Great Barrier Reef Day Tour Itinerary |
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Snorkelling
Passions of Paradise travels daily to two destinations. The first is to Michaelmas Cay and the second is to Paradise Reef.
Both locations have an abundance of fish and coral, and the coral is located right next to the boat so you don't have to swim far to see it.
Soft coral is most common around the cay, while hard corals are found at Paradise Reef because the water is deeper. This means you get to snorkel two completely different reef systems in one day.
All snorkeling is in areas where coral formations rise to within a couple of meters of the surface and the snorkel gear is the highest quality. For nervous snorkellers, crew are on hand to teach you the finer points.
We have complimentary buoyancy vests, and we hold one of the very rare permits which allow our passengers access to the cay. This means you can learn to snorkel at the waters edge on the beach.
Introductory Divers
So you would like to get up close and
personal with the fish and the
coral like Jaques Cousteau!!!
Intro diving is safe, fun, easy
and the best way to see the Great Barrier
Reef. Our Diving Instructors are
highly experienced, calm and fun to be with. NO experience is necessary, and you don’t even
have to be able to swim. You will be given a full
on-deck briefing, shown how the equipment works and in small groups
of no more than 4 divers, be led on a
Diving Instructor controlled dive. At the end of the dive you’ll
have seen the reef, fish and coral the natural way
and had heaps of fun doing so. Certified
Divers
Certified scuba divers have
a beautiful range of reefs to dive. Paradise Reef is on the true
Outer Great Barrier Reef where the water visibility
is best and the coral most dramatic.
We have a selection of drift
dives, wall dives and, when conditions are
right, our high speed diving tender will take you
to selected remote pinnacles.
The diving equipment is the
highest quality and includes an Aladin Sports computer, Scubapro
Glide 500 BCD, Oceanic split fins, TUSA Liberator mask and Uwatec
guages.
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FAQ |
Do you operate everyday?
Yes we do, every day except for New Years Day.
Where do you check in and what time do you depart?
We check in 7:30 am at our counter at the
new Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal at the end of Spence Street, Marlin
Marina. The boat is located about 50 meters away on the marlin Jetty and we depart at 8 am.
When do you return?
We return at around 5 pm. We always try to do some genuine sailing on the way home (no motors), and so times
can vary either way by 10 or 15 minutes, but generally it is 5 pm.
Do you provide transfers?
Yes, at a small extra charge, because we use a bus company to do this for us.
$10 from the Cairns City area, and $15 from the Outer Suburbs and Northern Beaches.
Can I scuba dive with no experience?
Yes you can. Anybody with general good
health can enjoy the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Please note, all divers must complete a dive medical questionnaire aboard the
boat. Some illnesses such as asthma may preclude you from diving.
Please check with your doctor or our office if you have any
queries.For more information about Dive Medicals visit/www.passions.com.au/dive_medical.htm
Are there many sharks?
You may be lucky enough to see a little white tip reef shark pass you by as small reef sharks are common. However, they are very shy.
Do you still go out if it is raining?
Usually the rain in Cairns tends to stick to the mountainous area's, and as our reef is 40 km's off shore, the
clouds tend to stay away. If you wake up in the morning in Cairns
and it is raining...don't panic! It will usually be fine out at
Paradise Reef and Upolo Cay.
Do you provide all of the dive and snorkel equipment?
Yes, everything. Even Aladdin pro dive computers for the certified divers!
What if I get seasick?
If you are prone to seasickness, it is advisable
to take something before you go. Check with a chemist. As Passions
is a catamaran, it is a lot more stable in rough weather than
monohulls and the sails act as a stabiliser.
What if I forget my diving certification
card?
If you have your log book, bring that with you on
the boat. If you have neither, call your certifying agency and get
them to fax you a copy of your diving certification.
Do you cater for vegetarians?
Yes we do. We have five different salads, plus one
of the two hot dishes is vegetarian - and for those that eat seafood
- we have prawns. Other special requests are sometimes possible
....by all means ask....
What if I can't swim?
The Passions of Paradise crew will look
after you. The boat has a large range of snorkel vests and buoyancy
aids available for you to use, and there are two snorkel stations
near our boat for you to hold on to while you build up your
confidence. Our crew will also hop in the water with you until you
are comfortable. |
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