2-day/1-night Heli-Dive Great Barrier Reef Trip
Compass Cruises |
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This trip is aboard Reef Encounter, a 115 foot Catamaran with a maximum of 57 divers and a Dive Staff of 6. It is for 2 days, 1 night, and allows 5 dives, plus 1 night dive.
Departure Information
Departure is from your Cairns lodging (pickup included), Cairns at 9:30 AM every day, return time 4:00 PM.
The Dive
A heli-dive trip aboard the Reef Encounter presents all sorts of great opportunities for divers and snorkelers.
First and foremost is the reef itself. Not only do you get an exciting view from the air during your quick 15-minute trip to the reef, the real excitement starts once you land on board! The Reef Encounter has a landing platform built specifically for helicopter landings.
The boat works its way between Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reefs, as well as Breaking Patches, all good dive sites.
 Norman Reef lies at the eastern, outermost edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
Due to the size and layout of this dive boat, there are opportunities for divers seeking all levels of comfort, and on all sorts of budgets. To be honest, every cabin on board is both spacious and well outfitted; each cabin is truly a stateroom with eitherh a double or two single beds on the floor (no bunks), and each cabin has it's own bathroom/shower.
The top deck staterooms are the deluxe staterooms, with your stay including extra special services such as champagne on arrival and a tropical breakfast served to you in your cabin, a quiet dinners on deck.
The Reef Encounter also has an extensive introductory dive program. Snorkelers have the opportunity to purchase a package of 5 introductory dives over the course of this trip, at a very good price.
For more info about this boat, see the floorplan.
The Boat
The Reef Encounter is one of the newest and nicest liveaboard vessels operating out of Cairns. A large 115ft Catamaran, built specially for extremely comfortable liveaboard diving, it has ample room for up to 57 passengers. There are spacious deck, dining, and recreation areas for relaxing between and after diving.
The boat is air-conditioned thoughout. We especially liked the spacious and nicely outfitted cabins, many of which had ensuite bathrooms. She's also the only boat on this part of the reef with a heated spa, a great place to warm up after a night dive.
Trip Prices
Included
 Mask, Snorkel, Fins (with Snorkel price only)
Scuba dive lesson (with Snorkel price only)
All dive gear (with Dive price only)
All linen
All meals
Tea/coffee
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All prices are in
US Dollars. |
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1 Apr 08 -
onwards
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| Snorkeler, stateroom, one-way heli |
$662 |
| Certified Diver, stateroom, one-way heli |
$751 |
| Snorkeler, top deck cabin, one-way heli |
$971 |
| Snorkeler, stateroom, round trip heli |
$1,000 |
| Certified Diver, top deck cabin, one-way heli |
$1,054 |
| Certified Diver, stateroom, round trip heli |
$1,088 |
| Snorkeler, top deck cabin, round trip heli |
$1,308 |
| Certified Diver, top deck cabin, round trip heli |
$1,392 |
| Extras: | |
| Beer, wine, soda, on sale at bar |
- | | Environmental management charge (pay on board) per day |
$5 | | Torch/batteries for night dives. per night |
$5 | | Wetsuit per day |
$5 | | Transfers to/from your Cairns lodging |
$9 | | Fuel levy (pay on board) per day |
$10 | | Guided certified dives |
$10 | | Transfers: Northern Beaches |
$13 | | DAN Insurance |
$15 | | 2nd Intro. Scuba dive |
$38 | | 1st Intro. Scuba dive |
$52 | | SSI advanced course |
$86 | | PADI advanced course |
$167 |
About Compass Cruises
Compass Cruises is a locally owned and operated company. The owners, John and Lyndell, seem to be everywhere; on the boat, in town and in the office overseeing the operations. The company has been in business since 1988. They operate two different dive boats, the Compass, which takes one day trips, and also servers as the shuttle, taking divers to and from their live aboard boat, the Reef Encounter, which stays for long periods out on the reef.
The company has a diverse set of offerings with options to suit folks and a wide range of budgets. Scuba divers and snorkellers seeking a luxurious live aboard experience can enjoy the top deck club cabins and services and even fly out to the boat on a helicopter. Budget travelers can enjoy a day trip on the reef at the lowest price around, and will find that Compass budget live aboard options are also a great value.
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