MICHAELMAS CAY - AN UNSPOILT CORAL ISLAND

Very few vessels are now permitted access to this very sensitive island and there are now only three vessels that travel daily that are permitted access to the Cay. Some may say that they can take you to “Michaelmas Reef” or they go “near” Michaelmas Cay but if you would like to stand and walk on this special island you will need to travel on one of the permitted vessels.

Seastar passengers are permitted onto the Cay. Yes, if you travel with Seastar you can walk on the beach of Michaelmas Cay.

Seastar is the first to arrive at the Cay, as soon as the boat stops it is at once surrounded by large and friendly Batfish; these inquisitive, harmless fish enjoy swimming with snorkellers. From here, our stable Tender can transfer you the short distance to the island, not only world renowned for its thousands of nesting birds but also for its myriad of colourful corals, giant clams and reef fish.

Birdwatchers, ornithologists or birders take the first tender to the beach and enjoy the apprehensive and shy, black napped turn, little turn and ruddy turnstones, before they move out of sight into the restricted or nesting areas of the Cay, as the number of people on the beach increases.

Seastar is the closest boat to the Island, so close, you can swim to it. If you prefer, you can enter the water via our full length rear platform at the stern of the vessel.

Snorkelling And Diving

If you have never snorkelled before or have not snorkelled in a while, take the Dinghy Shuttle to the Island and from the beach you can walk out into these shallow, protected waters to properly adjust your mask, fins and snorkel before beginning snorkelling. To assist you we have wetsuits to keep you warm and floatation vests to help you swim. You do not have to swim far however; the coral begins only a few metres from the water’s edge.

Introductory Scuba Divers find this is an excellent location to try their first dive; the shallow waters are not as intimidating for those unaccustomed to diving and with the assistance of our Dive Instructors you will be guided to interesting corals, clams and marine life only metres from the boat.

Certified Divers, feel at ease with our staff guiding you. You can enjoy up to three dives if you wish. For those more experienced we have a variety of locations.

With the beach, reef and corals being so easily accessible, Michaelmas truly is the perfect location to practice your snorkelling and diving before heading out to the more adventurous outer edge at Hastings Reef.

Lunch

To give you the freest time at both destinations, we serve our delicious Hot & Cold buffet luncheon with prawns, including a vareity of Hot dishes, cold meat, selected breads, tropical fruits and salads whilst travelling from Michaelmas to Hastings Reef, where on arrival, you are content, rested and ready to enter the water again.

While travelling over to Hastings Reef we often see dolphins, turtles and whales during their migration.