A scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea provides a rare insight into these natural wonders.

"Down to the right you can see Michaelmas Cay, a protected bird nesting sanctuary home to tens of thousands of birds during the summer breeding months … to your left, you’ll notice a whale pod travelling north … and as we begin our descent towards Green Island, you’ll note how the vibrant coral reef sits right off the shoreline."

Our pilot’s commentary might sound like the narration for a tropical wildlife documentary, but it is all too apt for our 30-minute scenic joy flight, a feature of Cairns Seaplanes’ new Green Island Flexi Day.

Departing from Cairns’ Marlin Marina, the Green Island Flexi Day provides either two or six hour sojourns on Green Island, including use of snorkelling equipment and some of the island’s world-class resort facilities.

The short, 25-minute flight to the island takes in spectacular coastal mountain views south of Cairns and towards Palm Cove in the north, before the vast blue ocean below makes way for the glorious expanse of the Great Barrier Reef.

The island itself, a 6000-year-old coral cay, provides a natural treasure trove for holiday makers of all ages to explore.

If the mesmerising kaleidoscope of reef fish and live coral doesn’t float your boat, you can cool your heels in the resort pool or get a quick bite to eat at one of the island’s restaurants.

Better yet, you could grab a shady spot under one of the permanent beach umbrellas and simply watch the wildlife. On Green Island, the choice is entirely yours.

The included 30-minute scenic flight takes in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, from nearby sandy cays to the majesty of its coral reefs.

 

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