Tag: Travel Tips

A Better Environmental and Travel Experience

We do many things onboard our boats to make sure we minimize our possible environmental impact. That means you can enjoy your diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef with the knowledge you are not impacting the reef in any detrimental way. One of the things we often talk to our guests about is the use of batteries instead of generators to provide power while we are at the reef.

By capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted during the normal operations of running the engines we charge our extensive battery banks. This allows our snorkelers and scuba divers to enjoy the reef, sunsets and sleep without the noise of a generator in the background. We then recycle the batteries after several years, and eliminating the generator decreases the use of oil and fossil fuels, as well as carbon emissions. A win for both the environment and your travel experience.

So when you are planning your next scuba diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef think about the best way to experience the reef, with only the noise of the waves and birds. If you decide to book with us it’d be our privilege to show you the beauty of this natural wonder…

Small Fun Groups and Unique Reef Experiences


Sailing the Santa Maria around the Great Barrier Reef is one of the privileges that we get to enjoy everyday.
Experiencing the romance and character of the historic wooden yachts is a rare experience and something our guests cherish for years, many becoming ‘addicted’ and returning many times for their fix. You can’t help as you sit with only a small group of people and share the water with a select few this is how nature was meant to be experienced.
Whether you want to experience snorkelling without the masses on the water or dive and explore the reef on your own terms and schedule, visiting the reef with small groups allows you to get a more personal and relaxed experience on the reef. Time spent with other passengers and our staff get you to enjoy and learn about the reef in a more intimate and one on one setting. It is an amazing difference as you dive, snorkel and relax on the outer Great Barrier Reef enjoying the coral and wildlife in a much more serene setting.


Travel Tip – Don’t Miss The Boat

We want you to have the best experience and most relaxed vacation as you travel to Australia. So please heed the mistakes of others and make your trip the best it can be.

Over the last few weeks we have had quite a few people miss out on the trip they wanted because they delayed in booking. They made the mistake of thinking they may get some some last minute deal. If there is no room there is no room. You don’t just show up to the airport on your date of travel expecting to get the flight and seat you want. So why go to the destination of your holiday without plans. It is great to be flexible and allow yourself to experience the native flavor.

However you can avoid getting a second class trip or having to settle for tours that are leftovers by booking the key events of your trip. Leave some time for spontaneity but plan the main points of your trip before hand it saves a lot of time and stress. Instead of sitting in a booking office shouldn’t you be walking on a beach or enjoying your holiday. So book early, relax, have fun, and we hope to see you in the coming months.

Scuba Dive, Me? No Way!

We hear this everyday as we meet guests on the boat, and they quickly change their mind after seeing the beautiful world below.  Well how do I get to experience this? I don’t have the time or never done anything like it before. The easiest and safest way is known as a resort dive, introductory dive or discover dive.  This enables you to experience the joys of diving with a short briefing beforehand and then an experienced dive instructor dives with you.  On our reef trips we limit the number of introductory divers to two for each instructor.  That means they are in direct contact with you during the dive, there to answer any concerns and help you if you have any issues at all. You are limited to a maximum depth of 12 metres (39ft) and a lot of the time you will be shallower.

So what do I need to do to get started? First of all, there is no one forcing you to try to dive so you have to want to do it yourself. Listen to guides, remember to breathe and most of all relax and have a great time! You will be required to fill out a Medical Questionnaire onboard. Certain conditions automatically preclude people from participating in an Introductory Dive, without getting a Dive Medical Exam and getting a “Fit to Dive” Certificate from an Australian doctor (or one who conforms to the Australian Standard AS4005.1 Compliance). One common condition, among others, is asthma. Click here for more information and/or please ask us if you have any questions or concerns.

Almost without exception as the new diver surfaces they let out expressions of joy. Countless testimonies from our guests count it as one of the best things they have ever done. With a little bit of faith and willingness to have a try you’ll be soon floating around coral walls like the one below. You won’t get a certificate to dive after doing an introductory but more then likely will catch the bug and be wanting to do it again and again. The best part after trying to dive with us you can proudly tell everyone for the rest of your life, “I scuba dived on the Great Barrier Reef.”

Beautiful Coral Wall