Tag Archives: Cairns

Learned To Scuba Dive Finally!

Posted on by Maria

After Airlie Beach Cairns must be one of the best destinations to have fun in Australia. It was so impressive I in fact went back three times in the space of my travels. The Great Barrier Reef from Cairns seemed to be just a bonus.

Cairns is where I completed my PADI Advanced Open water scuba diving training course. I achieved it with Deep Sea Divers Den for a 5 day liveaboard dive course which was certainly fantastic. I at first looked at scuba diving with a company called Reef Dive but these guys looked fairly expensive and I had heard a lot of positive things about their particular learn to dive courses. Additionally after a little bit more digging I found out they’d probably just about the finest scuba dive facilities .

Their particular boat has recently been totally rejuvinated and has all the most up-to-date gizmos installed. It has comfortable air-con cabins which accommodate 2-4 persons, has a big saloon, lounge and its own bar. Of course it even has a spa on the fore deck to sit in and chill out . The actual food was as could be expected and created in a rather well built galley, one of the best foods they prepared was steamed Barramundi . Yumm .

The boat is permanently based at the Great Barrier Reef but would shift every so often to different areas of the reef, which would either be carried out through the night if a long way or early in the morning if closeby . This was great as you’re able to dive a variety of reefs and also a truly unique diving experience . These guys had a fast transfer boat that takes you there and back which also enables you to add a further day if you desire.

I absolutely wouldn’t recommend anybody else to teach you to Learn to Dive in Cairns however, if you decide to look elsewhere please be cautious when selecting a dive course in Cairns as most dive schools make use of fixed platforms at sea which you stay on and commute by means of boat for the scuba diving, not quite the live onboard you expected!

Obtaining Price reduction Cairns Vacation Packages

Posted on by Maria

When arranging your Cairns vacation, one of several things that you will need to take into account is definitely the total price. Once you have made the decision upon the place where you want to check out, then you certainly have to find the most affordable way to get there.

Staying in another country and also heading on a break doesn’t have to be as pricey as you might assume. You just have to review various firms to obtain the best prices.

When you find yourself researching all the package deals readily available, you could possibly discover Cairns Vacation packages. All these packages are meant to entice you to take a discounted holiday with various firms. They actually do are often value for money as well as there’s a seriously significant variety of these presented. One of many positive aspects of these types of packages is they actually do incorporate exactly what you’ll need so that you can take an excellent holiday. They will provide the Cairns accommodation, flights, food and also some attractions. So you’ve everything that you need in just one package.

Every single Cairns holiday package will vary and so it is really important you study your particular package properly prior to deciding to arrange it. You need to see just what is bundled. For instance is an evening meal in addition to lunch included or is it necessary to purchase it by yourself when you are there? Will it contain access to any exclusive beach locations? Additionally precisely what accommodation will it really offer you? Lots of people simply book their annual travel package without planning because they see it at a good price. On the other hand, when you start looking closer into a bundle, it often can be deceiving. It may include stuff that you’ll not utilize for instance. Or it might exclude something that you actually need. And so take a look at the package deal to check out what it includes as well as what you may need to include.

In conclusion it is simple to discover a Cairns holiday package. You’ll find Cairns vacations literally anyplace around the world so they can be easily arranged on the net. You can also generally find lower price holiday rentals on the web too which happens to be handy in case you are following a bit of a spending budget. If you’re really struggling to find a deal to match you and your family, you might choose to visit your local travel agency in which they shall be able to get the most cost effective offers possible for you and your family. Don’t forget that travel agents aren’t free however and they also do not invariably locate you the best deals possible.

Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef

Posted on by Maria

The Cairns marina is home to a fleet which consists of quite a few pretty incredible dive vessels. The newest member in the fleet is the Seastar, only just unveiled this past month.

This unique amazing cutting edge vessel is ninety feet long, and would make the trip out to Seastar’s scuba dive sites in under an hour or so. The boat is definitely fast and also safe, along with tons of shaded and air-conditioned cabin open area.

Seastar Cruises also has constantly prided themselves on providing an extremely exclusive and personal adventure, and they may be changing their procedures to be able to improve the small group experiences that they have generally supplied.

Most people really like the particular basic fact that their company owners restrict the actual numbers on board to exactly 40 persons, certainly under the actual capacity of the charter boat; which would mean that there can be a lot of breathing space on board. Using a speedier boat they can certainly abandon a little less earlier, however , still be typically the first vessel to see Michaelmas Cay, so snorkelers and birdwatchers have got it all to themselves. This journey is unquestionably the A-list cruise with regards to birdwatchers that really want to blend an awesome reef experience which includes an opportunity to view tropical seabird varieties.

A nice a lot faster cruise out also will mean extra time can easily possibly be spent at Michaelmas Cay combined with Seastar’s different dive mooring on Hastings Reef; customers can right now spend more than five hours out at the reef.

Most of the Great Barrier Reef is distinctive in several ways, and one can be that it is usually often the winter the place to find the only well-known white whale in existence.

The whale, a particular 20-year-old Humpback whale nicknamed “Migaloo”, which translates to white fellow in a regional aboriginal dialect, devotes his summers eating around Antarctica, then the majority of years migrates northward towards the winter calving and mating grounds on the north Great Barrier Reef.

Migaloo was only identified off Port Douglas last weekend, the earliest sighting of this one-of-a-kind whale ever since his migration southward towards Antarctica last year.

Just simply the spotting of that one-of-a-kind whale is actually huge news around Cairns. The Cairns Guide, our regional paper, ran some sort of cover story on the sighting, which include both some sort of first page picture as well as an inside fold out poster.

This isn’t exactly the only region in which this excellent whale has an impact, as witnessed by the following stories that also highlighted Migaloo these previous months:

In July Migaloo ended up being a poster guy involving (blank) a collection of protests against the armed service coaching exercise near Shoalwater Bay, found in the central district of the Great Barrier Reef. These kinds of exercises were jointly conducted by the American and Aussie armed forces forces. Protesters were worried that the high intensity sonar that might be now a characteristic of this kind of activities would harm whale populations, and this includes Migaloo. There does indeed seem to be high-quality evidence connecting sea mammal deaths by using this kind of sonar, and because of the debate it seems bizarre that the training would be planned through an acknowledged whale migration course at a time while whales tend to be about.

Also this season, there was clearly a conflict when a nearby individual profitably trademarked the word “migaloo”. Even though some media accounts pictured the owner of the trademark like a man that wanted to use the trademark as a means of raising funds to conserve whales, some others felt that a business oriented invasion upon nature and aboriginal tradition.

Miglaoo of course has made it onto You tube., which suggests he’s obtained superstar reputation that rivals Paris Hilton plus Lindsay Lohan. We have yet to take a look Facebook . com or Myspace . com regarding Migaloo’s profile, however it’s without doubt in the event that he’s got a webpage, he’s got a lot of friends!

Some Info About The Barrier Reef

Posted on by Maria

The Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world running from the northern point of the country to just north of Brisbane. It’s coral reefs stretch over 2000km along the countries coast.

The reef is home to well over 900 fish varieties, dolphins, turtles. An impressive amount of seabirds make their home in the area.

The coral which creates the reef itself is also a living creature, made up of 1000′s of tiny creatures. When it dies it turns white, and forms the basis for more coral growth. Different varieties of coral grow at different speeds, while some are quite fast to grow, some species take well over a hundred years to fully grow. The colours are not formed by the coral but by the growth of algae on it.

The reef lives in a tropical climate as it relies on warm nutrient rich water to survive. Salty water and lots of light is required to maintain the health of the coral.

With 100′s of 1000′s of square miles of reef it is a watersports mecca. Access through boat cruises are available from the towns all along the coast. Even if you don’t go in the ocean you can see the marvels of the reef through reef viewing tours.

The reef is world heritage listed and extensive areas are restricted from fishing and removing coral from the reef is prohibited to preserve it for generations to come.

The colourful and exciting capital of the far north, Cairns is alive with exciting activities. Located in the centre of some of the most scenically beautiful and ecologically important areas in the world, Cairns is the natural gateway to the natural riches of rainforest, tablelands, outback, and The Great Barrier Reef. The CBD itself has many attractions – great bargains, theatres, cinemas, museums, botanical gardens, a casino, and fine contemporary cuisine. Cairns is definately positioned as one of the countries top tourist destinations, being the centre for all the best water based activities. Cairns reef tours are definately the most popular for most tourists, however Cairns is fast becoming famous as the adventure sport capital of Queensland.

A Selection Of Cairns Reef Trips

Posted on by Maria

The Great Barrier Reef, best viewed from Cairns Australia is the planets largest living thing and home to an incredible variety of animal life. There are a large number of trip boats that leave from Cairns, depending on what you want to do.

Sunlover Cruises offers the shortest journey time, longest free time at the Great Barrier Reef. Once moored at their pontoon on Moore Reef, passengers have over 4.5 hours to snorkel, take glass-bottom boat and/or semi-sub cruises, enjoy a full hot and cold tropical lunch as well as afternoon tea on the journey back to Cairns. Full day tour$189/adult, $69/child or $424/family of 4.

Reef Experience is Cairns newest day trip, one all inclusive cost of $169.00 includes breakfast, lunch afternoon tea, fast catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef, 2 pristine reef locations, 6 hours at the Outer Barrier Reef, passengers choice of guided snorkel, certified dive or introductory dive, city transfers, wetsuit, glass bottom boat, Marine Biologist Reef Presentation, Local Family Owned and Operated

Vagabond Dive ‘N Sail is a 65′ sailing yacht set up for diving, sailing and entertaining for a maximum of 11 guests sailing out of Cairns. The cruise is two days and one night which is spent aboard the boat out on the reef.

Reef Magic moors at a ponotoon on the Great reef with the lowest passenger numbers on the market, giving you 5 hours in which to spend doing whatever you want. Included in the trip is semi-submersible tours, an underwater observatory, all snorkelling equipment included and offer scenic helipcopter joyflights and diving (not included in price).
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $167, Child (4-14yrs) – $87, Family (2A & 2C) – $417. Introductory dive: $88 (additional).

Passions of Paradise is a sleek catamaran that goes to the reef and Michaelmas Cay and is another inexpensive option. This company recently won the Cairns Tourism Award for Adventure Tourism. Journeying to two unique uncrowded destinations you can be sure of a personalized high quality experience.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $189, Child (4-14yrs) – $85, Family (2A & 2C) – $408. Introductory or Certified dive: $70 (additional). These prices include $10 reef levy.

Silverswift is an ultra modern purpose-designed dive and snorkel vessel. She goes to three reef sites every day at either Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe Reefs from Cairns. This trip caters for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers. Silverswift is the only dive vessel in the area that has a state-of-the-art ride control system for a smooth journey. Advanced Ecotourism Certified. (Sistership in Port Douglas is Silversonic)
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $182, Child (4-14yrs) – $160. With Introductory dive: $223

Ocean Quest This is a live aboard vessel that can best be decribed an a floating 4 star hotel. she is surprisingly spacious. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three sites a day. There are daily transfers to and from the vessel every day so that means you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you like. A perfect boat for both divers and snorkelling alike.