How do I get to the island of Orpheus? Although the Palm Islands are relatively close to Townsville, it is more difficult to get here than to other Great Barrier Reef Islands. Organized day trips by ferry If you are looking for a day trip, you can book a ferry ticket for the return trip to the Orpheus Island at Sealink Ferries. However, these organized day trips are irregular and costs up to ..."> How do I get to the island of Orpheus? Although the Palm Islands are relatively close to Townsville, it is more difficult to get here than to other Great Barrier Reef Islands. Organized day trips by ferry If you are looking for a day trip, you can book a ferry ticket for the return trip to the Orpheus Island at Sealink Ferries. However, these organized day trips are irregular and costs up to ...">

Exploration of the island of Orpheus - snorkeling and hiking

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Orpheus Island is a tropical Great Barrier Reef Island and part of the Greater Palm Island Group. For adventure travelers, snorkeling and hiking on Orpheus Island are among the best of the Great Barrier Reef Islands.
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How do I get to the island of Orpheus?

Although the Palm Islands are relatively close to Townsville, it is more difficult to get here than on other Great Barrier Reef Islands.

organized day trips with the ferry

If you are looking for a day trip, you can book a ferry ticket for the return trip to the Orpheus Island at Sealink Ferries. However, these organized day trips are irregular and cost up to $ 119 per person.

If you do not have your own equipment, you can also add the snorkeling equipment add-on of Orpheus Island to the cash register.

for the wealthier: private helicopter

If you want to spend a lot of money or already spend the night in the Orpheus Island Resort, you can take a private helicopter from Townsville for $ 559 per person.

Sailing

If you are lucky enough to own your own sailboat or your own yacht and sail along the Australian east coast, then the best way to get to Orpheus Island is to sail there yourself.

The main anchor area is located in the northern bay, which is known as Pioneer Bay. Here are five visitor buoys open around the clock, which can absorb swamp boats up to 20 m and catamarans up to 18 m.
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Best travel time for Orpheus Island and the Palm Islands

You may be wondering when the best time is to visit the island of Orpheus? Due to the tropical nature of the weather in North Queensland, the best time to travel is in the dry winter months from June to August.

These months offer the calmest weather and a more predictable southeast wind pattern. The temperature usually remains at around 25 to 28 degrees Celsius, whereby the water temperatures normally be 23 to 25 degrees.

Besides and probably the most important factor is that these months are not in the main axis season, so that the risk of pushing on Orpheus Island when snorkeling is much lower than in the summer months.
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stay on the island of Orpheus

Yes, it is possible to stay on Orpheus Island. However, it costs you.

The Orpheus Island Resort is the only accommodation option on Orpheus Island and is aimed at travelers with a high budget and wedding travelers. Your luxurious rooms are a perfect refuge for people who want to spend a little money.

The best activities on the island of Orpheus

So

You managed to reach Orpheus? Here is a short list with some of the best things you can do during your stay in the tropical paradise of the Great Barrier Reef.

snorkeling on the island of Orpheus

Orpheus Island Schnorkeln offers you a unique underwater experience at the Great Barrier Reef. The island is the home of 1100 of the 1500 fish species that live on the reef.

The best snorkeling places on Orpheus Island are located on the southern tip of Pioneer Bay or at the place near the research station. However, exploring all parts of the hempriff offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving.
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snorkeling with mantaroche

While we were on Orpheus Island, snorkeling with mantaroche was a clear highlight. We saw dozens of different mantarochets, some swam alone and others for two. There is no specific place to find them, but if you spend enough time in the water, it is almost inevitable to discover one.

The best thing is that the mantas stay here all year round!
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Orpheus Island Hike and Viewpoint

on the beach near Pioneer Bay is a great short walk to a viewpoint at the northern end of the island of Orpheus.

For sailors, this is the beach where you will most likely go to anchors. However, if you visit the island on a day trip or spend the night in the resort, you have to go to the beach with the kayak or a dinghy.

From here you will find the start of the route directly behind the old national park group. After a short 10-minute walk you will see the remains of the first British settlement. You can continue up the dense, rainforest -like terrain until you reach a clearing with a long, dense grass.

Avoid brown snakes and push the hill up to find the viewpoint rock that overlooks both sides of the island. Remember to look down to enjoy an incredible view of the reef below, where you often see mantarochets and turtles that swim in crystal clear, turquoise water.
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kayaking on the island of Orpheus

Everyone loves a yak, especially about a quiet hem reef! You can rent kayak's resort and paddle through the inner bays, often watching mantarochets and turtles.
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Take a look at the research center

between Pioneer Bay and Orpheus Island Resort you will find a settlement that is dedicated to marine research. There are buoys that mark the research zone and you should avoid kayak or booting in this area.

The southern headland is one of the best places for snorkeling on Orpheus Island, where they can snorkel in the flat hem riff. Here the research center has helped to reproduce corals with a bleaching damaged and in excellent state.

While I was snorkeling at this point, I saw a huge humpback whale that entered the bay and almost entered the research center! This was far from my favorite snorkeling experience on Orpheus Island.
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take a day trip to Hinchinbrook Island

If you don't stay on the island, why don't you go on a day trip to one of the last wilderness of Australia? Hinchinbrook-island.

day trips can be organized by the resort, but are a bit expensive. If you sail around the islands yourself, you shouldn't miss Hinchinbrook!
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For sailors and cruisers: Sailing according to Orpheus Island

I visited Orpheus Island on our sailing trip on the Australian east coast to the Daintree. For those who sail, read my Sailing Log for more detailed information about anchorages and night boys.
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