DIVING AND SNORKELLING TOURS
- INDEX
- DESTINATIONS
- YOUR ITINERARY
- ACCOMMODATION
- THINGS TO DO
- TRANSPORT
- TOURS
- ATTRACTIONS
- WEDDING / HONEYMOON
- CAR HIRE
- DINING OUT
- BACKPACKERS
- INTERNET@CAFES
- EQUIPMENT HIRE
- MAPS and INFO
- SAFE TRAVEL
- LINKS
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the top destinations in the world for scuba diving or snorkelling. The options are many and varied; you can explore a shipwreck, dive with sharks, snorkel clear shallow waters and much more. Not a certified diver? No problem. Try a guided introductory dive. What are you waiting for? Have the time of your life!!!
LISTING ALL THE TOUR COMPANIES THAT OFFER DIVING TOURS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU CANNOT FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, DROP US AN EMAIL WITH THE DETAILS AND WE WILL FIND IT FOR YOU.
PASSIONS OF PARADISE
Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4041 1600 / Fax (07) 4051 9505
www.passions.com.au
Combining a Sandy Cay and outer reef experience!
Passions of Paradise is Cairns most awarded small tour operator, catering for only 80 guests. Pristine boat, stunning locations and award winning crew, makes for a truely memorable day on the Great Barrier Reef. Your day includes a sumptuous lunch, morning and afternoon tea, snorkeling equipment and guided snorkeling tours.
OCEAN FREE
Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4050 0550 / Fax (07) 4032 5889
www.oceanfree.com.au
Ocean Free operate two very popular boats, and offer 2 very different tours – one sailing vessel (Ocean Free) to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef (the only small operator to have a permanent mooring out there) and their newer luxury catamaran (Ocean Freedom) which goes to Upolu Cay and the outer edge of Upolu reef.
CALYPSO REEF CHARTERS
Shop 35, Marina Mirage, Port Douglas (MAP)
Phone (07) 4099 6999 / Fax (07) 4099 6777
www.calypsocharters.com.au
Calypso travels daily to three breathtaking sites on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, with sheltered moorings to visit spectacular reefs and beautiful coral bombies. With two stylishly modern and custom designed catamarans, Calypso travels with only 60 guests, half the vessels capacity. Unwind as you snorkel, take an introductory or certified dive or just relax on the spacious sun decks.
SUNSEA CRUISES
The Breakwater Terminal, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville (MAP)
Phone (07) 4771 3855 / Fax (07) 4771 3955
www.sunferries.com.au/sunsea-cruises.asp
Let the experienced team at Sunsea Cruises show you the Great Barrier Reef at its best! Spend the day snorkeling, scuba diving or just exploring on one of the natural wonders of the world. Ideal for every age and experience level.
ISLANDIVE
3 Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4946 4167 / Mobile 0408 339 998
www.islandive.com
Sail, dive or cruise!
Four vessels to choose with three dive vessels and one luxury sailing catamaran. Sail around the spectacular Whitsunday Islands and see where lush rainforest meets crystal clear waters. Experience the wonders of abundant marine life and visit the breath taking Whitehaven Beach. Dine on fine local cuisine and meet some new friends. Enjoy the worlds best scenery in comfort and style.. Each of Whitsundays boats have unique features and you can choose your tour based on age group, style, budget or time...
OZ ADVENTURE SAILING
Level 2/293 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone: (07) 4940 2000 / Fax: (07) 4948 2352
Tollfree 1300 653 100
www.ozsailing.com.au
Oz Adventure Sailing offers you the opportunity to explore both above and below the protected tropical waters of the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. As Australia's number one crewed yacht charter company, Oz Adventure Sailing offers you the ability to charter a sailing boat that suits not only your time schedule and your budget but also your personal sailing desires. Whether you are looking for the ease of a by the cabin charter on a racing yacht, cruising yacht, Tallship or a luxury yacht Oz Adventure Sailing can cater for all your sailing vacation desires!
COMPASS
100 Abbott Street, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Fax (07) 4041 0655
www.reeftrip.com
Your Great Barrier Reef experience starts here!
Compass Cruises is a large, spacious, express trip to the Great Barrier Reef's outermost reef locations. Enjoy cruising past Upollo Cay and the famous Michaelmas Cay to Hastings Reef, 60km from Cairns. Hastings Reef is 10 sq km of coral gardens, renowned for tame, friendly reef sharks, Wally the Giant Wrasse and thousands of colourful tropical fish. Their second location, Breaking Patches, is renowned for its forest staghorn coral, large sea fans and black coral trees, yielding some 400 species of coral, & a vertical wall teaming with marine life.
REEF ENCOUNTER
100 Abbott Street, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4051 5777 / Fax (07) 4041 0655
www.reeftrip.com
Great Barrier Reef at its best .....spend a night on it!
Reef Encounter is a 35 metre luxury catamaran designed for the utmost stability & comfort at sea. The vessel is air-conditioned throughout & features spacious decks as well as roomy dining & recreation areas to dine and relax in. The large easy access water platform allows hassle free scuba diving and snorkelling. The vessel also features staterooms which have double or twin beds, all with private bathrooms.
NEW HORIZON SAIL & DIVE ADVENTURES
PO Box 5957, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4055 6130 / Fax (07) 4055 6315
www.reefcharter.com
Intimate Sailing, Snorkelling, and Diving Adventures!
New Horizon has been operating live-aboard sailing and scuba diving adventures from Cairns, Australia to the Great Barrier Reef since 1995. Experience pristine outer reef dive and snorkel locations not visited by the masses and with a max of just 10 guests along with 3 crew for that more personal reef experience. Join in and help sail the boat or just 'supervise' from the sundeck. Choose from either 3 days/2 nights aboard Santa Maria, the traditional style wooden gaff rigged schooner, or 2 days/1 night aboard Coral Sea Dreaming, a modern steel ketch. Private charters also available.
QUICK CAT CRUISES
Clump Point Jetty, Mission Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4068 7289 / Fax (07) 4068 7185
www.quickcatcruises.com.au
Take a relaxing and personalized cruise with Quick Cat Cruises to the Outer Barrier Reef, and visit Dunk Island on the same day. It's the quickest and most comfortable way to experience a tropical island, the rainforest, the reef and a sandy coral cay all for the one price.
Guests have a short stopover at Dunk Island (approximately 50 minutes), and three magical hours on the Great Barrier Reef at Beaver Cay, a Marine Sanctuary, exploring the colourful array of corals, and marine life, including awesome giant clams and a myriad of brightly coloured fish.
COOKTOWN REEF AND RIVER TOURS
- COOKTOWN CATCHACRAB
Cooktown (MAP)
Phone (07) 4069 6289 / Mobile 0418 643 272
www.cooktowncatchacrab.com.au
Fish, dive, snorkel or sightsee the Great Barrier Reef!
Visit the Great Barrier Reef to fish, dive, snorkel or sightsee and experience untouristed locations. Bait, tackle, lines and meals are provided. Just bring your hat and camera. Reef trips with Catchacrab are tailor made to suit your individual needs. Your skipper, Nicko's vast knowledge of this area ensures that you see and learn as much as possible during this not-to-be missed experience.
CRUISE WHITSUNDAYS
Shingley Drive, Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach (MAP)
Phone (07) 4946 4662 / Fax (07) 4946 4382
www.cruisewhitsundays.com
Experience the ultimate reef trip!
Cruise on board ‘Seaflight’ the Whitsundays premier day cruise vessel with its spacious, air-conditioned lounges, bar and external viewing decks. Travel through the stunning Whitsunday Islands and onto the outer Great Barrier Reef site pristine Knuckle Reef Lagoon.
Here you will spend time on Queensland’s most innovative reef pontoon – the only reef pontoon in Australia with a giant waterslide! The spacious pontoon features the largest and most spectacular underwater viewing chamber in the region, a choice of areas to relax and an awesome range of activities.
Well protected and boasting its own ecosystem, Knuckle Reef has a higher concentration and greater diversity of live coral than any other commercial site in Queensland. Nowhere will you experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef better than here at Knuckle Reef Lagoon.
CALYPSO DIVE
Wongaling Beach Road, Mission Beach (MAP)
Phone / Fax (07) 4068 8432
www.calypsodive.com
Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef with Calypso Dive from Mission Beach is all about magnificent reef trips that cater for introductory and certified divers and snorkellers. Starting out from Mission Beach and Dunk Island, we'll visit some of the Reefs most spectacular areas. Explore magnificent unspoiled sites or dive the 'Lady Bowen' wreck or even snorkel around your own deserted island.
Whether you're certified or a beginner, coming to us from Cairns or Townsville, our team of professional instructors offer individual attention, absolute adventure & unsurpassed value for money.
REEF SPRINTER
Port Douglas (MAP)
Phone (07) 4099 3175
www.reefsprinter.com.au
Magnificent snorkel adventure!
With Reef Sprinter, in Port Douglas, you can snorkel at their exclusive mooring located at the pristine Low Isles reef. One of just a few exclusive permits allowed to experience this world heritage site. Very protected, this reef has vast coral gardens with abundant fish life.
WAVELENGTH
38–42 Wharf Street, Port Douglas (MAP)
Phone (07) 4099 5031 / Fax (07) 4099 5013
www.wavelength-reef.com.au
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef!
A visit to the Great Barrier Reef can be a once in a lifetime experience so you want to make every moment count. Wavelength is the only operator in Port Douglas that dedicates every facet of the day to snorkellers and their unique requirements. Whether you are a novice or an experienced free-diver, Wavelength provides the Great Barrier Reef sites, the time and expert advice that allow you to truly experience the world’s most diverse eco-system up close and personal. 90% of the Great Barrier Reef diversity occurs in the top 4 meters of water so snorkeling is the most enjoyable and relaxed way of immersing yourself in this environment.
Wavelength's commitment to sharing the unique Great Barrier Reef environment with small groups, up to 30 guests, allows you to explore this place of incredible beauty and awesome diversity, in a very unique and personalized way. Their professional and attentive crew ensures that each and every passenger’s needs and expectations are met.
SUNLOVER CRUISES
Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4050 1333 / Fax (07) 4050 1313
Tollfree 1800 810 512
www.sunlover.com.au
Discover the real reef!
At Sunlover Reef Cruises, they have had the pleasure of introducing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the magic of the Great Barrier Reef through our express daily luxury cruises from Cairns. They love the reef and they love showing it off. Sunlover Cruises would love to show you too.
Sunlover Reef Cruises' daily luxury cruises to Moore Reef offer the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience for people of all ages. Sunlover Cruises trip gives you approximately four hours to explore the outer reef from their Moore Reef pontoon, so you will have plenty of time to be amazed and inspired by the unsurpassed beauty and splendour of this underwater playground. There are optional activities to personalise your day on the water including certified and introductory diving, seawalker platform helmet diving and guided snorkel tours, as well as scenic helicopter flights. 
ARISTOCAT
Marina Mirage, Shop 18, Port Douglas (MAP)
Phone (07) 4099 4727 / Fax (07) 4099 4565
www.aristocat.com.au
Fast, streamlined, smooth and spacious!
Aristocat takes you to the reef habitats in style, comfort and safety. With over 40 sites on 16 reefs to choose from, including the renowned Agincourt Ribbon Reef system, Aristocat provides interactive snorkelling and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef second to none. A bonus activity during June - September is Whale Watching as the gentle giants migrate past the reef. Aristocat is one of the few vessels authorised by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Authority for whale watching and swimming with Dwarf Minke Whales.
The Ribbon Reefs are pristine, unspoilt, teeming with fish and coral life for you to explore. Immerse yourself in the ancient seascape and discover the exotic diversity and beauty of life under the Coral Sea from giant clams to clown fish. Gaze upon the awe inspiring work of the architects of the Reef. . . the coral polyps, creators of the largest living structure on Earth - the Great Barrier Reef.
SKYSAFARI
Phone (07) 4099 3666 / Fax (07) 4099 1669
www.skysafari.com.au
Life changing experiences await!
The Great Barrier Reef has a seascape so outstanding; it's hard to believe that it could be this accessible. View this spectacle and its fauna from above before being delivered to an idyllic tropical bay and wander your exclusive palm lined sandy beach or swim and snorkel over an abundant fringing reef.
Or experience the reef from the perfect perspective and touch down on your own piece of paradise on a magical Sand Cay. Swim and snorkel or just relax and discover solitude. To fully experience the beauties of the Great Barrier Reef from above and then below, let us take you out to a magical reef location and touch down on the heli deck of a dive boat where you are chaperoned by this first class crew while you relax, snorkel or scuba dive to your hearts content.
MIKE BALL DIVE EXPEDITIONS
143 Lake Street, Cairns (MAP)
Phone (07) 4053 0500
www.mikeball.com
'Spoilsport', Australia’s most awarded liveaboard!
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions - Spoilsport 3, 4 & 7 night Great Barrier Reef expeditions. Her combination of space, stability, and diver conveniences is unmatched. Dives are exclusively conducted at the sites of best biodiversity north of Cooktown including the Cod Hole and Coral Sea. Swim with diver size fish, witness sharks up close, dive plummeting walls in gin clear water.
Fly Dive itineraries include a 250km scenic reef flight that provides stunning views of the Great
Barrier Reef.
Includes: Twin or double cabins, most with ocean views & ensuite. Meals, snacks, soft drinks anytime, wine with dinner. Transfers to Cairns city hotels after disembarkation from Spoilsport. Complimentary Reef Ecology Program. Huge well-equipped dive deck, 3 large camera stations.
Warm towels after each dive. Nitrox, Solo Diving, PADI instruction & photo services.
Novice divers receive complimentary ‘orientation dives’ to enhances skills. Experienced divers receive ample freedom to do their own thing! Note: Details subject to change.
CAIRNS DIVE CENTRE
121 Abbott Street, Cairns
(MAP)
Phone (07) 4051 0294 / Fax (07) 4051 7531
Tollfree 1800 642 591
www.cairnsdive.com.au
One of the largest certifying agencies in the world!
Cairns Dive Centre offers day cruises and live aboard trips for the snorkeller and diver, as well as learn-to-dive courses through all levels.
* Learn to dive courses commence daily in our training facility, which includes an air-conditioned classroom and a heated, 4 metre deep training pool.
* Liveaboard trips onboard the M.V. Kangaroo Explorer also commence daily. The M.V. Kangaroo Explorer is a modern, 25 metre catamaran with 16 cabins (twin, double and 4-berth) each of which is fully air-conditioned, carpeted, has its own en-suite facilities and window.
* Day cruises operate daily onboard the M.V. Sun-Kist, an 18 metre mono hull with a top speed of 24 knots, carrying a maximum of 25 passengers for a day trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting two different snorkel/dive sites.
