Half-day Morning Great Barrier Reef Snorkel trip
Ocean Safari |
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This trip is aboard Ocean Safari, a 40 foot Mono Hull Sailboat with a maximum of 42 divers and a Dive Staff of 3. It is for 1/2 day.
Departure Information
Departure is from Cape Tribulation Beach, Cape Tribulation at 9:00 AM every day, return time 12:30 PM.
The Dive
Cape Tribulation is one of the few places along the Great Barrier Reef where the reef is easy to access; the reef is just 15km offshore.
The speed of the boat makes it an easy 30-minute trip out to the reefs, creating a great half-day trip opporunity. On this trip you can spend two hours on two different reefs, and be back in time for lunch, your ride back to Cairns, or other afternoon activities.
 A free pickup from your Cape Tribulation lodging and return back after the trip makes for an even simpler day.
You will visit two very nice snorkeling locations, on Mackay and Undine Reefs. These interesting dive locations usually have great visibility and being far from major agricultural or urban areas have always provided great snorkeling during our visits.
Ocean Safari is a bit smaller than most dive boats, so it has less deck and private space than the larger dive boats. However, the speed of the boat means that the commute to and from the reef is shortest anywhere up and down the entire coast.
We also very much like the fact that this operation has earned an eco-tourism accreditation for it’s environmental stewardship. Their practices include using a very fuel efficient boat with clean marine engines that use 30% less fuel, anchoring practices that reduce damage to corals and interference with Dugongs and Sea Turtles, as well as marine education programs for their guests.
The Boat
The Ocean Safaris the only boat of it’s kind in operating in Cape Tribulation. Launched in 2007 and using what’s called a RIB design, this boat is quick as can be, she travels at speeds up to 80km per hour, and takes just 30 minutes to reach the reef. Because of the speed of the boat, those prone to seasickness will love this short and roll-free trip. This 12-metre (40-foot) boat takes up to 25 snorkelers out to the reef at a time. A boat this fast does not have a great deal of open deck space, but does include shaded seating areas as well as a toilet. Because of its low profile, entrances and exits from the water are pretty easy.
Trip Prices
Included
 Prescription masks (with Snorkel price only)
Mask, Snorkel, Fins (with Snorkel price only)
Transfers from your Cape Trib accommodation (with Snorkel price only)
Environmental management charge (with Snorkel price only)
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All prices are in
US Dollars. |
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10 Jan 08 -
onwards
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| Snorkeller, child, 14 or younger |
$57 |
| Snorkeller, adult |
$88 |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children |
$264 |
| Extras: | |
| Soft drinks and candy (for sale at counter) |
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Children are between the ages of 14 and 15
About Ocean Safari
Ocean Safari is owned and operted by Ocean Hotels, a company that specializes in tourism in the Cape Tribulation, Cairns and Airlie Beach. This reef trip operation is run as a part of their operations of two resorts in Cape Tribultion, the Ferntrees Resort and Coconut Beach Lodge. The company extends it's attention to detail and guest comfort to include this dive operation.
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