Port Douglas - Low Isles

This was our fourth trip to the Low Isles with Sailaway. Since our last visit they now have an afternoon cruise to the isles so we decided to go on that one.

It was raining when the bus collected us to go to the marina however after a short time the weather had cleared and some of us sat outside as we travelled to the islands.

A small boat took us to Low Island where most people went snorkelling.

A few of us decided to explore the island. A small museum provides information about the history  Low Isles and its environment.

The grave of the wife of a former lighthouse keeper on the island.

It was low tide so it was possible to examine rock pools and coral uncovered for a short time.

Rounding a corner we came upon a group of pelicans.

There is also some dramatic driftwood to be seen on this part of the beach.

When the snorklers returned there was a short guided tour of part of Low Isle.

Osprey have built a nest on top of the lighthouse.

Back on Sailaway we had afternoon tea and a drink before sailing back to Port Douglas. Another great day.

Port Douglas 2013 - Low Isles

Our third visit to the Low Isles was another enjoyable day. The weather was perfect for the one hour sail to the Low Isles aboard the catamaran, Sail Away.  

Arriving at the islands, those wanting to snorkel did so while the rest of us explored the island or just relaxed. 

It was low tide and a group of pelicans was resting on a sand bar. 

I walked round the island looking at the patterns made by coral and shells in the sand 

and water and generally enjoying the beauty of the island. 

We spent some time watching a flock of seagulls diving to catch baitfish in the shallow water on one section of the reef. Lemon sharks were also hunting the baitfish and fins of the sharks could be seen cruising through the water in the same area. 

I also visited the display of shells and

coral, starfish and sponges found on the reef.

On the boat returning to the catamaran Brett guided the boat slowly over the coral reefs allowing us to have a great view of the coral and the fish through the glass bottom of the boat. We also saw a giant turtle but the many smaller turtles that we have seen on previous occasions were absent this time. 

After lunch a group of black tipped sharks and a couple of batfish swam around the catamaran. 
Some of the passengers went snorkelling from the back of the boat before we returned to Port Douglas. 

The trip back proved quite an adventure with water from some of the waves hitting the front of the craft and drenching those in the vicinity. Another great day.

The Low Isles

The marina at Port Douglas provides a variety of ways to explore the Barrier Reef. A number of companies, including Quicksilver will take you on an excusion to part of  the outer reef - the Agincourt Reef for example - on a large catamaran - or you can elect to sail to to Barrier Reef islands such as the Low Isles. In 2005 we visited the outer reef but in 2009 and 2010 we elected to spend the day aboard Sailaway IV to visit the coral cay, Low Isles.

The one hour trip sailing on the yacht with around thirty other passengers is an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Snorkelling to explore the reef is a major focus of the outing but those of us who do not enjoy snorkelling can still enjoy the day. 

On our first visit it was high tide so the Skipper offered to take a group of us in a small boat to explore the nearby mangroves and look for sea turtles.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party were preparing to explore the reef near the cay

however another way to explore the reef is in a glass bottom boat.

There was also opportunity to explore the cay on foot. It dies not take long to walk around the island however there is much to see. It was low tide when we visited in 2010, lots of driftwood and sandbars and rocks exposed.

Sea eagles built a nest in the top of this tree.

Not surprisingly the lighthouse is the central feature of the island.

Back on the boat we had a buffet lunch and then watched as the fish arrived for their share.

After lunch the snorklers explored another section of the reef.

Then back on the catamaran for the return trip to Port Douglas after a relaxing, enjoyable day.