7 days under sail

Liquid Desire offers private overnight charters departing Port Douglas to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef.

All charters are professionally catered for by our onboard chefs. Liquid Desire is also crewed by myself as skipper and an in water guide / deckhand when needed.

We take small private groups of 4 to 6 for overnight trips.

What's included?

• Your skipper and crew, snorkelling gear, and meals from our private chef, made to suit your tastes.
• We provide soft drinks. Yes. Bring your own alcoholic drinks; we will have a fridge or esky for them.
• Snorkelling gear, stinger suits, wet suits and towels.
• Stand up paddle boarding
• Fishing equipment (note: we fish for food but are not fully focused on fishing)
• Reef taxes

There are a couple of great options available for an overnight charter out from Port Douglas.

Liquid Desire departure and return point is the public pontoon in Ashford Avenue. Not the marina. Use the map and link on the website. Or type in Ashford Avenue to Google. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.

A shuttle bus can be arranged for pick up from Port Douglas, Cairns or anywhere on the Northern Beaches. Best if you arrange this yourself or have your accommodation management/travel agent assist.

It is useful to be comfortable in the water. We do regard our trips as reasonably adventurous. If you are not a strong swimmer, we will manage with either flotation devices or a guide if possible. Flotation vests and noodles are on board.

We fish only where the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning allows it, and the focus is on soft plastics and lures.

Sailing Options

OPTION 1 - Port Douglas to Lizard island

This is a 7-day trip to Lizard Island …with Hiking and Diving.

Lizard Island which is our premier trip. A return delivery fee applies to every Lizard Island trip, as the crew sails Liquid Desire back to Port Douglas, which takes 2 days. Please ask us for the current fee when you enquire.

Daintree air can provide a private plane out of Lizard Island and back to Cairns. It takes about an hour and is very scenic. You can contact them directly to arrange … talk to Greg, he owns the business. Approximate cost is $3,000 or more

Here’s a summary of the itinerary:

Day 1: Port Douglas to Hope Island

• Sail approximately 50 nautical miles north of Port Douglas to Hope Island.
• Enjoy the tropical paradise, with coconut trees, a fringing reef, white sand, and various bird species.
• Activities include beachcombing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and watching the sunset.

Day 2: Hope Island to Steve’s Bommie

• Sail about 28 nautical miles offshore to Steve’s Bommie, a premium location on the Outer Barrier Reef.
• Expect to see over 400 species of colorful coral, reef sharks, rays, large fish, clownfish, and occasional turtles.
• Overnight on the bommie or move closer to the main reef for additional snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

Day 3: Ribbon # 3 to Ribbon #9 and # 10

• Sail along the inside of the outer reef, experiencing relatively calm seas and fast broad-reaching.
• Enjoy drift snorkeling or diving in the area, with spectacular underwater peaks and schools of fish.
• Have lunch underway and spend the night on a mooring or anchor in the shallows of Ribbon #10.

Day 4: Ribbon # 10 to Lizard Island with a possible side trip to the Cod Hole

• Sail approximately 20 to 25 nautical miles from Ribbon #10 to Lizard Island.
• Snorkel the shallows at Ribbon #10 before departing and consider snorkeling at the Cod Hole.
• Arrive at Watsons Bay/Lizard Island in the afternoon.

Day 5: Enjoying Lizard Island

• Explore the island, take walks to Cook’s lookout or Coconut Beach, and enjoy snorkeling in the clam garden.

Day 6: Enjoying Lizard Island, with various options

• Choose from options like a dive at the Cod Hole, a trip to Eagle Island, other hikes on Lizard Island, or relaxing on Mermaid Beach.

Day 7: Enjoying Lizard Island and fly out to Cairns

• Spend the day at Mermaid Beach or explore the research station and the blue lagoon.
• Fly out to Cairns in the afternoon or evening.

Your skipper and crew, snorkelling gear, and meals from our private chef, made to suit your tastes. We provide stinger suits, wet suits, soft drinks, fishing gear, paddle boards, towels. Tell us about any allergies, dietary needs or medical conditions when you book. Yes. Bring your own alcoholic drinks; we will have a fridge or esky for them.

Boarding and sailing

ARRIVAL AND BOARDING:

• Public pontoon in Ashford Avenue. Not the marina. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.
• Meet the crew and get acquainted with the yacht.
• Receive a safety briefing and any necessary instructions.

SETTING SAIL:

• Depart from Port Douglas and start sailing along the coastline.
• Enjoy the scenic views as the yacht glides through the water.
• Take in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and the changing colors of the sky.

RETURN TO PORT:

• As the sail comes to an end, head back to the departure point in Port Douglas.
• Disembark from the yacht, bidding farewell to the crew.