2 Day Coral Reef Adventure Sailing

Board Coral Sea Dreaming at 0745, finger A02, Marlin Jetty, for morning tea and greet the crew.

Set sail as we motorsail to Cairns outermost reefs. Along the way we conduct introductory and certified dive briefings and a marine naturalist brief. There is plenty of time for passengers to mingle and relax, and get to know each other.

Arrive at our first Outer Reef location (eg. Flynn Reef). This site will be chosen to suit the range of in-water experience of our passengers. Depths will range from 5 to 28 meters giving divers a wide range of options. For the snorkeler, you'll experience extensive coral gardens with an unbelievable amount of marine life. Expect to encounter turtles, small reef sharks and schools of pelagic fish. Our in-water activities are followed by lunch and afternoon tea.

On the Outer Reef large coral bommies sit alongside a reef wall making diving and snorkelling truly spectacular. This is usually where one of our staff will offer a guided snorkel tour for those interested in learning more about the reef. In the afternoon, the boat moves to its second location. This could be Milne Reef, home to the Three Sisters and The Whale .The Sisters is one of Cairns most famous dive sites and offers unsurpassed night and early morning dives. Depths range from 6 to 36 meters. An afternoon dive or snorkel opportunity is followed by preparations for nightfall. Passengers undertaking a night dive are briefed and the diving begins. Dinner is served once activities are completed (during winter, dinner may be served prior to night diving). After dinner, passengers enjoy tea and coffee, a BYO (bring-your-own alcoholic) drink and tall tales. (L,D)

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The Boat is a strongly built 16 metre steel yacht, uniquely designed to travel to the Great Barrier Reef in all kinds of weather. Her rugged build provides a safe platform to sail, dive and snorkel. She carries all the latest navigational aids. CSD sleeps 12 passengers and 3 crew in bunk-style accommodation. Sleeping options available including private cabins, single bunks, and a quad share. Please note that sleeping arrangements are fairly basic due to the boats size, and do not include storage space. Thus passengers are asked to bring only an overnight pack on-board. Backpacks and suitcases can be stored in our office. The vessel is in current 2B survey with a 200 mile offshore range.

A large rear cockpit, where passengers eat meals, mix and mingle, and forward dive deck provide plenty of room for passengers to spread out and relax. The boat is equipped with SCUBAPRO and AQUALUNG dive gear (including computers) and a Bauer 3200 diver compressor to fill tanks while at sea. All snorkelling gear and wetsuits are provided.

The boat is equipped with 2 toilets and a separate hot water shower. An additional fresh water shower is also located at the rear of the boat. A well-equipped galley ensures awesome food and plenty of it.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 16 metres

Beam: 5 meters

Hull: Steel sloop

Survey:

1 B 200 nautical miles from land - 12 passengers overnight

Engine: Cummins 4BT 150 hp

Auxillary: Onan 17.5KVA

Dive Compressor: Bauer Mariner 3200 - 320 l/min - 4 tank fill

Dive tanks: 15 x 80 cu ft

Dive gear: 12 x AQUALUNG, with SCUBAPRO dive computers and compass

Motor/sailing speed: 8 to 9 knots

Awake to the dawn and watch the sun rise over the Coral Sea. Throw yourself into the warm tropical water and wake yourself up! This is the perfect time to snorkel or scuba dive as early morning is a fantastic time to see reef sharks, turtles and cruising pelagic fish. Breakfast is served.

Boat departs to its next location. Generally this location will offer the more experienced diver the chance to have a great drift dive (if at The Edge or Pinnacles). Otherwise, expect a range of boomies and coral gardens at Hastings or Michaelmas Reef. Morning tea is served.

After mid-morning, depending on weather, the boat will move to another site or reef. If the weather is nice, we commonly go to 5 ways - at Moore Reef. This is Cairns best swim through dive. If to the north, we may visit Pretty Patches or Upolu where the protection from stronger winds makes it easier to dive and snorkel. These are shallower reefs with lots of soft coral and isolated bommies. If you are "activity-out", this is also an excellent time to catch up on some serious sun tanning or relax, read a book and take in the stunning views. Lunch is served before departure.

Upon leaving our anchorage we hoist the sails. It is very common to have dolphins surf the bow wave and during the winter months, see humpback whales. The emphasis on the journey home is to relax and enjoy the company of new found friends. Finally, as we leave behind the wonders of the reef, passengers are treated to a spectacular view as we approach one of Australia's most scenic harbours - mountains on the left and right rising high above a beautiful tropical city skyline.

General itinerary allows for 4 day certified and 1 night dive, and 3 day intro dives with an optional night intro (conditions apply) or 4th day intro. Snorkelling is available at all times except at night.

Note : While we have tried to describe a typical trip, our itinerary is reflective of weather conditions at the time. As we have access to a large number of exclusive moorings, we will always seek out the most comfortable locations therefore times and areas/reefs visited may vary. In strong winds the boat usually travels North visiting a selection of reefs which may include Hastings, Michaelmas and Breaking Patches. In lighter winds, we visit the southern reefs comprised of Flynn, Milne or Thetford. (B,L)