40.2 metresSuperyacht IMPULSIVE
Up to 12 guestsIn five cabins
Crew of 8Including an executive chef
Cairns or Port DouglasDeparture ports

Overview

Superyacht Charter in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland

From September 2027, IMPULSIVE makes her debut in Tropical North Queensland, opening the northern Great Barrier Reef to guests who want to do more than look at it. Departing from Cairns or Port Douglas, she cruises the outer reef and the Ribbon Reefs as far as Lizard Island, with the dive sites, lagoons and fishing grounds of the far north on her doorstep.

Where the Whitsundays are calm, sheltered and close together, Tropical North Queensland is wilder and further out. The reef edge drops away to deep water, the anchorages are quieter and the days are shaped by the sea. IMPULSIVE is your private base for all of it, with a chef, a crew of eight and a full toy inventory, so each day can be as active or as unhurried as the group prefers.

IMPULSIVE beside the reef, seen from above
Aerial view of a reef lagoon and open waterAerial view of IMPULSIVE with her tender and toys alongsideGuests having lunch on the aft deck of IMPULSIVE

Where you will cruise

The outer reef to Lizard Island

  1. Cairns or Port Douglas
  2. Mackay Reef
  3. Ribbon Reefs
  4. Lizard Island
  5. Further north

Cairns and Port Douglas

Guests board in Cairns or Port Douglas, with the outer reef within reach of both.

Mackay Reef and the outer reef

Pristine reef systems of coral gardens, giant clams, reef sharks and turtles, a gentle introduction to the northern reef.

The Ribbon Reefs

Ten reefs run 250 kilometres north to Lizard Island, with sheer walls, swim-throughs and coral gardens. Ribbon Reef No. 10 is home to the Cod Hole, where giant potato cod move beside divers, and Pixie Pinnacle is one of the most visually striking sites on the reef.

Lizard Island

Sheltered Watsons Bay for calm-water snorkelling, the Blue Lagoon by tender, Challenger Bay, and the walk to Cook’s Look, 359 metres above sea level, for views across the reef.

Further north, on request

Princess Charlotte Bay, Cape York and the Coral Sea seamounts can be added for the most remote fishing and diving in Australia.

On the map

Seven nights, Cairns to Lizard Island

The sample itinerary, stop by stop, with the far north and the Coral Sea on request.

  1. 1Cairns or Port DouglasBoard in Cairns or Port Douglas, with the outer reef within reach of both.
  2. 2Mackay ReefCoral gardens, giant clams, reef sharks and turtles, a gentle introduction to the northern reef.
  3. 3Ribbon Reef No. 3A morning dive, then fishing or snorkelling in the afternoon.
  4. 4Ribbon Reef No. 5Drift dives along sheer walls, and the most consistent marlin water on the reef.
  5. 5Ribbon Reefs No. 5 to No. 9More remote and less pressured water. Dive, snorkel, kite surf or fish.
  6. 6Ribbon Reef No. 10 and the Cod HoleWhere giant potato cod move beside divers.
  7. 7Pixie Pinnacle and Challenger BayOne of the most striking sites on the reef, then calm water near Lizard Island.
  8. 8Lizard IslandWatsons Bay, the Blue Lagoon by tender and the walk to Cook’s Look, 359 metres above sea level.
  9. Princess Charlotte Bay and Cape YorkRemote barramundi fishing and the wild coast of the far north, on request.
  10. Coral Sea seamountsThe most remote fishing and diving in Australia, on request.
StopIndicative routeOn request

Locations are indicative and not for navigation. Tap a stop to find it on the map.

IMPULSIVE on deep blue water, seen from above

Things to do

Dive, snorkel, kite surf and fish

IMPULSIVE at anchor beside the reef, seen from above

Scuba diving

Dive the walls, swim-throughs and coral gardens of the Ribbon Reefs, Mackay Reef, Pixie Pinnacle and the Cod Hole, with reef sharks, turtles, barracuda and schooling fish moving through the current. Scuba diving is available as an optional extra. Let us know the group’s certification levels when you enquire and the program will be planned around them. More on diving.

The sea pool and swim platform on IMPULSIVE

Snorkelling

Snorkelling needs no experience and no planning. Step off the yacht or take the tender to the calm coral gardens of Watsons Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Challenger Bay or the outer reef at Mackay Reef. Snorkel gear is carried on board, and turtles, giant clams and reef sharks are regular company.

A guest riding an eFoil beside IMPULSIVE

Kite surfing

Tropical North Queensland’s steady winds and sheltered reef waters suit kite surfing. Sessions are planned around the wind, the tide and the captain’s read of conditions, with the tender on hand for support.

A tender running across open blue water

Fishing

Tropical North Queensland is the Black Marlin Capital of the World, and IMPULSIVE is built to fish it by mothershipping. Paired with a dedicated heavy-tackle game boat with its own captain, mate and deckhand, anglers chase giant black marlin from September to December, then return each evening to the yacht. Every billfish is tagged and released.

Beyond the marlin season, the same grounds produce giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, Spanish mackerel and coral trout on lighter tackle, and Princess Charlotte Bay offers remote barramundi fishing on request. More on fishing.

Guest flyboarding beside IMPULSIVE while a jet ski circles

On the water and on deck

Jetski, eFoils, waterslide, paddleboards and snorkel gear are carried on board, alongside the sea pool and sun deck spa. Non-fishing guests can have the reef and the lagoon to themselves while the anglers are out, so nobody waits on anybody.

Sample itinerary

Seven nights, Cairns to Lizard Island

  • Day 1, Cairns to Mackay Reef
    Board in Cairns or Port Douglas and cruise north to Mackay Reef. Snorkel or dive the outer reef in the afternoon, then sunset drinks on the aft deck.
  • Day 2, Ribbon Reef No. 3
    Ribbon Reef No. 3. A morning dive, then fishing or snorkelling in the afternoon.
  • Day 3, Ribbon Reef No. 5
    Ribbon Reef No. 5. Drift dives along sheer walls, and the most consistent marlin water on the reef for the anglers.
  • Day 4, Ribbon Reefs No. 5 to No. 9
    North through Ribbon Reefs No. 5 to No. 9, into more remote and less pressured water. Dive, snorkel, kite surf where conditions allow, or fish.
  • Day 5, Ribbon Reef No. 10
    Ribbon Reef No. 10 and the Cod Hole.
  • Day 6, Pixie Pinnacle
    Pixie Pinnacle, then the calm waters of Challenger Bay near Lizard Island.
  • Day 7, Off Lizard Island
    A last day on the outer reef off Lizard Island, then into the sheltered lagoon for the evening.
  • Day 8, Lizard Island
    Lizard Island. Walk to Cook’s Look, snorkel Watsons Bay or tender around to the Blue Lagoon, before departing by air or sea.

Five night itineraries are also available. Every itinerary is indicative, and the captain follows the weather, the water and the fish.

IMPULSIVE under way, seen from above

Life aboard

A chef, a crew of eight and the full toy box

Dining

An executive chef plans menus around the group, from relaxed reef-side lunches to long dinners under the stars.

Cabins

Five cabins for up to 12 guests, with a full-beam master suite, two VIP doubles and two twin cabins, looked after by a crew of eight.

Toys

The largest toy inventory in the CharterYacht.com fleet, including a sea pool, jetski, eFoils, waterslide and paddleboards.

Why Tropical North Queensland

Reef, bluewater and the far north

  • The outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef sits close to deep water, which means diving, snorkelling and fishing in the one place
  • The Black Marlin Capital of the World, with giant black marlin from September to December
  • Remote reef systems from Mackay Reef to the northernmost Ribbon Reefs
  • Lizard Island, with calm lagoons, walks and some of the clearest water on the reef
  • Departures from Cairns or Port Douglas, with air or sea departure from Lizard Island

Where you’ll be

Tropical North Queensland, Australia

The northern Great Barrier Reef, from Cairns and Port Douglas to the Ribbon Reefs and Lizard Island.

Fly intoCairns (CNS)
Direct flights fromAustralia’s major cities
Board atCairns or Port Douglas
Finish atLizard Island, by air or sea
SeasonFrom September 2027

Enquire about Cairns

Seasons at a glance

When to go

Marlin and diving seasons in Tropical North Queensland, month by month.

Month by month

IMPULSIVE in the northTropical North Queensland, from September 2027

From Sep 2027
Giant black marlinPeak season, Ribbon Reefs

Sep to Dec
Best divingLate August to November

Aug to Nov
Reef and sportfishingTrevally, tuna, wahoo, mackerel

Year-round

IMPULSIVE debuts in Tropical North Queensland in September 2027. Availability for the 2027 season is limited, so early enquiries are advised.

Planning

Planning your charter

How do we get there?

Cairns is served by direct flights from Australia’s major cities, and Port Douglas is roughly an hour’s drive north. Guests leave the charter at Lizard Island by air or sea.

When is IMPULSIVE in Tropical North Queensland?

IMPULSIVE debuts in Tropical North Queensland from September 2027, and the giant black marlin season runs from September to December. Availability for the 2027 season is limited, so early enquiries are advised.

How many guests can come?

Up to 12 guests in five cabins.

How much does a charter cost?

Every expedition is priced bespoke to each enquiry, covering the yacht, the game boat for the fishing days and the advance provisioning allowance. 2027 rates are available on application. Game boat pricing is subject to availability and the length of the charter. Scuba diving, a second game boat, a chase boat and air transfers between Cairns, Lizard Island and the yacht are optional extras.

Where else does IMPULSIVE cruise?

IMPULSIVE also cruises the Whitsundays, Brisbane and Fiji.

Enquire about Tropical North Queensland

Availability for the 2027 season is limited, so early enquiries are advised. Tell us your dates and group size and our charter manager will plan the week around you.

Enquire about CairnsEmail us

Prefer to talk? Call 1300 424 278 or email info@charteryacht.com.

Indulge Your Impulses

Follow @impulsivesuperyacht on Instagram for life on board and the season ahead.

Follow on Instagram

The IMPULSIVE list

Be First to Know

Season dates, new itineraries, events on board and the occasional offer, straight to your inbox.

First name

You can unsubscribe at any time.