About the Cruise
Your Great Barrier Reef adventure will begin with an early morning transfer from your accommodation to the boat. You are on your first dive in just under 3hrs. There are 16 dives sites to dive over 4 different reefs, all exclusive to Pro Dive. Scubapro will move between dive sites during your stay on the reef and you will do as many as 11 dives during this trip. Before each dive you will be given a thorough dive briefing and although we do not offer in water guided dives we have professional dive supervisors providing deck watch at all times.
Our vessels are 25 metres (80 feet) in length, centrally air-conditioned, light and airy. There are 2 large decks, one for scuba diving and snorkel gear and one strictly for sun tanning and relaxing. These vessels are the only purpose built outer reef dive liveaboards operating in the area. There are a total of 16 Cabins which sleep a maximum of two per cabin and a bathroom for every two cabins. Dinner, the menu changes each trip, however it will be wholesome, hot and of course lots of it. Dessert is served after the night dive. Please advise if you are a vegetarian and we will do our best to make sure we cater for you. Single travellers are accommodated in the twin berth cabins with another diver.
About the Nitrox Course
The Nitrox Course consists of some theory and 2 training dives so it can all be easily completed onboard as there are no formal classroom sessions involved with this course. The theory involved requires you to read first the PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course manual and answer the relevant knowledge reviews before completing the two training dives. You will have plenty of free time to complete your knowledge reviews on the initial trip out to the reef. Once on the reef just nominate when you want to complete your two training dives. Once you have completed the course you can dive on Nitrox for your remaining dives on this trip. Enriched Air diving is ideal when doing multiple dives over multiple days like on our 3 day dive trip.
OUTER REEF CRUISE
3 DAY 2 NIGHT ITINERARY
Departs: Cairns 6:15am day 1
Returns: Cairns 4:30pm day 3
Planning your travel arrangements
You will need to be in Cairns the night before departure.
Check-in and Hotel Transfers
Email ip to 48 hours prior to departure to advise your accommodation, we will then organise a transfer for you.
Check-in time is between 4:30pm and 6:30pm at PRO DIVE's retail store on the corner of Grafton and Shields street. If you are not able to make the check in that day, you will be checked in first thing in the morning 6:15am.
Check-in formality - you will be sized for the hire gear you will use for the trip.
Fit to Dive
Some medical conditions may prevent you from diving. You will be required to obtain a dive medical certificate if you answer “yes” to any of the questions on the Continuing Education student diver medical declaration. We recommend you complete a dive medical (if required) before you arrive in Cairns.
Web address for Doctors registered to do Dive Medicals Australia Wide- www.spums.org.au
Web address for Cairns 24hr Medical Center - Can provide Dive Medicals until 8pm - www.thedoctors.com.au
Dive Certification
Don’t forget to bring your Dive certification (physical or electronic copy), which must be presented at check-in.
Itinerary
Day 1: Great Barrier Reef
- 06:00: Complimentary transfer from Cairns city and Northern Beaches accommodation.
- 06:20: Check-in at Pro Dive Cairns (Grafton & Shields Streets).
- 07:00: Depart Cairns. Introduction to Nitrox Diving and study materials provided (This issued before the trip and can be done prior).
- 11:00: First Nitrox dive before lunch.
- 12:30: Lunch served.
- 14:30: Second dive.
- 16:30: Third dive in the afternoon.
- 18:00: Dinner.
- 19:45: Fourth dive - Night dive.
Day 2: Great Barrier Reef
- 07:00: Fifth dive - Early morning.
- 09:00: Breakfast.
- 11:15: Sixth dive after breakfast.
- 12:45: Lunch.
- 15:15: Seventh dive post-lunch.
- 17:45: Dinner.
- 19:30: Eighth dive - Night dive.
Day 3: Great Barrier Ree
- 06:30: Ninth dive - Sunrise.
- 07:30: Breakfast.
- 09:00: Tenth dive.
- 11:00: Eleventh and final dive, concluding by noon.
- 12:00: Lunch.
- 16:00: Complimentary return transfer to accommodation.
- 18:00 - 19:30: Optional farewell dinner at additional cost.
This schedule retains all the key details while being more streamlined and easy to follow.
Please note, the above itinerary is a guide only, and the order of sites may change. The captain will always adapt the itinerary to the prevailing weather, tides and currents. Meals may vary slightly depending on availability of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Please advise if you are a vegetarian and we will do our best to make sure we cater for you.
Flying after Diving
We recommend you give yourself a 24 hour surface interval after your last dive before flying.
Reef Taxes and Levies
There is an additional fee of AU$90per person, which includes an Environmental Management Charge, as well as a Port Departure Tax and administration costs. This is payable direct at the end of the trip.
Luggage restrictions
We request that you only bring a small bag on board. You can store additional luggage at the retail shop for the duration of the trip (free of charge).
What to bring
Click here for a PDF of what to pack for the trip
Cancellation Policy
Pro Dive Cairns guarantee: the trip amount is fully refundable up until 48 hours prior to trip departure. There is no refund for any reason after this time. If you plan to book through a travel agent, you will be subject to their cancellation policies (please check their cancellation policies).
Alcohol Policy
No alcohol is served on this trip. You are welcome to BYO (no bottles please but wine is fine). Alcohol can only be consumed in the evening and Pro Dive Cairns encourages responsible drinking.