Cruises: Small-ship tour along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

AdventureSmith Explorations is offering four-, five- or eight-day small-ship cruises that are good for families, with activities that suit all ages.

Stops on the four-day excursion include Thetford Reef, for snorkeling and a glass-bottom-boat tour of coral gardens; Hinchinbrook Channel, one of the most diverse marine environments on the Australian coast; Pelorus Island, for a rainforest walk, snorkeling and beach barbecue; Dunk Island, known for its native birds; Nathan Reef, for snorkeling among more than 400 species of coral; and Fitzroy Island, surrounded by part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Accommodations are aboard either the 36-passenger Coral I or the 20-passenger Coral II. All cabins are air-conditioned and have private baths. The cruises depart from and return to Cairns, on the continent’s northeastern coast.

Dates: Departs weekly throughout the year.
Price: From $1,596 per person, depending on cabin class and length of cruise. Children ages 4 to 14 are one-half the adult fare. Includes all meals aboard ship, coral viewing, snorkeling excursions and use of equipment. International airfare and optional scuba diving costs not included.
Info: AdventureSmith Explorations, (877) 620-2875

Follow us on Twitter @latimestravel, like us on Facebook @Los Angeles Times Travel.