Trinity Beach Tourism News

Thunderbolt Review

Raging Thunder - Thunderbolt Reef Snorkelling News Feed

The trip to the reef on Thunderbolt was full of excitement, and certaintly the most entertaining cruise to the reef I have experienced so far... No time for sea sickness or getting bored, its a 30 minute thrill ride from Cairns to Fitzroy Island where you can cruise right up close to the coastline and view stunning deserted beaches on the way. With only 7 of us onboard it was like having our own private speedboat for the day.

On arrival at Fitzroy Island we were taken to the beach hire hut to grab our snorkel equipment, plus a very attractive lycra stinger suit. Stinger suits offer great sun protection and are a good precaution for stingers, but if nothing else they are the best entertainment value. Very flattering... lets just say we looked like mermaids ready to take to the water...

Anyhow after our laughs getting ready we jetted over to Little Fitzroy for some amazing snorkelling. The conditions were just perfect and I was amazed at the amount of marinelife there was. I spotted a huge giant clam which had soft corals growing all over it. There were schools of parrotfish heading past and lots of beautiful angelfish.

As the day was so perfect we decided to lunch onboard the boat at our next snorkel spot. Lunch was a simple ham sandwich, fruit and biscuits but plenty when in no time we were back in the water again.

The second location known as Shark Fin again blew me away with the amount of pristine coral. Don't worry we wern't about to become Shark Fin soup, the name relates to a rock on the island which is in the shape of a shark fin (very clever). The area itself is great for beginner snorkellers as it is quite shallow, very sheltered and all the coral is right there as soon as you jump in.

Like mermaids we decided to snorkel over to the island and perch ourselves on a rock to take in the stunning scenery, unfortunately not quite as planned we washed up on the sand like two beached whales. Yes my snorkelling skills have a lot to be desired!

Cruising back to the jetty we had the option to stay on the island a bit longer or enjoy the thrills on Thunderbolt back to Cairns. We chose the thrills back to Cairns!

I highly recommend this trip as an ideal half day snorkel. The trip returns into Cairns at 2pm allowing plenty of time in the afternoon to do other activities before the day is over.

For further details on the Thunderbolt snorkel cruise please click here

Perfect Rainy Day Experience

Skyrail - Skyrail Cableway News Feed

Did you know that Australia's Tropical Rainforests look their very best in the wet? Rain is a vital part of this ancient environment and its arrival heralds the flowering and fruiting of many plants, not to mention the effect it has on the Barron Falls!

Skyrail is spectacular on a fine day and amazing in the wet. Travelling through the mist in your fully enclosed gondola cabin, you will see the rainforest come to life in the rain, and there are complimentary umbrellas available at the mid-stations.  

As we enter November and begin to prepare for the onset of the region's wet season, consider Skyrail as a must in your holiday itinerary.
 
The fully-enclosed six-person gondola cabins provide amazing views of the rainforest, its canopy, the Barron Gorge and Falls. Enjoy free entry to the Rainforest Interpretation Centre at Barron Falls Station, plus an interpretive Ranger will conduct guided boardwalk tours throughout the day.

Its official! - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is the best at sustainable tourism, as recognised at the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Skyrail’s Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award affirms the rainforest cableway as an industry leader that minimises its environmental impact, conserves natural resources, respects local cultures and benefits its local community.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Down Under Tours - Cairns Highlands News Feed

6 Reasons to travel on a Group Tour!

• SAVE WATER: Reduces the number of vehicles washed each day
• MINIMISE POLLUTION: Reduce noise, minimize congestion and your carbon footprint
• GET AN EDUCATION: Learn about the environment, its flora, fauna and landscapes and what you can do to help protect it
• COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Supporting local businesses by using local produce & providing jobs
• MEET NEW PEOPLE: The perfect chance to learn about other cultures, respect traditions, religions and the heritage of others, both on tour and in the local communities you visit
• RELAX AND TAKE IN THE VIEW: No need to rush, get lost or risk missing touring highlights
• MAKE THE MOST OF THE DAY: Tours are timed to perfection - offering all the highlights the region and its attractions has to offer- with a locally owned and operated tour company.

Travel with Down Under Tours and reduce your carbon footprint...

Down Under Tours is a locally owned and operated Eco Certified tour company. Travel to the Tablelands, visit Paronella Park, waterfalls, crater lakes and the brand new MaMu Canopy Walk and rest assured that you will minimise your carbon footprint. Click here for further details on the tour itinerary and inclusions.

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

It was a beautiful day out at Moore Reef today. The seas were fairly calm, the fish were very playful and the activities were endless. A highlight of today was the scuba diving, with tours led by our very talented and knowledgeable dive crew. Many guests took advantage of the conditions and donned a scuba unit and headed into the underwater realm, some for the very first time. Highlights in the water today included Oceanic Trout, schools of Trevally, Clown Fish in their protective anemone, Red Snapper, beautiful bright yellow & black Moorish Idols, our resident Maori Wrasse, plus Coral munching Parrot Fish. Marine World is located alongside some of the best preserved Plate, Staghorn & Boulder Corals in the region.

For those who preferred to admire the scenery from the comfort of the underwater viewing observatory, the daily fish feed attracted an abundance of tropical reef fish. Who says there is no such thing as free lunch! Giant Clams, Clown Fish, Sweetlips, Nudibranchs, Sea Cucumbers, schools of Yellow Tail Fusiliers, Reef Sharks and some playful turtles could be seen from the comfort of the coral viewing vessel, which took in the sights of the North wall. With clear blue skies all day on the outer reef, the Heli-Magic scenic flights were also popular. These flights are excellent for a birds eye view of the reef, and also for Turtle, Shark and Ray sightings.

Water Temperature: 27c
Underwater Visibility: 10-15m
    

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: SE winds 13 knots
Low Isles: ESE winds 13 knots
Green Island: SE winds 19 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 17 knots
                      
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Sunday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Monday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Tuesday: SE winds 10-15 knots

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

NOW IS THE TIME TO VISIT THE REEF - Perfect conditions all round!

Out on the reef today everybody enjoyed the sunshine, and interacting with the incredible diversity of marine life on the Outer Barrier Reef. The hard and soft corals found at the reef are home to hundreds of different species of marine life. Many of the residents of Marine World put on a spectacular show with brightly coloured Damsel and Butterfly fish schooling around the snorkelling site.

Snorkellers were amazed at how friendly Wally, the resident Maori Wrasse was as he graciously swam amongst all those who ventured into the water. On hand to assist in the identification of fish and coral species was our Marine Biologist, who leads the guided snorkel tours, very handy company to have considering there are 1500 fish species on the Great Barrier Reef!

Water Temperature: 27c
Underwater Visibility: 30m!!!

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today

Marine World: SEE winds 3 knots
Low Isles: E winds 7 knots
Green Island: ESE winds 8 knots
Cairns Airport: NNE winds 11 knots
                       
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Monday: E/SE winds 5-10 knots
Tuesday: E/SE winds 10-15 knots
Wednesday: SE winds 15-20 knots

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

Today was another beautiful day to be out on the Great Barrier Reef. Everybody fully enjoyed the nice circumstances and exploited them to their fullest heading into the water for a snorkel or a dive. The divers were thrilled to spot a large manta ray, two female green turtles and schooling pelagic fish, while the snorkellers were finding Nemo’s and other abundant marine wildlife.

After lunch our guests were entertained by our Marine Biologist who conducted a fish feed at the northern end of Marine World to introduce some of the resident fish to all the guests. Our ever friendly Maori wrasse-Wally delighted all with his antics of territorial behaviour, scattering the red bass, blue lined trevally and paddle tailed snappers away from the action.

The Semi-Submersible was kept busy all day as well providing tours to the western side of Marine World displaying thousands of fusiliers, anthias and tropical reef fish. The Heli Magic tours were popular again today, soaring high above the reefs surface to display a three dimensional view of the world famous Great Barrier Reef. 

Our Marine Biologist was also busy with Guided Marine Snorkel Tours, explaining about the ecology of the surrounding reefs and pointing out different species of interest such as sea anemones, herbivore fish species, plankton feeders, giant clams, goat fish and garden eels.

Water Temperature: 27c
Underwater Visibility: 25-30m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: N winds 5 knots
Low Isles: NE winds 13 knots
Green Island: NNE winds 8 knots
Cairns Airport: N winds 9 knots      
         
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm
Friday: E/NE winds 5-10 knots
Saturday: E/NE winds 5-10 knots
Sunday: SE/NE winds 10-15 knots

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

Out on the reef today everybody enjoyed the sunshine, and interacting with the incredible diversity of marine life on the Outer Barrier Reef. The hard and soft corals found at the reef are home to hundreds of different species of marine life. Many of the residents of Marine World put on a spectacular show with brightly coloured Damsel and Butterfly fish schooling around the snorkelling site. Snorkellers were amazed at how friendly Wally, the resident Maori Wrasse was as he graciously swam amongst all those who ventured into the water. On hand to assist in the identification of fish and coral species was our Marine Biologist, who leads the guided snorkel tours, very handy company to have considering there are 1500 fish species on the Great Barrier Reef!

For those who preferred to stay dry, the Semi Submersible glided along the northern end of Marine World to display a large variety of sea molluscs, invertebrates and hundreds of lined rabbit fish, anthias and sergeant major fish. Fish feeds are conducted daily in front of the windows of our underwater observatory ensuring everybody can experience the wonders of the reef. And for those who prefer a bird’s eye view, Heli Magic offers Introductory Scenic Helicopter Flights, soaring high above the reefs surface, that highlight the spectacular colours and dimensions of the patch reefs.

Water Temperature: 27c
Underwater Visibility: 15m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: NNE winds 8 knots
Low Isles: NE winds 11 knots
Green Island: NNE winds 7 knots
Cairns Airport: NE winds 9 knots  
                     
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Wednesday: E/NE winds 10-15 knots
Thursday: E/NE winds 10-15 knots
Friday: E/NE winds 10-15 knots

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

The marine biologist conducted a fish feed at the northern end of Marine World to introduce some of the resident fish to all the guests. Our ever friendly maori wrasse-Wally delighted all with his antics of territorial behaviour, scattering the red bass, blue lined trevally and paddle tailed snappers away from the action.  Guests’ snorkelling were able to get up close and personal to the wild life as the marine biologist explained the ecology of different species.

The forecast for the next few days has improved greatly compared with the last couple of months.  Marine World, in only 90 mins from Cairns on our fast stable catamaran and its position tucked in behind the reef is the perfect refuge with spacious decks, no crowds, and a full 5 hours to relax or take advantage of the full range of activities available.

Water Temperature: 27C
Underwater Visibility: 15m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: SE winds 15 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 10 knots
Green Island: SE winds 21 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 13 knots    
                   
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm
Thursday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Friday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Saturday: SE winds 10-15 knots

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

With the present conditions the most comfortable option when visiting the reef is to access it direct from Cairns, spending as little time as possible travelling. Reef Magic cruises to our stable Marine World pontoon in just 90 minutes where guests enjoy a spacious, stable base from which to explore the reef.

Highlights in the water today included Giant Maori Wrasse, Trevally, Schools of colourful Sweetlip, some Alligator Gar Fish and 3 Black Whalers on the Outer Reef wall. Even with the overcast conditions of late, the sun manages to shine through on the reef, keeping the water temperature at a very comfortable 26c.

The guided Marine Snorkel Tours continue to prove extremely popular…the afternoon tours head to the outer reef Wall of Moore Reef (complete with all sorts of flotation devices) and spend the next hour casually swimming back to Marine World with our Marine Biologist pointing out the wonders of the reef en route…there is no better way to see some of the most colourful and best preserved corals in the region and learn a little on the way!

Water Temperature: 26c
Underwater Visibility: 10m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today:-
Marine World: SE winds 18 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 19 knots
Green Island: SE winds 23 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 16 knots    
                   
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm
Sunday: SE winds 20-30knots
Monday: SE winds 20-30 knots
Tuesday: SE winds 20-25 knots

Reef Magic

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

Guests were meet with superb conditions on the water toady at Marine World; 60klms due East of Cairns at the Moore Reef Site.  Activities on and under the water offered guests an exciting opportunity to spot some of the wondrous native marine life: Pencilled Surgeonfish, Half-circled Angelfish, Schooling Bannerfish, Black & Pineapple Sea cucumbers, Giant Clams & various Hard & Soft Corals.

Some Interesting Facts about Whale Sharks…
The whale shark is the biggest shark and the biggest fish. It is NOT a whale. It has a huge mouth which can be up to 4 feet (1.4 m) wide. Its mouth is at the very front of its head (not on the underside of the head like in most sharks). It has a wide, flat head, a rounded snout, small eyes, 5 very large gill slits, 2 dorsal fins (on its back) and 2 pectoral fins (on its sides). The spiracle (a vestigial first gill slit used for breathing when the shark is resting on the sea floor) is located just behind the shark's eye. Its tail has a top fin much larger than the lower fin.  The whale shark has distinctive light-yellow markings (random stripes and dots) on its very thick dark gray skin. Its skin is up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick. There are three prominent ridges running along each side of the shark's body.  This enormous shark is a filter feeder and sieves enormous amounts of plankton to eat through its gills as it swims.

Water Temperature: 26 C
Underwater Visibility: 25m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: ESE winds 12 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 14 knots
Green Island: SE winds 19 knots
Cairns Airport: ESE winds 16 knots          
             
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Friday: SE winds 15-20 knots
Saturday: SE winds 15-20 knots
Sunday: SE winds 15-20 knots

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