SeaStar Cruises Review 2026: Two Outer Reef Locations, One Day
SeaStar is the only Michaelmas Cay operator that visits two locations in a single day: the cay itself â an uninhabited coral sand cay 55 km offshore, home to 23 nesting seabird species â then Hastings Reef for a second guided snorkel session. No other Michaelmas operator offers that combination. The group cap is 36, the smallest of any operator here, and everything is included: buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, snorkel gear, wetsuits, swim vests, glass bottom boat, and guided snorkels at both stops.
Dive pricing is the most affordable of any Cairns island operator: intro first dive $95, second $55, certified diving from $75. The 7:30 AM departure is the earliest from any island tour out of Cairns. No fuel levy â $265 adult is what you pay. No family rate is listed; contact SeaStar directly for group pricing. The strongest Michaelmas Cay option for snorkellers and divers.
GuestTours Verdict
The best choice for serious snorkellers and divers at Michaelmas Cay. Two reef locations, smallest group size, lowest dive prices. $265 adult with all food and snorkel gear included. No family rate; contact SeaStar for group pricing.
What's included in your ticket
- Return ferry crossing
- Landing on Michaelmas Cay
- Guided snorkel, Michaelmas Cay
- Guided snorkel, Hastings Reef
- Snorkel gear, mask and fins
- Wetsuits
- Swim vests
- Glass bottom boat tour
- Buffet lunch
- Morning tea
- Afternoon tea
Not included: hotel transfers ($30 CBD / $40 Northern Beaches per person), scuba diving (intro from $95, certified from $75). EMC levy, confirm at booking whether applicable.
Pros and cons
What we love
- Only operator visiting both Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef
- Max 36 guests, smallest Michaelmas Cay group
- Guided snorkel at both reef locations
- Cheapest diving prices of any Michaelmas operator
- All food and gear included in base ticket
- No fuel levy, transparent pricing
Worth knowing
- 7:30 AM departure is early, factor this in
- No family rate published
- No semi-submarine (Ocean Spirit has one)
- No on-island facilities (Michaelmas Cay is uninhabited)
Your day, hour by hour
7:30 AM
Depart Reef Fleet Terminal
1 Spence St, Cairns. Earliest departure of any island tour from Cairns. Maximise time on the outer reef.
~9:00 AM
Arrive Michaelmas Cay
Land on the uninhabited coral sand cay on the outer reef. Morning tea served. Explore the seabird sanctuary with 23 nesting species.
Mid-morning
Guided snorkel session, Michaelmas Cay
Outer reef fringing coral around the cay. 23 seabird species visible above the water. Glass bottom boat available simultaneously.
Midday
Buffet lunch on board
Lunch served on the vessel while transferring to the second reef location.
Early afternoon
Transfer to Hastings Reef
Short transit to the second outer reef snorkel location. No other Michaelmas Cay operator offers this second stop.
Afternoon
Guided snorkel, Hastings Reef + afternoon tea
Second guided snorkel session. Diving add-ons also take place at Hastings Reef. Afternoon tea served on board.
~3:00 PM
Depart for Cairns
Return crossing to Cairns. Approximately 75 minutes.
~4:15 PM
Arrive Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns
Times approximate and subject to conditions.
Optional extras
Intro Dive, 1st dive
No certification needed. First dive on the outer reef at Hastings Reef. One of the cheapest intro dive prices in Cairns.
$95 pp
Intro Dive, 2nd dive
Second introductory dive on the same day. Add this when booking the first.
$55 pp
Certified Dive, 1 dive
For certified divers. One dive at Hastings Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
$75 pp
Certified Dive, 2 dives
Two certified dives in one day. Best value for experienced divers wanting maximum bottom time.
$130 pp
Hotel Transfer, CBD
Return coach transfers from Cairns CBD hotels to Reef Fleet Terminal. Book when making your reservation.
$30 pp
Hotel Transfer, Northern Beaches
Return transfers from Northern Beaches area hotels. Book when making your reservation.
$40 pp
Common questions
SeaStar is the only Michaelmas Cay operator that also visits Hastings Reef, giving you two distinct snorkel locations in one day. The group is also capped at 36, smaller and more intimate than Ocean Spirit's sailing catamaran. The diving add-ons are also priced significantly lower ($95 for an intro dive vs Ocean Spirit's $174).
Michaelmas Cay is a small uninhabited coral sand cay sitting on the outer Great Barrier Reef, approximately 55 km north-northeast of Cairns. Unlike Green Island or Fitzroy Island, there is no resort, no buildings and no facilities, just reef, sand and seabirds. It's one of Queensland's most important seabird nesting sites, home to 23 species including terns, boobies and frigatebirds. Visitors can land on the cay in a designated zone.
Excellent. Michaelmas Cay sits directly on the outer reef, coral health and water visibility are significantly better than at inner reef islands like Green Island or Fitzroy. You're 55 km from shore, well into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The guided snorkel ensures you're shown the best spots rather than finding your own way around.
Yes. Introductory diving is $95 for the first dive (no certification required) and $55 for a second dive. Certified divers can book one dive for $75 or two dives for $130. These are some of the most competitive diving prices of any Cairns operator. Confirm minimum age requirements for diving when booking.
Yes. The glass bottom boat tour is included for those who prefer not to get in the water, and swim vests are provided for those who want to snorkel but are less confident in the water. However, snorkelling is the primary activity, if water activities aren't for you at all, a Green Island day trip with more land-based options may be a better fit.
No family rate is published for SeaStar Cruises. Pricing is per person: $265 adult, $170 child (aged 4-14). Contact SeaStar directly if you need to enquire about family group pricing.
No fuel levy is listed for SeaStar. The published price of $265 adult / $170 child is the ticket price. Confirm at booking whether any environmental management charge applies at check-in.
Both operate day trips to Michaelmas Cay from Cairns. SeaStar's key advantages are: smaller group (max 36), two snorkel locations (Michaelmas Cay plus Hastings Reef vs Ocean Spirit's Michaelmas Cay only), and lower diving prices. Ocean Spirit's advantages are: a 32-metre sailing catamaran, a semi-submarine, marine biologist presentations on board, sparkling wine on return, and the EMC is included in their advertised price. Price: SeaStar $265 vs Ocean Spirit $288 plus $4 fuel levy.
Return hotel transfers are available as an add-on: $30 per person from Cairns CBD hotels, or $40 per person from the Northern Beaches area. Book when making your reservation.
Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimwear and a towel. Snorkel gear, wetsuits and swim vests are all provided. Lunch and all refreshments are included. Card is useful for any additional purchases on board. Leave valuables at your hotel.
Free cancellation if you cancel 48 hours or more before departure. Within 48 hours the booking is non-refundable. If the tour is cancelled due to weather, you receive a full refund or can reschedule.
Michaelmas Cay is 55 km from Cairns, a 90-minute boat crossing. The early departure ensures you have a full day on the outer reef, with time at both Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef before returning by 4:15 PM. Most other island tours (Green Island, Fitzroy) depart later because those islands are only 27-29 km from Cairns. The 7:30 AM start is non-negotiable for an outer reef day trip.
SeaStar Cruises
Michaelmas Cay Full Day ¡ Cairns
Ticket Prices (all-inclusive)
Adult
Full day ¡ buffet lunch incl.
$265
Child (4-14)
Full day
$170
đ Secure booking ¡ no payment now
âī¸ Confirmation within 1 hour
âŠī¸ Free cancellation 48h+
We confirm availability with the operator and send a secure payment link by email. No charge until confirmed.