How do I get to Michaelmas Cay?

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most mesmerising natural wonders. This giant series of living coral reefs is home to thousands of weird and wonderful fish, sea and coral species, and is even visible from space!

A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is an Aussie travel rite of passage, with endless adventures and ample wonder to enjoy on and below the water’s surface.

One of the most incredible locations situated within the reef is Michaelmas Cay, a divine seabird habitat that also boasts a surreal coral reef system below the surface!

Catamarans routinely head out to Michaelmas Cay for divers and snorkellers to get in an amazing subsurface session, but there are also glass bottom boat tours that will take you to the cay without the need to get too up close and personal with the marine life.

All said, it doesn’t matter how you get there – it’s the experiences had there that count, and Michaelmas Cay has a bunch of ‘em…

Snorkelling adventures

Michaelmas Cay truly is one of the most impressive individual reefs along the entirety of the Great Barrier Reef, so naturally it makes for a pretty astounding place to do a spot of snorkelling.

Head out with an experienced marine biologist, who will happily point out the myriad of incredible sea life habitating the cay including parrotfish and giant clams!

Try our scuba diving

Tired of bobbing on the surface with your snorkel? Think it’s time to become more of a human submersible? Then chuck on your scuba gear, head out to the cay and learn the ropes of this most awe-inspiring activity.

The cay is home to so many wondrous species that hang back a little further underwater, so it truly is the ideal spot to learn how to go a little deeper and try your hand at snorkelling!

Bird watching

Somewhere deemed a “seabird sanctuary” is sure to have some pretty impressive birds stopping by to rest their wings, and Michaelmas Cay is no exception. Michaelmas Cay plays host to numerous different bird species, with everything from terns to noddies, herons and gulls all swooping around looking for a spot to chill and have a bite!

And you can just chill on the beach

After all this adventuring, you might just want to sit and relax… Michaelmas Cay is an island paradise, and a simply joyful place to hang out, relax and unwind in the tropical sun…

Related article: Where is the best place to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.