancy vests and flotation noodles
- Underwater observatory viewing
- Semi-submarine Reef Discovery voyage
- Fish School feeding and identification session
- Qualified lifeguard supervision
- Marine Park Environmental Management Charge of $8.50 per person
Is this the right reef day for you?
Great fit
Non-swimmers
The underwater observatory and the semi-submarine are the whole point, and neither needs you to get in the water.
Great fit
Families with children
At $179 the child fare is the lowest out here, and the family fare is $864.
Great fit
Nervous swimmers
A platform moored in a protected lagoon with lifeguard supervision, rather than getting in off the back of a boat.
Look elsewhere
Anyone who wants a small group
This is a platform day and the passenger numbers are not published. Wavelength caps at 48 guests.
Look elsewhere
Serious divers
Diving here is an add-on. Poseidon and Silversonic are built around it.
How the day runs
9:30 AM
Check in at Port Douglas Marina
Collect your boarding passes and board the vessel. Tea and coffee are complimentary until departure.
10:00 AM
Depart for Agincourt Reef
The Wavepiercer runs out to the platform. Marine biologist presentation, snorkelling demonstration and dive briefings on the way.
11:30 AM
Arrive at the platform
Snorkelling and diving start, with gear, lycra suits and buoyancy vests provided and a lifeguard on watch. Semi-submarine trips run as often as you like, and the underwater observatory is open throughout the day.
12:00 to 1:30 PM
Buffet lunch
Hot and cold tropical buffet lunch is served.
2:30 PM
Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is served until departure. Re-boarding is at 2:45pm.
3:00 PM
Leave the reef
The vessel departs Agincourt Reef once the safety head count is complete.
4:30 PM
Back at Port Douglas Marina
If you booked a coach transfer, it leaves for your accommodation at 4:55pm.
Before you go
Departure point
Port Douglas Marina, Wharf Street
Departure time
Departs 10:00am and back at 4:30pm. Check-in for boarding passes from 9:30am.
Time at the reef
3½ hours at the Agincourt Reef Activity Platform
Destination
Agincourt Reef, a ribbon reef on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef
Transfers
Return coach transfers are $26 adult, $14 child and $66 family from Port Douglas, Thala Beach and Silky Oaks, or $45, $25 and $115 from Cairns and the northern beaches
Fuel surcharge
$10 per adult and $5 per child (4 to 14 years), collected at check-in on the day of travel, on top of the fare
Ages
Child fare 4 to 14 years. Children 3 and under cruise free
Minimum age for diving
The Oceanwalker helmet dive and scuba both require a minimum age of 12
Children on snorkel tours
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult on the guided snorkel tours
Christmas Day
Quicksilver does not operate on Christmas Day
The full review
Quicksilver is the answer when someone in the group does not swim. The Wavepiercer runs out to a moored platform at Agincourt Reef, and from there you can see the reef without ever getting wet: an underwater observatory and a semi-submarine voyage with interpretation. Snorkel gear, a marine biologist presentation and a hot and cold buffet lunch are all in the fare, and the child price of $179 is the lowest of any Port Douglas reef boat. You get 3½ hours at the platform. If you want a small group, Wavelength is the better fit, capped at 48 guests, but for mixed families this one solves a real problem.
Quicksilver Cruises FAQs
Yes, and it is the main reason to pick Quicksilver. There is an underwater observatory and a semi-submarine voyage with interpretation. Neither requires you to get in the water.
The cruise departs Port Douglas Marina at 10:00am and arrives back at 4:30pm. Check-in for boarding passes opens at 9:30am, and the coaches leave for accommodation at 4:55pm.
The return Wavepiercer cruise, 3 and a half hours at the Agincourt Reef Activity Platform, morning and afternoon teas, a hot and cold tropical buffet lunch, a marine biologist reef presentation, all snorkelling equipment and instruction, lycra suits, buoyancy vests and flotation noodles, the underwater observatory, the semi-submarine Reef Discovery voyage, the Fish School feeding and identification session and qualified lifeguard supervision.
Return coach transfers from Port Douglas, Thala Beach and Silky Oaks are $26 per adult, $14 per child and $66 per family. From Cairns and the northern beaches they are $45, $25 and $115.
The introductory adventure snorkel tour with a marine biologist is $89 adult, $50 child and $228 family. The advanced adventure snorkel tour is $110, $58 and $278.
Certified scuba is $162 for one 40-minute dive, or $248 for two 40-minute dives with a wetsuit included. An introductory dive, which covers a dive lecture and one 30-minute dive with a wetsuit, is $205. The Ocean Walker helmet dive is also $205.
A helmet dive. It costs $205 with a wetsuit included, it has to be pre-booked, and the minimum age is 12.
Yes, 12 years for both the Oceanwalker helmet dive and scuba diving.
Children under 12 need an adult with them on the guided snorkel tours.
Yes. The family fare is $864 for 2 adults and 2 children of the same family. Extra children pay the normal child fare of $179, and infants aged 3 and under travel free.
Yes, a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight is available for $210 per person. Children aged 3 and over pay the full fare and infants of 2 and under fly free on a guardian's lap. Every passenger's weight has to be given when the flight is booked.
Yes, $10 per adult and $5 per child (4 to 14 years), collected at check-in on the day of travel, on top of the fare. It is not part of your booking total.
Quicksilver does not publish the capacity of the vessel. We will confirm this with you when you book.
Quicksilver does not operate on Christmas Day. Pick your preferred date when you book and we will confirm it with you.
Quicksilver Cruises
Agincourt Reef Platform Day · Port Douglas
Fares
Adult
per person
$338
Child
4–14 years
$179
Infant
3 years and under
Free
Family fare
2 adults + 2 children of the same family
$864
A fuel surcharge of $10 per adult and $5 per child (4 to 14 years) is collected at check-in on the day of travel, on top of the fare. The Marine Park Environmental Management Charge is already in the fare.