State: Queensland Eco
Operator: Adventure Express
Minimum Price: AUD $ 2,100

Take a dive on the wildside! Get up close and personal with Sharks at one of the best diving sites in Australia. Assist researches in the study of Sharks behaviour, video monitering and at times watching the professionals in action as they catch and tag sharks for measurement and tracking studies. A must-do for adventure fanatics and certified divers!

Research:  At Osprey Reef you will be studying and recording the behaviour of sharks underwater, video monitoring sharks, and at times, watching the researchers in action as they attract and capture sharks for tagging, measurement and tracking studies. Nautilus research will also be conducted during this trip, with activities including our incredible 'Black Water Hang' night dives, early morning Nautilus capture, with presentations about these amazing nocturnal creatures of the deep.

Osprey Reef is located on the remote northern tip on the Great Barrier Reef. The location's clear water provides opportunities for great dives with whitetip 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 Diving: We intend to make 4 divers per day over 6 days, depending on conditions. Guests need to be certified and reasonably experienced divers to partake in the diving activities on the expedition. 

• Dive sites chosen for certified divers
• Visibility 30m plus
• Maximum dive depth 40m
• Hydraulic dive platform allows for easy water access
• Flexible dive time
• Drift and drop dives
• Respect for your abilities as a diver.
  

Itinerary:

Boarding Saturday 5pm at Princes Wharf Port Douglas. Enjoy dinner ashore and be back onboard by 7.30pm for the Skippers Briefing.

Day 1 Cod Hole and 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 - Shark research activities and diving. Deep sea Nautilus tagging and release research.
Day 3 Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea - Shark research activities and diving. Deep Sea Nautilus tagging and release research
Day 4 Osprey Reef or Lizard Island - In extreme weather conditions we may depart for Lizard Island on this day.
Day 5 Ribbons Reef, 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 day 6 which has 2 dives. The itinerary and activities are flexible and can be altered at the discretion of the Skipper. 

The Vessel: The Undersea Explorer is a 25m motor vessel that offers accommodation in air conditioned twin-share cabins. Other features include: Lecture room, DVD Projector & Screen, Microscope linked to TV, Underwater digital camera and video, Marine reference library, Guest computer with CD Burner, Air compressor, 2 inflatable tenders, Desalinator for fresh water supplies.

What's Included?

• Excellent meals prepared by onboard chef
• Twin share accommodation for 6 nights
• 4 dives per day (depending on conditions)
• Daily interpretive presentations
• Tanks, weights,airfills
• Additional scuba gear is available and payable on board cost is $200 for full set of gear.
  
• Beer and softdrinks available on board (BYO accepted) 

Notes:

Special Departure Dates: Departs Saturdays in July, August, September, October
Trip Duration: 7 days
Departs from: Port Douglas
Tour Ends: Port Douglas
Departure Time: 5pm
Return Time: 5pm
All Prices: $2100 pp during Jan-May
$2600pp during Jun-Dec
Deposit of $420pp Low season and $520pp high season. Balance due 60 days prior to departure.All guests must have emergency insurance. We recommend the Dan 30 day Travel Assist cover if you do not have annual membership.