Far Northern Great Barrier Reefs Dive Expedition #2
Undersea Explorer |
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This trip is aboard Undersea Explorer, an 82 foot Mono Hull with a maximum of 19 divers and a Dive Staff of 4. It is for 9 days, 8 nights, and allows 22 dives, plus 4 night dives.
Departure Information
Departure is from Cairns Airport (Bus pickup at your hotel), Cairns at 1:00 PM, return time 4:30 PM.
Trips depart 11/5/2008 and 11/12/2008.
The Dive
This trip is an amazing opportunity to visit an area that is truly wilderness. The far northern areas of the Great Barrier Reef are remote and rarely explored by divers.
The spring dates for these expeditions closely coincide with the Great Barrier Reef’s reproductive season.
 While this event is an incredible thing to see in itself, the spawning attracts large pelagics to the area. Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Bryde’s Whales, and other pelagics are often seen at this time. Most divers make 26-28 dives on this trip.
You will travel the first leg of the trip by air from Cairns to the Lockhart River, where the boat trip begins. This flight over the rugged Cape York Peninsula and the Great Barrier Reef is a scenic added bonus to this unique diving opportunity. The dive trip returns to Port Douglas, not Cairns, and we can help make arrangements to get you back to Cairns, which is 35 miles down the coast from Port Douglas.
At the moment we know of only one other dive companiy offering trips to this unique area, and there are only four trips scheduled each year. If this is something that interests you contact us right away, this trip will be sold out early.
The Boat
The Undersea Explorer is a purpose-built vessel, designed for adventure diving, and scientific research. Fully air conditioned, she can accommodate up to 20 passengers, along with 2 scientists and 5 crew. Cabins are twin share queen or bunk style, with 5 shared bathrooms. There are a number of large areas for group discussions, relaxing, and escape. Entry to the water is via a large hydraulic dive platform. Among the many unique features of this boat are the onboard video microscope, underwater video, hydrophone (to hear whale and dolphin sounds) and other scientific equipment. The vessel was built in 1990, and was last refit in 1995.
Trip Prices
Included
 Tanks, weights
All linen
Tea, coffee, snacks
All meals
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All prices are in
US Dollars. |
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27 Jul 07 -
onwards
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| Certified Diver |
$2,818 |
| Extras: | |
| Beer, wine, soda, on sale at bar |
- | | Environmental management charge (pay on board) per trip |
$13 | | Fuel levy (pay on board) per day |
$14 | | DAN Insurance per trip |
$15 | | Mask, Snorkel, Fins per week |
$31 | | Wetsuit per week |
$31 | | Torch/batteries for night dives. per week |
$41 | | Dive computer per week |
$45 | | Refresher course |
$51 | | BCD hire per week |
$62 | | Full dive gear hire (exc. computer) per week |
$178 | | PADI advanced course |
$178 | | Connecting flights, Cairns to/from Lockhart River |
$841 |
About Undersea Explorer
Locally owned and operated, the Undersea Explorer has been in business since 1994. They offer some of the most unique dive trips in the area, and have made a strong commitment to both education and research on the Great Barrier Reef. Often booked well in advance, their dive trips are quite popular with both Australian and overseas divers.
We at Divethereef.com can get excited about this operation. As educators and adventurers, we like the opportunities Undersea Explorer creates for its guests to interact with scientists and actively participate in scientific research. In addition, the boat and equipment are maintained and dutifully cared for. Finally, whenever we ask divers who have gone out with the Undersea Explorer, and we’ve spoken to a lot of them, we always hear the same great reviews.
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