5 DAY/ 4 NIGHT DIVE CRUISE - Friday Departure
FRIDAY
Our courtesy bus picks passengers up from local Cairns accommodation only. No beach or airport pick ups are available due to time restrictions. The time is 5.00pm pick up or meet at the Cairns Underwater Camera Centre (TAKA Dive Shop) and we transfer to the vessel, which departs from Cairns Harbour at approximately 5.30pm, where guests are then welcomed aboard TAKA II, and the friendly crew will show passengers to their cabins and help organise any dive equipment available for hire onboard the vessel to ensure the customers needs are met during the trip. TAKA II then travels within the protected area of the Great Barrier Reef up to the Cod Hole (Ribbon Reef #10). A thorough briefing of the dive itinerary, questionnaires, introduction to crew and an evening meal is served during the travel up to the Cod Hole.
SATURDAY: Dive 1, 2, 3 & 4 - The Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef
TAKA II arrives at the Cod Hole at approximately 8.00am. The passengers get wet for the first time, which is an easy dive, allowing our divers to get back in the swing of things as well as check out the huge variety of marine life that inhabits this area. The Cod Hole is home to huge Potato Cod. They are an inquisitive species which readily approach and follow divers. Our second dive at the Cod Hole is the Cod Feed, where huge schools of fish and Maori Wrasse compete with the large Potato Cod for a fish dinner. This would have to be one of the world's premier dive experiences. After the second dive we move down the Ribbon Reefs to one of our many select dive locations for an afternoon dive and later, a night dive. During the evening, after the night dive, we steam out to Osprey Reef, which is approximately 12 hours travelling time.
SUNDAY: Dive 5,6,7 & 8 - Osprey Reef, Coral Sea
Diving Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea is one one of the most exciting shark diving locations in Australia. We do a shark feed at the North Horn and some stunning wall dives at Osprey Reef. The wall dives are world famous offering an average visibility of 30 to 50 metres.
MONDAY: Dive 9, 10, 11 & 12
This day is spent diving the magnificent Ribbon Reefs at various locations which have been chosen for their diversity of marine life and coral architecture. You will see giant clams up to 2 metres across, huge coral gardens, swim throughs and an abundance of marine life. Famous dive sites along the Ribbons are Challenger Bay, Steve's Bommie and Temple of Doom. These are between Ribbon #9 and #2. There are three day dives and one night dive.
TUESDAY: Dive 13 & 14
We do our last 2 dives on this day as we are now nearing the end of the trip. These dives are on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and feature unique coral formations and fish life. The last dive is approximately 11,00am. T-shirts, videos and other promotional products are available to order from the vessel and they are delivered onboard the vessel upon arrival. Tips to the crew are not required, but we do ask passengers to fill out a comments form for feedback on the trip. TAKA II then cruises through the reefs arriving into Cairns at approximately 3.30pm.
NOTE: Guests on a 7 day dive excursion, keep luggage onboard and can either stay or be dropped off in town and meet back at the TAKA Dive Shop by 5.00pm and then be transferred back onboard to continue their itinerary to their remaining dives - giving a total of 24 dives.
NOTE: Guests on a 7 day dive excursion, keep luggae onboard and can either stay or be dropped off in town for 1.5 hours and meet back at the TAKA Dive shop no later than 5.00pm to be transferred back onboard to continue their dive trip. At this point, they will complete the second part of the trip and complete their remaining dives - giving a total of 24 dives.
