Snorkeling and Diving
Deep Sea Divers Den. Long-established, PADI-five-star-rated Deep Sea Divers Den has a roaming permit that allows its guides to visit any part of the Great Barrier Reef, including 17 exclusive moorings on the reef's outer edge frequented by turtles, rays, and colorful reef fish. Four- to six-day open water and advanced PADI dive courses include one- or two-night live-aboard trips. Three- and four-night dive expeditions on sleek dive boat Taka take you to world-renowned sites on the pristine Ribbon Reefs. Day trips include up to three dives or snorkeling opportunities; gear and lunch is included in the price, but reef tax (A$20) and photos cost extra. 319 Draper St., CBD, Cairns, Queensland, 4870. 07/4046–7333; www.diversden.com.au. From A$265.
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions. Mike Ball, an enthusiastic American who's been diving the Great Barrier Reef since 1969, runs multiday, multidive trips along the Queensland coastline on which novice divers are given expert guidance and experienced divers get to set their own bottom times and dive their own plans. Custom-built, twin-hulled live-aboard boats loaded with top-end gear, serious divers, and qualified chefs depart twice-weekly to visit renowned dive sites and spot minke whales and sharks. Dive courses cost extra but there are several available, and the quality of instruction's high. 3 Abbott St., CBD, Cairns, Queensland, 4870. 07/4053–0500; 0407/146–834; www.mikeball.com. From A$1827, with standard gear hire fees (A$44 per day) and nitrox (A$25 per day), personal guides (A$250 per day plus berth cost for guide), and reef tax (A$20 per day).
Ocean Spirit Cruises. This operator offers daily trips on its sleek sailing catamaran that include four hours at Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef, a marine biologist presentation, snorkeling gear, guided snorkeling, a fish-feeding demonstration, a semi-submersible tour, morning and afternoon tea, a buffet lunch, and a glass of wine on the return journey. Reef and port charges are an extra A$6. If you're a beginner, have mobility issues, or aren't a strong swimmer, this might be the best operator for you. Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St., CBD, Cairns, Queensland, 4870. 07/4044–9944; www.oceanspirit.com.au. From A$188.
Pro Dive Cairns. This Advanced Ecotourism–certified operator runs multiday, live-aboard trips on three custom-built dive boats, and offers PADI-five-star-accredited courses at their state-of-the-art training facility in Cairns. Three-, four-, and seven-day trips take a maximum of 28 divers and snorkelers to Outer Barrier Reef, Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, and Coral Sea sites, where they can dive ecologically diverse sites with optimal visibility. Trips include accommodation in serviced quad-share, twin, or double cabins, TVs, and private en suites. You also get chef-prepared meals, top-end gear, and guided dives. Pro Dive Cairns Training Centre, 116 Spence St., CBD, Cairns, Queensland, 4870. 07/4031–5255; www.prodivecairns.com. From A$190.
Tusa Dive. Among Cairns's best dive boats are the custom-built fast cats run by Tusa Dive, a PADI-, SSI-, and Advanced Ecotourism–accredited outfit that whisks passengers out to two sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Get dive briefs and info en route, along with continual refreshments including a big lunch. In the water, people of all ages and experience levels can dive or snorkel under the watchful gaze of well-trained guides. Every passenger pays a A$10 per day reef tax; other extras include guided dives (A$10), nitrox (A$15 per fill), and underwater digital camera rental. Shield St., at The Esplanade, CBD, Cairns, Queensland, 4870. 07/4047–9100; www.tusadive.com. From A$260.
