Want a seamless day out on the Great Barrier Reef? Enter Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, located just steps from Marlin Marina and the Reef Fleet Terminal. Back on land, swap sea spray for a garden-fringed pool, an easy meal at The Backyard or a wander along the waterfront. Find out why this is your ideal home base for reef adventures in Tropical North Queensland.
You can walk to the reef before the day gets going
Reef Fleet Terminal is just steps from the hotel, so there’s no long transfer across town before a day swimming through the glorious waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Boats depart for different corners of the reef: some head towards Fitzroy or Green Island, while others take guests to offshore pontoons or more remote stretches of coral.
Spend the day snorkelling, diving or simply watching the coastline recede from the deck; then return to Cairns without having to plan a separate journey back. On another morning, the marina is a destination itself – start the day slowly watching boats come and go across Trinity Inlet.
The pool is the perfect place to land after a day on the reef
Cairns is a natural launch point for big days out, but Shangri-La The Marina gives you plenty of reasons to stay in. Its dazzling outdoor pool is temperature-controlled year-round, with a sundeck where you can take a break in the tropical air. Plus, a separate children’s pool is ideal for families travelling with younger swimmers.
The setting shifts the mood from marina to garden: after the movement and salt air of a reef trip, you can return to the hotel for an unhurried swim, or head down before breakfast while the day is still cool.
Thriving marina or the mountain views are yours for the taking
Every room and suite has floor-to-ceiling windows and a private outdoor area, but the view changes with the room: water, mountains, gardens or the city. Executive Marina View Rooms face the sunrise side of the hotel and look out across Marlin Marina towards the far side of Trinity Inlet and the soaring mountains beyond.
Inside, each room and suite has vibrant tropical artworks and stylish furnishings that perfectly contrast the serene scenes outside. Plus, the pillow menu is a welcome detail after an early boat departure. The height of luxury is the Royal Suite, complete with a deep bathtub, feather-soft bedding and a decadent chaise lounge to savour sweeping vistas of Marlin Marina.
The Backyard keeps local flavours close to the pool
From breakfast to dinner, The Backyard is the hotel’s all-day dining establishment overlooking Marlin Marina. Take a seat and chow down on crispy fried chicken ribs with spicy gochujang chilli caramel, fragrant eggplant yellow curry and refreshing tiger prawn salad. Choose a table indoors, by the garden or near the pool, depending on how much of the tropical air you want with lunch.
For a low-key afternoon, the nearby Pool Bar has drinks and light bites beneath the palms. It’s an easy post-swim stop after a day on the water.
The Esplanade gives you a local Cairns day
When you want a break from boat trips, follow the waterfront towards the Cairns Esplanade. Its pedestrian paths make room for a relaxed walk or run, while the public Lagoon offers another place to swim.
For a change of pace from the water, Cairns Art Gallery brings together regional, Australian and international art across several heritage buildings in the city centre. You can spend the morning among galleries, return for a swim, then finish the day by the marina as the boats settle in for the evening.
