Michaelmas Cay

Michaelmas Cay offers something distinctly different from many of the other Great Barrier Reef locations near Cairns.

Rather than being solely an underwater reef destination, Michaelmas Cay is a small sand cay surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef’s tropical marine environment. Its combination of reef, shallow turquoise water, sand and birdlife creates a landscape that is immediately recognisable as tropical North Queensland.

Where is Michaelmas Cay?

Michaelmas Cay is located offshore from Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef.

The cay sits within a protected marine environment and is particularly significant for its birdlife as well as the surrounding reef ecosystem.

What makes Michaelmas Cay special?

Michaelmas Cay brings together two environments in one place.

Below the water is the coral reef ecosystem. Above it is a small sand cay that provides habitat for seabirds.

This makes a visit feel quite different from an outer reef site where the reef itself remains completely submerged.

Snorkelling at Michaelmas Cay

The waters surrounding Michaelmas Cay provide opportunities to discover the reef by snorkelling.

Visitors can look beneath the surface for coral and tropical marine life while enjoying the extraordinary contrast between the pale sand, turquoise shallows and deeper blue ocean.

Marine life around Michaelmas Cay

Like other parts of the Great Barrier Reef, the waters around Michaelmas Cay support a variety of marine organisms.

What you see will depend on nature and the conditions during your visit.

The cay’s seabirds add another dimension to the experience and are an important reason the area is carefully protected.

Protecting Michaelmas Cay

Michaelmas Cay is more than a beautiful place to visit. It is a sensitive natural environment.

Visitors should follow all instructions regarding permitted areas, wildlife and reef protection. Avoid touching coral or marine animals and give wildlife plenty of space.

Responsible visitation helps protect these environments for the future.

Visiting Michaelmas Cay from Cairns

Michaelmas Cay is accessed by boat from Cairns, with selected Great Barrier Reef tours including the cay in their itineraries.

If Michaelmas Cay is specifically where you want to go, choose a tour that identifies it as part of its itinerary rather than assuming every Cairns reef trip visits the same location.

Explore Michaelmas Cay tours and Great Barrier Reef experiences departing from Cairns.