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Undersea Explorer

You’ve seen them on National Geographic – now join their voyage of discovery! Undersea Explorer is Australia’s most exciting live aboard scuba diving operation, offering six day adventure diving expeditions with a marine research focus.

Their expeditions encompass an incredible range of reef diving, visiting the Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and journeying out to Osprey Reef, one of the worlds most magnificent coral atolls rising 1000 metres form the ocean floor. Osprey Reef is well known for its awesome visibility and sharks, especially North Horn where divers will encounter at least 25 sharks during their dive, and will see the rare deep sea nautilus.

Each week their marine scientists carry out valuable research on remote coral reefs. In turn, guests are able to learn from the experts, and enjoy new and different dive experiences including shark attraction dives, deep sea nautilus dives, and in-water encounters with whales. The research activities fit around the diving program, adding a stimulating atmosphere of discovery to all expeditions while contributing to their knowledge and conservation of marine eco-systems.

Aside from the stimulating interchanges between divers and researchers, they create a unique experience that is exciting, and great fun!

‘Take a dive on the wild side!’

Touring Options

Nine Day Remote Far Northern Expedition

These 9 day trips take place during October and November, travelling to Far Northern regions of the Great Barrier Reef including Raine Island. This is the ultimate in remote wilderness diving and divers are assured of abundant sea life, as well as the chance of encounters with magafauna such as Brydes Whales, Manta Rays and Tiger Sharks.

Six Day/Six Night Minke Whale Expedition

Minke Whale Expeditions take place annually during June and July and travel to Ribbon Reefs. This unique opportunity to snorkel eye to eye with Dwarf Minke Whales leaves most people speechless and unlike other whale species these inquisitive creatures actively seek encounters with humans.

Six Day/Six Night Osprey Reef Shark Encounter

Your expedition will include three days at remote Osprey Reef which offers incredible visibility and 1000 metre deep coral walls. At North Horn, Osprey Reef, where the currents meet, you’ll see large schools of tuna, barracuda and plenty of sharks – white tips, grey and silver tip whalers, leopard sharks, thresher sharks and schooling hammerheads. This is exhilarating diving with the shark experts and your adventure will include shark attraction diving with often 25 sharks in the water with you.

You’ll also enjoy the contrast of three days diving the Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. There’s many varied dive sites featuring the diversity of coral gardens, the overwhelming fish life of the pinnacles, and diving the world famous Cod Hole.

Activites and Experiences at Undersea Explorer

  • National Ecotourism Certification Program (EcoCertification)
  • Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) BSAC (diving tours)
  • Cruising
  • Scuba-Diving Resort/Intro – Night Diving
  • Learning/Lessons/Tuition Marine interpretation is motivational, relaxed, yet professional and provided by expert marine biologists. The program provides a full Reef Discovery Course and accreditation through Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Undersea Explorer.
  • Photography
  • Snorkelling Guided
  • Marine Animal swimming Minke Whale – In-water interaction with remote coral reef animals including sharks, turtles, whales, reef fish and corals.
  • Marine Animal watching Sharks – Turtles – Dolphins – Coral Spawning
  • Water-based Scuba diving.
  • Direct
  • Inbound
  • Retail
  • Wholesale
  • Car park
  • Checkin Desk
  • Public Transport
  • Public phone
  • Public toilet
  • Taxi rank
  • Waiting Area
  • Active As active as you would like to be.
  • Adventure The most interesting remote adventure diving option available.
  • Aussie Lifestyle Quality, friendly Aussie service and group atmosphere.
  • Cruise Liveaboard diving trip to Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
  • Diving Small group, personal service, remote dive sites and real adventure diving. Innovative new diving options created by the unique blend of research, interpretation and adventure diving. Shark, minke whale, octopus, nautilus, fluorescent coral, far northern megafauna adventure diving and research expeditions. Six day liveaboard trips run throughout the year.
  • Eco Tourism Advanced Eco Tourism Accredited and reaching beyond this accreditation with high level research and conservation programs conducted and funded by the Undersea Explorer organisation. Guests experience and participate in these programs and gain the remote diving experiences and high level marine interpretation provided.
  • Educational Interpretation programs are world leading standard in content, delivery, new technology and the location – remote areas of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
  • Environmental The Undersea Explorer organisation pioneers research projects designed to investigate important conservation aspects of coral reefs and to help implement change to make an environmental difference. Interpretation to guests and production of media articles and film documentaries are important education tools to reach the general public. Best practice environmental procedures are undertaken and pioneered to create new standards for the marine tourism industry.
  • Fishing Very limited fishing to comply with ecotourism sensitivities.
  • Flora and Fauna The best of the Great Barrier Reef life is encountered due to the expertise of marine scientists and extremely experienced captains and dive crew. Guidance and education for the guests ensure they experience and discover the best of reef life.
  • Island Lizard Island is often visited during the six day trip, offering sheltered snorkelling and relaxing beach atmosphere.
  • Marine Access to remote marine areas and informal training conducted on board vessel.
  • National Park Access to remote areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  • Nature based Nature based marine diving and research expeditions.
  • Nightlife Relaxed and informal atmosphere.
  • Reef
  • Remote This is as remote as you get for adventure diving. Generally, no other vessels are seen at Osprey Reef and very rarely are dive sites encountered where other divers are present.
  • Soft Adventure
  • Science and Technology High level marine research projects with internationally recognised scientists and motivational marine interpreters. Latest technology equipment is used in remote tracking and analytical research and during interpretive presentations.
  • Water based Scuba diving.
  • Wilderness Remote coral reef wilderness.
  • Wildlife Remote marine wildlife.
  • World Heritage Visit the world heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  • RTN, QH and National Distributors (TQ)
  • 18-35’s
  • Adult Getaway
  • Backpacking/Unstructured
  • Business/Trade/Corporate
  • Empty Nesters
  • Gay and Lesbian
  • Group
  • Romantic
  • Single
  • Wedding
  • Boating Industry Association
  • Charter Vessel Association
  • Inbound Tour Operators Association
  • Tourism Tropical North Qld
  • Visitor Information Centre
  • Whale Watch Industry Association
  • American Express
  • Cheques By Arrangement
  • Bankcard
  • Cheques Bank
  • Cash
  • Diners Club
  • MasterCard
  • Money Order
  • Australian Travellers Cheque
  • Visa
  • Air-conditioning
  • Commentary
  • Host/Hostess
  • Meal
  • Meet & Greet
  • Resource Material
  • Toilet
  • Aeroplane One way transfers are between Cairns and Lockhart River by light plane.
  • Motor Vessel 25 metre steel motor vessel.

Website: www.undersea.com.au

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