9 Days: Pro Dive Liveaboard [ST-4863B]
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Highlights & Inclusions
  • Accommodation - Cairns (1 Night), Liveaboard (2), Cairns (4)
  • Airfare - Not Included (Available Upon Request)
  • Day Tours - Cairns: Cape Tribulation & Daintree Safari
  • Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation (Return)
  • All Other Day Tours are Optional and not included
  • Visa Issuance for entry into Australia (US$15.00 per person)
  • F.I.T. (Free & Independent Travel, i.e. this is not an Organized Group Tour)
  • All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)
  • Itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs.
  • Other Common Inclusions for Dive Packages:
  • Live-Aboard Diving Expedition includes: Transfers to/ from Cairns city accommodation, Opportunity for up to 10 dives, En-suite cabin with daily service, Chef prepared meals, Australian wine & soft drinks with evening meals.
Itinerary Details
(Day 1) - International Flight on Qantas, Los Angeles to Brisbane - (Available Upon Request)

Shortly after departing Los Angeles you will be served dinner and you will be given breakfast before landing in Brisbane.

Relax, watch some movies, and try to get some sleep!

Please confirm with the airline at check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record (if applicable).

(Day 2) - Australian Domestic Flight, Brisbane to Cairns

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Brisbane to Cairns.

(Day 2) - Shuttle Transfer, Cairns Airport to Accommodation

Travel by shuttle from the Cairns Airport to your vacation accommodation in Cairns, Australia.

Need to Know
Luggage Restrictions: 1 checked bag and 1 hand luggage is free of charge per person in the shuttle. Additional luggage is 10$ each. Strollers are free. Bikes need to be in a bike bag. Fishing rods need to be broken down and in a container.

(Days 2 to 3) - 1 Night Accommodation in Cairns

Travel to your accommodation in Cairns, Australia, where you will be staying while on vacation for 1 night.

The Pacific International has the best 4 star location in Cairns, on the Esplanade overlooking Trinity Harbour and parklands. It is also opposite the major departure point to the Great Barrier Reef, casino, central shopping and resort style swimming lagoon nearby. A Brazilian inspired, Australian style restaurant and bar is located within the hotel.

(Days 3 to 5) - 2 Nights - Liveaboard Diving Expedition

This 3 day liveaboard dive and snorkelling adventure is unmatched for experience and value and will show you the very best the Outer Great Barrier Reef has to offer.
There is no doubt that the best way to really experience the Great Barrier Reef is to stay out there for a few days. You get much more time to relax and really enjoy yourself and ultimately more time for diving and snorkelling.

Sample Itinerary

Departing: Cairns 7am Daily (except Tuesday)
Returning: Cairns 4pm on the 3rd Day.

Trip Includes:
Transfers to/from Cairns city accommodation
11 dives (includes 2 night dives)
Dive & snorkelling equipment – includes dive computer, long leg wetsuits and dive torch.
Dive Insurance
Prescription lens mask (if required)
All meals
Bed linen
Double or twin share accommodation
Guided orientation and night dives

Extras (Additional Fees Apply – Payable on Board):
Fuel, Departure Tax & Marine Park Levies: $70 per person
Digital Underwater Camera’s are available for hire
The PADI Advanced Course is available

Day 1: Diving The Outer Great Barrier Reef

5:45am – Complimentary hotel transfer – available from Cairns City & Northern Beaches accommodation
6:15am – Check in
7:00am – Depart Cairns for 3 days & 2 nights of fantastic diving/snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. A light breakfast is served onboard
11:30am – Your first dive is before lunch. This dive will be offered as a guided dive with an instructor, for those divers who have not dived in a little while
12:45pm – Lunch is served – hearty soup with an array of fresh salads, cold meats & bread rolls
2:30pm – Your second dive – head off & discover more underwater delights. Once you have completed your dive the vessel moves on to the next site
4:30pm – After an afternoon of snorkelling/relaxing its time for your third dive of the trip
6:00pm – Dinner – the menu changes each trip however it will be wholesome, hot & of course lots of it!
7:30pm – The night dive! We generally try to do the night dive at the same site as the afternoon dive, as this way you are familiar with your surroundings. Keep a close eye out for our sleeping turtles, crustaceans & the occasional reef shark!
8:30pm – Dessert is served!

Day 2: Experience More Fantastic Diving On The Outer Great Barrier Reef

7:00am – The vessel moves for an early morning dive. Look out for splendid gorgonian fans, giant clams and bump-headed parrotfish
8:00am – Enjoy a hearty breakfast of cereal, fresh fruit, bacon and eggs as well as toast & spreads
10:30am – After breakfast the vessel moves on for the second dive of the day
12:00pm – Lunch on the second day is hot pasta with a variety of fresh salads
3:00pm – After lunch & a snorkel its time for your third dive
6:00pm – A hot dinner is served before your second night dive
7:30pm – Night dive!
8:30pm – Dessert is served!

Day 3: Morning Dives And Return To Cairns

6:30am – Your first dive of the day
7:30am – A hot breakfast accompanied with fresh fruit salad, cereals and toast
9:00am – After breakfast, the vessel makes its last site of the trip, where you will do your second dive of the day
11:00am – Your last dive! When you surface freshly made sandwiches are served as the vessel heads home
4:00pm – Complimentary accommodation transfers – Cairns city & Northern Beaches
7:30pm – Join fellow passengers & crew at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner if you wish

Please note, the above itinerary is a guide only, and the order of sites may change. The captain will always adapt the itinerary to the prevailing weather, tides and currents.

Meals may vary slightly depending on availability of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Please advise if you are a vegetarian and we will do our best to make sure we cater for you.

(Days 5 to 9) - 4 Nights Accommodation in Cairns

Travel to your accommodation in Cairns where you will be staying while on vacation for 4 nights.

The Pacific International has the best 4 star location in Cairns, on the Esplanade overlooking Trinity Harbour and parklands. It is also opposite the major departure point to the Great Barrier Reef, casino, central shopping and resort style swimming lagoon nearby. A Brazilian inspired, Australian style restaurant and bar is located within the hotel.

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Daintree Dreaming Tour

This fun, exclusive tour allows you to join in a real Aboriginal cultural experience, combining
pristine natural beauty of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park. A day you will
never forget!


Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours: Travel to Cooya Beach north of Port Douglas and meet with the Kubirri Warra brothers who follow the traditions of their ancestors. This special place is a traditional fishing ground of the Kuku Yalanji. This unique coastal place has three diverse ecosystems – beach, mangroves and coastal reef – that are connected to each other by the every changing mud-flats and tidal lagoons.



The brothers teach their guests how to throw a spear and demonstrate how to search and hunt for fish, mud crabs and mussels. Learn about bush tucker and medicines before enjoying homemade damper on the balcony of the family home and taste your catch of the day.

Welcome to Country at Mossman Gorge: You are welcomed with a traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony. This ceremony is conducted by Aboriginal people with specialised cultural knowledge and will protect you whilst visiting Kuku Yalanji country.

Mossman Gorge Centre: Enjoy a delicious lunch infused with local flavours.

Mossman Gorge: Wander into the lush rainforest of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park – Mossman Gorge, home of the Kuku Yalanji people and experience one of the world’s oldest and most beauLful rainforest. An easy going walk is across boardwalks, tracks & bridges protecting the delicate eco system that adorns spectacular waterfalls and mountain ranges. Your guide will explain the rich flora, fauna and eco system of this amazing rainforest. Ensure you bring your swimming bathers so you can make the most of the beautiful private swimming hole that is encased in the rainforest.

What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimmers and bottle of water.
Please note: Itinerary can operate in reverse subject to tides.

Tour Operates on: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

(Day 7) - Cape Tribuation and Daintree Rainforest Tour

Enjoy a day exploring the rainforest and amazing landscapes of the Cape Tribulation wilderness area with a visit to Mossman Gorge Center and Cape Tribulation.



Mossman Gorge Centre: Visit the Mossman Gorge Gateway Centre for morning tea before boarding your shuttle for the transfer into Mossman Gorge. Your driver/guide will take you for a guided walk, sharing their knowledge of this enchanting rainforest environment. Learn about the fascinating secrets of one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.



Daintree River Cruise: Reach an understanding of this wildlife environment for one hour, habitat of birds, tree snakes, unique plants and of course the estuarine crocodile.

Tropical Lunch: With special access at a private rainforest property, enjoy a short walk along a delightful rainforest creek before a delicious tropical lunch. Choice of quality steak, fish or vegetarian meal with fresh salads and fruit platter, followed by coffee or Daintree Tea.

Cape Tribulation: Walk on this world-renowned rainforest beach and admire the coastline and fringing coral reef from the Kulki Lookout.

Daintree Ice Cream Company: Enjoy an afternoon refreshment at the Daintree Ice Cream Company. Included is a delicious cup of exotic fruit ice cream, made from fruit grown on their on-site orchard. Gluten / Dairy free options are available.

Alexandra Lookout: After winding through the rainforest of the Alexandra Range, enjoy this spectacular lookout over the Daintree River estuary, Snapper Island and beyond to the Coral Sea.

Operates: Daily (Does not operate on Christmas Day); Departs around 6:45am & Returns around 7:00pm

Includes:
– Return Hotel Transfers
– Professional driver/guide
– Mossman Gorge Centre with Morning Tea
– Driver Guided Walk in Mossman Gorge
– Daintree River Cruise
– Lunch at Noah Valley in rainforest setting
– Cape Tribulation Beach & boardwalk
– Daintree Ice Cream Company
– Alexandra Lookout

Need to Know: Tour not recommended for children under 4yrs due to the length of the tour & time spent in the vehicle.

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Chillagoe & Outback Tour

Experience a personalized 4WD tour with expert guides through Queensland’s Chillagoe Outback and McAllister Ranges.

Your naturalist guide will meet you at your accommodation, where you’ll board the custom built 4WD vehicle and travel through the back blocks of the McAllister Ranges and Mareeba. On the way you can spot wallabies, emus and other wildlife, and then along the agricultural paddocks you will have a chance to see paw paw, lychee, longan, mangoes, and other tropical fruiting trees. You’ll stop for morning tea before crossing over the Great Divide and into the Western watershed to enter the Australian Outback, taking you back to prehistoric times when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Travel through historic towns and rolling hills, rich in minerals, eventually giving way to towering limestone karsts scattered around Chillagoe.

Here delve into the National Parks Cave tour. The fossilized remains of the ancient coral reefs with hidden limestone labyrinths give a portal to a lost world. Millions of years in the making, the limestone formations are nothing short of spectacular. Then delve into the history of the copper smelters, whose old chimneys dominate the western horizon. Visit the remains of these once mighty smelters before viewing ancient Aboriginal Rock Art. Afterwards you’ll enjoy an Aussie lunch at a true Australian Outback pub.

After lunch and a visit to the local souvenir shop, you’ll head back towards the east coast, stopping at Granite Gorge where you can feed wallabies and hold other indigenous animals. The tour then returns down the range to Port Douglas.

Operates
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Departs Cairns at 7:00am, Returns 6:00pm (approx.)
Does not operate December 25th and January 1st

Includes
– Return transfers from your hotel
– Small group tour in a premium 4WD
– Morning Tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation
– Visit the local Aboriginal rock art and Balancing Rock
– Local Chillagoe gift shop visit
– Find fossils in ancient limestone casts at Chillagoe
– Explore the famous Chillagoe Caves
– View the Chillagoe smelter ruins
– Visit the wallabies at Granite Gorge

Need to Know
Please bring a hat, sunscreen, camera with extra batteries, water bottle, extra cash for cold drinks, souvenirs or ice cream. Please wear close-toed shoes (required for entering the caves) and weather appropriate clothing. This experience can be catered to your dietary needs. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when completing your Traveler Information Form.

Upgrades
Private tours available

(Day 8) - Free Day to Explore Cairns

Take the day and explore what could be considered the capital of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns!

A major outlet to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest amongst its many attractions, the tropical paradise of Cairns is sure to enchant you. With many area activities centrally located there’s enough to occupy everyone in the family because Cairns literally has it all! Have a visit to the Esplanade where you can experience all walks of life and make memories. With a nightlife that caters to singles and families alike you’re visit will be filled with so many things to do, so take a deep breath and have fun!

Optional Day Tour (Not Included) - Breakfast Time at The Zoo

Get a wild start to the day and have breakfast with a koala, a python, and other of the zoo’s inquisitive animals.

During breakfast a wildlife keeper will join you, with a koala, to answer all of your ‘wildlife’ questions. It’s a great opportunity to get close to koalas, snakes, and many other animals. Breakfast is a full booked breakfast, plus fresh fruit, fruit juice, cereals, toasts and spread, tea or coffee. Or, for the sweet tooth try our delicious Belgian Waffles with fresh fruit, cream and ice cream. Afterwards, you can enjoy all the wildlife experiences within the zoo.

Breakfast at the zoo is every day from 8:30am for groups, and 9:00am for self drive visitors.

(Day 10) - Shuttle Transfer, Cairns Accommodation to Airport

Travel by shuttle from your Cairns vacation accommodation to the Airport in Cairns, Australia.

Need to Know
Luggage Restrictions: 1 checked bag and 1 hand luggage is free of charge per person in the shuttle. Additional luggage is 10$ each. Strollers are free. Bikes need to be in a bike bag. Fishing rods need to be broken down and in a container.

(Day 10) - Australian Domestic Flight, Cairns to Brisbane

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Cairns to Brisbane.

(Day 10) - International Flight on Qantas, Brisbane to Los Angeles - (Available Upon Request)

Mid-day Departure from Brisbane, In-flight Dinner and Movie with arrival in the USA. Note: You will be traveling back across the International Date line so you will gain a day. You actually arrive in the USA on the same day you leave Australia.

* Terms & Conditions

Pricing is ‘per person’ based on Double Occupancy (2 Adults) in hotels. Spirit of Freedom Liveaboard is based on a Quad Share Cabin type (4 Adults), Mike Ball is based on Twinshare Club Cabin type (2 Adults), and Pro Dive is based on their Standard Twinshare Cabin (2 Adults). Single Supplements apply. Upgrades available on request (upgrade supplements apply). Any flights booked will be in economy class of service on Qantas. Upgrades available on request (fare upgrade supplements apply). Flight & Accommodation availability is limited. This offer is subject to availability. Black-out dates and seasonal supplements will apply. No refunds are allowed. Changes are permitted (fees may apply). Additional Day Tours may be purchased and added to your itinerary at a later date (prior to your USA departure). Other restrictions may apply. Frequent flyer mileage accrual not permitted.

Permitted USA Departure Dates: 1 February – 31 March 2014.

Book By: 15th July 2013

Book your Australian Diving Vacation Today

Call 888-983-3739 (8.30am – 5pm, CT USA)

To customize this itinerary, or check ‘availability’ for your travel dates, please use the ‘Request-A-Quote’ button (below)

  • a) All prices are USD$/person (including all Taxes). Subject to availability and seasonality. Other Conditions Apply (see Terms and Conditions).
  • b) Land Content Only represents the pricing for the full itinerary as detailed, except the International Flights from the USA (and return) are NOT included.
  • c) An Infant (Lapchild) must be less than 2 years old on the date of departure. Infant must travel with at least one adult. An infant with a seat pays the price of a Child.
  • d) A Child must be aged between 2-11 years on the date of departure. Child must travel with at least one adult.