Category: Liveaboard Diving

  • Explore Australia’s Far North – Diving the Torres Strait and Ribbon Reefs aboard the MV Kalinda

    Explore Australia’s Far North – Diving the Torres Strait and Ribbon Reefs aboard the MV Kalinda

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    THE TRIP

    This is truly an incredible trip and VERY few divers on the planet have had the opportunity to dive the Torres Strait. Some of the most spectacular diving in the Coral Sea and reefs dived so rarely that you will likely see something that no person has ever seen before! This is the Great Barrier Reef at it’s healthiest. Incredible untouched reef systems with abundant fish life and huge varieties of pelagic life. Regardless of whether you love macro or wide angle subjects there is something here for everyone!

    The Far Northern Reefs are some of the most isolated reefs north of Lizard Island and extend to the east the tip of Cape York peninsular about 500 nautical miles north of Cairns. So many of these reef systems have not even been explored before! Our skipper Dave Stewart has been leading expeditions to this region and has found dive sites and reef systems that no one else has. The Far Northern reefs are famous for their fantastic wall dives, world class drift diving, pinnacles teeming with plethoras of fish, enormous coral bommies, and reef fish and invertebrates of incredible variety and colour. The nesting season for the green sea turtle runs from October through February, and November and December sees thousands upon thousands of turtles descending on the many small coral cays in the region.

    img_3231None are as well known though as Raine Island which has been featured in numerous National Geographic and David Attenborough documentaries as in peak season up to 250 turtles and hour drag themselves up onto the beach to lay the next generation. Raine Island is the LARGEST green sea turtle rookery in the word! Aside from the enormous turtles in their incredible numbers this is particularly impressive as there are typically roaming tiger sharks waiting for an easy meal of an exhausted mother who has just laid her clutch. This is a world class opportunity to witness nature in it’s purest and rawest form.

    Check out this incredible footage from Bio Pixel for what is in store for you if you join us :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4iIV-80eMc

    img_3019It is not just the spectacular Far Northern Reefs that we will be exploring. We will also be diving the most iconic sites of the Ribbon Reefs including two sites which are consistently rated in the top 10 dives in Australia, Steve’s Bommie and The Cod Hole! Aside from the famous Cod Hole you will also have a very unique opportunity to dive the sites around Lizard Island which are renowned for nudibranchs and macro life as well as their huge resident potato cod. The only other way to get to these sites is to pay a minimum of $1,500 a night!

     

    The other big draw card is the wreck of the RMS Quetta. The wreck of the RMS Quetta is one of Australia’s oldest and best known shipwrecks and is on the list of one of the few dive able historic wrecks. Located just South of Adolphus Island, this 116 metre long Scottish passenger liner sank on the 28th of February 1890 after striking a coral mount at low tide with 133 of her 290 crew perishing. At the time she was Queensland’s worst maritime disaster. This site requires a permit to dive, experience and significant planning. Huge currents and variable tides make her a difficult dive but very rewarding for those who do it! The Quetta lies in only 6 to 18m of water and is home to literally millions of fish. Thankfully many of the historic relics / “souvenirs” have been removed from the wreck and preserved in museums to stop them ending up in the hands of private collectors and irresponsible divers and so they can be admired by all for generation to come. She is still an incredible wreck though on par if not better than the SS Yongala and so rarely dived it is truly a remarkable opportunity.

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    Here is some footage taken by Chris Miller for Coast Australia to give you an idea of what awaits you on the RMS Quetta : https://vimeo.com/127999670

    ***This dive trip can be very challenging with a lot of sites prone to current so it is only recommended for experienced divers.***

    Want a better idea of what is in store for you for the entire trip? Check out this great highlight video from a previous Far North trip showing all of the residents that are waiting for you to come and play! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vakW7BpkHGk

     

     

     

     

    Suggested passage plan :

    Nov 2018

    2 – Board in Cairns @ 1400

    3 – Ribbon Reefs/Steve’s Bommie

    4 – Cod Hole/Lizard Island

    5-    Scooterboot

    6-   Small Southern Detached/ Ferguson Reef

    7-   Mantis/Wishbone Reef

    8-   Woody’s/ The Drop (Wood Reef)

    9-   Captain Blood’s Wall of Terror/ The Anchors (Greater Detached Reefs)

    10 –   Da Phat/6mp / Turle Farm (Greater Detached Reefs)

    11 –   OMG Spot / Cow Bommie (Greater Detached Reefs)

    12 –   Raine Island (Turtles & Tiger sharks)

    13 –  Transit Day

    14 – RMS Quetta / Thursday Island

    15-  Disembark Horn Island @ 9am

     

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    DIVE INFORMATION

    Suitable for Advanced Open Water Divers (certified to 30 metres)

    Depth ranges from 6 – 40+ metres

    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

     

    TRIP DATES

    2 to 15 November 2018

    To book onto this trip please click HERE

     

    PRICE

    $3,900 per diver ex Cairns   ***There are ONLY 12 divers on this trip!!****

     

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    Opportunity for up to 40 dives (12 days of diving)
    13 nights berthed accommodation on board the MV Kalinda
    All meals and snacks whilst on board
    Tanks, weights & air fills
    RMS Quetta fees and GBRMP fees
    Divemaster services if required

     

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Flights to and from Cairns
    Flight from Horn island to Cairns
    Beer, wine & soft drinks (available on board)
    Travel Insurance (We also highly recommend DAN insurance)
    Personal spending money
    Dive Gear

    GEAR HIRE

    PDS is able to provide you with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator set, computer and hire pricing for the week will be provided upon application. Please note that you will need to arrange to collect the gear from us (Brisbane based customers) prior to the trip and this gear must be incorporated into your own luggage allowance for your flights.

     

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    Our Vessel

    The MV Kalinda was constructed in 1973 and is a solid, cravel planked timber monohull. Thoughtful design by boat builders Thompson & Thompson and refit modifications have created an amazing sense of space and modern convenience without loss of charm and character. She is not a luxury boat by any means but is practical and functional. The MV Kalinda sleeps up to 30 people including crew but aside from the crew we have reduced this number to ONLY 12 divers to make it as comfortable for you as possible. Don’t miss out!

    Dave Stewart is our fearless leader. owner and manager of the MV Kalinda, skipper (master class 4.), engineer (marine engine driver grade 2.), Marine Biologist (BSc(hons) JCU), SCUBA Instructor (PADI) 700+ certified students, 2500+ dives worldwide, Underwater photographer & Videographer, & specialty instructor. Dave has more than 20 years experience (at over 150 days a year) exploring the Great Barrier Reefs and a large number of these sites that we will be diving are sites he has discovered! Dave is renowned for his down to earth nature and detailed dive briefs.

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    SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Self Reliant Diver
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Shark Awareness
    Boat Diver
    Underwater Naturalist

    *** Many more specialties can be done on this trip. John is an Instructor in 32 different specialties. Did you have a specialty in mind? Call John on 0457 007 040 to discuss***

     

     

    HOW TO BOOK

    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to[email protected].

     

    OR

    To book online please click HERE

  • Explore the tranquil waters of Lady Elliot Island aboard the MV Adori

    Explore the tranquil waters of Lady Elliot Island aboard the MV Adori

    LADY ELLIOT ISLAND ONLY LIVE ABOARD ON YOUR OWN PRIVATE LIVEABOARD THE MV ADORI!!

     

     

     

    MV Adori

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Trip
    Come and join us on your own private liveaboard diving some of the best waters on the planet. The MV Adori and her crew will be taking us to one of the pinnacles of Australian diving, Lady Elliot Island! This trip is a must for every diver with diverse coral cays, reefs, islands and abundant marine life. There is NO cheaper way to see Lady Elliot Island. You can take all of your own gear and there are NO weight restrictions. ALL of your food and diving is included and the best part is it is BYO!

    Dive Information

    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)

    Wreck certification is not a requirement to dive this site

    Depth ranges from 6 – 28 metres

    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

     

    Trip Dates & Price

    Thursday, 14- Monday, 18 December 2017    $1,550 per person – 1 spot left

    To book online for either of these dive trips CLICK HERE

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    What’s Included

    Up to 16 dives including up to four night dives
    4 nights accommodation in air conditioned bunks

    Reef tax
    All air fills
    Couples booking on will be given priority for the twin share cabins with ensuite
    Complimentary transport to Bundaberg from Brisbane

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    What’s Excluded
    All Dive Gear
    Transport to Bundaberg if you are making your own way
    Alcohol  – The MV Adori is BYO
    Soft drinks

    Gear Hire
    PDS is able to assist with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator, computer, tanks and weights for the weekend and please communicate your requirements on the booking form. Each diver must provide their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots (not available for hire). Underwater camera and torches are also available and are subject to availability.

    Itinerary

    DAY 1
    For those availing of the free transport from Brisbane we will meet at Woolloongabba at 6am to head North to Burnett Heads. Arriving in Burnett Heads at midday everyone stows their gear and settles in on-board. We will then receive a boat and safety brief before departing port for Lady Elliot Island. It will take approximately 5 hours to Lady Elliot Island where we will enjoy a night dive on the wreck of the Severance before retiring for the evening.

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    DAY 2
    You wake up to the magnificent sight of Lady Elliot before you. With so many dive sites to choose from, it will be hard to decide where to dive next! Lighthouse Bommie will feature heavily of course as the mantas are one of the main draw cards! The humpback whales will be in the area too on their migration so you NEVER know what we will see!!

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    DAY 3 and 4
    Days three and four will see us continue to explore the sites at Lady Elliot. Having dived here extensively over the last four years between John’s knowledge of the sites and Captain John’s knowledge of the ocean we will get you to the best diving available. Popular sites include Spider’s Ledge, Lighthouse Bommie, The Blow Hole, the wreck of the Severance, Three Pyramids, Grouper’s Grotto, Shark pools, Hiro’s Cave, Coral Gardens and so many more!  

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    DAY 5
    Day five will be an early start but it is worth it! We will start with Spider’s Ledge with the hope of seeing the manta rays coming in to clean after their night feeding. We will then head to Lighthouse Bommie to interact with as many mantas as possible. July and August are peak season at Lady Elliot Island as the mantas return to mate. There is NO place in Australia and few in the world that compare to Lady Elliot for manta interaction which is why it was recognised as one of the top 5 Manta Ray dives in the world! We will depart LEI at midday to head back to Bundaberg where we will arrive circa 5pm on Sunday night to disembark.  

     

    Specialities Suitable for this trip
    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)

    Nitrox
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Self Reliant Diver
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to
    [email protected]

    or

    Book online by CLICKING HERE

  • ANTARCTICA- THE WHITE CONTINENT

    ANTARCTICA- THE WHITE CONTINENT

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE TRIP
    Antarctica has an overwhelming array of colours, moods, diverse wildlife and underwater world. On this trip you will travel to the Antarctic Peninsula and have the opportunity to be in the company of thousands of penguins; watch whales dolphins and seals; dive an underwater world with a fascinating marine life and cruise in a zodiac between brilliant white icebergs and ice floes.

    Polar Divers
    Diving in Antarctica is a unique experience for the advanced diver. There is not just ice, but an amazing underwater world with a fascinating marine life, such as giant isopods, worms and fearless seals. Our dive operator has many years’ experience in extreme situations and are trained to search out the best opportunities for diving. In particular, taking into account the unpredictable weather and ice conditions, whilst maintaining the highest level of safety in combination with quality diving. There will not be diving through a hole in the ice, but rather in a controlled environment under small, grounded icebergs, diving from the shore, a zodiac or an ice shell.

    Polar Snorkellers
    If you are a novice diver or not a diver at all, you can still witness the fascinating underwater world, ice formations and snorkel with Leopard Sharks.

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    Land Explorers
    Small groups at a time will have the opportunity venture onto a landing site or cruise in the Zodiac. The small numbers are to allow the guide the freedom to do longer, more exploratory activities and landings. On the landing sites, our ‘footprint’ is very small as we are so few enough to cause virtually no disturbance and leaving the group with  a more rewarding interaction with the wildlife.

    Antarctica Expedition Images

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Emporer Penguins

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE VESSEL- POLAR PIONEER
    Polar Pioneer was built in 1985 in Finland as an ice-strengthened research ship and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR’s northern coast. In 2000 the ship was converted for passenger use and ideally suited to expedition cruising in polar areas. It complies with the highest international safety and environmental regulations, as well as the Artic and Antarctic shipping guidelines.

    A combined bar/ lounge/ library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple restructuring. The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The ship carriers are a full complement of Zodiac crafts, for both cruising and landing ashore.

    On occasion the voyages Chef will organise a Polar BBQ on deck, surrounded by an impressive landscape and accompanied by your fellow travellers and crew.

    Passengers are accommodated in triple, twin or superior cabins. Most cabins have private facilities and all cabins have a desk, chair and windows/ portholes (that open).

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    Twin Private Cabin:
    Two lower bunks and a desk, windows, private bathroom and shower, toilet and wash basin. There are two cabins that have an upper/ lower bunk with a desk and couch.

    Twin Public Cabin:
    Two lower bunks, wash basin, desk, couch, ample storage and hanging space, portholes. The showers and toilets are close by and shared with other main deck cabins.

    Triple Cabin:
    Two lower bunks and one upper bunk, wash basin, desk, couch, ample storage and hanging space, portholes. The showers and toilets are close by and shared with other main deck cabins.

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    DIVE INFORMATION

    TRIP DATES

    ***Currently securing dates for February 2018 – Stay tuned!

    PRICE

    $15,777 AUD per person

    WHAT’S INCLUDED
    Return flights ex. Sydney to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires flying with QANTAS and LAN Airlines
    1 nights twin share accommodation – The Loi Suites- Buenos Aires, Includes  buffet breakfast
    1 nights twin share accommodation Ushuaia, Includes  buffet breakfast
    9 night Antarctica Expedition aboard the Polar Pioneer
    Triple share cabin with shared bathroom facilities
    Full board whilst aboard the Polar Express
    Use of rubber boots throughout the expedition
    All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises
    Educational lectures and guiding services from our expert team
    Leadership by an experienced
    Expedition Leader and Polar Dive Master
    All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
    Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
    1 nights twin share accommodation – Punta Arenas- includes buffet breakfast
    Return airport transfers- Punta Arenas
    Australian departure tax

    OPTIONAL CABIN UPGRADES
    Twin share with shared bathroom facilities: $2,310 AUD per person
    Twin share with private bathroom facilities: $4,385 AUD per person

    OPTIONAL DIVING & POLAR SNORKELLING PACKAGE: $1,250 AUD per person

    Snorkelling Package Includes: use of waterproof snorkel dry suit, hood and gloves, weight belt and instruction and guidance by a Polar Dive Master.

    Diver Package Includes: Leadership by an experienced Polar Dive Master, professional dive operation including dive compressor, tanks , weights and belt. You will need to bring your own personal diving equipment.

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    WHAT’S EXCLUDED
    Travel insurance, personal spending money, passport and visa fees Excess luggage surcharges
    Personal diving equipment and polar clothing, Meals unless otherwise indicated.
    CONDITIONS APPLY
    Prices are subject to change without notice due to 2017 rate increases, schedule changes and fluctuations in USD exchange rates. Please use the package price as an indicative price. Package price is based on $1AUD= $0.80 USD

    ICE DIVING CERTIFICATION

    We highly recommend completing one of our altitude and ice diving courses at Jindabyne in preparation to ensure your gear is suited for the temperatures we will encounter. The water temperatures on this course are the same if not slightly lower than what you will experience in Antarctica so it is absolutely ideal. We have three course dates for 2016 and availability on all courses at this stage:

    17 to 20 August 2016

    22 to 25 August 2016

    27 to 30 August 2016

    Full details and the booking form for the PADI Ice and Altitude courses can be found  HERE

     

    BOOKING REQUIREMENTS
    To secure your place on this expedition, please complete an online booking form and return it together with a non-refundable deposit. The required deposits are as follows: Triple share- $3,500pp/ Twin share- $4,200 pp/ Twin share private$4,850 pp

    Dive Adventures Online booking form for our Antarctica Expedition can be found HERE

    NOTE: Additional payment installments will be required throughout the duration of the booking.

     

  • SS YONGALA & MINKE WHALES- WRECKS, WHALES & REEF ABOARD THE MV KALINDA

    SS YONGALA & MINKE WHALES- WRECKS, WHALES & REEF ABOARD THE MV KALINDA

    THE TRIP

    Humpback whale encounters are common during the months of July, August and September. Unlike the Dwarf Minke Whales who love the crystal clear waters of the outer reefs, Humpback whales are seen more at inshore sections of the Great Barrier Reef, often during a surface interval in between dive at sites like the SS Yongala and while cruising around Magnetic Island or the Palms Group.

    Townsville outer reefs are visited by the Dwarf Minke Whales far more frequently than the Ribbon Reefs from Cairns. Our dive operator is the only operator to visit (or know) these sites.

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    THE S.S YONGALA sank in a cyclone on the 23rd March 1911 and remained undiscovered for almost 50 years, not being positively identified until 1958. The wreck now lies on its starboard side in 14-28 metres of water and at 109m long is the largest and most intact, historic shipwreck in Australian waters.

    She sank just 12 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Bowling Green in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with the loss of all 122 passengers.

    It has now become known as one of the world’s top wreck dives and certainly one of Australia’s best dive sites due to the prolific variety of marine life. Giant Queensland gropers hang beneath the stern while schools of trevally and cobia congregate around the depths of the wreck. Queenfish, barracuda, turtles, sea snakes, eagle rays and clown fish are just some of the other incredible life inhabiting the coral encrusted structure.

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    The Great Barrier Reef is the most bio-diverse ecosystem on the planet including over 1500 species of fish and 350 different types of coral. The Yongala wreck has now become an artificial reef with more varieties of coral growing on it than most natural reef systems. It is also host to a huge diversity of pelagic and reef species found in the Coral Sea. You will see more fish in one dive on the wreck than ten on the reef. It’s certainly a dive experience you will never forget.

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    THE SS GOTHENBURG was a steamship that operated along the British and then later Australian and New Zealand coastlines. In February 1875, she left Darwin enroute to Adelaide when she encountered a cyclone- strength storm off the north Queensland coast. The ship was wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef north-west of Holbourne Island. Twenty- two men survived, while between 98- 112 others died, including a number of high profile civil servants and dignitaries.

    Today, only parts of the deteriorated iron hull and the coal fired square boilers remain. The wreck lies in approximately 9- 16 metres of water, 130 kms southeast of Townsville. The reef around the wreck provides good diving with an extensive coral garden. Pelagic fish and reef sharks frequent the wreck.

    DIVE INFORMATION

    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)

    Depth ranges from 6 – 38 metres

    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

    TRIP DATES

    24- 31 July 2017- 8 days/ 7 nights

    PRICE

    $1,600 per diver ex Townsville

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    Opportunity for up to 22 dives (5.5 days of diving)
    7 nights berthed accommodation on board the MV Kalinda
    All meals and snacks whilst on board
    Up to 2 days of diving on the SS Yongala (including a night dive and dawn dive)
    Up to 1 day of diving on the SS Gothenberg wreck
    The chance to snorkel with Minke Whales and Humpbacks when encountered
    Tanks, weights & air fills
    Yongala mooring fees and GBRMP reef fees

     

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Flights to and from Townsville
    Beer, wine & soft drinks (available on board)
    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending money
    Dive Gear

    GEAR HIRE

    PDS is able to provide you with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator, computer, tanks for the trip and hire pricing for the week will be provided upon application. Please note that you will need to arrange to collect the gear from us (Brisbane based customers) prior to the trip and this gear must be incorporated into your own luggage allowance for your flights.

    Alternatively gear hire can be arranged directly through the operator, with prior notice.

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    ITINERARY

    Day 1

    The first evening a board the MV Kalinda the group will secure their bunks, orient ourselves around the boat and setting up our gear before retiring.  The Kalinda is not a luxury vessel but she is very accommodating, safe and comfortable.

    Days 2- 7

    The next 5 and a half days of diving aboard the MV Kalinda will have us exploring the rarely dived outer reefs between Townsville and past Alva Beach including 2 full days of diving on the SS Yongala including a night dive, up to two days of diving on the SS Gothenburg wreck and snorkelling with humpbacks and Dwarf Minke whales when encountered. Five full days of diving and two dives on the last day.

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    Day 8

    This morning you will enjoy breakfast on the MV Kalinda prior to disembarking. For those of you flying home, please do not book your flights any earlier than 6 pm. Due to the high number of dives that you will be doing over the week, it is strongly recommended that you leave 18 to 24 hours between your last dive and when you fly.

     

    SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery

    Self Reliant Diver
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    Wreck Diver

     

     

    HOW TO BOOK

    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to [email protected].

  • GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – Dive a destination on EVERY diver’s bucket list!

    GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – Dive a destination on EVERY diver’s bucket list!

    Galapagos Reef

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    The Galapagos are an archipelago of volcanic islands that have never been connected to the mainland . The resulting unique biodiversity draws nature enthusiasts from all over the world. The islands are home to giant tortoises, finches, seals that aren’t afraid of humans and huge marine iguana. Undderwater you can find hammerheads, whale sharks, eagle rays, huge schools of fish, giant manta and mobula rays, silky sharks and turtles.

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    NORTADA- GALAPAGOS CHARTER DIVE LIVEABOARD

    The Nortada offers four lower deck, fully air conditioned cabins with two single lower berths, private heads, lockers and drawers. The boat also features an extended occupancy option of up to 12 people. The additional guests can be accommodated in the four full size upper berths available in everyone of the four cabins.

    The public areas consist of a main deck with bridge, galley, air conditioned dining room and lounge.

    The scuba diving platform has ample benches, outside showers, camera tables and rebreather rinsing facilities. In the upper deck a sun deck is next to the fly bridge.

    Two 15 foot inflatable tenders with 25HP outboard engines takes fully equipped divers to and from the dive site. All divers are provided with a Nautilus Lifeline bi-directional VHF DSC marine radio with GPS, dive alert and DSMB.

    A complete toolkit and a selection of solid lead weights and trim soft puches are available for all divers.

    20 Nitrox compatible aluminum 12 litre cylinders are filled by one of the twin Nuvair LP/HP compressors. Two Nuvair nitrox analyzers are available on board.

    For technical and rebreather diving, redundant oxygen clean Kaskell Sport Boosters, one Tri Hunter 3000 Gas mixing stick for Trimix blending, several nitrox compatible 6 litre aluminum stage cylinders and several 2 litre steel refreather cylinderswith various valves and one Analytical Industries Trimix Analyzer upon request.

     

    TRIP DATES & PRICE

     

    TBA

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    FLIGHTS (optional)
    QANTAS Airways, Lan Chile Air & Avianca Airlines
    – Return flights Brisbane to Galapagos Islands- flying via Sydney, Santiago and Guayaquil
    – Airline taxes & fuel surcharges

    ACCOMMODATION
    Macaw Hotel, Guayaquil
    Standard twin share room- 2 nights (1 night either side of the liveaboard)
    Breakfast Daily

    Nortada Liveaboard, Galapagos
    Twin share cabin- 7 nights
    All meals, snacks, water, tea, coffee and juice

    Santiago Airport Hotel, Santiago
    Standard twin share room- 1 night
    Return airport transfers throughout

    DIVE
    Nortada Liveaboard Diving
    Up to 4 dives per day, per diver
    Tender and transportation to/ from dive sites
    Tanks, weights, airfills and naturalist dive guide

    Galapagos Hammerhead shark

     

     

     

     
     BOOKING REQUIREMENTS
    To secure your place on this trip, you need to complete the attached booking form and return it together a deposit of $1,500 per person.

     PADI SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Drift Diver
    Enriched Air/ Nitrox
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    This is the perfect way to complete a specialty course as you have already paid for the dives!! **Please note that this trip was priced at an exchange rate of 80 US cents to $1  Australian. There will be increases to the price if the dollar is less at time of payment.

     

     

  • OSPREY REEF- TEMPTATION AWAITS ABOARD THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM

    OSPREY REEF- TEMPTATION AWAITS ABOARD THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM

    OSPREY REEF- TEMPTATION AWAITS ABOARD THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM

     DIVE INFORMATION

    SOF - Sharks3

     

     

     

     

     

    Stretching more than 2300 km along the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is a complex ecosystem of around 2900 individual reefs. In the remote northern sector 10 string shaped coral reefs, collectively called “The Ribbon Reefs’, provide some of the most stunning tropical reef scuba diving in the world. Lying within the protected green zones of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, sites such as Steve’s Bommie offer rich marine biodiversity and endless macro photography opportunities.

    Hundreds of kilometres beyond the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Coral Sea harbours the undersea remnants of ancient volcanoes. Here, the diver is presented with sheer walls laced with massive soft corals and gorgonian fans that plummet 1000 metres to the ocean floor. These isolated reefs, including Osprey and Bougainville Reefs are home territory for huge schools of pelagic fish, manta rays and sharks and are also renowned for their crystal clear water. Diving the remote regions of the Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea requires you to join a live-aboard scuba diving tour.

    SOF-Dining-saloon

    The Spirit of Freedom is one of Australia’s most comfortable and well-appointed live-aboard dive vessels. At 37 metres in length, with three decks of living space, generous cabins with private bathroom, the Spirit of Freedom offers all the amenities of a hotel, complimented by first class meals and outstanding service. A large dive deck with nitrox and photo facilities, houses every convenience to ensure comfort, safety and freedom in your diving.

     

     

     

    TRIP DATES

    To be Confirmed

    PRICE

    Dorm Accommodation-  $1,925 per person- 1 available
    Twin or Double Accommodation- $2,200 per person- 4 available

     SOF-Dive-Deck-2

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    Transfers to/from your Cairns city hotel
    One way flight – Cairns to Lizard Island
    Opportunity for up to 15 dives
    En-suite cabin with daily service
    Chef Prepared meals
    Australian wines and soft drinks with evening meals

     

     WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Flights to and from Cairns
    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending monies
    Accommodation in Cairns on the nights of the 8th April  & 13th April 2015.

    ITINERARY

    Thursday: Around 7:30am this morning the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will transfer you from your Cairns hotel to Hinterland Aviation at Cairns Aviation Airport. From here you will board a twin-engine light aircraft for your scenic flight up the coast to Lizard Island. The Spirit of Freedom crew will greet you on arrival and escort you via tender to the vessel. After an orientation of the vessel, we depart for Ribbon Reef Number 10. This afternoon we will have the opportunity for two dives at a choice of sites including Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Gardens and Pixie Pinnacle. We depart in the evening for a 10 hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

    SOF-Osprey-Reef-SharksFriday & Saturday: Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are renowned for their crystal clear water with visibility ranging from 30- 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 and is a site where grey reef sharks, silvertips and the occasional oceanic congregate. You can also experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. You will have the opportunity to dive 4 to 5 dives each day, including a night dive on Friday. 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 sensation Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom and Flare Point. A second option for this day, in special weather conditions, is to head south from Osprey to Bougainville Reef, which is 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 06:30 am. Enjoy a light breakfast on board and there will be a group photo opportunity before being dropped back to your Cairns Hotel around 08:00am.

    SOF-Vessel-2

    PADI SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Under water Navigation
    Enriched Air /Nitrox
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    This is the perfect way to complete a specialty course as you have already paid for the dives!!

    HOW TO BOOK

    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to [email protected].

     

     

     

  • DISCOVER The Sunken Secrets of New Zealand’s North Island!!

    DISCOVER The Sunken Secrets of New Zealand’s North Island!!

    dry-aorangia-island

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE TRIP

    Join us for a truly incredible dive adventure as we explore some of the best diving that New Zealand has to offer. In one trip you will explore two of New Zealand’s diving jewels and 4 of their most famous wrecks! We will be exploring the Poor Knights Islands, Bay of Islands, HMNZS Waikato, MHNZS Tui, HMNZS Canterbury and the famous Rainbow Warrior!   We have timed our trip perfectly to ensure that the water temps are a little more comfortable for Brisbane diving regulars!  This incredible trip is strictly limited to 7 divers as that is the maximum loading for the MV Acheron live aboard.  Here is a brief run down of each site we will be exploring and a video of what you can expect:

     

    poor-knights-mapThe Poor Knights Islands : The Poor Knights Islands are a complete marine reserve and rated in the top ten dive sites in the world by diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau. The Poor Knights Islands are the eroded remnants of a 4 million year old volcano. Ten million years ago a series of violent eruptions created a large land mass off New Zealand’s north east coast. Constant erosion by wind and wave action, combined with sea level changes have created the stunningly dramatic cluster of islands and rock formations that are now known as the Poor Knights. With dense kelp forests, sand channels, vertical walls, giant sea caves, archways and underwater caverns, it is no wonder that divers come from all over the world to dive in the Poor Knights. Add to this a subtropical current that carries marine life from tropical waters and you have a diver’s heaven.

    Check out this awesome video from the Everything Travel Group about the incredible array of sea creatures waiting for you:   http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=eanp29FwDZw

     

     

    WaikatoHMNZS Waikato – The frigate ex HMNZS Waikato was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, launched on February 18 1966, and commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on September 5, 1966. At 113.4m long, 12.5m beam and a draft of 5.5m she was the first of the Leander class frigates built for the navy. She had a top speed of 30 knots, and was powered by twin steam turbines developing 30,000hp. The Waikato was armed to the teeth, sporting twin 4.5in guns in the turret, two 20mm Orlikeon machine guns on the wings, a quad Seacat anti-aircraft missile launcher, six 12.75m anti-submarine torpedo tubes, one anti-submarine warfare Limbo mortar Mark 10 and a Wasp Helicopter capable of delivering depth charges and the Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedo. She served the RNZ Navy until decommissioning in 1998. Tutukaka Coast won the tender and prepared the ship for divers during 1999/2000. Finally the ship was sent to her final resting place on the 25th of November 2000 in a world record time of 2 min 40 seconds. She now rests in 28m of water. The Waikato was the only purpose-sunk frigate in the Southern Hemisphere before the HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide were sunk in Australia. Her turret and one propeller were left on the ship.

    Check out this awesome video of the HMNZS Waikato by Pelagic Productions UW – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eZg18A53IY

     

    TuiHMNZS Tui – Formerly USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5), was one of nine Conrad class oceanographic ships built for the United States Navy (USN), that later saw service in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Serving with the USN from 1963 to 1970, these ships were designed to perform acoustic experiments on sound transmission underwater, and for gravity, magnetism and deep-ocean floor studies. For the last 17 years of her working life she was leased out by the United States Navy to become the HMNZS Tui, deployed on naval hydrographic work. She was also sent to Mururoa to observe the last series of French Nuclear bomb tests in the South Pacific, and became the unofficial mothership to a large international protest fleet.The Tui was gifted to Tutukaka Coast Promotions after long negotiations, prepared for her new role as a dive attraction and sunk off Tutukaka on the 20th of February 1999.In 1999, the ship was scuttled as a dive wreck. In February 1999, Tui was scuttled 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Tutukaka Heads to serve as a tourist attraction and wreck for divers, following a period of work on her which removed any objects in danger of breaking free and welding shut any areas that may have posed a hazard for wreck diver. She was sunk at a depth of 32m of water.

    Sinking of the Tui in 1999 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44TGP461IF0#t=23

    The wrecks of the Tui and the Waikato after 5 years on the seabed – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDw_Er4gEwk

     

    MV Acheron

    Our Vessel : The MV Acheron diving vessel will be our home for the first 5 nights of our adventure. Acheron is a 23m wooden launch with luxurious accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 twin berth with ensuite cabins. The well-equipped boat offers a high level of diving convenience on the covered back deck and has been designed to suit the needs of all divers. She will be our diving platform to explore the Poor Knights Islands and the wrecks of the Tui and Waikato.

    More about our boat here : https://www.facebook.com/pg/RVAcheron/photos/?ref=page_internal

     

    Bay of IslandsBay of Islands – The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is about 210 km by road to Cape Reinga at the northern tip of the country. It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicised it in the 1930s.

    A full list of the dive sites that will be available to us at the Bay of Islands can be found here: http://www.northlanddive.com/diving/sites.html

     

     

    New_Zealand_Navy_-_frigate_HMNZS_Canterbury_-_3HMNZS Canterbury –  (F421) was one of two broad beam Leander class frigates operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) from 1971 to 2005. HMNZS Canterbury was laid down on 12 June 1969 by Yarrow Shipbuilders and launched 11 months later on 6 May 1970. Commissioned on 22 October 1971, Canterbury went on to see operational service in much of Australasia and other regions like the Persian Gulf, undertaking operations like supporting UN sanctions against Iraq and peace-keeping in East Timor. In addition, Canterbury and her sister ship HMNZS Waikato relieved the Royal Navy frigate HMS Amazon in the Indian Ocean during the Falklands War, and later on her own, relieved the frigate HMNZS Otago at Moruroa during anti-nuclear protests. Canterbury was decommissioned in

    Canterbury2005 and after extensive works to remove potentially toxic materials, she was scuttled on 3 November 2007 at Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands to provide a dive wreck. She lies in 38 metres (125 ft) of water

    Here is a  fantastic video of the HMNZS Canterbury as she lies on the seafloor today filmed by Axel Busch : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz_O9tTA6AA

     

    rainbow-warrior-059Rainbow Warrior – The Rainbow Warrior (sometimes informally called Rainbow Warrior I) was a former UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) trawler later purchased by the environmental organization Greenpeace. The ship was active in supporting a number of Greenpeace protest activities against seal hunting, whaling and nuclear weapons testing during the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was sunk whilst in harbour in New Zealand by operatives of the French intelligence service (DGSE) on 10 July 1985, killing one of the activists. The wreck of the Rainbow Warrior was refloated on 21 August 1985 and moved to a naval harbour for forensic examination. Although the hull had been recovered, the

    damage was too extensive for economic repair and the vessel was scuttled in warrior1

    Matauri Bay in the Cavalli Islands, New Zealand, on 12 December 1987, to serve as a dive wreck and artificial reef to promote marine life.

    Check out this sensational video of the Rainbow Warrior filmed by D M Larsson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEIAjwCg-Fo
     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    Suitable for Advanced Open Water Divers but preferably with Deep certification  (certified to 40 metres)
    Wreck certification is not a requirement to dive these sites but is highly recommended
    Depth ranges from 6 – 40 metres
    EAN (nitrox) is included for the whole trip (certification is required)
    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

     TRIP DATES

    5 to 14 March 2017

    PRICE

    $3,000 per person

    WHAT’S INCLUDED 

    Private van transfers for the trip

    4 nights twin share accommodation aboard the MV Acheron
    4 Days of unlimited diving at the Poor Knights Islands (16 + dives)
    All food aboard MV Acheron

    4 nights accommodation at Northland Dive Lodge
    3 days of diving with Northland Dive (6 dives), including the Canterbury wreck, Rainbow Warrior wreck, Waikato wreck and the Bay of Islands
    All food whilst at Northland Dive Lodge
    Nitrox fills for the whole trip

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Flights to and from Auckland
    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending monies
    Excess luggage surcharges
    Meals other than those already noted

     

    GEAR HIRE

    PDS is able to rent you a wetsuit, BCD, regulator and computer for the trip.  Please communicate your requirements on the booking form. Each diver must provide their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots (not available for hire). Underwater camera and torches are also available and are subject to availability. All gear must be arranged prior to the trip and we will arrange to get the gear to you so you can pack it in your luggage for the trip.

    ITINERARY

    To be confirmed

    SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Self Reliant
    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Underwater Navigation
    Nitrox (Enriched Air)
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Dry Suit
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to [email protected].

  • Explore the Capricorn Bunker Group and Southern Great Barrier Reef aboard the MV Adori

    Explore the Capricorn Bunker Group and Southern Great Barrier Reef aboard the MV Adori

    Turtle hatchling

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Trip
    Come and join us aboard the MV Adori. A hidden gem known to locals and fishermen we have the unique opportunity to explore reefs and islands that have previously been accessible to private boat owners. Join us as we explore endless islands and reefs with literally hundreds of sites to chose from. The MV Adori is a private live aboard housing only 8 divers and two crew so you are guarnteed of a personal and private liveaboard experience. The Adori is also BYO so you can bring your favourite tipple to drink whilst watching the sun set over the horizon. Warm waters and tropical diving. What more could you want? This trip is a must for every diver with diverse coral cays, reefs, islands and abundant marine life.

    Dive Information

    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)

    Depth ranges from 4 – 28 metres

    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience


    Coral and Diver, Capricorn Bunker Group

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Trip Dates

    To Be Confirmed

    Price

    $1450 per person 

     

    What’s Included

    Tanks and weights
    Up to 14
     dives including 3 night dives
    4 nights accommodation in air conditioned bunks
    All fresh prepared home style meals and snacks between dives
    Dive deck and fresh water tubs for your camera equipment
    All air fills
    Return transport to Yeppoon from Brisbane

     

     

    Epaulette shark / Hemiscyllium ocellatum

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    What’s Excluded
     All Dive Gear
    Transport to Yeppoon if you are making your own way
    Alcohol (The MV Adori is a BYO vessel – alcohol is not available for purchase)
    Soft drinks (please feel free to bring your own)

    Gear Hire
    PDS is able to rent you a wetsuit, BCD, regulator and computer for the weekend, please communicate your requirements on the booking form. Each diver must provide their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots (not available for hire). Underwater camera and torches are also available and are subject to availability.

    IMG_9869

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Itinerary
    DAY 1
    At 3pm everyone stows their gear and settles in on-board. We will set up our gear and secure our bunks before steaming from port ready for our first dive. We will do a check out dive in the late afternoon at Egg Island and then the first of our night dives. Egg is one of the popular local sites that is home to numerous olive green sea snakes.

    DAY 2
    Today we wake up at any number of reefs or islands. Our destination is literally up to us and the conditions! We are ideally located to hit up Tryon Island, North West Island, Broomfield Reef, Wilson Island, Wilson Reef, Wistari Reef, Masthead Island and all of the other reefs and islands of the Capricorn Bunker Group. The possibilities are endless!

    Olive Green Sea Snake

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DAY 3

    Today we wake up at any number of reefs or islands. Our destination is literally up to us and the conditions! We are ideally located to hit up Tryon Island, North West Island, Broomfield Reef, Wilson Island, Wilson Reef, Wistari Reef, Masthead Island and all of the other reefs and islands of the Capricorn Bunker Group. The possibilities are endless!

    DAY 4

    Today we will dive any number of sensational local sites on our way back to Yeppoon. We will be back in port at 5pm. We anticipate having everyone back to Woolloongabba by midnight. 

     

    IMG_9880

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Specialities Suitable for this trip

    Self Reliant Diver (perfect for this trip)
    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Under water Navigation
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to
    [email protected]

  • JERVIS BAY – The Cream of Southern NSW Diving Aboard Oceantrek

    JERVIS BAY – The Cream of Southern NSW Diving Aboard Oceantrek

    Australian Fur Seals

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE TRIP

    Located approximately 2.5 hours drive south of Sydney. Jervis Bay is consistently ranked as one of the best dive locations to dive in NSW. Jervis Bay has crystal clear water with viz. ranging from 10-25m. The dive sites at Jervis Bay are numerous and each site offers something different. Dive sites usually range in depth, so divers can set their own depth limit in accordance with their experience. The giant sandstone cliffs that ring the entrance to the bay have over millions of years collapsed into the sea forming caves, tunnels, archways, drop offs and terraces providing homes to the many and varied sea creatures that live in and around the bay.

    The best way to dive Jervis Bay is on the18m live aboard Ocean Trek. Ocean Trek accommodation is for up to 23 guests in ten rooms. Ocean Trek has a spacious dive deck  and when you are not diving you can relax in the large dining and saloon area with CD deck ,video ,TV and tape deck. A marine reference library is available for divers reference while on board. Oceantrek is a sister to ship to Big Cat Reality so you will find her similar in style larger and more spacious accommodation.

    Diving from Ocean Trek gives you the unique opportunity in that you can do as much or as little diving as you want. Have a dive after breakfast, again after lunch and why not hit the water again for a late afternoon dive. After dinner there is always the chance to experience the magic of a night dive as well.

    The diving in Jervis Bay is special and the Ocean Trek gives you access to the best of it. With over 30 sites to choose from there ranging from 4m to 40m+ there is no reason why you would have to do the same dive twice! Unless it was just so amazing you had to! You will see underwater life is abundant, with big schools of yellowtail and old wives. The sponge gardens support a vast array of life including Sea Baskets, Starfish, Seastars, Nudibranchs, Pygmy Leatherjackets, Red Indianfish, Weedy Seadragons, Seahorses, numerous rays, Blue Grouper and much more.

    The movement of water into the sheltered bay means that there are giant underwater bommies/boulders that have weathered slowly over time, which hide giant cuttlefish, Port Jackson sharks, Blue Devil Fish, Wobbegongs and southern rock lobster . There are underwater cliffs and cracks, there are drop offs and large caves to explore and these are home to grey nurse sharks (Carcharias Taurus).

     

    Dolphins.

     

     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)

    Depth ranges from 4 – 40 metres

    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

     

    TRIP DATES & PRICES

    Ex Jervis Bay- Thursday, 23- Tuesday, 28 April 2015 @ $960 per person

    Ex Brisbane- Thursday, 23- Monday, 27 April 2015 @ $1,500 per person

     

    Oceantrek - Image : Tom Davis

     

     

     

     

     

     

    INCLUDES

    14 scheduled dives
    4 night’s accommodation on board Oceantrek
    All air fills
    Tanks and weights
    All meals aboard Oceantrek

     EX-Brisbane Also Includes:

    Return flights from Brisbane to Sydney
    Additional night in a motel in Huskisson on Monday
    2 Bag allowance – one for dry gear, one for dive gear
    Return private bus transfer from Sydney to Jervis Bay

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Travel Insurance
    Personal Spending Monies
    Excess Luggage surcharges
    Meals unless otherwise indicated
    Personal dive gear unless otherwise indicated

     

    Giant Cuttlefish

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    GEAR HIRE

    PDS is able to with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator, computer, tanks and weights for the live aboard, however this must be communicated prior to the trip. Each diver must provide their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots (not available for hire from PDS, however is available from the operator). Torches are also available and are subject to availability.

    If you are travelling from Brisbane, the gear hired must be collected from us prior to the trip and included in your luggage allowance.

    If you are meeting us in Jervis Bay, it is advised to hire your gear directly from the operator. Please contact us for hire rates.

    ITINERARY
    For those departing Brisbane, we fly to Sydney onThursday afternoon where the group will be greeted by a private bus to drive you down to our awaiting Oceantrek at her dock in Huskisson. We will stay on her on Thursday evening and secure our berths ready for departure on Friday morning. We then enjoy the cream of Southern NSW diving until Monday afternoon where we will return to Port and check into our motel for the night in Huskisson before catching our bus back to Sydney airport to meet our return flight to Brisbane early Tuesday afternoon.

    For those meeting us in Jervis Bay, we will meet you- TBC

    Exact timings and details will be communicated to the divers booked onto this trip closer to the date.

    PADI SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Advanced Open Water
    Under water Navigation
    Nitrox (Enriched Air)
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    This is the perfect way to complete a specialty course as you have already paid for the dives!!

    Note- Some specialties are site and conditions dependant. All efforts will be made to complete course dives on a booked trip, however if conditions do not allow it the diver will have to book onto another trip to complete the course requirements.

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to [email protected].

     

     

  • Minke Whales and the Trip of a Lifetime, a week aboard Australia’s most famous Liveaboard – Mike Ball’s Spoilsport

    Minke Whales and the Trip of a Lifetime, a week aboard Australia’s most famous Liveaboard – Mike Ball’s Spoilsport

    The Trip

    8 days/ 7 nights, 450 mile Coral Sea Safari includes some of the best dive sites on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea featuring:

    • spectacular first dive at Challenger Bay,
    • diver size fish at the Cod Hole,
    • plummeting Coral Sea wall dives in gin clear water,
    • exciting shark action in the Coral Sea,
    • schooling trevally and barracuda in the Coral Sea,
    • exploration of Lizard Island,
    • the Cod Wall, outer edge big fish dive,
    • the prime Ribbon Reef sites,
    • all dives north of Cooktown, dive site guarantee!

    What awaits you?
    Imagine yourself as a feeling of excitement arises as you cruise north in the shelter of the Great Barrier Reef. On deck you are greeted by the fabulous turquoise waters of the Ribbon Reefs. To port is historic Cooktown to starboard is the vastness of the Coral Sea

    Shallow but fantastic – Challenger Bay!
    Challenger Bay is a spectacular introduction to the Great Barrier Reef. Gliding along, surrounded by schools of silver trevally, surgeon fish, diagonally lined sweetilp and yellow striped bream you explore pristine coral gardens in excellent visibility. You will understand why the ‘Great’ is in Great Barrier Reef.

    Diver size fish at the Cod Hole!
    One of the Great Barrier Reefs most amazing phenomenons’s awaiting you at the Cod Hole. Swim with, ‘small diver size’ or ‘giant fish size’ potato cod. Spend the dive amongst shallow sunlit coral gardens of acropora coral or venture deeper into the parallel gullies forming the front of the reef where huge Queensland groupers face into the current.

    SPOILSPORT (Vessel)
    In between dives you enjoy Spoilsports luxurious motor yacht atmosphere and attentive crew. Spoilsport is the Great Barrier Reef’s most awarded live aboard. Spoilsport was designed to provide divers with a new level of comfort and convenience. You get less rock’n’roll with more space and comfort. She has received 11 prestigious Rodale’s Reader Choice awards including Best Live aboard and Most Environmentally Sensitive.

    Dive Information

    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)
    Wreck certification is not a requirement to dive this site
    Depth ranges from 6 – 28 metres
    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience
    Snorkelling is limited to Ribbon Reef sites, Coral Sea sites not suitable.


    Trip Date

    Thursday, 10 – Thursday, 17 July 2014- EXTRA Release of spots available as of 27/03/2014

    Price
    $4987 per person- Premium Cabin- (Double bed, private ensuite, ocean views) – SOLD OUT                

    $4530 per person- Standard Cabin- Twin bunk beds & private ensuite & Ocean views – 1 SPOT AVAILABLE              

    $3909 per person- Club Cabin – Twin beds, private ensuite – SOLD OUT    

    $3322 per person- Budget Cabin- Twin bunk beds & shared bathroom- SOLD OUT

    What’s Included
    7 nights accommodation onboard the spacious Spoilsport
    All deluxe chef- prepared meals and Australian wine on the Spoilsport
    Unlimited dives including tanks and weights
    Snorkelling with Minke Whales
    Professional Dive Services Tour Leader to look after you above and below the water

    Spoilsport Dive Services:
    Complimentary Reef Ecology Program
    Low key photo comp on every expedition
    Huge dive deck with convenient entry/exit platforms
    Photographer friendly with 3 large camera tables
    ‘Open dive deck’ allows flexible dive planning
    3 dive sites per day is normal
    Underwater photography and video services
    PADI instruction: Advanced, Nitrox, Naturalist and Photo/Video
    Dry towel after each dive
    Solo diving as per Mike Ball Safe Solo System
    2 large inflatable’s for personalised dive service.

    What’s Excluded
    Return flights to Cairns
    Travel Insurance
    Nitrox fills and pony bottles
    Personal spending money
    Gratuities
    $20 per person reef tax payable on board

    Gear Hire

    PDS is able to provide you with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator and computer for the trip and please communicate your requirements on the booking form. These items will need to be given to you prior to the trip and will need to be included in your luggage allowance. Alternatively gear can be hired from the operator in Cairns and we are happy to quote upon request.

    Itinerary

    Embark: Thursday 6pm – Trinity Wharf, Cairns.
    Disembark: Thursday 8am – Trinity Wharf, Cairns. (courtesy inner city hotel transfers)

    Plummeting walls in gin clear water.
    Early morning dives on sheer walls that plummet to 1000 metres. Glide pass huge black coral trees, diver size soft coral trees and golden gorgonian fans. Observe or be observed by curious sharks cruising in the clear water.

    Exciting shark action in the Coral Sea!
    Your Osprey Reef adventure builds to a climax with a spectacular shark dive at North Horn. You will see 10-30 grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks as well as other species. You can photograph these sleek high order predators at close- range, or not so close, you choose! Off the deep wall solitary hammerheads are regularly seen, schools are occasionally seen.

    Schooling trevally & barracuda in the Coral Sea!
    Also observe the perimeter of the shark dive. You will see a queue for the scraps! Potato cod, Napoleon wrasse and moray eels forage the reef while trevally, barracuda and red bass control the mid-water.

    Lizard Island.
    Here the famous English navigator James Cook climbed to its summit in 1770 to find a way out of the labyrinth of reefs. Naturalist Joseph Banks lamented in his journal that he had too little time to study the wealth of strange creatures he saw in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

    Off gas and hike into history!
    Divers can off-gas and take some unique photographs on Lizard Island. Includes: walk of Watson’s Bay; visiting the historic ruins of Mrs Watson’s Cottage and exploring the Pandanus Swamp and Chinaman’s Ridge.

    Cod Wall and Cod Hole.
    A short steam to the top of Ribbon Reef #10 permits an exciting alternative to the Cod Hole. At the reef’s outer edge the deep, pristine, Cod Wall, is a series of stepped ledges to 60 metres. Grey reef sharks, bull sharks, flowery cod and diver size Queensland groper roam this deep wall. The Cod Hole can be repeated if preferred!

    The turquoise chain of Ribbon Reefs.
    This 55 mile chain of reefs from Lizard Island to Cooktown is the most prized dive region of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This is where you can see more of the Great Barrier Reefs 1500 fish and 400 coral species than elsewhere. The currents that channel between the ribbon reefs attract large fish populations. Marine life encounters range from pygmy seahorses to manta rays and whales.

    Challenger Bay’s Baza!
    Another highlight is a night dive at Challenger Bay, home of Baza the barracuda and of many moray eels and clever lionfish, who, are very active at night and have learnt how to use the light of your torch to find their supper.

    Lighthouse Bommie & Acropolis
    Lighthouse Bommie is a pinnacle rising from the sand at 30 metres. June/July this is the world’s hotspot for Minke Whale encounters. Acropolis Plateau is the new hot site shrouded in spectacular corals and festooned with baitfish, predatory fish and critters

    Pixie Pinnacle, Vertical Gardens.
    You may find harlequin ghost pipefish, leafy scorpion fish and lace scorpion fish. Vertical Gardens is a natural amphitheatre, and home to a herd of large green bump head parrotfish. They make an awesome procession crunching their way through the reef!

    Clam Beds, Andy’s Postcard.
    Clam Beds is a beautiful shallow coral garden where dozens of giant clams show off their majestic mantles. Andy’s Postcard is an isolated bommie rising from 80 metres. Fluorescent purple and orange anthias attract trevally and barracuda to these photogenic sites.

    Steve’s Bommie, Flare Point.
    At Steve’s Bommie, hiding amongst the coral you can find lion fish, frog fish and leaf scorpion fish. Fluorescent anthias amass on the reef edge while lined snapper, big eye trevally and barracuda circumnavigate the pinnacle. Flare Point has beautiful pristine coral gardens where cuttle fish are regularly seen.

    Dive Site Guarantee!
    All your dives will be north of Cooktown including ‘prime’ Ribbon Reef sites that have restricted access. If weather forces an itinerary change our surety of access to the prime Ribbon Reef sites is your guarantee of the best diving available. Spoilsport’s outstanding stability minimizes disruption to your itinerary and your diving experience.

    Dive Freedom!
    You will notice there is no rush or limit placed on your dive time. Spoilsport’s itineraries normally provide 3 dive sites per day with opportunity for relaxed or unlimited diving. At sites like Challenger Bay some photographers do 2 hour dives to capture special fish behaviour photographs.

    PADI Specialities Suitable for this trip
    Advanced Open Water
    Under water Navigation

    Nitrox
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    This is the perfect way to complete a specialty course as you have already paid for the dives!!

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to
    [email protected].

     

  • Lady Elliot and the Capricorn Bunker Group Liveaboard Weekend

    Lady Elliot and the Capricorn Bunker Group Liveaboard Weekend

    LADY ELLIOT ISLAND & THE CAPRICORN BUNKER GROUP

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    The Trip
    Come and join us on South East Queensland’s ONLY live aboard Big Cat Reality. The Big Cat crew will be taking us to the Bunker group of Islands and Cays. This trip is 4 days of unique dive sites in the Capricorn Bunker Groupand surrounding Lady Elliot Island! This trip is a must for every diver with diverse coral cays, reefs, islands and abundant marine life.

    Dive Information

    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)

    Wreck certification is not a requirement to dive this site

    Depth ranges from 6 – 28 metres

    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience


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    TRIP DATES & PRICES

    24 – 28 March 2016 – Easter Long Weekend – $1,359 per person- SOLD OUT

    What’s Included
    Up to 18 
    dives including a night dives
    Accommodation on all nights in air conditioned bunks
    All your meals, including fresh fruit and snacks between dives
    Large Stable 25 metre vessel
    Huge dive deck and fresh water tubs for your camera equipment
    All air fills
    Transport to Bundaberg for the first 6 to book on

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    What’s Excluded
    $20 per person GBRMPA reef tax to be paid on board
    Tanks
    Weights
    All Dive Gear
    Transport to Bundaberg if you are making your own way
    Alcohol (No alcohol can be brought on board as this is a licensed boat)
    Soft drinks

    Gear Hire
    PDS is able to with a wetsuit, BCD, regulator, computer, tanks and weights for the weekend and please communicate your requirements on the booking form. Each diver must provide their own mask, snorkel, fins and boots (not available for hire). Underwater camera and torches are also available and are subject to availability.

    4 Day Trip Itinerary

    The First Night: (Thursday 24th March) (Passage Plan) We all meet at the Bundaberg Port Marina by 5.00 pm, where everyone stows their gear and settles in onboard.  The master then introduces the crew, gives the safety brief and you watch our induction DVD.  A light supper is served and we depart Burnett Heads at about 8:30pm.  (For anyone wanting a meal before boarding, there is a great fish & chip takeaway located at Burnett Heads 5 min from the Marina).  “Big Cat Reality” then steams overnight to Llewelyn Reef and arrives ready for an early morning dive.

    Day One: (Friday 25th) Day one starts with two great dives at Llewelyn Reef to get you started and then a short move north to Lamont Reef for an afternoon of exploring this amazing and rarely dived reef.  After completing 5 dives for the day, we settle down for our first night on the Great Barrier Reef.

     

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    Day Two: (Saturday 26th) On the second day we start the day with an early morning dive at Lamont Reef before move south to spend the rest of the day diving the sites around Hoskins Island where we generally get the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal clear lagoon with reef sharks and baby sea turtles.

    Day Three: (Sunday 27th) On the second day we wake up at the world famous Lady Elliott Island where there is always heaps of beautiful Manta rays and great viz.  You will have the opportunity to dive all the best sites here including the Blow hole, Hero’s Cave and Lighthouse Bommie.  Our last night on the reef is finished off with a calm night dive and a BBQ on the top deck followed by a great night’s sleep.

    Day Four: (Monday 28th) Our last day gives us the RARE opportunity to explore a little known dive site called the “Snake Pitt”.  This site is well off shore and has an amazing landscape with huge over hangs and swim throughs and of course heaps of Sea Snakes and Big Fish.  Weather permitting we are able to dive the Snake Pitt we will then do two dives at Lady Elliot before  we head back to Bundaberg, arriving at approximately 6:30pm. If we are unable to dive the Snake Pitt we will do three dives at Lady Elliot.

    This trip is truly great fun and top value. Included: up to 18 dives, all air fills, all meals, 4 nights air-conditioned accommodation, dive master services and full use of all facilities onboard.

     

    Specialities Suitable for this trip
    Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
    Under water Navigation

    Nitrox
    Deep Diver
    Digital Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Photographer
    Underwater Videographer
    Search and Recovery
    Peak Performance Buoyancy
    Underwater Navigation
    Dry Suit Diver
    Shark Awareness
    Underwater Naturalist

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to
    [email protected]

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Australian Giant Cuttlefish, Leafy Seadragons and Great White Sharks!

    Australian Giant Cuttlefish, Leafy Seadragons and Great White Sharks!

    THE TRIP

    OPTION ONE- Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Only

    Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions want you to see Great White Sharks! And not just a quick flashing pass of grey, they want you to really see and experience the wonder and amazement of Great White Sharks. Get that tickle down your spine as one of the world’s prehistoric, amazing and definitely misunderstood fish swims by you.

    After nearly 50 years, Rodney and Andrew Fox are the world’s foremost cage operators and they can hold their heads up high knowing that their combination of more time on location, more cages and less people makes them the South Australian shark viewing company with the most successful shark encounters.

    Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions are the most established and respected cage diving operation in the world. They are the ONLY operators worldwide to put the cage on the sea floor so you can truly see the sharks in their natural environment. They react entirely different at depth than they do at the surface when they are predating. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!!

    The RFSE only leg begins in Port Lincoln where you will fly in and meet the rest of the group. After a good night sleep we will then board the MV Rodney Fox. We will then secure our bunks on board and steam out of Port. We will then journey to just short of Hopkins Island to jump in the water with Australian Sealions. These creatures are incredible and you will be amazed how quickly the time passes as you watch them pirouette and glide past you! We then head to the Neptune Islands to anchor for the night ready for the main event and in search of the main star, the Great White shark.

    Once we arrive on site we put the surface cage and start the surface cage rotation. This trip is normally predominantly filled with SCUBA divers so if you aren’t certified as soon as the bottom cage rotations begin you will pretty much have the surface cage to yourself! We will return from our incredible adventure on the evening of the 10th for disembarkation where we will stay the night at the Marina Hotel before leaving the next morning to  head back to Adelaide. You can either join us for the bus ride back to Adelaide or fly back from Port Lincoln (please ensure to take no fly times in to account before booking your flights.).

    OPTION TWO – The Best of South Australia

    On day one we will meet in Adelaide at the baggage claim and from here the group will be some of the first visitors to view the newly established Rodney Fox Great White Shark Museum. This incredible exhibit used to be housed in Glenelg when the Failie was the vessel that RFSE used for their tours. The exhibition has been substantially expanded and given a new home to be the BEST great white shark exhibit in the world! Even more exciting is we will be doing a meet and greet with the man himself Rodney Fox! We will then begin our road trip to Whyalla, where we will stay for the night. On day two the group will head to the best site in South Australia to dive with the LARGEST cephalopod aggregation in the world with mating Giant Australian Cuttlefish. The numbers of cuttlefish have dropped over the years and were continuing to significantly decline with only an estimated 25,000 returning each year. Twenty years ago the numbers were around 1 million. We are pleased to say that after four years of gradually increasing the population is the largest it has been in over 8 years as of June 2017! Don’t miss the opportunity to see these stunning creatures.

    After our dive with the cuttlefish, we will then drive to Port Lincoln, where we will get a good night sleep ready to dive with another of South Australia’s most iconic creatures, Leafy Seadragons. In the morning we then head to Tumby Bay to dive with the largest seahorse in the world, the Leafy Seadragon! Endemic to Australia these incredible animals are truly fascinating. The largest of the seahorse family they are absolutely stunning creatures and masters of camouflage! It is not just the seadragons that will have you captivated! You will be mesmerised by the kaleidoscope of colour on the pylons, a hallmark of temperate water jetty/pier diving! Our group will then meet any members joining us just for the liveaboard at the Marina Hotel to stay the night ready to board the MV Rodney Fox the next morning. On Monday morning we begin the RFSE portion of our epic adventure starting off with playful Australian sealions before powering out to the Neptune islands in search of the Great Whites.

    We can take up to a maximum of 18 divers for the Best of South Australia tour.

    Great White Shark - Bottom Cage, Neptune Islands, South Australia

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions
    You do not need to be dive certified to join this trip

    The Best of South Australia
    Suitable for Open Water Divers (certified to 18 metres)
    Depth ranges from 6 – 28 metres
    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

     

    TRIP DATES & PRICES

    The Best of South Australia- Friday, 4 – Friday, 11 June 2021 – $3,950 per person

     Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Only- Sunday, 6 – Friday, 11 June 2018- $2,950 per person

    To book a spot on this trip online click HERE

     

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    WHAT’S INCLUDED 

    Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Only
    3 nights accommodation aboard MV Rodney Fox
    A dive with Australian Sea Lions aboard MV Rodney Fox
    3 days of boat diving with Great White Sharks with Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions aboard the MV Rodney Fox
    All meals on the MV Rodney Fox
    2 nights accommodation at the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln
    Transport (van) from Port Lincoln to Adelaide (final day)

    The Best of South Australia
    Entry in to the Rodney Fox Great White Shark Museum
    Meet and greet with Rodney Fox himelf!
    1 nights accommodation in Whyalla
    Transport to various dive locations in South Australia
    A shore dive with the mating Australian Giant Cuttlefish at Whyalla
    3 nights accommodation aboard MV Rodney Fox
    A dive with the Leafy Sea Dragons at Tumby Bay
    A dive with Australian Sea Lions aboard MV Rodney Fox
    3 days of boat diving with Great White Sharks with Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions aboard the MV Rodney Fox
    All meals on the MV Rodney Fox
    3 nights accommodation at the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln
    Return Transport (van) from Port Lincoln to Adelaide

    Australian Sea Lion - Hopkins Island, South Australia

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions Only
    Flights to and from Adelaide
    Flight to Port Lincoln (option to travel back to Adelaide with the rest of the group at the trip cost)
    Travel Insurance
    Excess luggage charges
    Spending money

    The Best of South Australia
    Flights to and from Adelaide
    Travel Insurance
    Excess luggage charges
    Spending money and gratuities
    All meals when not on board MV Rodney Fox

    GEAR REQUIREMENTS
    Regular dive gear is all you require for this trip with a minimum of a 5mm semi dry wetsuit, hood and gloves as the water can be very cold. Gear can also be hired from the Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions for the Great White Sharks only leg of the journey and please contact us for pricing.

    ITINERARY
    Upon booking or upon request, PDS can send you the recommended flights to Adelaide and To Port Lincoln. A full itinerary will be sent to all divers prior to the trip.

    HOW TO BOOK
    Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields scan and email to [email protected].

    OR

    To book online click HERE

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