About the Tour
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- Sail from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard luxury Lagoon 560 sailing catamaran Sailaway VI
- Spend approximately five hours exploring beautiful Low Isles
- Join a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist
- Snorkel amongst coral gardens where green turtles are regularly sighted
- Explore the reef aboard a 100% solar-electric glass bottom boat
- Discover the island’s nature and history on a guided Low Isles Nature Walk
- Enjoy morning tea, tropical buffet lunch and afternoon tea during your day
Sailaway Low Isles is a full-day Great Barrier Reef experience combining sailing, snorkelling and time ashore on an idyllic coral cay. Departing from Port Douglas, Sailaway VI sails to the sheltered waters of Low Isles, where you have around five hours to explore. Snorkel the lagoon’s coral gardens, join a marine biologist for a guided snorkel, look for green turtles, take a solar-electric glass bottom boat tour or discover the island on a guided nature walk. With a tropical buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, snorkelling equipment and Port Douglas courtesy transfers included, this is a relaxed way to experience the reef and an island in one day.
FAQs
Where does the Sailaway Low Isles tour depart from?
Sailaway Low Isles departs from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas. Check-in is currently at 8:00 am at the Sailaway Boathouse, followed by boarding at 8:15 am and departure at approximately 8:30 am. The scheduled return to Port Douglas is around 4:00 pm.
Can you snorkel at Low Isles?
Yes. Snorkelling is a major part of this tour. You can snorkel in the lagoon at Low Isles and join a guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist. Snorkelling equipment, instruction and in-water assistance are included.
Can I see turtles at Low Isles?
Green turtles are regularly seen around Low Isles and are one of the area’s best-known marine residents. Sailaway reports that many green turtles are sighted daily, but they are wild animals, so individual sightings can never be guaranteed.
Is there a glass bottom boat at Low Isles?
Yes. Sailaway operates a 100% solar-electric glass bottom boat, allowing guests to view the coral gardens without having to snorkel. The experience also includes reef interpretation from the skipper.
How long do you spend at Low Isles?
The full-day Sailaway experience includes approximately five hours at Low Isles, giving you time for snorkelling, the glass bottom boat, an island nature walk, swimming and simply relaxing on the beach.
Why You Will Love It
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- Experience the Great Barrier Reef from a beautiful tropical coral cay
- Snorkel sheltered lagoon waters amongst coral gardens and reef fish
- Have the opportunity to encounter green turtles in their natural environment
- Learn about the reef during a guided snorkel with a marine biologist
- See beneath the surface aboard an environmentally considerate solar-electric glass bottom boat
- Enjoy plenty of island time rather than spending most of your day travelling
- Experience the pleasure of genuine sailing between Port Douglas and Low Isles
Who This Tour Is Perfect For
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- Snorkellers wanting a relaxed Great Barrier Reef experience from Port Douglas
- Couples looking for a premium sailing and island day
- Families wanting several different reef activities to choose from
- Visitors who want both snorkelling and time on a tropical island
- Nature lovers interested in coral, turtles, marine life and island ecology
- Non-snorkellers who can enjoy the reef aboard the glass bottom boat
- Travellers who prefer a full day with time to slow down and enjoy Low Isles
Conclusion
Sailaway Low Isles stands out because the day isn’t only about getting into the water. It gives you time to experience Low Isles properly.
You can snorkel over coral gardens with a marine biologist, search for turtles and tropical fish, view the reef from the solar-electric glass bottom boat, learn about the island’s history and natural environment, or simply spend some time on its white sandy beach.
For visitors staying in Port Douglas who want snorkelling, sailing, reef interpretation and a genuine tropical island experience, Sailaway Low Isles brings these experiences together in one well-rounded Great Barrier Reef day.
Book Now
Book your Sailaway Low Isles tour and spend a full day sailing, snorkelling and exploring one of the beautiful coral cays of the Great Barrier Reef.
Check live availability for your preferred date and secure your place aboard Sailaway VI from Port Douglas.
Highlights
Highlights
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- Approximately five hours to discover tropical Low Isles
- Guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling with a marine biologist
- Opportunity to encounter green turtles and colourful reef fish
- 100% solar-electric glass bottom boat experience with reef interpretation
- Guided nature and heritage exploration of Low Isles
- Tropical buffet lunch plus morning and afternoon tea
- Luxury sailing aboard Sailaway VI from Port Douglas
Itinerary
Itinerary
Your day begins at the Sailaway Boathouse at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas, with check-in currently scheduled for 8:00 am.
Board Sailaway VI from approximately 8:15 am, enjoy complimentary tea and coffee and listen to the safety briefing before setting sail at approximately 8:30 am.
The sailing journey to Low Isles takes around an hour, with arrival scheduled for approximately 9:30 am. After a snorkel safety briefing, the day’s island and reef activities begin.
At Low Isles, choose how you want to experience this beautiful part of the Great Barrier Reef. Swim and snorkel, join the marine biologist for a guided snorkel tour, explore the island on a guided nature walk or relax on the beach beneath a coconut palm.
The solar-electric glass bottom boat provides another perspective, taking you over the reef while your guide interprets the underwater environment.
Around 12:30 pm, return to Sailaway VI for the tropical buffet lunch.
Activities recommence after lunch, giving you another opportunity to snorkel, swim, relax aboard the catamaran or join a glass bottom boat tour.
Afternoon tea is served before Sailaway VI departs Low Isles at approximately 2:30 pm.
Enjoy the return sailing journey across the Coral Sea, arriving back at Port Douglas at approximately 4:00 pm.
Included
What’s Included
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- Courtesy coach transfers from the Port Douglas area
- Morning tea, tropical buffet lunch and afternoon tea
- Snorkelling equipment plus instruction and in-water assistance
- Guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist
- 100% solar-electric glass bottom boat tour with reef interpretation
- Guided Low Isles Nature Walk and approximately five hours at the island
- Great Barrier Reef Environmental Management Charge
Optional Extras
Optional Extras
Sailaway operates a fully licensed bar, with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and juices available for purchase onboard.
Underwater camera hire may also be available as a booking add-on.
For guests celebrating a special occasion, Sailaway currently offers optional upgrades including a Champagne Celebration package. A private chauffeur return transfer can also be added for guests wanting a more personalised journey between their accommodation and the marina
What to bring
What to Bring
Bring your swimwear, beach towel, hat, sunglasses, sun-protective shirt and reef-friendly sunscreen.
A camera is worthwhile for both the sailing journey and your time on Low Isles. You may also want a dry change of clothes for the return journey.
If you have booked through a travel agent or tour desk, bring your booking voucher. A credit card is useful for optional onboard purchases such as drinks or underwater camera hire.
How to get there
How to Get There
Sailaway Low Isles departs from the Sailaway Boathouse, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Port Douglas.
Courtesy coach transfers from the Port Douglas area are included, making the tour particularly convenient if you’re staying locally.
If making your own way to the marina, the current schedule requires check-in at approximately 8:00 am, with boarding from 8:15 am and departure at 8:30 am.
The tour is scheduled to return to Port Douglas at approximately 4:00 pm.
Important Information
Important Information
The full-day Sailaway Low Isles tour is currently suitable for all ages, with infants aged 0–3 accepted free of charge and child rates applying from 4–12 years.
Low Isles is a coral cay and fringing reef experience, not an Outer Great Barrier Reef tour. This distinction is useful when choosing between Sailaway’s Low Isles and Outer Reef experiences.
Snorkelling instruction and in-water assistance are provided. Guests should follow crew instructions and discuss any swimming, mobility or medical concerns with the operator before participating.
Marine life is wild. Green turtles are frequently observed at Low Isles, but turtle or other wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The itinerary, snorkelling conditions and sailing experience can change according to weather, tides and marine conditions.
The current 2026–27 ticket price includes the Great Barrier Reef Environmental Management Charge.
Sailaway VI is a Lagoon 560 sailing catamaran, and the Low Isles experience deliberately combines sailing with reef and island exploration rather than treating the vessel simply as transport
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