Located on the western tip of Michaelmas Reef 43km north-east of Cairns and 17km north of Green Island lies Michaelmas Cay. This pristine vegetated coral reef island covers an area of 1.8 hectares and rises to a height of 3.5 metres above sea level.
After nearly two hours out of Cairns, the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef … we arrive at this truly beautiful cay surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water. The Cay is rich with a myriad of sea life including green sea turtles (which occasionally nest on the cay), molluscs and invertebrates of all kinds and hundreds of species of tropical reef fish including Humphead Maori Wrasse. The reef surrounding the Cay is especially renowned for its abundance of giant clams. On a recent trip to the Great Barrier Reef, I made time to visit the cay as it is on many of my client’s itineraries. I have experienced many Great Barrier Reef experiences, and this continues to be one of my favourite experiences. Different operators run day cruises to the cay, in particular Ocean Spirit Cruises and Passions of Paradise. Each operator caters for a different demographic. Passions caters for the youth market whilst Ocean Spirit caters for couples, families, seniors and those interested in fully experiencing what the cay has to offer its visitors.
The cay is a major natural seabird habitat and one of the most important in the Southern Hemisphere. It is home to at least 23 species of seabirds. Many breeds find this island an ideal nesting habitat and is one of the most significant bird sanctuaries on the Great Barrier Reef. At the height of nesting and breeding season (during Summer months) up to 20,000 birds have been observed.
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