Tag: wreck diving

  • TULAMBEN – INDONESIA

    TULAMBEN – INDONESIA

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    THE TRIP

    Tulamben, is a little village on the northeast coast of Bail. The beach is covered in black sand and fist size rocks. Diving the Tulamben’s coast, which boasts colourful coral gardens, plunging walls, fantastic macros sites and Tulamben’s renowned wreck dive, the USAT Liberty. The Liberty is located just off shore ; she is 120m long and rests on a 90 degree angle with the deck facing the open sea! Hit by a torpedo in World War II she is now festooned in coral making a fantastic artificial reef home to diverse marine life. Be it pelagic species or macro there is something on the Liberty wreck to captivate and enthrall every diver.

    USAT Liberty Wreck
    Just 30 metres from the beach at Tulamben, is a WWII cargo ship broken up, but still a large wreck stretching 120 metres long on a sloping sandy bottom. The top of the wreckage is just 3 metres below the waters surface and the bottom is 29 metres. On January 11, 1942, the ship was hit by torpedoes from a Japanese submarine while crossing Lombok Strait carrying rubber and railroad parts. Badly damaged, two destoyer ships towed the USAT Liberty up onto the beach at Tulamben. The volcanic explosion of Gunung Agung in 1963 rolled Liberty off the beach to its present location, in the process the USAT Liberty broke into pieces. The wreck is now covered with a variety of corals and it is estimated that some 400 species of reef fish live on the wreck.

    Visibility averages 15- 20 metres and water temperature is roughly 28- 29 degrees.

    Coral Garden
    This shallow patch reef us delightful and richly covered more than 200 metres and lies in 5- 15 metres of water. This reef is dominated by Acropora, hard corals, some large table corals and bushes of Hydroids and supports a diversity of fish population such as Parrotfish, Wrasse, Snapper, as well as Ribbon Eels, Frogfish and Scorpionfish. Photographers and divers who like macro sea life, this will be a favourite.

    Drop-off (Rugged Wall)
    The reef wall descends down over 70 metres. Black, soft and hard corals grow well on the crannies and overhangs. At 18 metres there live an abundance of Cleaner Shrimp and large fish are waiting at the overhangs to be cleaned. The hook of the wall at 28 metres where the reef extends to the sloping eastern reef stands a huge purple sea fan Gorgonian, which is over 2 metres wide and is the landmark on the reef wall. A prolific variety of schooling fish swim around the corner of the wall and even invertebrate animals are often encountered at this rugged wall reef.

     

    INFORMATION

     

    TRIP DATES

    4- 15 April 2018 (during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games)

    PRICE

    Diver- $3050

    Non-diver- $2,390

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    FLY
    Virgin Australia ex Brisbane to Denpasar
    Airline taxes & fuel surcharges

    SLEEP
    Tulamben Wreck Divers
    Standard twin share room- 10 nights
    Daily Breakfast
    Return airport transfers

     

    DIVE
    Tulamben Diving
    10 boat dives per diver
    3 dives in Amed
    3 dives in Padang Bai
    Tanks, weights, air fills and dive guide

     

     

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED
    Gear rental
    Gratuities
    Bar purchases
    Food and other items not mentioned above

     

     

    ITINERARY
    Wednesday, 4 April
    10:05am- Depart Brisbane on Virgin Australia flight and arrive in Denpasar at 2:45pm

    4 April- 14 April 2018
    10 nights accommodation in standard twin share room at Tulamben Wreck Divers
    10 dives per diver in the Tulamben Area
    3 dives per diver in Amed
    3 dives per diver in Padang Bali

    Saturday, 14 April 2018
    10:10 pm- Depart Denpasar on Virgin Australia Flight

    Sunday, 15 April 2018
    5:45am- arrive in Brisbane

    Please also refer to the attached document for a more detailed itinerary

    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. Hire costs will apply. Alternatively, gear hire can be hired from the operator in Bali.

     

    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 info@professionaldiveservice

  • 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.

     

    MV Kalinda 2

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    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

  • 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.

    MV Kalinda 2

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    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].

  • 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].

     

     

  • Grey Nurse Shark Overload at Seal Rocks, Forster, N.S.W.

    Grey Nurse Shark Overload at Seal Rocks, Forster, N.S.W.

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    THE TRIP

    A dive at Big Seal Rock, when the grey nurse sharks are in, is the most unforgettable experience. Descending the rock wall, you will come upon a wide gutter at 21 m, which has a small cave cutting into the rock face. Usually schools of kingfish, drummer and trevally circle the gutter, while turtles, wobbegongs, stingrays and Port Jackson sharks can be seen resting on the bottom.

    Between summer and winter the gutter is often filled with dozens of grey nurse sharks. You can sit on the edge of the gutter and watch these large sharks swim in figure-of-eight patterns. Grey nurse sharks are encountered on most of the reefs off Forster/Tuncurry and Seal Rocks at almost any time of the year.

    There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of hidden reefs off the twin towns of Forster/Tuncurry located 300 km north of Sydney. Divers have explored the reefs in the area for over 40 years, and in that time have only scratched the surface.

    There are many dive sites at Seal Rocks of which we will most probably be diving the following site (based on conditions)

    Port Jackson Shark

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Breaker and Jimmys Cave- An extensive reef system covering over 200 square metres, responsible for sinking the SS Satara on 20 April 1910. Jimmy’s cave is a substantial and mostly fully enclosed cave penetration dive.

    Statis Rock aka Skeleton Rock- The home reef at Seal Rocks, the perfect second dive after one of the local rocks or wrecks. Generally a calm, sheltered dive with Grey Nurse Sharks and lots of schooling fish species.

    Big Seal Rock- The focus of Greay Nurse Shark aggregation in the Seal Rocks Complex, at times there may be more than 40 individual sharks gathered in the Eastern Gutter.

    Little Seal Rock- Complex rock reef structure with Grey Nurse Sharks, bull rays and plenty of schooling fish. This is the rock that sunk the Catterthun on 8 August 1895.

    Idol Bay- An excellent second dive just West of Latitude Rock. Plenty of bommies on a mixed rock and sand bottom. Full of big and small marine species. One of the most enjoyable shallow reef dives on the mid Coast of NSW.

    Bennetts Head Bommie Rock reef just off Bennetts Head featuring a swim through cave. This site can be done as a shore dive in calm conditions or as a boat dive. Plenty of macro life, anemones and large bull rays on the sand.

    The Barge Forster- an old Barge upside down in nutrient rich water near the Forster estuary opening, teeming with big critters and macro photography opportunities.

    The Pinnacle Forster Isolated Rock- the pinnacle dive near Forster, a favourite hang-out for big critters including rays, jewfish and grey nurse sharks.

    Latitude Rock- An isolated rock reef feature near Forster teaming with life.

    SS Catterthum- Another Steamer trying to shortcut the 5 miles around the small rock outcrops and hit one. One of the most rewarding, yet difficult to actually dive wrecks on the East Coast of Australia. Lost on 8 August 1895 with 9,000 gold sovereigns aboard. A genuine treasure hunting dive.

    Satara Shipwreck- The SS Satara, a 120 m long cargo steamer which foundered off Seal Rocks in 1910, now rests on its port side in 42 m of water.  The stern section sits in an upright position, displaying the enormous prop, as well as portholes, boilers, the engine, propeller shaft, piles of chains and hundreds of plates. The wreck is covered in sponges, ascidians, anemones and black coral trees. Schools of reef and pelagic fish swarm about the wreck, and Port Jackson, grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs and the occasional bronze whaler are often sighted.

    Bat Fish

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DIVE INFORMATION

    Must be Advanced Open Water Certified and Deep Diver qualified to dive this dive site.  You can do your Deep Diver Speciality whilst diving this site.
    Wreck certification is not a requirement to dive this site
    Diving by yourself? We will buddy you up with another diver with similar experience

     TRIP DATES

    Thursday, 2 – Monday, 6 May 2019

    PRICE

    $850 per person

    OR

    $950 per person including your PADI Deep Diver specialty

    The following are recommended upgrades for this trip

    Diving on Nitrox@ $ 30 per dive or $120 for the weekend
    *PADI Deep Diver specialty Course @ $100 per person (reduced price for this trip ONLY)
    PADI Enriched Air specialty Course @ $275 per person for manual learning or $475 per person for on-line learning (both prices include 6 Nitrox fills)

    To book online click HERE

    Forster House Reef

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    6 Dives and a bonus dive at Forster Dives house site
    4 Nights accommodation
    Return transport to and from Brisbane
    Tanks and weights

    WHAT’S EXCLUDED

    All Dive Gear (excluding tanks & weights)
    Travel Insurance
    Personal spending money
    All Meals are at leisure

    GEAR HIRE

    PDS is able to provide 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

    We will departing Brisbane (Woolloongabba) mid-afternoon on Thursday and from here you will be driven in our company van to Forster, NSW. Upon arrival you will check in to our accommodation and get a good night sleep ready to dive with the sharks in the morning (2 dives), Saturday and on Sunday. On Monday, we will head back to Brisbane before lunch. An itinerary with timings will be sent to you closer to the date of the trip.

    PADI SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP

    Under water Navigation
    Enriched Air (Nitrox)
    Deep Diver (perfect for this trip)
    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].

    OR

    To book online please click HERE