Michaelmas Cay is a large and stable coral sand island with a grassy area over 200 metres long, it is permanently above water and able to withstand cyclones (hurricanes) and very strong winds with rough seas. Little wonder why it is such a popular nesting and breeding location while also one of the most important breeding locations on the Great Barrier Reef.

Seastar Cruises began operating to Michaelmas and the Great Barrier Reef in 1956. During this time the 4 boats that have cruised under the name Seastar have all enjoyed a first-rate reputation with ornithologists worldwide.
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Most Commonly Viewed Species

Species Numbers Where Observed
Greater Frigatebird < 20 sighted High in the sky or sitting on driftwood on the cay
Lesser Frigatebird < 20 sighted High in the sky or sitting on driftwood on the cay
Silver Gull < 100 sighted Stalking chicks on the beach or staying by boats
Common Noddy 1000's sighted On the beach and flying low over water
Black Noddy <100 sighted On the beach amongst Common Noddies
Brown Booby 50-200 sighted On the beach and flying at sea
Sooty Tern 1000's sighted On the beach and flying over water
Black –naped tern < 100 sighted Near peak of cay and on Glass Bottom Boat
Ruddy Turnstone < 20 sighted Near water’s edge on beach
Little Tern < 50 sighted At end of island and on Glass Bottom Boat
Crested Tern 1000's sighted On the beach and flying over water
Lesser Crested Tern 1000's sighted On the beach and flying over water
Bridled Tern 100's sighted On marker floats and flying over water
Gull-billed Tern < 20 sighted Flying at sea
Caspian Tern < 50 sighted On opposite side of island

Occassionally Viewed

Species Numbers Where Observed
White-tailed Tropicbird < 3 sighted Flying high over cay
Roseate Tern < 20 sighted On opposite side of island
Masked Booby < 5 sighted On the beach near grass or on Glass Bottom Boat
Red-footed Booby < 10 sighted On end of island or on surface vessels off cay
Long-tailed Jaeger 1 sighted Flying over cay
Curlew Sandpiper < 5 sighted On opposite side of island
Reef Heron 1 sighted On beach near grass line
Reef Egret 1 sighted On beach near grass line
Southern Giant Petrel 1 sighted Swimming at the back of Seastar
Pomarine Jaeger 1 sighted Swooping down and attacking terns on island
Shearwater < 3 sighted Flying over water

Those species that were observed on the opposite side of the island were viewed from the Seastar tender on a special circumnavigation of the island (weather and tides permitting) and those observed on top of the Glass Bottom Boat at Hastings Reef were noticed resting there when the Seastar arrived.

Island grasses consist of hairy spinifex, sea purslane and stalky grass.

The cay is a major nesting island. Most commonly the breeding species observed are sooty terns, crested terns, lesser crested terns and common noddies. Occasionally silver gulls, ruddy turnstones, bridled terns, black-naped terns and roseate terns nest, while recently brown boobies have also been observed nesting. Nesting occurs all through the year with the sooty terns breeding every 8½ months and the others annually.

Bird images © Tony Neilson photography

We work alongside many birding societies around Australia and worldwide. Seastar provides them the opportunity of having close encounters with the birds in this beautiful sanctuary and our knowledgeable staff are always willing to share their knowledge about these amazing creatures.

If you want to know more about our partners you can visit their websites: