DIVING EXPERIENCES
- Affordable Diver, 3 days
- Learn to Dive, 7 days
BRISBANE & SOUTH QUEENSLAND
- Tangalooma Dolphins, 2 days
- Friendly Brisbane, 3 days
- O'Reillys Guesthouse, 3 days
- Fraser Island Resort, 3 days
- Australian Shortstay Getaways
- Longstay Vacations - Gold Coast
- Longstay Vacations - Sunshine Coast
- Exclusive Snowbird Getaways
- Two Wonders in One - Fraser Isl & O'Reilly's
- Brisbane to Cairns Reef & Rail Cruise
CAIRNS & TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
- Cairns - Barrier Reef, 4 days
- Tropical North in Style, 4 days
- Best of Tropical North, 7 days
- Overnight on the Great Barrier Reef, 2 days
PORT DOUGLAS
- Kewarra & Thala Beach, 5 days
- Port Douglas Tropical Escape, 5 days
REEF & RAINFOREST
- Daintree Eco Lodge, 3 days
- Bloomfield, 4 days
- Cape Tribulation, 3 days
- Reef & Rainforest Experience, 5 days
EXTENSION IDEAS
- Brisbane and South Queensland
- Cairns Extension Ideas
- Port Douglas Extension Ideas
- Aboriginal Culture Experiences
CITY MAPS
STAYS OF DISTINCTION
- Lizard Island, 4 days
- Hayman Island, 4 days
- Silky Oaks Lodge, 3 days
- Bedarra Bay Resort, 4 days
- Ultimate Retreat, 12 days
- Wrotham Park, 3 days
RESORT STAYS
- Cairns & Green Island, 5 days
- Heron & Wilson Island, 4 days
- Dunk Island, 4 days
- Hamilton Island, 4 days
- Cairns & Dunk Island, 7 days
- Whitsundays Escape, 4 days
- Hayman Island, 4 days
CRUISES
- Orion Expedition Cruises
- Coral Princess 3 nights
- Reef Odyssey 3 nights
SAILING ADVENTURES
- Barefoot Experiences 3 - 7 days
SELF-DRIVES
- Wildlife and Rainforest, 6 days
- Tropical North, 6 days
ADVENTURE AUSTRALIA
- Go Wild Reef & Rainforest, 3 days
- Rock Art & Rainforest 4WD Safari, 3 days
Goway can also arrange a variety of dive options in other parts of Australia.
Dive with Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia or experience a dive in a shark's cage on the Great Barrier Reef.
Dive packages from basic to luxurious are available.
Queensland Independent Travel Packages
LEARN TO DIVE - PADI CERTIFICATE COURSE
7 days
CLASSROOM-POOL-OPEN-WATER
If you are thinking about taking the plunge and learning to dive, the 5 day PADI "Open Water" dive course is the most popular option. Your course includes 2 days of land-based theory and pool training, then 3 days and 2 nights at the Great Barrier Reef staying onboard Pro Dive's liveaboard dive vessel. With a total of 4 training and 5 certified dives, including 1 night dive, this course is unmatched for experience and value.
Day 1. Arrive Cairns. You will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 2. Dive course. Here you learn the basics of scuba diving, both classroom and pool, at Pro Dive's modern, purpose built diver training centre in Cairns.
Day 3. Dive course. At the end of day 2 your course includes the option of attending "Reef Teach" a 2 hour marine biology presentation (additional cost).
Day 4-5. Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard. You will be met and transferred to your vessel. Breakfast is served onboard, while you make your way to the Great Barrier Reef. You have the opportunity to do 9 dives in total. Your first 4 training dives see you completing your PADI certification then 5 additional recreational dives to enjoy your new skills and gain some experience. One of these dives is a guided night dive!
Pro Dive Cairns have access to 16 exclusive sites on 5 different reefs. These sites have been selected for their variety and quality of both coral and marine life as well as great visibility. Weather permitting, you will rarely dive the same site more than twice.
Day 6. Last evening on the Great Barrier Reef. When you return to Cairns, you have the opportunity to join the crew and your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. You will also be transferred back to your Cairns accommodation for your last night.
Day 7. Depart Cairns. Today is at leisure until you are met and transferred to the airport for your next flight or stay longer if you wish.
Remember it is not recommended to fly within 24 hrs of diving. Flight arrivals and departures should be carefully planned to avoid cancellation fees due to missed connections.
DEPARTURES:
Monday to Sunday.
PRICES:
Please request the latest prices.
HOTELS IN CAIRNS
- Discovery Resort - Economy
- 201 Lake Street - Moderate
- Tradewinds Esplanade - First
PRICE INCLUDES:
4 nights accommodation in Cairns, 2 nights onboard boat, PADI Gold Open Water certification, PADI Open Water Manual (available in a variety of languages), dive log book, 2 passport photos (required for certification), all dive and snorkelling equipment (includes dive computer and long leg wetsuits), prescription lens masks (if required), accommodation transfers (city and northern beaches), double or twin share accommodation on board, all meals & bed linen on board.
NOT INCLUDED:
Dive medical AU$49.50 payable direct to the doctor on Day 1 of the dive course. An additional fee of $35.00 per person is payable direct to Pro Dive.
MV ScubaPro I, II, & III vessel information.
BOOK EARLY:
Space on vessel is limited and must be booked early to avoid disappointment. Facilities and accommodation are shared, either twin berth or double cabin.
NOTE: A medical examination is compulsory and must be taken in Cairns or completed prior to departure.
HOTELS
- Discovery Resort - Economy
- 201 Lake Street - Moderate
- Rydges Tradewinds - First Class
DIVERS TIPS
Do I need to bring my Certification card and log book.
It is an Australian Government requirement that your certification card be sighted by the company you are diving with. You cannot dive as a certified diver without producing your card. It is also recommended you bring your diver's log book.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
The companies represented in this brochure all provide the highest quality rental gear.
However, if you are doing a lot of diving on your holiday you may prefer to bring your own gear. An alternative air source
(i.e. Octopus) is mandatary.
What weight wetsuit do you recommend?
A 3 to 5mm wet suit is suitable all year round.
How many dives can I do per day?
Australian government standards set a maximum of 4 dives per day, which are available on liveaboard trips within this brochure. Day trips offer dives.
What size tanks will be on board?
The standard size tank operators provide is 65cfm.
Will I have a dive guide?
The normal situation for all companies represented in this brochure is for divers to dive in buddy pairs without a guide, however dive guides can be arranged as an option.
What is the depth of the average dive?
The Great Barrier Reef is relatively shallow diving with an average maximum depth of around 20 metres (60 feet). The Coral Sea reefs represent deeper dive sites with some walls dropping down to 100 metres
(300 Feet) however your dive depths will be within your certification allowances and dive tables.
What visibility can I expect?
The Great Barrier Reef experiences an average visibility of 20 metres (~65 feet) with a range of 20 to 30 metres. The Coral Sea experiences an average of 30 metres (~100 feet) visibility.
Will there be strong currents?
The Great Barrier Reef rarely experiences strong currents. Dive operators with a selection of sites can take divers to sites not subject to strong currents when great tide changes are experienced.
Can I do a shore dive?
Due to the freshwater run off from many river system's, coral reefs do not grow close to the shore and all coral reef diving is available only from islands or dive boats at a distance of 35 to 50 km (20 to 30 miles)
offshore.
What provisions are made for photographer's with equipment?
All dive companies in this brochure have dry areas, tables and freshwater tubs for photographers as well as power outlets for the recharging of batteries. Taka Dive also has facilities for developing film on board.
Can I hire underwater cameras?
All companies within this brochure have underwater still cameras for hire.
Will my non-diving partner be looked after?
Snorkellers are welcome on all trips within this brochure. Guided snorkel tours and "Resort" dives are offered.
What is reef tax?
A government reef tax of a $4.50 per person per day goes towards research and the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef. Pro Dive and Tulsa Dive include reef tax in their trip costs, while this charge is payable on board with Taika Dive.
Will hotel transfers be provided?
All companies in this brochure provide courtesy coach transfers from Cairns accommodation.
Pro Dive and Tulsa also provide transfers from the Beaches (through to Palm Cove).
Do l need to take out dive insurance?
It is recommended you take out comprehensive dive insurance. If you do not have your own, it is available on Tulsa Dive and Taka Dive at additional cost, while Pro Dive includes insurance coverage within your trip costs.
Flying after Diving.
In the interest of safety it is advised to allow a minimum of 12 hours between flying and diving, however 24 hours is preferred. There is no time limit on flying before diving.
Stingers
Or box jellyfish are found along the beaches between November and April. They do not venture far from the coast and are never seen out on the Reef, therefore do not form a threat to divers.
OTHER DIVE IDEAS
Goway can also arrange a variety of dive options in other parts of Australia.
Dive with Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia or experience a dive in a shark's cage on the Great Barrier Reef.
Dive packages from basic to luxurious are available.
or call 1-800-387-8850
