Vlasoff Cay: Photos & Information (Great Barrier Reef)
Vlasoff Cay: Photos & Information (Great Barrier Reef)
Vlasoff Cay is a beautiful, remote sandy Great Barrier Reef Cay, just a stone's throw away from Cairns. Find out everything you need to know about this remote paradise, including arrival!
A short guide with everything you need to know about Vlasoff Cay; One of the most incredible sandbars of the Great Barrier Reef. Find out how to come here, what awaits you and detailed information about zone division and restrictions.
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Filmvideo by Vlasoff Cay
I recently made a quick cinematic processing of some of the pictures that I recorded during my visit to Vlasoff Cay. Look at it below and if you like it, subscribe to you on YouTube!
All photos and video clips in this blog post were taken by me and can be purchased as art prints or for commercial licenses. Please contact me for more information or read how to use my pictures for free.
About Vlasoff Cay
Vlasoff Cay is located in the Great Barrier Marine Parks, north of Green Island. The island itself is a sandbar on the larger Vlasoff Reef, an outer reef system of the Great Barrier Reef. This reef extends over several hundred meters and is littered with large bums. This section of the reef is quite healthy, which is ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Vlasoff Cay is a very popular place for the locals of Cairns, since it is less than 38 kilometers (20.5 nautical miles) from Cairns. This means that yachts, sailing ships and even jet kis often go to Vlasoff Cay for day trips and overnight stays at the Great Barrier Reef.
You will not find a vegetation on the Cay, and only a small sand tip is exposed at very high tides.
adjacent to Vlasff you will find many other popular reef places that are frequented by commercial diving boats, including Michaelmas Cay, Hastings Reef, Saxons Reef, Norman Reef and Upolu Cay. Alt = “Vlasoff Cay”>
Rating: Best tour to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
How do you come to Vlasoff Cay?
Unfortunately, there are only very limited ways to get to Vlasoff Cay. There are currently no group boat tours that you can book according to Vlasoff Cay, which means that you either have to find a private charter or have to book a full-day return flight with the helicopter that lands on the island ($ 800 per person).
Alternatively, I would recommend that you want to experience a sand island on Great Barrier Reef's Great Barrier. These boys carry out snorkeling and diving trips to the outer reef and are the only boats that stop on a sandy bay (the adjacent Michaelmas).
Book: Michaelmas Cay & Hasting Reef (Seastar)
Alt = “Michaelmas Cay Great Barrier Reef, Michaelmas Cay Outer Reef”> Passionate Michaelmas Cay
Otherwise, the only way to see Vlasoff and other sandy bays is a 30-minute flight from Cairns. This is surprisingly affordable and simply one of the best things you can do in Cairns. Read about my trip to find out how you get a good offer and more photos for what you can expect.
Alt = “Vlassof Cay in front of Cairns on an aircraft flight”> Vlasoff Cay from a picturesque GbR flight
Zoning of the Great Barrier Reef
Vlasoff Cay and the surrounding reef are shown as "yellow" sea parks, which means that it is a Conservation Park Zone. This means that you can fish here from the boat and even fish with the spear. However, there are restrictions.
Below is a picture with the current restrictions for reef zoning.
Many of the nearby surrounding reefs and bays, including the popular diving sites on Hastings and Norman, are Marine National Park Zoning. As a result, you will find that Vlasoff Cay is one of the few accessible sandy bays where you can fish.
Alt = “Limits Zoning for Great Barrier Reef”>
berths & anchorages
On the west side of Vlasoff Cay there are at least three blue Curtesy boys, which can absorb the carving up to a depth of 20 meters at 34 knots. However, you can also navigate through the bombies to anchor on the west side on the sandy levels. Alternatively, you can drive to the east side of the island, where many other boats anchor for day trips.
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More photos of Vlasoff Cay
I hope this shortfinder for Vlasoff Cay, one of the most beautiful sandy bays at the Great Barrier Reef in front of Cairns. Below I inserted a few photos from my last trip to Vlasoff.
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Alt = “Fresh tuna meal at the Great Barrier Reef”>
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Alt = "sunset in Vlasoff Cay">
Alt = “Vlasoff Cay from above”>
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Alt = "Boot in Vlasoff Cay">
Alt = “Yacht on the Great Barrier Reef (Malaika)”>
Alt = "Great Barrier Reef, Vlasoff Cay">
More Cairns & Far North Travel & Adventure Blogs
Before you set off, be sure to take a look at some of my other useful travel guides and adventure blogs. I spent a lot of time to photograph and document my adventures in the region to photograph and document Cairns.
As a result, I have put together the most comprehensive source of travel for the region (all for free). Take a look at my waterfall leader or my hiking guide or select an article below.
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My camera and photo equipment
- Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
- drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
- landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
- all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
- Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
- landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
- Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip
A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.
If you want to use photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. For high -resolution & commercial use, please contact me directly.
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