Silversonic Review
Silversonic is the Port Douglas half of the Silver Series, and the sister boat to Silverswift out of Cairns. It is a straightforward, well-run outer reef day: three Agincourt ribbon reef sites, out at 8:30am and back at 4:30pm, with around five hours at the reef. Snorkelling, introductory diving and certified diving are all available on the same trip.
GuestTours Verdict
GuestTours award: Best Dive and Snorkel Combo. GuestTours rating: 4.6 / 5.
Silversonic
Dive & Snorkel Day, Outer Reef · Port Douglas
Fares
Adult
per person
$328
Child
4–14 years
$238
Infant
3 years and under
Free
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 coach transfer from and to your Port Douglas accommodation
- Return cruise from Port Douglas Marina to three Agincourt ribbon reef sites
- Around five hours at the reef
- Snorkelling equipment: mask, snorkel and fins, plus instruction
- A snorkel briefing at each of the three sites
- Reef Discovery guided snorkel tour
- Lycra suit and buoyancy vest
- Prescription masks at no extra cost
- Qualified lifeguard supervision
- Morning tea on boarding with focaccia and muffins
- Hot and cold tropical buffet lunch
- Afternoon tea with cake, cheese and biscuits
- Marine Park Environmental Management Charge of $8.50 per person for adults and children 4 and over
Is this the right reef day for you?
Great fit
Divers who want a fixed schedule
Out at 8:30am, back at 4:30pm, three sites in between.
Great fit
Mixed groups
One person can dive while the other snorkels. Same boat, same day, and only the diver pays the dive supplement.
Great fit
People staying in Port Douglas
It leaves from Port Douglas, so there is no early run down to Cairns.
Look elsewhere
Anyone wanting a pontoon
No platform, observatory or semi-submarine on this trip.
Look elsewhere
People looking for Silverswift
That is the Cairns boat and a different day out.
Look elsewhere
Under-12s who want to dive
The minimum age for diving is 12. Younger children are welcome to snorkel.
How the day runs
Times follow the published itinerary and may vary depending on which reef sites are visited on the day.
8:00 – 8:15 AM
Check in at Port Douglas Marina
Boarding passes, then onto the boat. Tea and coffee are served until departure, with muffins and focaccia.
8:30 AM
Depart for the outer reef
Silversonic leaves Port Douglas Marina for the Agincourt ribbon reefs.
10:15 AM
First Agincourt Reef site
Snorkel briefing, then in the water. Divers go in with their guide.
11:30 AM
Move to the second site
A short transit to the next Agincourt Reef site.
12:00 PM
Buffet lunch
Hot and cold tropical buffet lunch is served.
1:40 PM
Third site and the guided snorkel tour
Transit to the last Agincourt Reef site, where the Reef Discovery guided snorkel tour runs.
2:30 PM
Afternoon tea
Cake, cheese and biscuits.
2:50 PM
Everyone back on board
Final passenger count before the boat turns for home.
3:00 PM
Return journey starts
Silversonic heads back towards Port Douglas.
4:30 PM
Back at Port Douglas Marina
The boat ties up at the marina on Wharf St.
4:55 PM
Coach back to your accommodation
The return coach leaves the marina for Port Douglas accommodation.
Before you go
Departure point
Port Douglas Marina, Wharf St. Check in between 8:00 and 8:15 AM
Departure time
8:30 AM, daily except Christmas Day
Return time
4:30 PM at the marina, with the coach back to accommodation at 4:55 PM
Reef sites
Three Agincourt ribbon reef sites, chosen on the day from over 35 exclusive sites
Time at the reef
Around five hours
The boat
29m catamaran with an air conditioned lounge, licensed bar, hot freshwater showers and change rooms
Minimum dive age
12 years, for both introductory and certified dives
Children
The child fare covers 4 to 14 years. Children 3 and under travel free
Transfers
The return coach from your Port Douglas accommodation is included. From Cairns and the northern beaches it is $41 adult and $36 child
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
Sister vessel
Silverswift is the same operator but departs from Cairns, not Port Douglas
The full review
Silversonic is the Port Douglas half of the Silver Series, and the sister boat to Silverswift out of Cairns. It is a straightforward, well-run outer reef day: three Agincourt ribbon reef sites, out at 8:30am and back at 4:30pm, with around five hours at the reef and snorkelling, introductory diving and certified diving all available on the same trip. The fares are identical to Poseidon, so the choice between the two comes down to the boat and which days each one runs, not the money. Worth knowing: the big hydraulic platform at the back makes getting in and out of the water easy, which matters more than it sounds once you are in fins or a tank.
Silversonic FAQs
No, and this catches people out. They are sister vessels from the same operator, but Silversonic departs Port Douglas and Silverswift departs Cairns. If you are staying in Port Douglas, Silversonic is the one you want.
Check in at Port Douglas Marina between 8:00 and 8:15am. Silversonic departs at 8:30am and is back at the marina at 4:30pm, with the coach leaving for Port Douglas accommodation at 4:55pm. Times can vary depending on which reef sites are visited.
Yes, daily, with Christmas Day the one exception.
Three, all at the Agincourt ribbon reefs on the outer edge. The crew picks them on the day from over 35 sites Silversonic has exclusive access to, so the choice follows the conditions.
Diving is added on top of the snorkel fare, and the fare plus the add-on equals the operator's dive price. Certified diving with dive gear and wetsuit adds $72 for one dive, $104 for two and $128 for three, which makes $400, $432 and $456 with the adult fare. With tanks and weights only it adds $61, $93 and $117 ($389, $421 and $445). Introductory diving with dive gear and wetsuit adds $98 for one dive and $186 for two ($426 and $514).
Yes. Introductory dives come with dive gear and a wetsuit, and every dive is guided.
Yes, 12 years, for introductory and certified dives alike. Younger children can still snorkel.
Yes. The base fare is a snorkel and cruise fare covering all three sites, with mask, snorkel and fins, a lycra suit and buoyancy vest, a briefing at each site, and the Reef Discovery guided snorkel tour. Prescription masks are there at no extra cost if you need one.
The child fare covers ages 4 to 14. Children 3 and under travel free.
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.
If you are staying in Port Douglas, yes. The return coach between your accommodation and the marina is already in the fare. From Cairns and the northern beaches the coach is an optional extra at $41 per adult and $36 per child.
Yes. The $8.50 Environmental Management Charge for adults and children aged 4 and over is built into the fare.
Silversonic does not publish its passenger capacity. We will confirm this with you when you book.
Yes, a hot and cold tropical buffet lunch, served around midday. There is also morning tea on boarding with focaccia and muffins, and afternoon tea later with cake, cheese and biscuits. Tell us about any dietary requirements when you book and we will pass them on.
Silversonic holds a special permit that lets guests swim with dwarf minke whales if the boat encounters them. It is a chance encounter, never a guarantee, so treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book.
Silversonic
Dive & Snorkel Day, Outer Reef · Port Douglas
Fares
Adult
per person
$328
Child
4–14 years
$238
Infant
3 years and under
Free
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.