4-day/3-night Minke Whale Expedition
Taka Dive Adventures |
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This trip is aboard Taka, a 100 foot Mono Hull with a maximum of 30 divers and a Dive Staff of 7. It is for 4 days, 3 nights, and allows 9 dives, plus 2 night dives.
Departure Information
Departure is from Taka Dive Office, 319 Draper St. Cairns, Cairns at 4:30 PM, return time 3:30 PM.
The Dive
You visit one of the best dive areas on the entire Great Barrier Reef on this trip. The Ribbon Reefs, being out of range for one-day dive boats, are less frequently visited. The visibility is usually amazing. Only a few boats offer trips that combine a visit to this outstanding dive area, and the chance to interact with Dwarf Minke Whales; Taka is the choice of divers and snorkelers on a budget.
Taka Dive is very experienced with these unique animals, and has worked along side CRC Research and James Cook University in their Dwarf Minke Whale research programs since mid 1995. From the years of researching these whales they have discovered favored sites along the Ribbon Reef to encounter the whales. While Taka usually tries to stick to the usual itinerary during the whale season, customers are given the option to stay in the water with the whales and miss a dive. Taka’s skipper is highly experienced with these animals; he’s also a trained zoologist. Dwarf Minke Whales are encountered on 90% of these trips.
Due to unpredictable encounters with the whales, itineraries are subject to change during this season. For the protection of these whales, scuba diving is prohibited with the whales. Snorkeling from a Mermaid line is the safest and most non-intrusive way to interact with and these whales.
This is an ideal trip for snorkelers as well as scuba divers. Not only do they get to interact with the whales, but two introductory scuba dives are included in the trip price for snorkelers as well.
For more info about this boat, see the floorplan.
The Boat
The Taka II is the newest and highest-tech boat operating on the Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea. Launched in 2004, this boat is custom designed for live aboard diving in the area. The boat is 30 meters long, with room for up to 30 guests, in air-conditioned cabins that range from a honeymoon suite to four-share.
Designed for a comfortable ride and maneuverability in small dive sights, TAKA also has an internet café, providing access to the ‘net from 90% of the dive sites the boat visits, DVD players and in-house movies, and lots of shared space to lounge and mingle. The dive deck is designed for easy access to gear and the water. This intelligently designed boat makes a great live aboard boat!
Trip Prices
Included
 Tanks, weights (with Dive price only)
All linen
Tea, coffee, snacks
All meals
Light, batteries for night dives (with Dive price only)
Transfers to/from your Cairns lodging
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All prices are in
US Dollars. |
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1 Jul 10 -
onwards
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| Snorkeler, 4-share cabin |
$1,076 |
| Certified diver, 4-share cabin |
$1,171 |
| Snorkeler, standard twin cabin |
$1,210 |
| Snorkeler, double standard cabin |
$1,210 |
| Certified diver, double standard cabin |
$1,305 |
| Certified diver, standard twin cabin |
$1,305 |
| Snorkeler, twin/double ensuite cabin |
$1,357 |
| Certified diver, twin/double ensuite cabin |
$1,452 |
| Snorkeler, stateroom |
$1,548 |
| Certified diver, stateroom |
$1,643 |
| Extras: | |
| Beer, wine, soda, on sale at bar |
- | | Port Levy per trip |
$5 | | Environmental management charge (pay on board) per trip |
$14 | | Subsequent Intro. Scuba dives per dive |
$29 | | Fuel levy (pay on board) per trip |
$57 | | Camera hire (Sea&Sea MX10/Strobe) per trip |
$62 | | Nitrox dive package (for all your dives) per trip |
$71 | | All dive gear (inc. computer) per trip |
$114 | | PADI advanced course per course |
$124 | | Underwater photography course per course |
$238 | | Nitrox certification course per couse |
$267 |
About Taka Dive Adventures
Taka Dive Specializes in providing full service liveaboard diving at a good price. The boat is operated by Deep Sea Divers Den, a respected local company that's long been a fixture in Cairns, and operates a dive school, day dive trips and live aboard dive trips along with Taka Dive.
Taka III is a large purpose-built dive vessel, and the newest of all the dive boats visiting the Cod Hole/Rribbon Reefs region. The staff is professional, friendly and helpful.
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