3-Day/2-Night Great Barrier Reef Dive Trip
Compass Cruises |
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This trip is aboard Reef Encounter, a 115 foot Catamaran with a maximum of 42 divers. It is for 3 days, 2 nights, and allows 8 dives, plus 2 night dives.
Departure Information
Departure is from Marlin Jetty, Cairns at 7:45 AM every day, return time 5:00 PM.
Trips do not run 1/29/2012 to 3/6/2012.
The Dive
A liveaboard trip aboard the Reef Encounter presents all sorts of great opportunities for divers and snorkelers.
First and foremost is the reef itself. The boat works its way between Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reefs, as well as Breaking Patches, all good dive sites. Norman Reef lies at the eastern, outermost edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
Due to the size and layout of this dive boat, there are opportunities for divers seeking all levels of comfort, and on all sorts of budgets. To be honest, every cabin on board is both spacious and well outfitted; each cabin is truly a stateroom with either a double or two single beds on the floor (no bunks), and each cabin has it's own bathroom/shower.
The top deck cabins are the deluxe staterooms, with your stay including extra special services such as champagne on arrival and a tropical breakfast served to you in your cabin, a quiet dinners on deck.
The Reef Encounter also has an extensive introductory dive program. Snorkelers have the opportunity to purchase a package of 5 introductory dives over the course of this trip, at a very good price.
The Reef Encounter remains out at the reef for extended periods. You will be taken to and from the liveaboard by Compass Cruise's beautiful new boat, the Reef Experience,. She's an ultra fast power catamaran, and gets you out to the reef quickly and smoothly.
The Boat
The Reef Encounter is one of the newest and nicest liveaboard vessels operating out of Cairns. A large 115ft Catamaran, built specially for extremely comfortable liveaboard diving, it has ample room for up to 42 passengers. There are spacious deck, dining, and recreation areas for relaxing between and after diving.
The boat is air-conditioned thoughout. We especially liked the spacious and nicely outfitted cabins, many of which had ensuite bathrooms. She's also the only boat on this part of the reef with a heated spa, a great place to warm up after a night dive.
For more info about this boat, see the floorplan.
You will ride out to board Reef Encounter aboard Compass Cruises speedy and stable day boat, the Reef Experience.
Trip Prices
Included
 Scuba dive lesson (with Snorkel price only)
All dive gear (with Dive price only)
Mask, Snorkel, Fins (with Snorkel price only)
All meals
Tea/coffee
All linen
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All prices are in
US Dollars. |
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1 Jun 11 -
onwards
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| Snorkeler, twin share or double stateroom |
$577 |
| Certified Diver, twin share or double stateroom |
$721 |
| Snorkeler, "top deck club" stateroom |
$1,104 |
| Snorkeler, 1 person in cabin |
$1,153 |
| Certified Diver, "top deck club" stateroom |
$1,274 |
| Certified Diver, 1 person in cabin |
$1,295 |
| Extras: | |
| Beer, wine, soda, on sale at bar |
- | | Environmental management charge (pay on board) per day |
$5 | | Torch/batteries for night dives. per night |
$5 | | Wetsuit per Day |
$5 | | Transfers to/from your Cairns lodging |
$9 | | Fuel levy (pay on board) per day |
$10 | | Guided certified dives |
$10 | | Transfers: Northern Beaches |
$14 | | DAN Insurance |
$17 | | Refresher course |
$26 | | 2nd Intro. Scuba dive |
$41 | | 1st Intro. Scuba dive |
$57 | | SSI advanced course |
$93 | | PADI advanced course |
$181 | | Additional night extenstion to trip |
$199 | | 5 Introductory scuba dive package per trip |
$232 |
About Compass Cruises
Compass Cruises is a locally owned and operated company. The owners, John and Lyndell, seem to be everywhere; on the boat, in town and in the office overseeing the operations. The company has been in business since 1988. They operate two different dive boats, the Compass, which takes one day trips, and also servers as the shuttle, taking divers to and from their live aboard boat, the Reef Encounter, which stays for long periods out on the reef.
The company has a diverse set of offerings with options to suit folks and a wide range of budgets. Scuba divers and snorkellers seeking a luxurious live aboard experience can enjoy the top deck club cabins and services and even fly out to the boat on a helicopter. Budget travelers can enjoy a day trip on the reef at the lowest price around, and will find that Compass budget live aboard options are also a great value.
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