Undersea Explorer – 2008 Osprey Reef Shark Encounters

Destination Coral Sea, Osprey Reef, Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs
Duration 6 Days Diving, up to 22 Dives

Departing Port Douglas (selected dates all year round)
Returning Port Douglas

The Expedition

Osprey Reef is a seamount located 70 nautical miles east of the Northern Great Barrier Reef, in the midst of the Coral Sea. This isolated coral seamount provides opportunities for great dives with white tip reef sharks, grey and silvertip whalers and possibly schooling scalloped hammerheads. But there will be more than just sharks!

Osprey Reef is one of the best dive sites in Australia, offering drift wall dives, huge and diverse pelagic marine life and excellent
visibility. On the journey back from Osprey Reef we’ll be diving the beautiful coral gardens and pinnacles of the Ribbon Reefs to complete the variety of diving experiences.

The Research

Osprey Reef’s isolation offers a perfect natural laboratory for research and supports a variety of different studies, including shark behaviour and distribution and remote video observations of cleaning stations. When shark researchers are onboard, you may have the opportunity to watch them in action as they capture sharks for tagging, measurement and tracking studies.

Nautilus research will also be conducted during this trip, with activities including early morning Nautilus capture and opportunities to dive with these amazing creatures of the deep.

The Itinerary

The vessel boards at 5pm at Princes Wharf, Port Douglas. Load your gear onto the vessel and then enjoy dinner ashore at one of the many quality restaurants Port Douglas has to offer. Be back onboard by 7pm for the Skippers Briefing.

Day 1: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs
The diving begins! Meet the locals: potato cod, moray eels, Napoleon wrasse, coral trout,
nudibranchs and giant clams.

Day 2: Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea
Research activities and diving, potentially including shark and deep sea Nautilus tagging release research.

Day 3: Osprey Reef
Research activities and diving. Deep Sea Nautilus tagging and research.

Day 4: Osprey Reef, Lizard Island or Great Barrier Reef
Depending on weather conditions we may depart for Lizard Island or return to the GBR.

Day 5: Ribbon Reefs, Great Barrier Reef
Coral gardens and pinnacles, 1500 species of fish, 400 species of coral.

Day 6: Agincourt Reef, Great Barrier Reef
Final dives as we steam back to Port Douglas. Arrival is about 5pm.

Note: Enjoy 4 dives per day (conditions depending) except on the last day which has 2 dives. The itinerary and activities are flexible and can be altered at the discretion of the Skipper.

Inclusions

Twin share accommodation
Meals: breakfast on first day until lunch on last day
20-22 dives (6 day Osprey reef expeditions)
Daily Interpretive presentations
Tanks, weights, airfills
DAN 30 Day Travel Assist Medical Emergency Evacuation Insurance (this does not cover travel or medical insurance)

The Vessel

25 metre steel motor vessel - 6.2 metre beam
20 passengers and up to 2 guest Researchers
7 crew onboard including skipper, engineer, divesupervisor, marine biologist, volunteer dive crew, chef and hostess
2 main engines, 2 Electrical Generators, 2 air compressors, 2 inflatable tenders, Desalinator and hydraulic crane
Air-conditioned throughout
Hydraulic Dive Platform
Nitrox Compressor
Lecture Room
Sundeck with awning
Video and TV (Pal and NTSC
Microscope linked to TV
Digital underwater video and camera
Marine library with computer CD Rom

Accommodation

Air-conditioned 2 berth cabins
5 x Queen cabins
5 x Twin cabins (male/female share)
5 x toilets and showers
(Note: Linen provided including bath towel)

Gear Hire

Wetsuit AU$35.00 p/wk
BCD AU$70.00 p/wk
Reg/Computer AU$100.00 p/wk
Computer only AU$50.00 p/wk
Mask/snorkel/fins AU$35.00 p/wk
Full set of gear AU$200.00 p/wk
Dive Light AU$45.00 p/wk

Extras

EMC Government Reef Tax AU$15.00 per week
Clean Fuel Levy AU$90.00 per week
Refresher course AU$55.00
PADI Advanced Course AU$200.00
PADI Nitrox course AU$200.00
Reef Discovery Course AU$10.00
Nitrox fills AU$10/day or AU$20/week

Osprey Reef Shark Encounters Dates and Rates 2008

Note:
Boat Maintenance dates:

26 January-29 February
15-20 March
5-11 April, 3-9 May
9-15 August
20-26 September
25-26 October
29-30 November

Christmas Break: 20-26 December

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 27th September – 3rd October 4th October – 10th October 11th October – 17th October 18th October – 24th October	AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00

DECEMBER 2008 6th – 12 December 13th – 19th December 27th December – 2nd January 2009	AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00

Osprey Reef Shark Encounters Dates and Rates 2009

Note:
Boat Maintenance dates:

31st January - 6th March (5 Weeks)
9th May – 15th of May (1 Week)
8th August – 14th August (1 Week)
24th October – 29th October (4 Days)
27th November – 30th November (3 Days)

Christmas Break: 23rd December – 26th December

JANUARY 2009 3rd January – 9th January 17th January - 23rd January 24th January – 30th January	AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00

MARCH/APRIL 2009 7th March – 13th March 21st March – 27th March 4th April – 10th April 18th April – 24th April	AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00

MAY/JUNE 2009 2nd May – 8th May 16th May – 22nd May 30th May – 5th June	AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00

MAY/JUNE 2009 2nd May – 8th May 16th May – 22nd May 30th May – 5th June	AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00

JULY/AUGUST 2009 25th July – 31st July 1st August – 7th August 15th August – 21st August 22nd August – 28th August	AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2008 29th August – 4th September 5th September – 11th September 12th September – 18th September 18th September – 26th September	AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2865.00 *7 Day Osprey Reef Explorer

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 26th September – 2nd October 3rd October – 9th October 9th October – 17th October 17th October – 23rd October	AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,865.00 *7 Day Osprey Reef Explorer AU$2,615.00

DECEMBER 2009 5th – 11th December 12th – 18th December 27th December – 2nd January 2010	AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 AU$2,615.00 New Years Eve Trip

JANUARY 2010 2nd January– 8th January 16th January - 22nd January 23rd January – 29th January	AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00 AU$2,215.00

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