Coral Futures Expedition presented by the Australian Geographic Society

Cruise Itinerary

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
3 Dec 2025	Cairns, Qld, Australia		Hotel
4 Dec 2025	Cairns, Qld, Australia	Embark
5 Dec 2025	At Sea Cruising	Visit the Coral Biobank
6 Dec 2025	Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia
7 Dec 2025	At Sea Cruising	Coral and Species Conservation
8 Dec 2025	At Sea Cruising	Mapping the Ocean floor
9 Dec 2025	At Sea Cruising	Annual Coral Spawning
10 Dec 2025	At Sea Cruising
11 Dec 2025	Cairns, Qld, Australia	Disembark

7 Night Cruise sailing from Cairns roundtrip aboard Coral Discoverer.

About the Expedition
Join the Australian Geographic Society and Great Barrier Reef Legacy on a unique and immersive citizen science expedition on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Travel and live aboard the yacht-like vessel Coral Discoverer on this 7-day adventure that explores the outer reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. You will be one of a small community of only 64 like-minded explorers, and every moment of the voyage will contribute to coral conservation. This will be a rare opportunity to combine personal exploration with meaningful action to preserve the ocean’s biodiversity.

The expedition will be led and hosted by Dr Dean Miller and will support the award-winning “Forever Reef Project” which has collected a majority of the 415 varied coral species to be found on the reef and has created a living biobank in its purpose-built premises in Port Douglas. Proceeds of the voyage will go towards this and other worthy conservation projects supported by the Australian Geographic Awards for Nature. Learn as you explore, and enjoy activities including snorkel and dive, coastal hikes and birdwatching. Settle back at the end of each day to enjoy sunset and drinks with new friends.

Expert Hosts:
Dr Dean Miller is the managing director and co-founder of Great Barrier Reef Legacy, a not-for-profit organisation based in Far North Queensland. With his team, he has developed the remarkable “Forever Reef Project”, which focuses on preserving the 415 species of hard corals of the Great Barrier Reef. The organisation has developed state-of-the-art holding facilities designed to keep these corals alive, ensuring their long-term conservation for future generations. Dr. Miller’s dedication to the preservation of this unique marine ecosystem has earned him significant recognition, including the gold-tier Australian Geographic Awards for Nature in 2024.

Dr Robin Beaman is a marine geologist and ocean-mapping scientist leading efforts to reveal Australia’s vast underwater landscape. With three decades of experience, he’s developing the most comprehensive and accurate 3D depth models for the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.

Visit the Coral Biobank:
The Forever Reef Project aims to preserve the genetic biodiversity of corals by collecting and storing living fragments and genetic samples in a state-of-the-art facility. This “coral ark” will help maintain biodiversity for future generations and aid global reef restoration. Experience an exclusive walk through this innovative facility, where you can witness firsthand the efforts being made to safeguard the future of coral reefs.

Lizard Island Discovery:
Our voyage will include a full day stop at the renowned sanctuary of Lizard Island. We will participate in a remote beach clean-up, hike to the summit of historic Cooks Lookout and enjoy snorkel excursions over the majestic giant clam gardens and seagrass beds to view feeding turtles.

Coral and Species Conservation:
Over the 7 days of the voyage, we will visit pristine and iconic outer reef sites where our guides will share insights into the coral species as well as the abundant marine and birdlife around us. Guests can participate in species surveys and recording as part of the “Eye on the Reef” conservation project and our hosts will share their knowledge about the threats and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. Assist identify corals for the Coral Biobank.

Mapping the Ocean Floor:
Enjoy interpretation provided across the voyage from renowned Bathymetrist Dr Robin Beaman as we map the seafloor beneath the reef.

At JCU, Dr. Beaman leads efforts to map and understand Australia’s vast underwater landscapes, with a particular focus on the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. His work involves advanced mapping technologies such as multibeam sonar, airborne lidar bathymetry, and satellite-derived bathymetry. These tools help reveal detailed features of the seafloor, contributing to research on submarine canyons, submerged reefs, mesophotic coral ecosystems, and more. His advanced 3D modelling enhances the understanding of seabed habitats and evolution and supports various marine studies and scientific efforts.

Annual Coral Spawning:
Our adventure takes place across the full moon cycle in December which can be a vital and exciting time on the Great Barrier Reef. Warm waters and seasonally low wind patterns known as the doldrums combine to provide ideal conditions for the annual mass spawning release of coral eggs and sperm from thousands of colonies. Guest may witness the release, or the following stages of fertilization, settlement and growth as new life regenerates across the reef. Guests will be able to participate in a controlled night snorkel experience on the pristine ribbon reefs.

Note: This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.

Coral Discoverer is our smaller expedition yacht, designed to take you to destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Her shallow draught and manoeuverability make her highly versatile. She boasts ocean views from all public spaces, all outside-facing staterooms (some with balconies), and state-of-the-art tools for exploration including the Xplorer, zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, and kayaks. Her Xplorer bar and adjacent sundeck lounge with 360-degree views are much-loved features. Carrying only 72 passengers, she offers an intimate expedition experience larger ships cannot replicate.

Coral Discoverer conducts expeditions across Australia’s coast – Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. Australian flagged and staffed by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be memorable.

Started in 1983, our company’s original vessel, Coral Princess, a converted World War II submarine chaser, pioneered and set the standard for small ship expedition cruising in northern Australia with 5-night cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, the Coral Expeditions’ fleet includes three purpose-built small ships that can be found anywhere from the tropical waters of Australia’s north to the rugged shores of Tasmania, from the coastal villages of Papua New Guinea and the Spice Islands, to sheltered sounds and glacial fiords of New Zealand.

While our range of cruise itineraries has expanded into new regions, we have maintained our home in Cairns and continue to be the only major operator of extended small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef.

There are many reasons why our guests return to Coral Expeditions for a truly authentic expedition.

A TRUE EXPEDITION ETHOS
At Coral Expeditions, we pride ourselves on getting our guests up close and personal with stunning landscapes, fascinating history and vibrant cultures. We have deep respect and a strong connection with the places we visit. We maintain flexibility in our planning to make impromptu stops if extraordinary opportunities in nature present. Our expeditions focus on truly experiencing the regions we visit.

OUR HOME TURF
When it comes to expedition cruising, there is no replicating experience. For 40 years, we have steadily accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and contacts in the coastal regions surrounding Australia. Our crew know the charts, the tides and the winds like no other to ensure you are in the right place at the right time. Whether you travel with us in the ancient Kimberley, Tasmania’s wilderness, the frontier lands of Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand’s majestic fiordlands, you will be assured a local perspective, with local guides, authentic interactions, and a true taste of local culture and cuisine.

OUR SMALL SHIPS
At the heart of the Coral Expeditions experience are our purpose-built small expedition ships and unique tenders. In an age of glitzy mega-vessels, our ships are truly intimate, carrying no more than 120 guests. This means that we can navigate into shallow bays, step ashore onto remote beaches and jetties, and visit small villages to make connections without overwhelming a community. We have designed the fleet to explore tropical waters with comfort and ease and to allow you to connect with the landscape we explore.

OUR CREW
Our crew live and breathe our destinations and the opportunity to show you a true expedition experience. We are the modern day seafaring pioneers of Australia, and we are proud to share our knowledge on coastal explorations with guests from around the globe. On our ships, we have no ‘back office’ roles. From our chefs to our engineers, our crew are here because they love to interact with people and show you their world. Join our engine room tours, view our chefs in our galley or chat with our officers on the bridge – they will be delighted to share company with you.

OUR RESPECT FOR COMMUNITIES
We have always made a determined effort to support the communities we visit. Our guests join in enthusiastically. We visit remote villages, participate in art and cultural traditions, and interact in local schools. We initiate and contribute to regional projects to support conservation, provide training and employment, and distribute economic benefit and relief supplies, all with guest support and involvement. It is an enriching and rewarding part of our expedition experience that leaves a lasting joy for us all.

THE FUTURE
As Coral Expeditions enters its fifth decade in existence, we remain true to our pioneering foundations. We have a new fleet of technologically advanced ships that provide many of the comforts of a large vessel, but without the crowds. We have embarked on a series of new adventures exploring the small islands of the world and broadening our footprint around our home shores of Australia. Yet, our purpose remains the same – taking small groups of like-minded explorers to beautiful parts of the world in our uniquely Australian style!