Description
Michaelmas Cay is a low lying vegetated sand cay encircled by a spectacular fringing reef. The vegetated coral reef island is 360m long and 50m wide and rises to a height of 3.5m above sea level. It is home to at least 23 species of seabirds which makes the island one of the most significant bird sanctuaries on the Great Barrier Reef. At the height of nesting and breeding season (during Summer months) up to 20,000 birds have been observed. The island supports over 1% of the world populations of Lesser Crested Tern and Greater Crested Tern. Sooty Tern and Common Noddy also breed on the island.
Details
Access
Michaelmas Cay is located on the western tip of Michaelmas Reef 43 km north-east of Cairns and 17 km north of Green Island. From Cairns you have to book an organized tour to get to the island. See the links below.
Terrain and Habitat
SeaConditions
Flat , No shadowCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
SummerDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
BoatBirdwatching hide / platform
NoLinks
- Photo Michaelmas Cay by Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- www.oceanspirit.com.au tour to Michaelmas Cay
- https://seastarcruises.com.au tour to Michaelmas Cay


