1 day under sail

Private Day Charters – Port Douglas

Liquid Desire offers private day sailing charters from Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef for small groups of up to 11 guests. Your trip is run by owner and skipper Anthony, with an in-water guide or deckhand when needed. All meals are prepared on board by quality chefs, very often Anthony’s wife, Junlan.

What’s Included

• Skipper and crew
• Fresh, healthy meals prepared by quality chefs, made to suit your tastes
• Soft drinks (BYO alcohol – we’ll keep it cold for you)
• Snorkelling gear, stinger suits, wetsuits and towels
• Flotation vests and noodles
• Stand-up paddle boards
• Fishing gear (we fish for food using lures and soft plastics, only where Marine Park zoning allows)
• Reef taxes

Choose Your Destination

Low Isles: flexible times

About a 1-hour sail (8 nautical miles). A beautiful island on the Inner Reef with easy snorkelling and a sandy beach to relax on. We drift snorkel here, and you’ll often spot turtles and reef sharks. At high tide you can explore the mangrove island and see rays, turtles and a variety of birdlife.

It’s ideal for children and beginners, and it offers a safe anchorage in windy weather. Other boats also visit, so you may share the beach.

Tongue Reef or Batt Reef: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

About a 2-hour sail (16 to 18 nautical miles). Stunning Outer Reef sites with more coral and marine life, and home to our signature drift snorkelling. We anchor in a shallow lagoon with easy access to the lagoon reefs.

Then we drift along the reef’s drop-off edge, where you can “superman” with the current and cover 1 to 2 km of reef. They suit experienced snorkellers and younger guests alike.

Your Day Aboard Liquid Desire

1. Set sail. Board at the Public Pontoon on Ashford Avenue and head out to the reef or island.
2. Enjoy the journey. Relax and take in the views as Liquid Desire glides across the Coral Sea.
3. Drop anchor and snorkel. Moor in a sheltered lagoon and slip into the water for a drift snorkel over the coral.
4. Lunch on board. Enjoy a delicious, fresh, healthy lunch, then spend the afternoon however you like: snorkelling, paddle boarding, fishing, or relaxing on deck.
5. Sail home. Raise anchor and sail back to Port Douglas.

Good to Know

• Where to meet: the Public Pontoon on Ashford Avenue, Port Douglas (not the marina). Search “Ashford Avenue, Port Douglas” in Google Maps or use the map on our website.
• Arrival: please arrive 15 minutes before departure. Outer Reef trips leave at 8:00 am sharp to make the most of the day.
• Transfers: shuttle buses run from Port Douglas, Cairns and the Northern Beaches. Please book your own, or ask your accommodation or travel agent to help.
• Swimming ability: our trips are a little adventurous, so being comfortable in the water helps. Non-swimmers are welcome, and we’ll look after you with flotation gear and a guide where possible.
• Public holidays: a 25% surcharge applies on Queensland public holidays.