Latest News
Sea Cucumbers – The Recycling Vacuums
A sluggish invertebrate, Sea Cucumbers are prolifically found throughout the sandy lagoons of Mackay Reef, you can’t miss them! Their chunky sausage-like shape is easily recognised even when they are covered in sand. These unsuspecting invertebrates act like vacuum cleaners when they feed, feasting on the detritus or the “left overs” of decomposing marine organisms […]
Epaulette Sharks – The Reef Walkers
Epaulette sharks are a species of carpet shark found in the shallow, sandy lagoons and coral labyrinths of Mackay Reef. Recognised by the distinctive black circular markings on their fins that resemble epaulettes, each shark has its own individual pattern – like our fingerprint. Uniquely, they are able to do something that no other shark […]
Clownfish – The Local Celebrity
True Clownfish, also affectionately known as “Nemo”, are probably the most famous species of fish on the Great Barrier Reef thanks to the 2003 animated movie “Finding Nemo”. Only found on a select few snorkel sites around Mackay Reef – one being our crew favourite site “The Wall”. With regular access to The Wall during […]
Green Sea Turtles – The People Pleasers
Green sea turtles are one of the most iconic species to encounter when snorkeling Mackay Reef. Easily identified by their size and unique mottled shell, Ocean Safari guests have been inundated with multiple encounters this week! With their graceful swimming and easy-going nature, these special encounters always make for a perfect photo opportunity coupled with […]
Keeping an Eye on our Reef
Ocean Safari has been keeping an eye on Mackay Reef for over 12 years! This gives our crew the luxury of leaning into long term monitoring data when sharing site information or answering health related queries our guests might have. Ocean Safari crew are trained on how to correctly and efficiently monitor Mackay Reef through […]
Turtle Talk
With absolutely 10/10 conditions, there hasn’t been much that has gone unnoticed under or above the water. Before even getting wet our guests have been treated to sneak previews on the surface of Green Sea Turtles taking a few short breaths before heading back down to graze on the sea grass. Turtles, like us breathe […]
2024 Best Of Queensland Experience
Ocean Safari and Safari Lodge are proud to be recognised as a 2024 Best of Queensland Experience, both continuing to deliver exceptional transformational experiences.
We have a reopening date and it’s not far away!
We are reopening soon!!! That’s right, Safari Lodge and Turtle Rock Cafe will reopen on 28 March, followed by the recommencement of Ocean Safari on 30 March 2024!
Closure updates from Cyclone Jasper floods
T’was a wet, wild and windy Christmas… Like many Far North Queensland residents who live and work in the beautiful remote village of Cape Tribulation on the Daintree Coast, Christmas 2023 was one that our Ocean Safari, Safari Lodge and Turtle Rock Café teams will long remember! The pre-Christmas passing of Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused […]
