Price on Application

Eye to eye with the ocean's most curious giants

Few wildlife encounters compare to a playful dwarf Minke whale gliding silently past you in open water. For a few short weeks each year, these inquisitive whales gather on the northern Great Barrier Reef, and they actively seek out snorkellers and divers. They spy hop, roll and drift by again and again, as though they never tire of the company. This 10-day small group expedition places you right in the middle of it, then carries you into one of the oldest rainforests on earth.

Itinerary snapshot

• Dates: 25 June to 4 July 2027
• Duration: 10 days
• Group size: Just 16 guests
• Starts and finishes: Cairns, Queensland
• Led by: Wild Earth Expeditions' own expedition leaders, Thomas Baechtold and Sabine Templeton
• Price: Price on Application

Three days with the whales on a private yacht

From Lizard Island, you'll board the 37-metre Spirit of Freedom for a four-night private charter on the northern Great Barrier Reef. She has eleven air-conditioned cabins, each with its own ensuite, and a lounge and dining saloon where chef-prepared meals follow long days in the water. Three full days are set aside for Minke whale encounters, diving and snorkelling the Ribbon Reefs. You'll meet giant potato groupers at the famous Cod Hole and explore coral pinnacles alive with colour.

Rainforest, culture and a treehouse in the canopy

Back on shore, the journey moves into the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. You'll stay in a private treehouse at the Daintree Ecolodge and wake to birdsong. Walk the forest in search of cassowaries, tree kangaroos, frogs and Boyd's forest dragons, wander the white sands of Cape Tribulation, and cruise the Daintree River looking for saltwater crocodiles. In Mossman Gorge, an Aboriginal guide leads a Dreamtime walk, sharing the stories and bush craft of Kuku Yalanji country, the only place on earth where two World Heritage sites meet.

Your journey at a glance

• Days 1 to 2: Travel to Cairns, with welcome cocktails and dinner at the marina
• Day 3: Fly to Lizard Island, board the yacht and enjoy an afternoon in the water
• Days 4 to 6: Three full days of Minke whales, diving and snorkelling the Ribbon Reefs
• Day 7: Disembark in Cairns, then Mossman Gorge, Port Douglas and the Daintree
• Day 8: Cooper Creek wilderness walk, Cape Tribulation and a Daintree River cruise
• Day 9: Dreamtime walk, rainforest wildlife habitat and a farewell dinner in Cairns
• Day 10: Fly home, or continue on to Wild Earth's Uluru to Kakadu expedition

Extend your journey

For a little extra indulgence, you can begin with a stay at the five-star Lizard Island Resort, a tropical retreat on the reef, with the length of stay tailored to you.

Why plan it with us

Adventures like this are best shared with someone who knows the detail. As TAANZ bonded and IATA accredited travel agents, we'll look after the planning and stay with you before, during and after your trip, so you can simply enjoy the experience.

 

ENQUIRE NOW

With only 16 spaces, this expedition won't stay open for long. Call us on 09 520 4142, email sales@weretravel.co.nz, or visit us at 31 Remuera Road, Newmarket. Let's meet and start planning your next holiday together.