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Undersea Explorer is a liveaboard scuba diving operation, which combines adventure diving with marine research. Each week we allocate two berth spaces for marine scientists, in addition to employing a biologist as a crewmember. This enables us to carry out valuable research on a reliable, regular basis, on remote coral reefs. In turn, our guests are able to learn from marine scientists, and enjoy new and different dive experiences including shark attraction dives, in-water encounters with whales, and night plankton ‘black-water hang’ dives. The research activities fit around the diving program, adding a stimulating atmosphere of discovery to all expeditions while contributing to our knowledge and conservation of marine eco-systems.
Departing from Port Douglas, our expeditions are 6 days and 6 nights duration, with maximum 20 guests. We visit remote Osprey Reef which offers 1000 metre drop-offs and exciting pelagic action, and the many varied dive sites encompassing the coral gardens of the Ribbon Reefs and the world famous Cod Hole.
Undersea Explorer is ideal for all certified scuba divers or competent snorkellers. It is an excellent experience for people attuned to nature based and environmental special interest options.
| Osprey Reef Shark Encounter - 6 days, 3-4 dives per day |
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This expedition includes 3 days (weather depending) at remote Osprey Reef which offers incredible visibility and 1000 metre deep coral walls. At North Horn, Osprey Reef, where the currents meet, we'll see large schools of tuna, barracuda and plenty of sharks - white tips, grey and silver tip whalers, leopard sharks, thresher sharks and schooling hammerheads. This is exhilarating diving with the shark experts and the adventure will include shark attraction diving with often 25 sharks in the water with you.
You'll also enjoy the contrast of 3 days diving the Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. There's many varied dive sites featuring the diversity of coral gardens, the overwhelming fish life of the pinnacles, and diving the world famous Cod Hole. | |
| Minke Whale Expedition Mid June to July - 6 days, 2-3 dives per day |
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Through years of experience and research, we are proud to offer you the ultimate 'inwater' whale encounter. On these expeditions you will swim with magnificent Dwarf Minke Whales, and have the added bonus of diving the northern Great Barrier Reef.
It is very hard to describe the experience of being in the water, when a five ton whale approaches you as close as a metre away! Encounters may be with one to twenty whales at one time. The excitement of being part of the Undersea Explorer team, where the research enhances the guests experience and ensures that all activities are eco-friendly and sustainable, is unique . In fact the International Whale Commission has cited our operation as a best practice case study for in-water whale tourism.
This expedition features 6 days diving the Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. There's many varied dive sites featuring the diversity of coral gardens, the overwhelming fish life of the pinnacles, and diving the world famous Cod Hole. | |
| Remote Far Northern Expedition - Oct-Dec 9 days, 3-4 dives per day |
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Expeditions to Great Detached Reef, Raine Island, Mantis Reef and Wreck Bay near the top of Australia.
Travelling to the Far Northern regions of the Great Barrier Reef will always be the pinnacle of extreme adventure diving. Australia's spring is the best time to dive the outer walls, offering a great chance of encounters with megafauna - Brydes Whales, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks are all regular visitors to this region. A dive at Raine Island Reef at dawn or dusk in the middle of a "turtle highway" is simply awesome! Raine Island can have up to 11,000 green turtles nesting on the coral cay each night, and our divers are diving at a time when the turtles are moving to or from the beach. Added to this the excitement of seeing turtle predators such as the Tiger Shark, and your adventure diving experience is complete!
Your panoramic flight to or from Lockhart River gives you the opportunity to view the vast wilderness of the Cape York coastline and reefs. | |
| EXPEDITIONS: |
RATE: |
6 day Expeditions - High Season 1 Jan - 14 Jan 7 May to 5 Aug 8 Oct to 30 Dec |
$2600.00 |
6 day Expeditions - Low Season 15 Jan - 6 May 6 Aug - 30 Sep |
$2100.00 |
9 day Far Nth Expeditions O204: 9 - 18 Oct O304: 18 - 27 Oct N204: 17 - 26 Nov N304: 26 Nov - 5 Dec |
$3900.00 plus $400.00 airfare |
| Rates are in Australian dollars, per person, twin share, and are inclusive of GST | |
| RATES INCLUDE: |
GEAR HIRE (payable onboard): |
Accommodation in air conditioned twin share cabins
Chef prepared meals
20-22 dives
weights, tanks and airfills
nterpretive presentations |
Wetsuit - $33.00 p/wk BCD - $66.00 p/wk Reg/Computer - $99.00 p/wk Computer only - $48.00 p/wk Mask/snorkel/fins - $33.00 p/wk Full set of gear - $190.00 p/wk Dive Light - $44.00 p/wk |
| EXTRAS (payable onboard): |
Dan 30 day Travel assist$16.00 Environmental Management Charge (per week) - $12.00 Refresher course - $55.00 Advanced course - $190.00 | |
| PAYMENT POLICY: |
CANCELLATION POLICY: |
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20% deposit is required to confirm booking.
Balance payable 60 days prior to departure. |
60 days prior to departure - administration fee of $100.
Between 60-30 days prior to departure - 20% of full price.
Within 30 days of departure - full price forfeiture. | |
| EXTREME WEATHER: |
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Extreme weather may cause cancellation or adjustment to the advertised itinerary. We fully expect to honor all bookings, however, we reserve the right to cancel at any time prior to departure. In the event a trip is cancelled, alternative arrangements will be offered. If these are unacceptable all monies will be refunded. If the weather is unsuitable we reserve the right to shorten or cancel a trip, change itinerary or substitute a vessel, and any refund would be based on the number of days cancelled, not the quality or quantity of dives. | |
GROUP AND WHOLE BOAT CHARTER RATES Valid to 31 March 2007 | |
| HIGH SEASON GROUP RATES: |
| Group rates are based on the per person twin share rate. 10 paying passengers receive the 11th passenger free of charge. |
| VALIDITY DATES: |
RATE: |
6 day Expeditions 1 Jan - 14 Jan 7 May to 5 Aug 8 Oct to 30 Dec |
POA |
9 day Far Nth Expeditions O204: 9 - 18 Oct O304: 18 - 27 Oct N204: 17 - 26 Nov N304: 26 Nov - 5 Dec |
POA | |
| LOW SEASON GROUP RATES: |
| Group rates are based on per person twin share. 5 paying passengers receive the 6th passenger free of charge |
| VALIDITY DATES: |
RATE: |
15 Jan - 6 May 6 Aug - 30 Sep |
POA | |
| WHOLE BOAT CHARTER RATES: |
| VALIDITY DATES: |
RATE: |
| 1 Jan 2005 - 31 Mar 2006 |
POA |
| Rates are in Australian dollars and include GST | |
| RATES INCLUDE: |
RELOCATION CHARGE: |
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Accommodation in air conditioned twin share cabins
Chef prepared meals
Weights, tanks and airfills
Interpretive presentations
Maximum number of passengers - 20 |
If a whole boat charter involves the relocation of the vessel, a relocation charge of 50% of the gross daily rate will apply per day. | |
| RATIONALISATION OF GROUPS AND WHOLE BOAT CHARTERS: |
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Whole boat charter and group numbers are reassessed 6 months prior to departure, and also at this time a rooming list is required. | |
| PAYMENT POLICY: |
CANCELLATION POLICY: |
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10% holding deposit to confirm space.
Further 20% deposit payable 6 months prior to departure.
Balance payable 2 months prior to departure. |
180 days plus prior to departure - $500.00 administration fee.
Between 180-60 days prior to departure - 30% deposit.
60-0 days prior to departure - full price forfeiture.
In the event of a full forfeiture, we may, at the discretion of management and replacement bookings, be able to appropriately recompense. | |
All prices are in Australian dollars and are subject to change without notice.
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