From a Marble Ray to White-tipped sharks swimming underneath me, Green Turtles, Brittle starfish, and more, Frankland Islands really captivated my curiosity and wonder. I cannot speak more highly of this tour and strongly encourage everyone to experience it for themselves.
The Frankland Islands are located south of Cairns. Frankland Islands Reef Cruise is the only company with a commercial license to visit these islands. This means, your day adventure has a sense of private access. There is the chance of a private boat visiting during your time, however, this is on the odd occasion.
About the Tour
Starting your day, you are greeted by the warmest staff members offering tea or coffee, and biscuits. Then you're off.
To get to the islands, you take a 30-minute ride along the Mulgrave River and then you hit the ocean waters. The joining of the two water bodies is incredible to see, and you get two experience two different eco-systems that co-exist side-by-side in this one-day trip.
Recently, Californian researchers have died parts of the ocean with eco-friendly pink dye in an environmental experiment. The experiment will provide an understanding of how outflows of freshwater interact with the waves of ocean water. If interested, you can stay up to date about this experiment here.
Once on the island, you are able to experience a snorkel safari, a semi-submerse boat tour, use kayaks and paddle-boards, snorkel off the beach independently, participate in an island walking tour, and eat a buffet lunch in the shade. All of this, is included in the ticket price.
Frankland Islands Wildlife and Coral
The Frankland Islands cruise is an exceptional and exhilarating experience where you can be educated about the reef and coral health. The islands are Queensland National Parks and uninhabited.
At Frankland Islands, 200 species of coral (out of 600 found in the Great Barrier Reef) can be found. It is home to rare fauna such as green turtles, hawksbill turtles, spectacled flying-fox, and beach stone-curlews. Majority of which, we saw while we were there.
We were lucky enough to also see one of the two rare jewel-blue anemones that are home to clownfish from snorkeling right off the beach, a treasure. As well as, green turtles, and then a white-tipped shark swimming directly a metre underneath us, a marble ray sleeping under a rock, brittle starfish climbing along the rocks and multiple sting rays basking in the shallow water's sun.
I am a passionate wildlife wanderer, watching them in their natural habitat. I have to pinch myself when I come across anything. I've read about the creatures of the reef in books and seen them on documentaries, but there on Frankland Islands, I saw abundances metres from me with my own eyes. It was like being the filmmakers of those documentaries.
Friends of mine have reported that they know of people who have sighted whales and dugongs off of these islands. How incredible!? I am super jealous that this was not our case, but have my fingers crossed for the future.
Do Your Part
The Great Barrier Reef is known to be at the mercy of climate change. So, we must always be mindful and consider how we can help in order to have the continued privilege of enjoying the reef.
You can help by:
Do not stand on the coral, and be mindful of your fins when swimming.
Not littering, taking all rubbish with you, and recycling where possible.
Use coral-friendly sunscreen - the cruise offers this on the boat.
Collecting any rubbish you stumble along on your journeys - whether it is yours or not.
Keep to the footpaths and out of the rock pools.
Observe all wildlife from a distance - we are a guest in their homes and they are living their best, daily lives.
Participate in the activities that allow you to learn - knowledge is power, is appreciation, and is valuable. It should be absorbed and then shared.
Listen to all instructions from the guides - they are the experts and know what is best to do.
I have said it already, and I will say it again, I do recommend this trip for numerous reasons. It is perfect for families, couples, or even solo travellers looking to experience the reef on a relaxing day away.
Keep exploring, keep learning
- B
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