Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

EXPLORING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF 261
Budget Snorkeling & Diving
As well as the “big guys” listed here, many smaller operators run
cruises to the Reef from Cairns that are usually more affordable. Down
Under Dive (& 1800/079 099 in Australia, or 07/4052 8300; fax 07/4031
1373; www.downunderdive.com.au) offers trips aboard its catamaran,
Supercat, departing from the Reef Fleet Terminal at 8:30am daily.
Although its capacity is 200 passengers, the boat carries a maximum
of 80. The day trip is A$64 (US$42) for snorkelers or A$125 (US$81) for
certified divers. The day includes a free guided snorkel safari and
lunch. Introductory dives must be pre-booked and cost A$99 (US$64).
Return hotel transfers are A$7 (US$4.55) from the city, A$12 (US$7.80)
from the northern beaches, or A$28 (US$18) from Port Douglas.
Seahorse (& 07/4041 1919; www.seahorsedive.com.au), a brand
new 20-passenger sailing catamaran, visits Upolu Cay daily for A$89
(US$58) for adults and A$55 (US$36) for children 4 to 14. There’s an
onboard marine naturalist and guided snorkel safari, and you can hire
wetsuits for A$6 (US$3.90) a day. You can even lend a hand sailing if
you like. Introductory dives are A$65 (US$42), and a certified dive is
A$45 (US$29) with all gear supplied.
Reef Magic (& 07/4031 1588; www.reefmagic.com.au) is a 22m
(72-ft.) air-conditioned catamaran that runs from the Reef Fleet Terminal
in Cairns daily at 9am to one of 10 Outer Reef locations, where
the Reef is yours for 5 hours. The boat holds 140 people, but usually
carries between 50 and 80. The price of A$115 (US$75) for adults, A$69
(US$45) for children 4 to 14, and A$320 (US$208) for a family of four
includes a glass-bottom boat trip. Transfers are available from Cairns
for an extra A$7 (US$4.55) per adult and from the northern beaches
for an extra A$12 (US$7.80). A guided snorkel tour is A$25 (US$16) per
adult or A$12 (US$7.80) per child. Introductory divers pay A$60
(US$39) for the first dive and A$40 (US$26) for a second; certified
divers pay A$35 (US$23) for two dives.
Don’t overlook Green Island, a stunning coral cay on the Inner Reef
50 minutes east of Cairns, as a Reef destination. It’s closer to the mainland,
and the snorkeling and diving are every bit as good as on the
Outer Reef. Unlike the Outer Reef, where you will most likely be stuck
on a pontoon or a boat when you are not in the water, Green Island
has beautiful white coral sand beaches to lie on and lush rainforest to
stroll in. See the “Cairns” section below.
Beach are included. You can also join this trip from Cairns; coach connections
from your Cairns or northern beaches hotel will cost extra. Ask about Sunday
and Wednesday specials during high season.
FROM TOWNSVILLE
Most boats visiting the Reef from Townsville are live-aboard vessels that make
trips of two or more days, designed for serious divers. Barrier Reef Dive, Cruise
& Travel (& 1800/636 778 in Australia, or 07/4772 5800) has day trips to