The 32 metre Ocean Spirit sailing catamaran joins our fleet of 12 major vessels operating out of Cairns and Port Douglas showcasing the diversity and wonders of the Great Barrier Reef across our range of reef products.”

Setting sail daily from Cairns, Ocean Spirit offers a great range of activities to fully experience Michaelmas Cay’s unique reef environment. Surrounded by spectacular fringing reefs, guests can snorkel, cruise in the semi-submersible for a diver’s view of the reef, discover the bird sanctuary, or if you prefer just relax and enjoy a leisurely day on the Great Barrier Reef. For the more adventurous, introductory diving is also available.

For information on Ocean Spirit’s Michaelmas Cay Cruise, check out Ocean Spirit’s new website at www.oceanspirit.com.au

Originally commencing as a two-man operation, from these humble beginnings, Pro Dive Cairns has built an enviable international reputation as one of the world’s premier dive schools and liveaboard dive trip operators, and in a remarkable Australian first, certified their 130,000th diver this year.

With a team of 55 staff, Pro Dive Cairns operates a multi award-winning 5 star PADI Diver Training Centre (which also recently underwent a $1.5 million expansion) as well as 3 premier 24m liveaboard vessels that conduct 3 day / 2 night trips to the Outer Reefs off Cairns 6 times each week, all year round.

Commenting on the 30th birthday milestone, Quicksilver Group Managing Director Tony Baker said, “We are extremely proud of our achievements and the reputation Pro Dive Cairns has built over the last 3 decades, just this year achieving an Australian first with certifying their 130,000th diver. Pro Dive Cairns has and will continue to set benchmark in the dive arena and reflects our philosophy and commitment to providing the best possible dive education and liveaboard dive trips.”

Paul Lim, General Manager Pro Dive “Our longevity in business over the past 30 years, is an outstanding testament to the dedication and professionalism of all our staff both past and present, as well the quality and reputation of our product.

Predicting when this will occur is not an exact science but does rely on several environmental cues. The ocean temperature needs to be 26 degrees celcius or above for the month before for the gametes to mature. Secondly, they will generally reproduce 4 to 6 nights after the full moon in November or December when there is little tidal movement. Thirdly, it will generally be about 2-3 hours after the sun sets, because it’s nice and romantic (!), but more importantly most of the plankton feeders will be asleep, giving the eggs more time to settle to the relative safety of the reef.

Stay tuned for our Silverswift night dive dates to be announced.

Russell Hore, head of Quicksilver’s Reef Biosearch and team of marine biologists said snorkelling is the international leveller. “We have taken out politicians and labourers, movie stars and accountants, rock musicians and mechanics. The youngest snorkeller was 18 months old (a very special trip), and the oldest was a one-legged 94 gentleman from LA! We even took out a 60 year blind man, who had a hand held tour, and animals brought up so he could use his other senses of touch and smell.”

Quicksilver’s Outer Reef Cruise provides two different snorkel tours - Advanced and Introductory, so all groups of passengers, regardless of their snorkel skill level, can enjoy this amazing experience on the reef.

Back on board, our team of marine biologists are more than happy to meet with passengers and answer any questions they may have. You will find them at the front of the vessel on the main deck.

For guests traveling to Low Isles aboard our sailing cat Wavedancer, marine biologist guided activities are a great inclusion in the day’s activities. Snorkellers have the opportunity to join the guided snorkel tour to view the creatures of the reef under the guidance of a marine biologist, as well as a guided beach walk to learn about the island’s interesting history, flora and fauna.

Reef Spirit is pictured here thanks to Skipper Ed Burrows who snapped this photo from the Reef King.

Built by Sabre Cat, the stylish 24 metre fast catamaran features comfortable air-conditioned cabins over two decks and has a capacity for 200 passengers including crew.

“With three vessels now in the Great Adventures fleet, this will offer more flexibility across our entire Cairns operation and will enable us to also have a vessel available for charter. We are confident that the investment in our Great Barrier Reef vessel fleet will enable us to continue to lead in showcasing the diversity and wonders of the Great Barrier Reef across a range of reef products,” said Tony Baker Managing Director of the Quicksilver Group.

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Quicksilver Group Director Sales and Marketing Michael Healy said, “We have been hosting these breakfast for a number of years and it is our way of thanking the cabbies for being great ambassadors for the city. We also offer them a reef trip so they can experience the destination first hand. This will then ensure the drivers feel comfortable and knowledgeable of the destination and also the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.”

Rob Hayles, Fleet Services Manager Cairns Taxis said, “The drivers really appreciated the breakfast and the generosity of the Quicksilver Group which makes them feel appreciated and an integral part of the tourism industry.”

Michael Healy, Quicksilver Group Director Sales and Marketing said “It is a huge win to the region in the fact that China Southern does not currently fly to Cairns but stopped in on its way to Brisbane to allow this delegation to disembark. This showcases the importance of our destination in China and the potential for growth. Following the opening of 13 Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef branded retail outlets over the past few years, this is the next step in showcasing the unique and different aspects of our region.”

Involved in this important famil are QT Resort Port Douglas, Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas, Green Island Resort and The Shangri la, in addition to other established touring products. Cairns tourism operators partnering with Great Adventures Reef Cruises are Rydges Hotel Group, Hot Air Ballooning, GBR Helicopters, CAPTA Group, Seawalker Green Island and Scuba Doo.

 

 

 

 

Pictured here, two friends from Kanagawa, Japan, Ms Saito Shiho and Ms Yoneyama Ai shared the honour of being the 150,000th guest to walk on the sea floor with Seawalker Green Island.

Travelling to Green Island with Great Adventures, Seawalker Green Island offers the chance to see the reef up close and personal, and guests don’t even need to be able to swim, making it an ideal optional adventure for non-swimmers and those who might not be completely confident in the water.

Seawalker Green Island General Manager, Karl Kuhle said, “To celebrate such a milestone in our 10th year of operation is fantastic. Giving people an up close and personal experience with the reef and its amazing creatures is the driving force to keep improving this award winning adventure.”

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Over recent months Seawalker Green Island has also become known for the antics of one Blue-barred parrotfish, Gavin. Gavin has become famous all over the world for photo-bombing nearly every souvenir photo taken over the last 18 months. Travellers visiting Green Island for the day or on a stop-over on the way to the outer Great Barrier Reef, can have the chance to walk on the island’s seafloor and have their photo taken with the famous Gavin!

For more information visit www.seawalker.com.au

Silversonic skipper Shane Down said, “We were travelling between our Turtle Bay and Castle Rock reef sites at about 1.00pm and they were playing, jumping a few times and then they lay on the surface and looked like they went to sleep. It is always exciting to see the humpbacks arrive and a positive for all our passengers and crew. Our guests are just in awe, everyone was on the decks and delighted to see such an amazing sight.”

Silversonic also has one of the few permits that allows our passengers to actually get in and swim with the inquisitive, smaller Minke Whales, creating a very special encounter.

The reason the humpbacks travel to North Queensland is to get to warmer waters to breed and calve. Warm tropical waters in the Great Barrier Reef have little food for the whales to feast upon, so the whales rely on their fat reserves they have accrued by feeding on krill in Antarctic waters. As they travel up the coast, the whales begin to form small groups or mating pairs. “To actually see this underway is simply the most unbelievable experience you’ll ever have, says Russell Hore”, Manager of Quicksilver’s Group Reef Biosearch division.

The whales are regularly sighted at the Reef during July to September.