The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on earth and there are many companies offering cruises to explore it. In this article, I review two cruise tours: Here is a comparison and review of Sunlover and Wavelength so that you can find the best boat to snorkel the great barrier reef

Why go to the Great Barrier reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most special natural wonders in the world. Here are a few reasons why:

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Queensland, Australia.

Beauty: The reef is known for its stunningly beautiful coral formations, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. The crystal-clear waters of the reef provide the perfect backdrop for snorkeling, diving, and other aquatic activities.

Cultural significance: The Great Barrier Reef has significant cultural and spiritual significance to the Indigenous Australian people, who have lived in the region for tens of thousands of years.

Environmental importance: The reef is a critical ecosystem that provides habitat and shelter for numerous species of marine life, and plays an important role in maintaining the health of the ocean and the planet’s climate.

While the amount of fish and biodiversity is less impressive than some diving spots in Indonesia or the Philippines, it is nevertheless an incredible place to see and should not be missed if you are holidaying in Cairns or Port Douglas. It’s no wonder that it is considered one of the most iconic natural attractions in the world.

Review of Sunlover great Barrier reef cruise

Sunlover is a popular cruise company that offers various packages to explore the Great Barrier Reef. They have a fleet of modern and comfortable vessels that can accommodate large groups of people. Their cruises are designed for families, couples, and elderly people who want to experience the reef in a fun and relaxed way.

The Sunlover boat is one of the biggest at sea. While it can feel crowded if there are 300 passengers on it, it is also more stable and therefore great if you are prone to seasickness

Tip: Bring your seasickness tablets. They are available for sale on the Sunlover boat for 15 AUD per box. Wavelength price was more affordable at 1 AUD per tablet

Review of the Sunlover Pontoon and activities

One of the main advantages of Sunlover is that they have a pontoon on the reef. The pontoon has a range of facilities including underwater viewing rooms, semi-submersible tours, and a range of water activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving.

Sunlover also offers glass-bottom boat tours and a semi-submarine tour, which are great for those who don’t want to get wet.

If you have mobility issues, are not a good swimmer, or simply don’t want to get wet, Sunlover still allows you to see the reef.

There is also a giant waterslide and an interactive touch tank where passengers can get up close and personal with some of the reef’s inhabitants. It is great for small kids!

Sunlover offers and range of additional activities for a fee like helmet diving, guided snorkel tour, or helicopter tour. They also have a photographer and photos will be available for purchase towards the end of the day.

 

Review of the diving on Sunlover great barrier reef cruise

Sunlover Cruises offers diving tours for both certified divers and beginners who want to try diving for the first time.

It is worth noting that the Sunlover is not a diving boat per se. So, if you are an advanced diver and go exclusively for diving, you might be happier on a diving boat as they will visit sites more appropriate for advanced divers.

I was traveling with my family who are not divers. The advantage of Sunlover is that even though they are a snorkeling boat, they offer diving.

I was the only certified diver on that day, so I had a private dive guide. Because the dive is from the ponton, the dive site is not the best for diving and the maximum depth during my dive was 9 meters. They have a maximum dive time of 50 minutes, so we came back up while I still had over half a tank of air left.

Beginners can participate in introductory dives, which provide a safe and controlled environment for learning the basics of diving.

One of the unique features of diving with Sunlover Cruises is the use of a large pontoon as a base for the tours. The pontoon is anchored on the edge of the reef and provides a comfortable and convenient base for divers to prepare for their dives, with changing rooms, showers, and equipment rental available on board. The staircase to get in and out of the water is one of the best I have seen and makes it easy for people with mobility issues. The dive site is shallow with little current and provides great conditions for beginner divers.

During the dive,  we saw colorful fish and a few very curious sea turtles. You can see that they are used to being fed because a few turtles and fishes came straight at us and even followed us for most of the dive.

Review of the Snorkelling site on Sunlover cruise

Moore Reef is a section of the Great Barrier Reef that is renowned for its stunning coral formations and diverse marine life. It is home to a wide variety of fish species, including parrotfish, clownfish, and butterflyfish, as well as sea turtles. The sea turtles were used to humans and would come right near snorkellers.

The snorkeling area is delimited by marine boys and you are not allowed outside of it.

Tip: It can feel crowded if there are 300 people in the water so the best is probably to snorkel while everyone else is having lunch. Or to swim to the outside left side of the delimitated area where there are nice coral pinnacles dropping down to 9 meters.

Review of the food and drinks on the Sunlover great barrier reef cruise

The food and drinks on board Sunlover cruises are of a good standard and there are plenty of options to suit all tastes. The buffet typically includes a range of dishes, with options to suit different dietary preferences and requirements. There are usually options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten intolerance, ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy. You can see below the menu during our cruise in March 2023.

Sunlover has a full-size bar. Coffee, tea, and drinking water are provided free of charge. Other drinks (including alcoholic drinks are available for purchase)

Review of Wavelength great Barrier reef cruise

Wavelength is a smaller, more intimate cruise company that focuses on providing a more educational and personalized experience of the Great Barrier Reef. They offer snorkeling tours for small groups of people and their expert guides provide a wealth of information about the reef and its marine life.

While Sunlover departs from Cairns, Wavelength departs from the Port Douglas Marina

Tip: There is free parking available just outside the Port Douglas Marina while you have to pay to use the public parking near the Cairns Marina.

One of the main advantages of Wavelength is that they take you to 3 different snorkeling sites throughout the day. This means that you get to see a wider range of marine life and have a more exclusive experience. They also offer a range of educational resources such as laminated fish identification cards and a comprehensive briefing before entering the water. A photographer is present onboard and will provide the pictures to all passengers free of charge. It is always a nice souvenir to get underwater pictures.

The other advantage of Wavelength is that it is a small family-operated boat. The service is much friendlier and personalized. The crew is knowledgeable and happy to share their love of the reef.

 

Review of the wavelength boat.

Wavelength operates two custom-built vessels that are designed specifically for snorkeling and diving tours on the Great Barrier Reef. The boats are designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient means of traveling to and from the reef.

Wavelength provides high-quality snorkeling gear and wetsuits, which are included in the price of the tour.

The boat has 2 toilets onboard but no freshwater showers. The boat’s interior is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of seating and storage for personal belongings. There is a covered area on the upper deck, which provides shade and protection from the sun.

Wavelength Sustainability Commitment

Wavelength is a company that places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental conservation. They are committed to reducing their environmental footprint and protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

One of the key ways that Wavelength promotes sustainability is by reducing the amount of waste that is generated on their tours. They provide reusable water bottles and have reduced single-use plastics and packaging. They also have a strict policy of not feeding any marine animals, as this can disrupt the natural ecosystem of the reef.

Wavelength also works closely with a range of environmental organizations and research institutions to support ongoing conservation efforts on the Great Barrier Reef. They are doing coral restoration and replanting efforts. They have planted 65000 corals in the last 4 years on 14 of the 17 snorkeling sites that they use!

In terms of its operations, Wavelength has implemented a range of sustainable practices. They use low-emission engines on their boat. This has allowed them to reduce fuel consumption by 50 percent!  They also strive to minimize their energy and water usage and use eco-friendly cleaning products wherever possible.

Overall, Wavelength’s commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation is commendable. They are taking active steps to reduce their environmental impact and promote the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkeling on Opal Reef

Opal Reef is a beautiful and vibrant coral reef located off the coast of Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia. It is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving due to its clear waters and a large number of hard corals.

Snorkeling on Opal Reef is a unique and unforgettable experience. The reef is home to a wide variety of marine species, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks. We didn’t see any turtles but saw a black-tip reef shark in the shallow area (about 2 meters of water) when we swam a bit away from the group.

Wavelength cruises have 17 sites to choose from. Depending on the weather conditions, they chose the three best ones for each day. It takes about 90 minutes to reach the first site from Port Douglas. The travel time between each site is about 5 minutes and you get one hour to snorkel on each site.

What to do if you are seasick?

During both my trip on Wavelength and Sunlover, I witnessed many passengers getting seasick.

Seasickness, also known as motion sickness, is a common condition that can occur when traveling on a boat or other form of transportation that involves motion. It is caused by a discrepancy between what your eyes see and what your inner ear perceives, leading to confusion in your brain’s balance centers.

Symptoms of seasickness can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and cold sweats. It can be an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience and can potentially ruin your trip if not managed properly.

There are several ways to prevent or manage seasickness while on a boat. One of the most effective methods is to take medication that is designed to prevent motion sicknesses, such as dimenhydrinate or meclizine. These medications are available over-the-counter and can be taken before boarding the boat to prevent symptoms from occurring.

Tip: You need to take your seasickness tablet before you get seasick or it won’t work. So don’t wait until you feel symptoms to take it.

Another effective method is to avoid reading or focusing on objects in the cabin of the boat and instead focus on the horizon or a stationary object on land. This can help to minimize the discrepancy between what your eyes see and what your inner ear perceives, reducing the likelihood of experiencing seasickness.

Other tips include staying hydrated, avoiding heavy or greasy foods before and during the trip, and getting plenty of fresh air by staying on the deck of the boat. It’s also important to avoid alcohol, which can exacerbate symptoms of seasickness.

If you do experience seasickness, it’s important to let the crew know so that they can provide assistance and support. They may be able to provide medication or other remedies to help alleviate symptoms and can provide a comfortable and quiet place for you to rest if needed.

In conclusion: How to find the best boat to snorkel on the great barrier reef?

Both Sunlover and Wavelength offer great experiences of the Great Barrier Reef, but they have different strengths. Sunlover is great for families, people with disability who don’t want to get in the water, or people with seasickness who want to explore the reef in a fun and relaxed way.

Wavelength is perfect for those who want to spend more time in the water and snorkel in multiple areas and want a more personalized and educational experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your preferences and what you want to get out of your Great Barrier Reef cruise.

 

You can book directly on the Sunlover Website and the Wavelength website.

Tip: Make sure you book the Wavelength cruise a few days in advance as they have a limited capacity and are often fully booked.

For more info about activities in Cairns, read my articles about the wildlife night tour, the Shangri La Hotel in Cairns, or the Prot Douglas Crocodile cruise.

If you are looking for info on great diving, read my article on diving in Komodo or all my other diving articles.