Taka - Cod Hole and Northern Great Barrier Reef

Destination: Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs Available year round
Duration: 4 Days & 3 Nights (3 full days diving includes up to 10 dives)

Departs: Tuesday from Cairns
Returns: Friday into Cairns

The Diving:
Taka Dive has been operating live aboard dive trips for over 18 years to the Northern Great Barrier Reefs, Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. With a brand new, purpose-built dive vessel, launched in January 2004 this operator has set a new standard in dive travel.
The dive locations visited during this tour include the famous Cod Hole, which attracts divers from all over the world, combined the Northern Great Barrier Reefs where along the Ribbon Reefs the diving is spectacular. Frequent sightings include various Nudibranchs, Manta Rays, Giant Australian Cuttlefish, Loggerhead and Green Turtles, Moray Eels, Red Flame File Shell, Lionfish and the best Marine life the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

During June, July & August Taka Dive actively participates in the Dwarf Minke Whale Season – these majestic mammals migrate the Northern waters of the Great Barrier Reef each year. Passengers traveling during this time will have the opportunity to contribute to the research of these whales. TAKA teams up with the James Cook University researchers, and records all sightings of these fantastic mammals. All passengers who have had interaction with the Minkes fill in a questionnaire, which helps to further research. Diving with these majestic creatures will be the most exciting and momentous experience of your life.

Itinerary

Tuesday: Complimentary pick-ups from Cairns City accommodation commence between 4:30pm & 5:00pm. Passengers arrive to our vessel ‘TAKA’ at approx 5:10pm. Check in is then done by one of our experienced and friendly crew. The first evening we travel overnight 150 km to the Cod Hole. During this time passengers organize their dive gear or hire gear. There is also have a brief period of introduction followed by paperwork and a briefing on the schedule for the next day. Dinner is served at approx 7:30pm with the rest of the evening for relaxation.

Wednesday:
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Arrive at the Cod Hole
Dive Briefing
Dive 1: Familiarization with the Cod Hole. Check out dive for those who have done less than 50 dives or have not dived in the past year. Likely Sightings include Giant Potato Cod, Moray Eel, Reef Sharks & Maori Wrasse.
Dive 2: Cod Feed at the Cod Hole - Close encounters with the Famous Potato Cod.
Lunch
Dive 3: Pixie’s Pinnacle Reef/Wall or Challenger Bay. Likely Sightings include Lion Fish, Nudibranchs, Garden Eels & Barracuda.
Afternoon rest & snack.
Dive 4: 6:30pm Night Dive at Challenger Bay
Likely Sightings include Cuttle Fish, Sea Turtles, Reef Sharks & Manta Rays.
8:00pm Evening Meal

Thursday:
7:00am Breakfast
Dive Briefing
Dive 5: 7:30am Clam Gardens. Likely Sightings include Giant Clams (150-200 y/o)
Dive 6: 10:00am Steve’s Bommie. Likely Sightings include Red flame File Shell, Stone Fish, Wobbegong Sharks, Turtles & Thousands of schooling Anthias.
Snack
Dive 7: 12:00/1:00pm Temple Of Doom. Sightings include Flatworms & Clownfish.
Lunch followed by Afternoon Rest.
Dive 8: 6:30pm Beer Gardens. Sightings include Sleepy Turtles & Parrot Fish.
8:00pm Evening Meal

Friday:
Dive Briefing
Dive 9:
6:30am Hogs Breath. Sightings include Blue Spot Lagoon Ray & Clown Fish.
7:30am Breakfast
Dive 10:
8:30am Split Bommie. Sightings include Octopus & various Butterfly Fish.

As we sail back to Cairns, passengers have plenty of time to rest and relax in between snacks and lunch. Taka then arrives back to Trinity Wharf in Cairns at 3:00pm.
Complimentary transfers to local accommodation between 3:00pm and 4:00pm

Included

All linen, including two bath towels and 1 large deck towel per person.
Transfers to/from the vessel from Cairns City accommodation,
Tanks, weights & Safety Kits (safety sausage with a whistle and cylume stick),
Two night dives with torches, batteries and cylume sticks,
free dive guide subject to instructor availability,
Superb meals- freshly prepared onboard from dinner on the evening of departure to lunch on the last day,
Snacks after every dive,
Complimentary tea, coffee, Milo, water, cordial, biscuits and fresh fruit are available 24 hours a day.

The Vessel

1x Master Stateroom
5x Double/Twin En-suite Cabins
5x Standard Twin Cabin
2x Quad Share Cabins, all cabins air-conditioned

4 Day/3 Night Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Excursion

Rates July 2007 – June 2008

Stateroom AU$1580.00
Double / Twin Cabin with Private En-suite AU$1380.00
Standard Twin Cabin AU$1180.00
Quad Share Cabin AU$1000.00

Extras

Gear Hire Package: AU$80.00
Gear Hire Package plus Dive computer: AU$100.00
PADI Advanced Course AU$140.00
Government Reef Tax, Reef and Port Levy: $60.00 (duration of trip)

Rates July 2008 – June 2009

Stateroom AU$1600.00
Double / Twin Cabin with Private En-suite AU$1400.00
Standard Twin Cabin AU$1200.00
Quad Share Cabin AU$1100.00

Extras

Gear Hire Package: AU$100.00
Gear Hire Package plus Dive computer: AU$120.00
PADI Advanced Course AU$140.00
Government Reef Tax, Reef and Port Levy: $80.00 (duration of trip)

Due to the greatly increased fuel costs and in accordance with Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) guidelines these charges are currently in effect and apply to all voyages of the dive vessel TAKA commencing Tuesday 4th October 2005. The Fuel Levy will remain in place until a time that the current fuel prices have returned to a sustainable level.

Terms and Conditions

In the case of extreme weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, Taka Dive reserves the right to adjust or cancel the standard itinerary.
We recommend the individual purchase of TRAVEL insurance.
Dive Insurance for medical evacuation is available on board at a cost of $25AUD (Cod Hole Tour) or AU$30 (Coral Sea Tour)
Certain medical conditions or medication can preclude some people from diving, please contact Taka Dive if more information is required.

What to bring

Dive Certification Card
Hat, Sunscreen & Sunglasses
A warm jumper
A sense of humor (Smiles)
Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to sea sickness
Extra money for EMC, soft drinks, chocolates etc.
Please notify us of any special dietary requirements you may have
An environmental management charge applies for all persons who are entering the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks area

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