6 Reasons why you need to go Kayaking Palm Cove with Pacific Watersports

Explore FNQCairns

Oct 25

It’s not very often that I feel obliged to go out and make a BIG purchase after an Adventure BUT after completing a day kayaking with Pacific Watersports, a sea kayak is now on my shopping list!!

Read on for my 6 reasons why you need to try kayaking Palm Cove now!

1. See Palm Cove from a different perspective

I love getting out on the sea and viewing the coastline, it gives you a totally different perspective on where you are. If you’re staying at Palm Cove (read my blogpost on why you need to consider this as a holiday destination now!) then kayaking Palm Cove is a great way to see the palm lined beach in all its glory.

Look out for Pacific Watersports

Quick lesson on the Beach

Mum & Daughter Adventure

**Get off the coast with some kayaking Palm Cove**

When you get a little off the coast you notice how the beach of Palm Cove combines with Clifton Beach and stretches all the way down to Kewarra. That’s three beaches for the price of one – no wonder people like to come here and holiday!

**Palm Cove Beach seems to stretch forever...**

2. Explore the Great Barrier Reef

I did not know how good the coral was surrounding Double Island (your destination if you’re paddling with Pacific Watersports) – and I’m a local! Hard corals abound (which is the sign of a really healthy reef system) and fish are plentiful AND did I mention the turtles?!? We must have seen over a dozen turtles poke their heads up on the surface near us whilst silently paddling over the reef flats.

**Hard Corals are everywhere on the inner reef at Double Island**

There’s no guarantee that you’ll see interesting sea creatures, however Luke, our guide for the day, has seen loads of cool stuff whilst kayaking Palm Cove with Pacific Watersports. So let’s face it, the odds are stacked on your side…..

Time for a selfie

SUP Kayak!

We’re heading for that island ahead

Turtle Spotting

3. Enjoy a Private Beach

Landing on a private beach on Double Island was a highlight of our tour. Tucked away on the other side of the island, away from the prevailing winds, was the perfect spot to beach our kayaks and explore a bit of the island.

Our own Private Bay

Paddling around Double Island

Secluded Spot

Morning Tea

We donned our snorkel and masks (supplied by Pacific Watersports) and got in to explore the Great Barrier Reef…..YES that’s right! You don’t have to spend an hour or so on a tourist boat to get out to the reef. Kayak from Palm Cove and you’ll find plenty of inner reefs around that only the locals know about. For some people on our kayaking Palm Cove tour this was their first experience of the Great Barrier Reef, AND they loved it!!

Although the visibility wasn’t as great as you can get if you travel further off the coast there was enough action there to satisfy even me (and I’ve spent over 10 years working on the GBR as a diver, underwater videographer and photographer). The Spotted Moray Eel was my highlight – the chances of seeing them is super slim during the daytime as they’re normally a night time predator.

4. Exclusive entry to Double Island

For most people that get over to Double Island the only place they can go is to the high tide mark. Everything past that is owned by a Chinese Billionaire so the rest of the island is taboo to all other people. BUT the good news is that Luke and Andy (owners of Pacific Watersports) are buddies with the caretaker and are allowed to take people around the former resort grounds.

The main beach of Double Island

The Gym

Luke talks to the Caretaker

Walking around the island

The former Resort Pool

And it is former too – at one stage it cost over AUD $35,000 a night to exclusively hire out the island and stay there. Celebrities include Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston to name a few. You can even see the gym Keanu Reeves worked out in before filming started on the The Matrix. The sad news is the resort is no where near its former glory and has been allowed to slowly crumble and decay – which is kind of interesting as well….

5. You learn about the Region

Nothing beats localknowledge and Luke and Andy have been operating this business in Palm Cove formore than 8 years now so they know a thing or two about the region. There waseven stuff that surprised me and I’ve been a local in the region for over 30years.

**Our guide Luke was extremely knowledgeable**

Expect to hear tales such as the history behind the islands (Double Island and Haycock Island), turtle facts, reef facts and information about the beaches you can see along the coast.

6. Spot some Marine Life

If it’s your first timekayaking you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll see out on the water. Becauseyou’re cruising silently through the water you may see a number of creaturesthat are oblivious to your presence.

**We spotted turtles on the surface of the water**

In our case we saw a heap of turtles from the surface, a sea snake, a sea eagle and of course an abundance of fish when we donned our snorkel and masks. AND let’s not forget that Spotted Moray Eel that I’ve only ever seen a handful of times before. Stingrays and small reef sharks (less than ½ metre long) are also common when drifting over the sandy bottom but most of the time that’s dependent on the tides.

When we arrived back onshore after kayaking Palm Cove that’s when the thought occurred to me (thanks to my daughter’s insistence) that owning a sea kayak wouldn’t be a bad idea at all!!

Don’t forget to watch the video for more information on what this day is all about…..

Good Things to Know:

Kids need to be 7 years old to participate.
Kayaks are the open sit on variety, not enclosed.
Small groups are ensured – 20 people maximum PLUS guides. When the conditions are rough this is reduced to 12-16 people so that safety comes first. ALSO kayak tours include a downwinder option (pull into Buchans Beach) when the wind picks up so you don't have to fight the wind back to Palm Cove.
The initial lesson is short and sweet and the guide offers tips as you’re kayaking along.
Transfers can be organised from your accommodation.
Bring plenty of water, don plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat.
Stinger season runs from November to May BUT Pacific Watersports offer full body protection with Lycra suits.
You’ll find crocodile signs on all beaches around the Far North and crocodiles may be present in the ocean. The Department of Environment and Science actively remove crocodiles in the specific region of Cairns and its surrounding beaches. For a good article on Crocs Click HERE.