Australia > Snorkeling at Fitzroy Island

At quarter past eight, I meet most of the fellow travelers for a day trip to Fitzroy Island. Originally, I was supposed to take a 4x4 tour through the Daintree Rainforest today. However, there is still too much damage from Hurricane Charlie last month to make that trip. The boat trip to Fitzroy Island and the opportunity to snorkel there is a good alternative. At the harbor, hundreds of tourists are walking around. There is a long queue for the boat to Fitzroy. I didn’t expect we would be the only ones on board, but I hadn’t anticipated this many either. It turns out two boats are sailing to the island. When I board, I’m given a snorkel mask, fins, and a wetsuit. A wetsuit is necessary for protection against jellyfish. The box jellyfish, which is found here, has deadly venom in its tentacles. I take a seat on the upper deck and watch as the boat maneuvers out of the harbor.

Australia - By boat to Fitzroy Island from Cairns

We sail to the island in about 45 minutes. The sea is calm, but dark clouds hang above the coast and over the sea. Hopefully, we’ll stay dry today. On the island, everyone can do whatever they want. Not everyone comes to snorkel. There are also walking paths to the lighthouse or around the island. Before I go snorkeling, I order a drink at the little bar. There is a warning on the counter that the presence of jellyfish is high. The waitress explains that it’s dangerous to enter the water without protection during this period. She also mentions that if you get stung and need helicopter transport, you have to pay the 4,000 euro cost yourself. Most visitors walk to Nudey Beach. To get there, you follow a path of about six hundred meters through the forest.

Australia - The wetsuit must protect against the poisonous box jellyfish

We decide not to do this and instead go snorkeling at Welcome Bay. A smaller bay with mostly rocks as the beach. From here, we can more easily collect our lunch packs at the jetty around noon. I put on my wetsuit and fins and put on the mask. The water temperature is perfect. As soon as I enter the water, I see coral below me. I admire the beautiful and intricate shapes. Apart from a few patches, the coral does not have bright colors. The colorful fish make up for this more than enough. A wonderful sight. On the beach, we eat our lunch packs. In the afternoon, we walk to Nudey Beach, a beautiful sandy beach on the side of Fitzroy Island. Wearing my snorkel gear again, I go into the water. Although the beach is beautifully situated, there is little coral to be seen. I try swimming further out from the coast, but even in the deeper parts, I don’t find what I saw this morning.

Australia - The clear water around Fitzroy Island is wonderful for snorkeling

It’s a bit disappointing. I dry off on the shore because the view of the beach, the rocks, and the sea is fantastic. Around half past three, a line forms on the pier for the return trip. It turns out the other boat departs first. At four o’clock, we leave as well. As Fitzroy Island gets smaller behind me, I look back on a wonderfully relaxing day. About an hour later, the boat docks again in the harbor of Cairns. For the evening, we eat at the food court of the night market. The food court consists of about ten food stalls. Everyone can order whatever they want. We have to spread out over the tables a bit because they are for four people each. I choose seafood. The concept is simple: I can choose from three sizes of containers—small, medium, and large. Then I indicate what I want in the container until it is full. A great choice. The food court does not sell alcohol, though. We end the evening on the boulevard with a drink.