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

EXPLORING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF 263
a 2-day/1-night stay in a two-, three-, or four-berth cabin for A$210 (US$137)
for snorkelers or A$290 (US$189) for divers, and a 3-day/2-night journey for
A$340 (US$221) for snorkelers or A$400 (US$260) for divers. Add a surcharge
of A$20 (US$13) per person per night for a twin cabin and A$30 (US$20) for
a double cabin with shower. The all-inclusive prices include all dive and snorkel
gear (including prescription masks), meals, and pickups from your Cairns city
accommodation. Transfers from Port Douglas available for an extra A$27
(US$18) return. Reef tax of A$5.50 (US$3.60) per person per day (to a maximum
of A$12/US$7.80) applies.
DIVING THE REEF
Divers have a big choice of dive boats that make 1-day runs to the Outer Reef
and live-aboard dive boats making excursions that last up to a week. As a general
rule, on a typical 5-hour day trip to the Reef, you will fit in about two dives.
The outfits listed below will give you an idea of the diving trips available and
general costs. This is by no means a complete list of operators on the Reef—
there are far too many to include here. “The Active Traveler” in chapter 2 has
more pointers for locating a dive operator. The prices quoted include full gear
rental; knock off about A$20 (US$13) if you have your own gear.
FROM CAIRNS Tusa Dive (& 07/4040 6464; www.tusadive.com) runs
two 20m (66-ft.) dive boats daily to two dive sites from a choice of 21 locations
on the Outer Reef. The day costs A$175 (US$114) for divers and A$115
(US$75) for snorkelers, with wet suits, guided snorkel tours, lunch, and transfers
from your Cairns or northern beaches hotel. For an extra A$66 (US$43)
you can get a video done of the day’s dive. If you want to be shown the best spots
under the water, you can take a guided dive with the dive team for an extra A$20
(US$13). Day trips for introductory divers cost A$180 (US$117) for one dive
or A$215 (US$140) for two. The groups are kept to a maximum of 25 people,
so you get personal attention. The company is the Nitrox and Rebreather facility
for north Queensland, and certified divers can take two introductory dives
on Nitrox/Safe Air in 1 day for A$200 (US$130).
Deep Sea Divers Den (& 07/4046 7333; www.divers-den.com) does day
trips to the Outer Reef on two vessels. On the ReefQuest, the cost is A$75
(US$49) for snorkelers. Divers pay A$110 (US$72) for two dives or A$130
(US$85) for three, plus A$15 (US$9.75) gear hire. A day trip with an introductory
dive is A$120 (US$78), or A$150 (US$98) with two dives. Prices are
slighter higher on the more upmarket SeaQuest boat. Hotel pickups are free in
Cairns. Departures are daily at 8:30am.
TAKA II (& 07/4051 8722; fax 07/4031 2739; www.taka.com.au) is a solid
22m (72-ft.) live-aboard vessel that makes a 3-night trip to the ribbon reefs Cod
Hole, Clam Garden, Agincourt Reef, and Opal Reefs. The boat carries a maximum
of 26 people in air-conditioned deluxe double or single cabins, standard
double cabins, or quad-share cabins. The trip costs from A$930 to A$1,150
(US$605–US$748), depending on your choice of cabin, and includes 10 dives,
hotel pickups, and all meals. Dive gear rental is A$66 (US$43) extra. An alternative
4-night journey to the Coral Sea is A$1,045 to A$1,265 (US$679–
US$822) per person, including 14 dives. Gear rental is A$88 (US$57) extra on
this trip. TAKA runs underwater photography courses in conjunction with its
trips for A$165 (US$107) plus camera hire of A$75 (US$49). Add reef tax of
A$12 (US$7.80) per person to prices. Snorkelers can deduct about A$100
(US$65) from the prices.