Things to do in Mackay

Our tour was delayed by an hour because of bad weather (quite unseasonal, considering winter is supposed to be the "dry season"), but honestly they made the right call! We had a brief window of okay weather and good visibility over the reefs. The pilot Jesse was very nice and cheerful; he made me sit beside him seeing that I was travelling solo, and honestly it made the experience so much better! Also, that was one of the smoothest landings I've ever experienced for an aircraft; I didn't even notice we were already on wheels on the runway. Highly recommend this tour! But allow some flexibility in your schedule as it is a very weather-dependent activity: keep an eye on the forecast 2-3 days before locking in a date.

The scenery starts off amazing 👍. The pilot counts down when approaching the Heart Reef. I'm usually very afraid of turbulence and weightlessness; I took motion sickness medication in advance and was able to manage it well ~ Highly recommended, and the pick-up service was also very thoughtful without a long wait.

Since I was a bit nervous about swimming, I opted for the glass-bottom boat and snorkeling package! The glass-bottom boat was amazing; just looking down, I could see beautiful fish and sea turtles, which was truly breathtaking. For snorkeling, I paid an additional AUD 12 to rent a life vest! Just a short distance away, there were schools of colorful fish, and swimming among them myself was a completely different experience. (The fish themselves were actually clearer to see from the glass-bottom boat!) Coin lockers, the souvenir shop, and restaurants all accepted credit card payments!

The onboard staff were very enthusiastic and provided detailed introductions. After boarding, we left our ID at the counter to borrow prescription diving masks. At the second dive site, we decided on the spot to pay the 20 AUD for the glass-bottom boat ride, where we saw many fish and corals. The meals on board were simple and average, so those who care about food can bring their own snacks. Also, it is recommended to take motion sickness medicine to avoid ruining a wonderful trip.

Overall a great experience and definitely a must to add onto your itineraries! The tour was organised and the staffs made sure everyone was having a safe and fun day at the reef. You have most of what you’ll need in the boat—sea sickness pills, drinks and snacks. We not only got to see The Great Barrier Reef upclose but also above from the Heli. 😍

We participated in an afternoon departure on a pleasantly cool spring day. On the way there, we encountered whales! An announcement was made, and we stopped for a while to watch them. At Green Island, snorkeling was canceled that day due to a crocodile sighting, so we went on a glass-bottom boat tour instead. We could have still gone into the ocean, but we decided to enjoy the island's walking trails, which led to several small beaches. Before heading back, we dipped our feet in the water.

Excellent experience! Thr Great Barrier Reef is definitely worth going! Sunlovers boat was really nice compared to other boats. The guides to the SeaWalker and the Scuber Diving were excellent. We also had the best snorkeling experience !

Safety: During free snorkeling, there are many instructors keeping an eye on you at the same time. Floating equipment is provided, so even if you don't know how to swim, you don't need to worry. Equipment: You only need to bring your own towel and swimsuit; everything else is provided. Location: It takes 3 hours by boat from Airlie Port, with 4 hours of free time at the destination. The boat provides plenty of food and drinking water, so there is no need to bring your own snacks. However, the coral bleaching is a bit severe.

Nice island getaway with a relaxing vibe We joined a day trip to Fitzroy Island and overall had a nice experience. The boat ride from the marina took about 45 minutes, which was quite manageable. The weather in the days before our trip had been rainy, so the guide let us know in advance that the water might not be very clear. Even so, it was still enjoyable to spend time on the island and go into the water. The beach we were at had corals instead of soft sand, so it was a bit harder and more slippery to walk on, something visitors may want to be prepared for. We still managed to see a few fishes and corals while snorkelling. Overall, it was a relaxing and pleasant day trip, especially if you want to enjoy island scenery and spend some time by the water. I’d recommend bringing suitable footwear for the coral beach and managing expectations depending on recent weather conditions.