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7 Day/ 7Night Cod Hole and Coral
Sea Liveaboard dive trip |
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Departs
every Monday
at 12.00 noon. |
Returns every Monday
at 07:30. |
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This tour begins every Monday
(departs midday) from Cairns, and travels 240km along the rarely
visited Ribbon Reefs, to the Cod Hole. Along the 'Ribbons' you
will encounter clouds of colourful tropical fish, an incredible
variety of vibrant healthy corals, giant clams, anemones, huge
schools of cruising pelagic fish, and a family of giant potato
cod. Within your 7 days, you will also spend 2 days at Osprey
Reef in the Coral Sea. |
| An old volcanic
atoll lying 220km off the coast, Osprey Reef is renown for its
spectacular walls to 1000m, its massive soft corals, shark action,
and exceptional visibility. |
| 'North Horn' at
the tip of Osprey is a site where grey reef sharks, silvertips,
and the occasional oceanic congregate. Here you can also experience
a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction
dive. This tour also includes an overnight stay in secluded Watson's
Bay and a couple of hours ashore at Lizard Island. Return to Cairns
7 days later on the Monday morning (return Cairns 07:30). |
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Dives on the outer Great Barrier
Reef |
| Dives at the world famous 'Cod
Hole' - home to a family of giant potato cod. |
| Dives on the remarkable chain
of 'Ribbon Reefs' with varied topography featuring coves with
expansive beds of plate corals to isolated pinnacles - home to
clouds of colourful tropical fish. |
| Experience wonderful coral
gardens displaying an abundance of both hard & soft corals
supporting a wealth of fish & invertebrate life. |
| The 'Ribbons' are
a photographers dream. |
| Average depth of
dive sites is 25m-30m (80'-120'). |
| Most dive sites
have coral to within 2m (6') of the surface making it ideal for
snorkelling as well as scuba diving. Note to snorkellers
- whilst the Ribbon Reefs do offer good snorkelling, the reefs
in the Coral Sea are deeper and have stronger surface currents
so are only suitable for experienced snorkelers and strong swimmers.
You may not be able to snorkel at every site. Please note that
while you be safe under the watchful eye of the 'look-out' crew,
a snorkel buddy may not always be available. |
| Average visibility
on this section of the GBR is 15m-20m (45'-70') |
| The waters are
generally sheltered; although some current may be experienced
at dive sites situated close to the narrow 'passes' between reefs
on certain tides. |
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WHATS INCLUDED |
| Transfers to and
from Cairns accommodation |
| Opportunity for
26 dives |
| 7 diving days |
| Chef prepared meals
|
En-suite cabin with
daily service |
| Australian wines
with evening meals |
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EXTRAS |
| Gear Hire |
| PADI Advanced Course
|
| Underwater Photography
Course |
| 
Nitrox Course
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|
Nitrox fills |
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SAMPLE INTINERARY |
| Monday.
Boarding Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf (complimentary
transfers from Cairns city hotels are available) for a 12 noon
departure. Lunch will be served on board while we cruise to the
Great Barrier Reef to the north of Cairns, for an afternoon orientation
dive and a twilight or night dive |
| Tuesday
and Wednesday. These two days are spent diving at the
most northern of the Ribbon Reefs, Number 9 & 10 Ribbon Reefs.
Dive sites and sequence may vary depending on the weather conditions,
but will always include at least one dive at the Cod Hole, where
you encounter a family of massive and very friendly Potato Cod.
Other sites may include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger
Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit, just to
name a few. If the current is right, you may also take a drift
dive at Dynamite Pass, well know as a channel for sharks to pass
through. See the dive site page for site selection of some of
our dive sites on the Ribbon Reefs. 4 to 5 dives will be available
each day, including a night dive on the Tuesday. On Wednesday
evening we overnight at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy
a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck. |
| Thursday.
This morning after breakfast you will have the opportunity to
go ashore at Lizard Island. A good chance to stretch you legs
on land at this half way point, you can take the guided walk from
Watson's Beach to Mary Watson's cottage over Chinaman's Ridge
and back to the beach. Around 11.00am we will cruise back to Ribbon
Reef Number 10 for two dives at a choice of sites including the
Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie
Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle. If the tide permits we may repeat a
dive at the Cod Hole or visit new sites. We depart in the evening
for a 10 hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. |
| Friday
and Saturday. Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef
(weather permitting). Australia's Coral Sea reefs are renown for
crystal clear water with visibility ranging 30 to 100 metres.
The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians,
sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, rising from the ocean
floor thousands of feet below. 'North Horn' is a dive site at
the tip of Osprey where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the
occasional oceanic congregate, and you can experience a close
encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. 4
to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive
on the Friday. See the dive site page for site selection of some
of our dive sites at Osprey Reef. On Saturday night we will depart
Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs. |
| Sunday.
At Ribbon Reefs Number 3 we will dive such sites as the sensational
Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. A second option
for this day, in special weather conditions, is to head south
from Opsrey to Bougainville Reef, known for its unusual underwater
landscape or caverns, and its partially submerged wreck. On Sunday
evening we will cruise overnight back to Cairns. |
Monday.
We arrive back into Cairns at 06:30am. Enjoy a light breakfast
on board and a group photo opportunity before being dropped back
to your Cairns hotel around 08.00am. |
Please note that
above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence
may change. Access to the Cod Hole and the Coral Sea is weather
conditional and while every attempt will be made to keep to the
advertised itinerary, the Coral Sea and specific sites on the
Great Barrier Reef are not guaranteed. |
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From January 9th until 22nd all trips
are 50% off RRP!!! Contact us for details. |
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From 20th February until 31st May 2012
every booking of 2 people, the 2nd person receives a 50% discount |
| Please contact
us to check if any discounts are available, as we can usually
offer discounts off the RRP prices
for all bookings on-line. |
| A deposit is required
at time of booking, with the balance paid 30 days prior to departure.
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| Please
check availability with us prior to booking. |
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