Up to 10 guests for 7 day charters

From mid-July to December SOUTH PACIFIC II operates Barrier Reef fishing charters and cruises. Please view our map.

Mid July to August

7 day cruises Lady Musgrave & Bunker Group, Swains Reef & Saumarez Reef

Prevailing south-east trade winds begin to slacken in reef waters south of Rockhampton during July and August. Two to three days of late winter calm days per week is normal. The area fishes well for red emperor, trout, sweetlip and other reef species out wide at Saumarez. Game fishing for yellow fin tuna, wahoo and bill fish adds an extra dimension to the reef fishing.

Boarding: Gladstone, Rosslyn Bay and Mackay

August to September

7 day cruises around the Whitsundays and Outer Reef

This is the time for the Whitsunday Islands and offshore reefs. Weather usually produces sunny days and cool evenings with light to moderate south-east winds. Two to three calm days per week is normal with water temperatures around 23 degrees. While this must be the home of red throat sweetlip we also take good catches of trout, nannygai and red emperor and on the surface Spanish mackerel makes great sport on a spin rod. To round off the week there is nothing better than a beach barbeque topped up with fresh island rock oysters.

Boarding: Shute Harbour or fly into Hamilton Island

October to November

7 day cruises along Ribbon Reefs to Lizard Island or fly into Lizard Island and cruise north to Cape Grenville and the Far Northern Area. Mothershipping for Game fishing charter boats.

These are the prime months to fish and cruise the waters from Townsville to Lizard Island and north. South-east trade winds have usually moderated and it is not uncommon to have days of light and variable breezes. The area is best known for the world's best black marlin fishing. However light tackle game fishing and reef fishing are also good. If you dive or snorkel, crystal clear waters to 27 degrees are an experience not to be missed.

Boarding: Cairns or Lizard Island

December

9 - 10 day cruise Cairns to Brisbane
4 day cruise Cairns to Hamilton Island
5 day cruise Hamilton Island to Brisbane

Your cruise allows time to visit, swim and fish some of the Queensland Coast's most spectacular locations - Dunk Island, Hinchinbrook Island, Palm Island, Whitsunday Island, Percey Island, Pearl Bay, the coral atolls in the Bunker Group, Fraser Island……….

All Barrier Reef cruises include:

• Fishing equipment and bait
  
• Sinkers and lures are available but not included unless game fishing Cairns to Lizard Island
  
• Chef prepared meals
  
• Linen, towels and laundry
  
• Catch filleted and snap frozen
  
• 4.3 metre centre console dory with VHF radio and sounder
  
• Drinks and Reef Tax extra