Intense and very friendly. You have to be in good shape if you want to do the 11 dives. It's sporty but very well organized with a hot shower after a night dive.
Why We Love It
Perfect for divers who have little time, embark for three action-packed days! You'll get to dive on the outer Great Barrier Reef without breaking the bank. With two night dives included in the 11 dives, be prepared to see some action on the reef! Beginners will get to practice their skills and finish their certification onboard, while the most experienced divers will explore the sites with their buddies.
Conservation
Since 1986, the dive operator has had a team of scientist divers, the Reef Biosearch, monitoring the reef. It now has the longest-running logbook of marine observations on the reef. It has also been involved in coral reef restoration projects since 2018. Solar power is used across operations whenever possible, and a strong focus is put on waste management and phasing out plastic consumables.
Who Is It For?
For all levels of divers, from beginners to more experienced divers. Non-divers can join the trip, and can even do their Open Water certification before and during the cruise if they wish.
Unlimited tea, coffee, and Milo; Australian wine, beer, and soft drinks with the evening meal
Free WiFi
Transfers to/from your Cairns city and Northern Beaches accommodation
Government Environmental Management Charge, Port Departure Tax, and Administration Charges: A$85 (about ... EUR)
What's not included?
Any certification courses taken on board or prior to the cruise.
Nitrox specialty - ask us
Tips for the crew
International flights and accommodation before or after your trip
Dive Briefing!
Marine Life
Recognized since 1981 as a UNESCO World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,500 species of fish, 360 species of hard corals, and one-third of the world's soft corals.
North of Cairns and only accessible by liveaboard, the outer Barrier Reef hosts big groups of tropical fish, some giant clams, some turtles and barracudas, and the occasional bull ray.
Dive Conditions
Season: all year round
Currents: little to moderate currents
Visibility: up to 20 meters (66 ft)
Water Temperature: January through April: 29° (84°F) , May through August: 24° (75°F) , September through December: 27° (81°F)
Depth: shallow and deep dives, according to your certification level
Dive Sites
Milln Reef offers a beautiful topography with pinnacles, swim throughs, and some walls. Expect to see some resident turtles, some white-tip reef sharks, and plenty of sweetlips! A good site for night dives too.
Thetford Reef has plenty of beautiful and soft corals full of life with plenty of angel fish, damselfish, and butterflyfish. Cathedral and Blue Lagoon sites are famous among divers.
Flynn Reef is a popular reef that offers excellent diving for novice to very experienced divers. Its hard coral is particularly beautiful, with finger, table, plate, and boulder corals.
Pellowe Reef is a small isolated reef located close to the edge of the continental shelf. This site is only accessible when conditions are fine.
The site has an exciting wall dive, with a drop-off going down to 30 meters (98 ft), and swim-throughs. You might see some barracudas and other pelagic fish there.
The Team
Operation started in 1983
Three custom-built dive vessels
5 Star PADI Training and Instructor Development Centre
Dive Courses available on board and before the cruise: ask us
English-speaking crew
Safety Information
Equipment Recommended: 3 to 5 mm wetsuit depending on the season, dive computer, surface marker buoy, and a whistle
Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote.
Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Townsville - 450 km (280 miles) South of Cairns
Visas, Flights, and More!
Visa Requirements
Short-term (three-month) tourist visa known as ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is available for nationalities from Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR PRC), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, and United States