Do we need to be experienced divers to go on this trip?
Most of our divers are intermediate to experienced, however, we do have
recently certified divers join us. You will find that by the end of the trip
your diving skills have greatly improved. Divers who have not dived during the
6 months prior to the expedition may wish to undertake a refresher course
available onboard. Undersea Explorer's professional staff are there to assist
those with less experience, so that the adventure divers are not held back.
The marine biology and research focus means that Undersea Explorer is
interesting for both divers and snorkellers alike.
What does the PADI Advanced Dive Course include?
Includes 5 Dives and a manual. The three core subjects are Navigation, Deep
Diving and Night Diving. The two elective subjects are usually Underwater
Naturalist and Boat or Drift Diving (depending on the tides the week of the
course). The course is run by our Dive Instructor onboard and is conducted
over the six days of the trip and the cost is $190.00
Do we dive as a group? Is there one divemaster or more?
Most of the divers that join Undersea Explorer are intermediate to experienced
and are free to plan and execute their dives with their buddy. There is
experienced crew diving every dive to assist divers that are less experienced
or less confident.
We certainly adapt to situations onboard and offer a high level of staff
service and ongoing dive tuition. We do encourage and teach divers to be self
sufficient and confident in their own abilities in a variety of situations.
Are these research or adventure diving expeditions?
Both. On all expeditions guests enjoy the best adventure diving plus the
enthusiasm of the researchers whilst research projects are conducted around
them. This results in interesting and informative marine biology
presentations, slide shows and hands-on learning in the water.
Do I get to help with the research?
The Undersea Explorer Marine Biologists and visiting scientists are
responsible for collecting research data. We ensure that all passenger diving
is to recreational diving guidelines, however guests often become involved in
identification, behavioural observations, photography and other aspects of the
research. During dives and on board between dives all types of interesting
research activities are carried out, just your presence ensures that we can
continue our vision of funding marine research and conservation.
When is the best time of year to dive the Great Barrier Reef?
Coral Sea diving is excellent year round. Generally, Jan - March is considered
our monsoon season with amazing feeding and marine action following the
breeding season. April - September is our winter, which can offer great
visibility and beautiful weather but possibly stronger winds. October -
December has warmer weather with many coral reef species reproducing during
this time.
Diving on the Far Northern Expeditions?
Guests joining our Far Northern expeditions are generally intermediate to
experienced divers. For any trip, divers who have not dived during the 6
months prior to the expedition or inexperienced divers are recommended to
undertake a Refresher course.
This is extremely important for passengers joining the Far Northern
Expeditions as we do 2 - 3 drift dives per day (weather permitting) plus a
night dive in remote reefs. Divers joining us on these expeditions are often
repeat passengers and/or experienced divers looking for something out of the
ordinary. We offer four Far Northern expeditions annually during October to
December and although some of the dives sites have not previously been dived,
the experienced crew assures diving safety, especially during drift dives.
Snorkelling on the Far Northerns?
On the Far Northerns we do 2 - 3 drift dives per day (weather permitting) plus
a night dive in remote reefs. Some of these sites are not ideally suited to
snorkelling, but an "adventure" snorkeller would make the most of them. An
adventure snorkeller is someone who is comfortable and confident in the water
in varying weather conditions and does not need a sheltered coral bay with
ideal conditions. Some dive sites are on the outer walls of the reef and
snorkelling these sites would depend on how adventurous you are.
The weather from October to December is usually extremely good, making them
great months for snorkelling although you still need to be prepared for the
Tropic's unpredictability. In addition, the Far Northerns are our most
adventurous trips and some dive sites have not been dived previously.
Concerned about seasickness?
The Undersea Explorer is a very stable vessel, but obviously weather
conditions and individual susceptibility to seasickness play a part. For those
concerned about seasickness we recommend the following:
Take Kwells, Scopalamine (patches available in USA) or similar tablets early
on the day of travel. It is a good idea to try these tablets prior to travel
to see how they affect you and to be familiar with any side effects that they
may cause, such as slight drowsiness. Natural ginger motion sickness tablets
are available onboard Undersea Explorer.
Boarding is from 1700hrs onwards, and the vessel departs at approximately
1930hrs. The vessel steams overnight to the first dive site ready for the
first dive at approximately 0800hrs the next morning. Upon departure it is
sensible to go to your cabin and sleep where you will start to adjust to the
motion of the vessel. Lying down and sleeping is best, do not stay on the
upper deck or in the lounge or bathroom if feeling queasy, as these areas are
most likely to cause seasickness. The areas on the vessel that have the least
movement are the lower deck cabins and the back deck. You can request a lower
deck cabin and if these are not already requested we are very happy to
allocate these to you.
Hopefully you will have adjusted to the movement to the boat by the time the
vessel arrives for the first dive, and before you know it you will be blowing
bubbles under the water. After the first dive we steam 1 1/2 hours to the next
site and the best place to be is the back or upper deck with fresh air and a
view of the horizon. This routine continues for the rest of the expedition
with the majority of the vessels steaming done at night, with short steams
between dive sites. While travelling inside the Ribbon Reefs seasickness is
rarely an issue, the overnight steam from GBR to Osprey Reef is more animated
and taking seasickness tablets early for this crossing is advised.
As you become familiar with the motion of the boat and find your sea legs, you
may find that you do not require seasickness medicine.
Flying, Ballooning or Parachuting after diving?
Increasing altitude and the resulting decreasing pressure is certainly a
factor in the cause of decompression illness after diving. For this reason a
NO flying times of 24 hours after diving exists. This relates to anything over
300metres (1000ft) and includes skydiving and hot air balloon rides (unless
under 300m)! It is especially relevant if you have been doing repetitive
diving and deep diving (up to 40 metres) for 6 days, which is the case on the
Undersea Explorer expeditions. Decompression sickness is due to the release of
pressure and the build up of nitrogen, which can cause bubbles in your
circulatory system, the bubbles can create blockages and cause the 'bends'. It
is highly recommended that you delay flying for at least a 24 hour period
after your last dive, definitely no flying within the same 24 hour period,
better still skydive or balloon before your trip.
Size of air tanks for divers?
Compressed air 11.4 and 8 litres capacity (80 and 66 cubic feet)
International valve fittings?
Standard SAE tank valve fittings are available on the vessel (USA, Australia
etc)
Din valve adapters for SAE tanks are available on the vessel, must be booked
in advance (Germany)
What mm wetsuits are available for hire?
We have 5mm long arm, long leg wetsuits for hire. Please see our fact sheet
for water temperatures.
Great White Shark?
Undersea Explorer does some outrageous shark dives and research programs
studying behaviour, movements, breeding and growth. We also track and tag the
animals with the latest technological gear. However we don't have Great White
sharks in the Northern Tropics, so if you are interested specifically in these
animals you should contact Ian Gordon in Sydney (PH: 02-9972 9146, Fax:
02-9971 4686, Mobile: 0418 630592 email:
ote@ozemail.com.au. He runs
great white trips generally around March - April each year and is also
researching their biology during these trips. You will definitely be inside a
cage!!!! Another contact is Rolf Czabayski, who owns and operates Calypso Star
out of Adelaide, South Australia. Their contact details are as follows:-
webpage: www.calypsostarcharter.com.au Ph: 08 83644428 Mobile: 0418 817404,
Fax: 08 83326360
Will I get to see Hammerheads?
5 years of observations has shown that schools of Hammerheads have been
present at Osprey Reef throughout the entire year. Observations of more than
10 at any time are more frequent in the cooler months of May to October.
This is quite different to schooling hammerhead at other locations in the
world where it is often a set pinnacle or small focal point where the
schooling occurs. I think at Osprey reef that the school may be a bit deeper
than our general 40 metre dive depth with a bit wider range around the
Northern reef point. This would mean our observations result from their forays
away from a key point.
The short answer is - they are there, but not as easy for divers to experience
as in some locations. In general the better, quieter divers will be the ones
who have the sightings one or two animals, with occasional school sightings.
Osprey Reef is a particularly exciting shark location with a wide variety of
species including residential whitetip and grey reef shark populations and
frequent silvertip whaler shark encounters.
Can I hire an underwater camera?
Underwater cameras are available at Uptown Rentals in Port Douglas:
Sea & Sea YF40A 9 (Yellow Sub) with strobe flash, approximately AU$45.00 per
day plus AU$20.00 per extra day or AU$140.00 for one week, (estimate only),
please check with Uptown Rentals to confirm prices.
Ph: 07 4099 5568 uptown@ledanet.com.au or visit their web site for other
equipment: www.uptown.com.au for up-to-date prices.
A CD-rom containing classic Undersea Explorer images and a collection of
digital shots from the expedition is available at a cost of $55
Digital Camera Downloading?
We produce a trip CD of digital images for sale for $55. We would be able to
load your images on to this CD as well.
We also have facilities for you to download images after each dive, onto a
computer dedicated for guest use. Blank CDs are available for purchase at a
cost of $5 each. Many people choose to bring their own laptops.
Do you have power adapters for my appliances?
Available on the vessel are plug converters that convert the American plug to
the 3 pronged Australian plug, 110v - 240v plug converters. Also we have a
110v transformer available with a selection of adapter outlets (suitable for
USA plugs). Please note that you do need to bring any battery chargers
relevant to your specific equipment requirements.
What are your accommodation recommendations?
Port Douglas is a small coastal town with a lovely relaxed atmosphere and a
range of styles of accommodation from backpacker dorms, motel rooms, self
contained studio rooms or apartments to resort style accommodation. There are
plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, tours and activities, which can all be
arranged whilst staying in Port Douglas. You might even consider hiring a car
for one/two days to investigate the local area and beautiful scenery. Port
Douglas & Daintree Tourist Association has a web site at www.pddt.com.au which
outlines regional information, activities, tours and accommodation and will
help you in planning your entire holiday.
Cairns is a small city, an hour south of Port Douglas, with all the above
mentioned accommodation and activities. Should you wish to stay in Cairns
visit the Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) web site at
www.tropicalaustralia.com for a comprehensive list of accommodation and
activities in the area, alternatively Queensland Tourist and Travel
Corporation (QTTC) has an extensive webpage at: www.qttc.com.au
Should you require any additional advice or assistance in booking
accommodation our reservations staff will be happy to help.
What are the transfer options from Cairns to Port Douglas?
The vessel departs from Port Douglas which is one hour north of Cairns. A
local bus company provides a regular service and costs AU $27.50 per person
one way and the trip takes approximately 11/2 hours.
Alternatively, private car or bus transfers are available for families,
groups, or those with large quantities of dive gear and luggage.
What is your O2 capacity on board, and where is the nearest chamber?
The Undersea Explorer has 3 x G size cylinders on board the vessel.
(8,300 ltrs x 3 = 24,900 ltrs)
The nearest decompression chamber is in Townsville, which is 450km south of
Cairns. We offer DAN 30 Day Travel Assist insurance for emergency medical
evacuation or you can take up yearly membership, but you must do this in your
country of residence. DAN makes all the arrangements via our crew if there is
the need to medivac a passenger and they (DAN's doctors) make the decision
where and if to medivac the passenger.
All crew are trained in Senior First Aid, Oxygen Resuscitation and Remote Area
First Aid and we make it compulsory for all crew to do 6 monthly updates.
Are Jellyfish a problem?
Undersea Explorer is leading the way with research and guidelines to minimise
problems from jellyfish stings.
Jellyfish occur in all tropical waters. Due to the research efforts and level
of knowledge about jellyfish in the Northern Great Barrier Reef we can offer
much better safety and information about this issue than in other tropical
diving locations.
We do know that the most lethal species of box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri,
live in estuaries and coastal waters and do not venture off shore to the areas
dived by Undersea Explorer.
There are other species of jellyfish, including oceanic and offshore species
of box jellyfish, which occasionally occur and if encountered can have serious
health issues and in extreme instances, cause fatality. These occur in all
tropical diving locations throughout the world, including Hawaii, Florida, the
Caribbean, Thailand, Fiji and Indonesia especially during the warmer seasons.
We advise the wearing of full body coverage using lycra suits and/or wetsuits
to minimise the already low possibility of jellyfish stings, but more
importantly to protect from sunburn, wherever you dive. Suits are available
but obviously it is best to bring your own as there are many different body
shapes and a hire suit will never fit you as well as your own.
Can I hire an underwater camera?
Underwater cameras are available at:
Digital Diver in Cairns:
Digital Camera Sony P100 including 512 MB card, Battery Charger, & manual
$35 per day
Ph: 07 4031 9266 or check their website
www.digitaldiver.com.au
Uptown Rentals in Port Douglas:
Sea & Sea YF40A 9 (Yellow Sub) with strobe flash Approximately AU$45.00 per
day plus AU$20.00 per extra day or AU$140.00 for one week, (estimate only),
please check with Uptown Rentals to confirm prices.
Ph: 07 4099 5568 uptown@ledanet.com.au or visit their web site for other
equipment:
www.uptown.com.au for up-to-date prices.
A CD-rom containing classic Undersea Explorer images and a collection of
digital shots from the expedition is available. CD-rom $55
Is Nitrox Diving available?
Yes, Undersea Explorer does offer Nitrox diving as at 8 April 2006. The
costs are AU$10/fill or $20/day, payable onboard.
Nitrox (also called oxygen enriched air) diving is an activity in which
divers use breathing gasses that contain elevated levels of oxygen beyond
the 21% found in normal air.
Onboard Undersea Explorer we provide a mix of 32% nitrox. We dive using
computers designed for air diving, and follow the air diving times and
surface intervals.
We dive strictly to Queensland Diving regulations, and diving deeper than 40
metres is not permitted. We have an excellent safety record and considering
the remoteness of the diving locations, want to maintain this standard.
Weather Forecasts:
North Coastal Waters Forecast
Look for the Peninsula Waters, Torres Strait to Cooktown forecast
East Coast Pressure Map
Australia Weather Radar Rainfall
Satellite Image
Current Temperature & time Cairns :
