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BOOKING YOUR TRIP
What is included in the fare?
The fare includes;
Complimentary transfers from your Port
Douglas accommodation
Freshly brewed tea, coffee on arrival
local produce
Alfresco gourmet lunch onboard shaded
areas to relax
Fruit platters cookies and homemade cake
for afternoon tea
All snorkelling gear and tuition
Guided snorkelling tour with marine
naturalist
Seasonal lycra snorkelling suits
floatation devices
Government Environmental Management
Charge (EMC)
What can I expect to pay extra for?
Beverages are available for purchase on
board Sailaway including soft drinks,
bottled water and alcoholic beverages.
We also have a range of souvenirs
including t-shirts, caps, underwater
cameras and coolers
available for purchase.
How many passengers can you take?
Sailaway carries up to 33 passengers.
Is there a minimum number of people
required for a cruise to run?
Sailaway's Full Day Luxury Sailing &
Snorkelling to Low Isles operates with a
minimum booking of only two passengers.
Are there any circumstances in which
you can carry more than 33 passengers?
No. Whilst Sailaway is a large luxury
sailing vessel surveyed for 48 she
carries 33 passengers only.
How much advance booking notice do
you require?
As with most small tours it pays to book
well in advance. Sailaway is often
booked out up to a week in advance
during the busy season. A change of
booking date or full refund is available
up to 24 hours prior
to travel. FREECALL 1800 085 674
24 hours for convenience.
When is the ‘busy’ season?
The high season for Port Douglas is
mid-June to late-November plus all
Australian school holidays, Christmas
and Easter.
Can I pre-pay via personal cheque or
money order?
Usual payment method is to “pay on
board” the vessel. A credit card number
is required to secure your booking at
time of making your reservation. Should
you not have a credit card to secure the
booking
then pre-payment is required and
personal cheque or bank transfer
received prior to the trip is
acceptable. Payment by cheque on the day
is not acceptable.
Do you accept travellers cheques?
Please check at time of booking, not
common these days.
What credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa and Mastercard.
Do you have a family rate or is the
tour priced individually?
Yes, we have a special family package
rate, please see fare details.
I want to purchase two seats on your
cruise as a present. Do you have gift
vouchers?
Yes, we are happy to provide a gift
voucher for you to present to your
friends or family. Please email or
contact us direct to arrange a gift
voucher.
What age applies for a "child rate"?
Our child rate applies to children aged
4 to 12. Our crew reserves the right to
ask for proof of age on board the
vessel.
We have a baby aged two. Can we bring
her along?
Sailaway's Full Day Luxury Sailing &
Snorkelling to Low Isles is
child-friendly and suitable for children
of all ages including under the age 4
which travel FREE. Alternatively there
are several day care
options in Port Douglas and private baby
sitters also. Ask your hotel for
details. Otherwise your hotel can
recommend child-friendly tours. Infants
and children are also able to travel on
Sailaway's private
charter.
We are two families with 5 children
between us. What is the best option for
us?
Families with children may like to
consider a sole charter (exclusive use
of the vessel). As such, Sailaway can
customise the itinerary to suit the
needs of your group.
I’m concerned about giving out my
credit card details via the internet.
What other options are available?
You can provide credit card details by;
Sailaway has a secure online booking
access alternatively call our
reservations hotline 24 hours a day
THE
CRUISE
What can we expect on our day sailing
and snorkelling?
Once you have boarded the vessel, you
will be offered freshly brewed tea and
coffee, local produce grown from the
Daintree and Tablelands. After you have
been introduced to the vessel
facilities, safety
information, our crew and your fellow
passengers, Sailaway will set sail to
Low Isles the closest part of the Great
Barrier Reef, only around 1 hours
journey each way depending on winds.
Upon arriving at the the beautiful Low
Isles sheltered blue lagoon the crew
will present an informative snorkel
brief and orientation to the protected
area and sensitive green zone site.
Guided snorkelling tour offered in small
groups and activity starts from the
beach on Low Island with plenty of time
to relax and explore this beautiful
unspoilt coral cay with 5 hours at the
island and lagoon.
Alfresco tropical buffet lunch is served
and you are invited to sit back and
relax in one of the many shaded deck
areas. After a delicious and relaxing
lunch you will be invited snorkel and
explore the reef at your own leisure
from the back of Sailaway vessel,
offered a glass bottom boat reef and
environmental
interpretation by the skipper or laze on
the expansive deck with a cool beverage.
Light refreshments including a fruit
platter and homemade cake with afternoon
tea & coffee will be served prior to
departing the reef and sailing voyage
back to Port arriving back in the marina
around 4.00pm
What will we see at the reef?
Low Isles is famous for it resident
turtle population, soft coral gardens
and giant clams, sea cucumbers not to
forget the chance of fining Nemo. Low
Isles is the first place for coral
research in the world in 1928 and remain
in pristine condition and varied fish
life including Bat Fish, Long Tom Gar
Fish, Giant Trevally and the passing
Reef Shark. Our crew record data for the
'Eye on the Reef' programme for GBRMPA
daily and offer library of reef books
that will assist you in learning more
about this amazing ecosystem. During
lunch a reef DVD is playing on the large
flat screen TV in the light and airy
comfortable saloon.
The average wind speed and direction is
18 knots from the prevailing South
Easterly winds providing great and
comfortable sailing conditions. Sailaway
is known for comfortable, relaxing and
exhilarating pure sailing as well as an
Environmental ambassador.
Do you cater for special dietary
requirements?
Yes, please advise and give sufficient
notice when you book your trip we can
cater for vegetarian, vegan and
gluten-free diets from our Award Winning
Professional caterers.
Where do you go on your daily cruise?
Our daily sailing and snorkelling to the
idyllic Low Isles with our special
permit is only 8.5 nautical miles North
East from Port Douglas. Our Skipper is
happy to personally host your day and
invite you to relax on
the flybridge and ask any questions you
may have about the day and the unique
Sailaway Lagoon 500 vessel that sailed
around the world from France. (See
Sailaway's Journey)
Do you visit an island?
Yes, Sailaway has a special permit that
can access the sheltered blue Lagoon and
unspolit Low Island every day of the
year. Our early departure of 8.30am and
short sail journey time allows perfect
'quiet
time' on the island, snorkelling from
the beach before other visitors arrive
later in the day.
What’s for lunch?
CLICK HERE to view our menu
Are the day trips suitable for guests
(including children) who cannot swim?
Sailaway access the island with a
comfortable rigid glass bottom boat
tender. Relaxing on the island, perhaps
soaking up the sun, reading a book our
explore the heritage walk ideal for a
non swimmer if they
decide not to give it a try for the
first time from the beach with a guide.
Alternatively view the reef from the
glass bottom boat tour with and
informative talk by the Sailaway
Skipper.
How many snorkel sites do you visit
in a day?
Sailaway visits two snorkel sites,
firstly from the Low Island beach and to
reef bommies from the boat after lunch,
spending 5 hours in the sheltered blue
Low Isles lagoon.
When do you depart?
The vessel boards at 8.15am and departs
as soon as all passengers have arrived.
When do you return?
Approximate return time is 4.00pm
What happens if we are running late?
It is a good idea to call our
reservations number to let us know if
you think you might be late on 4099
4772. If you are later than 8.30am and
we have not heard from you, we will
assume you are a ‘no show’
and depart for the reef without you.
This will incur a 100% penalty fee.
Can we bring our own drinks?
No. As a licensed vessel Sailaway
carries a range of soft drinks, bottled
water and alcoholic beverages.
Is alcohol served on board the
vessel?
Yes, a range of beverages are available
for purchase at a very modest price.
What should we bring with us?
Bathers, towel, hat, sunscreen, cash or
c/c for payment of fare and beverages.
If you have booked through your
travel agent or local tour desk/hotel?
you will need to bring your tour voucher
as well.
How fast does the boat go?
Sailaway sails between 8.5 and 12 knots
How big is the boat?
Sailaway is 15.45 metres long and 8.54
metres wide with upper flybridge and
very spacious flat decks. A solid
Stainless Steel guard and hand rail is
located all round the vessel including
the transoms for easy
and safe access.
ACTIVITIES
Do you offer floatation aids and
tuition for nervous snorkellers?
Yes, Sailaway has ‘noodles’ onboard and
at Low Island to assist with floatation
plus in-water tuition for nervous/first
time snorkellers. Wetsuits are great for
floatation also and are available on
request.
Should we provide our own snorkeling
gear, or do you supply it?
All snorkelling equipment including
masks, snorkel and fins are provided and
are of the highest quality and properly
cleaned and maintained daily. Lycra
snorkelling suits are available during
the season FREE.
Do you have prescription masks and is
there an extra charge for these?
Yes, prescription masks are available
for those who are short-sighted in –3,
-5 and which caters for most passengers.
Underwater, objects are magnified by 25%
so minimal short-sightedness is not a
problem.
There is no extra charge for the use of
prescription masks onboard the vessel.
One of our group probably won’t be
snorkelling or swimming – do we get off
the vessel at any time and will they
still get to see the coral and fish?
The reefs we visit are shallow and
viewing the the beach on Low Island is
interesting and relaxing. If you do not
snorkel or swim but wish to see the
coral and fish we recommend you the
glass bottom boat with reef
interpretation from the Sailaway
skipper.
Do you offer guided snorkelling?
Yes, our reef naturalist will show you
the wonders of the reef with a
complimentary guided snorkelling tour on
arrival from the island.
I have facial hair. Will this be a
problem for snorkelling?
Gentlemen with moustaches are offered
Vaseline petroleum jelly to smooth down
hair which usually ensures a better seal
of the mask.
SAILAWAY FACILITIES
Do you have toilet facilities on
board the vessel?
There are four passenger cabins on
board, each with Ensuite and toilet
facilities the 2 rest rooms for toilet
and changing are available to day
passengers on the starboard side.
Is there a shower on board the
vessel?
There are 2 freshwater hot and cold
showers at the back of the vessel to
rinse off when passengers exit the
water.
Is there plenty of areas to sit down?
Sailaway has a large light and airy
saloon plus a dining table and lounge
area on the aft deck with a prime spot
flybridge to watch the world go by
during a relaxing sail. The spacious
foredeck has various levels for
comfortable seating and trampoline nets
to sit on and relax whilst you watch the
lapping waves and feel the warm tropical
breezes.
How do we get in and out of the
water?
Modern design Sailaway Lagoon 500 has
hidden Stainless Steel ladders in each
transom that open out for easy access on
both sides.
CANCELLATIONS
Are there any penalties if we cancel
our trip?
There are no penalties for cancelling
your trip as long as you notify us 24
hours prior (i.e., 8.30am the day before
you are scheduled to go on Sailaway).
Should you cancel within the 24 hour
period, a 100%
cancellation fee applies. Sailaway will
endeavour to re-sell your seats – should
this happen we will waive our
cancellation fee.
If the weather is bad that day, could
we swap to another day?
Only if you give us 24 hours
notification.
Do you ever cancel the tour due to
bad weather?
There are rare occasions where normal
operations must be suspended including
Gale Force Winds and Cyclone Warnings
issued by the Australian Bureau of
Meteorology. Sailaway will endeavour to
give you
as much notice as possible should the
event arise that we need to cancel our
scheduled tour. You will not be charged
for the tour should we cancel the trip.
Do you change your destination due to
bad weather?
On occasion when high winds are
prevalent, Sailaway is best suited to
enjoy the sheltered blue lagoon of Low
Isles and a fast sail to the mooring and
back to Port. This suitability of
weather and operations is
at the discretion of the Owner and
Skipper for the safety and comfort of
our passengers and crew.
GENERAL INFORMATION
I think I might suffer from sea
sickness. How can I avoid this?
Sailaway has a very wide beam (width) of
8.54 meters making the journey
comfortable and stable. For those unsure
of their compatibility with ocean-going
vessels, Sailaway has travel-calm
tablets on board
the vessel, however it is a good idea to
purchase some at the local pharmacy and
take at least one hour prior to
departing for the reef. Prevention is
always better than cure.
Sailaway crew are trained to assist
guests who may be feeling unwell.
There are a number of methods to assist
you so please speak up and let us know
if you are unwell so we can make you
more comfortable.
What is the weather going to be like?
The million-dollar question!
A four-day forecast is issued by the
Bureau of Meteorology and can be viewed
by
CLICKING HERE. Port Douglas is
situated between Cooktown to Cardwell.
Wind conditions over 20 knots are
considered
‘fresh’. Strong winds are considered
over 25 knots and the wind direction and
tides have effects on condition suited
to the day. Please ask our reservations
office available 24 hours for the latest
conditions
if you have any doubt on suitability.
What will the conditions be like at
the reef if it is windy?
Depending on the tidal conditions of the
day, the conditions at the reef can be
flat calm (if there is a low tide in the
middle of the day) or the boat can move
around on a high tide. We will make your
day as
comfortable as possible.
Is it going to rain while I am in
Port Douglas?
Impossible to say but rain is most
likely to occur in the wet season (Dec –
April) and less likely in the dry season
(May – Nov).
What will the temperature be?
Average Temperature, Rainfall and
Humidity for Port Douglas is outlined in
the chart below;
Climate Averages for Port Douglas Latitude (deg S):
-16.4792; Longitude (deg E): 145.4656; State: QLD
|
Element |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Avg Daily max temp - C |
30.3 |
30.1 |
29.5 |
28.3 |
26.7 |
25.1 |
24.6 |
25.3 |
26.7 |
28.3 |
29.5 |
30.3 |
|
Avg Daily min temp - C |
23.7 |
23.5 |
22.8 |
21.5 |
19.5 |
17.7 |
16.8 |
17.1 |
18.6 |
20.8 |
22.3 |
23.3 |
|
Avg Humidity % |
78 |
81 |
81 |
78 |
77 |
77 |
75 |
73 |
69 |
70 |
71 |
72 |
|
Avg Wind Speed - km/h |
19.3 |
20.4 |
22.3 |
27.8 |
29.6 |
26.7 |
30.2 |
23.9 |
27 |
31.8 |
23.5 |
17 |
|
Avg Monthly rain - m/m |
394.4 |
424 |
425.2 |
204.5 |
71.9 |
48.6 |
25.9 |
24.7 |
32.1 |
48.8 |
107.9 |
205.3 |
|
Avg # of raindays |
15.7 |
15.9 |
16.4 |
13.5 |
9.8 |
7.2 |
5.4 |
5.2 |
5.3 |
6.1 |
8.8 |
11.5 |
|
Highest Monthly rain - mm |
1673.6 |
1067.4 |
1114.6 |
1637.8 |
258.1 |
248.3 |
176.4 |
149.1 |
119.4 |
340.8 |
555.8 |
958 |
|
Lowest Monthly rain - mm |
57.9 |
22.3 |
15.2 |
15.4 |
1.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8.3 |
|
Avg # of clear days |
3.7 |
3.8 |
5 |
7.3 |
5.8 |
6.8 |
4.5 |
10.8 |
12 |
7.3 |
6.5 |
7 |
|
Avg # of cloudy days |
8.7 |
9 |
8 |
5.5 |
8 |
7.3 |
7.5 |
4 |
1.5 |
2.8 |
3 |
4.5 |
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