New locally built reef boat, Pure Snorkelling, launches in Cairns

A purpose-built $1.5 million vessel has launched in Cairns giving visitors the opportunity to see a hidden Great Barrier Reef site that has not been visited for almost five years. See the pictures.

Pure Snorkelling at the reef. Photo: Supplied

A purpose-built $1.5 million vessel has launched in Cairns giving visitors the opportunity to see a hidden Great Barrier Reef site that has not been visited for almost five years.

Pure Snorkelling is a joint venture between two Cairns family-owned reef operators who together have more than 60 years’ combined experience showcasing the Great Barrier Reef.

Passions of Paradise managing director Alan Wallish said his company had partnered with Perry Jones and Taryn Agius from Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom to launch the new reef brand with a boat built in Cairns.

“The development of Pure Snorkelling has very much been a local project with multiple Cairns trades and suppliers involved in the construction and planning phase,” he said.

“Pure Snorkelling will create up to nine full-time jobs once it is fully operational and has supported many more over the past 14 months of development.”

Snorkelers with a turtle on the GBR. Photo: Supplied

Mr Jones said they wanted to design an affordable, but comfortable tour on a fully panelled boat built for adventure.

“The aluminium boat has a Z bow, a proven design for passenger comfort as it pushes the waves away from the vessel as it hits them,” he said.

“The 5.4m wide vessel is surveyed to carry up to 48 passengers, but passenger numbers have been capped to 40 to ensure comfort.

“Pure Snorkelling has four 350 horsepower engines enabling it to reach the outer Great Barrier Reef in less than an hour providing more than two hours of snorkelling time on the five-hour afternoon trip.”

Pure Snorkelling and its Cairns builders. Photo: Supplied

Ms Agius said there was a gap in the market for people flying into Cairns in the morning and wanting to do as many activities as possible.

“Many visitors do not allow enough time to see everything they want and are looking for half-day options so their holiday can start as soon as they land,” she said.

“Once is never enough to absorb the diversity of marine life on the Great Barrier Reef, so this half-day tour is also perfect for visitors who want to experience just a little bit more of this World Heritage wonder.

Pure Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Supplied

“Our primary destination will be spectacular Briggs Reef, 24 nautical miles southeast of Cairns, which boasts extraordinary coral cover and Pure Snorkelling has an exclusive permit for the site.

“We have 14 other reef sites to choose from including Sudbury Cay, Thetford, Moore, Upolo, Oyster, Breaking and Pretty Patches which will be used if weather conditions are more favourable in those locations.

Passions of Paradise Managing Director Alan Wallish during the build. Photo: Supplied

“Pure Snorkelling departs from the Cairns Marlin Marina at 12.30pm and is just $199 including afternoon tea and new quality snorkelling gear.”

The 40-seat, 12m boat was built at BME Fabrications in Portsmith and fitted out by Cairns businesses including Cairns Coastal Coverings and Portside Blast and Paint.

Cairns company Collins Constructions is also building a modern architecturally designed pontoon where to welcome Pure Snorkelling’s passengers.

Originally published as New locally built reef boat, Pure Snorkelling, launches in Cairns