Reef Encounter - 3 Day SSI Open Water Dive Course

The SSI Personalised Open Water Dive Course is ideal home school scuba for previously experienced divers or confident aquatic people. Enjoy more guided dives than the open water and advanced courses combined! Eight pleasure dives are combined with six skills sessions over a 3 day/2 night period on Reef Encounter.

Maximum of four students to one dive instructor. There are no class rooms or swimming pools - you can be certified in just 3 days instead of 4-5 in a more personal environment. Learn by experience under the watchful eye of your instructor with only three other students.

Once a booking is made students are to contact the Reef Encounter office and pick up a study guide and theory book. How much time is spent reading over the study material is each individual's choice, however the course must be completed over the 3 day/2 night period.

For your safety a Diving Medical to Australian standard 4005.1 is a prerequisite to the SSI Open Water Certification course. Please be well aware of this and only do a medical outside of Australia if your doctor conducts it in accordance to those exact standards and clearly states it on the top of the medical certificate that he issues. If yours does not state this, there is a very high chance you will have to do another medical in Australia. A dive medical is relatively inexpensive in Australia and easily obtained.

Itinerary

Day 1
07.45 Marlin Jetty, board Compass Cruise for transfer to Reef Encounter. Complimentary coffee and tea served
08.00 Depart Marlin Jetty. Scuba dive and snorkel briefing
09.30 Reef video presentation
10.30 Arrive Hastings Reef and transfer to Reef Encounter. Scuba Dive, snorkel, sunbath and relax.
15.00 Cruise to Norman or Saxon Reef for the night. Scuba Dive, snorkel, sunbath and relax. Dinner, night scuba dive and relaxation time

Day 2: Diving tuition

Day 3:
06.30 Scuba dive and breakfast
10.30 Cruise to Hastings Reef. Scuba Dive, snorkel, sunbath and relax
13.00 Lunch, cruise to Breaking Patches
13.45 Arrive at Breaking Patches, scuba dive, snorkel, sunbath and relax
14.00 Transfer to Compass
15.30 Depart Breaking Patches for Cairns. Boomnetting, complimentary wine and cheese
17.45 Arrive back in Cairns

Note: This information is provided as a guide only and is subject to change without notice.

Accommodation

Staterooms: located on Deck Two; modern, spacious and bright with ample storage space and the convenience of private bathrooms. Bedding is 1 Double or 2 Single Beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 adults. [floorplan]

Top Deck: located on Deck Three; fully air-conditioned with private ensuite bathroom. Bedding is 1 Double or 2 Single Beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 adults. [floorplan]

Departures

Departs: Daily 07.45 Marlin Jetty Cairns, helicopter transfers from Cairns available.
Returns: 17.30-18.00 Marlin Jetty Cairns, helicopter transfers available.

Vessel Details

Reef Encounter have experienced staff on hand to ensure your trip is enjoyable and comfortable. All briefings conducted on safety, diving and snorkeling are fully portrayed through practical visual demonstrations. This allows all of the guests to easily follow the procedures onboard Reef Encounter.

Reef Encounter is well designed in assisting clients with physical disabilities. Deck Two provides both twin and double stateroom accommodation and has direct access to all facilities including dining room, bar and lounge facilities. There is direct access to the water via the hydraulic lifted dive and snorkel platform.

Guests travelling with children onboard are put at ease by high staff to guest ratio providing supervision for children whilst parents or guardians are participating in water activities. Reef Encounter also have available cots and highchairs for any infants travelling. Whilst children and families are welcomed aboard Reef Encounter, they do not provide children rates and the clientele are generally adults.

35 metre Luxury Catamaran 21 spacious staterooms Onboard Heli Pad

Facilities

Air Conditioning Fully Licensed Bar Dining Room Heated Spa Easy access snorkel / dive platform Snorkel & Dive Equipment Dive Tender vessels Spacious Sun Deck Heli Pad Reef fishing is available - advance bookings are essential

Activities

The Dive Deck at the stern of Reef Encounter has all you will need to achieve the best diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef.

Diving: Catering for certified divers is a specialty - no matter what your experience or level. You have come a long way to experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, and with Reef Encounter there is no better way to experience this underwater spectacle than with scuba diving. Onboard Reef Encounter cater for divers of all levels of experience with a variety of diving options to choose from, all catered to your specific needs.

Guided Dives: take the hassle out of your diving and your Reef Encounters professional crew show you the best.

Remote Dives: dive on the wild side, for a small charge, Reef Encounter crew will be happy to offer you even more dive locations and whisk you away in the dive tender vessel to spectacular reef locations not regularly frequented by visitors.

Snorkeling: There is no better way to take you to the action and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you are exploring the Reef in between dives or snorkeling above and amidst the beautiful array of coral and marine life is an experience that will take your breath away. Reef Encounter's professional crew can assist you with snorkeling briefs and instruction as well as fully guided tours. The easy access platform allows snorkelers to enter the water with the utmost ease and confidence. Snorkelers can at any stage of their stay onboard speak to the staff about experiencing the underwater experience that is Scuba Diving.

Dive & Reef Destinations

Michaelmas Reef: Located 40 kms off Cairns, offers shallow coral reefs, and a dazzling array of exotic marine life including Giant Clams over 100 years old.

Norman Reef: The very Outer Reef 70 kms from Cairns, on the Continental Shelf, yielding incredible visibility. Many canyons, swim throughs, and prolific large fish life. A must to see, the best location for 'Night Diving'.

Saxon Reef: Renowned for huge Manta Rays, friendly inquisitive moray eels, great for diving or snorkeling. Transfer for return trip home.

Hastings Reef: 58 kms off Cairns, lies 10 sq. kms of colourful coral gardens. Famous for Tame Friendly Reef Sharks, finally the Giant Wrasse, and thousands of tropical fish.

Breaking Patches: Forests of staghorn coral, large black coral trees, wall diving and lion fish to photograph.

Highlights

Limited passenger numbers with high crew/passenger ratio Personalised service and individual attention Quality dives with guides Guaranteed three reef locations on a 2 day/1 night cruise Freshwater heated spa on board

Inclusions

Champagne on arrival All chef prepared meals All day coffee, tea & milo Fresh fruit Snorkel equipment & instruction Boomnetting Scuba diving demonstration & instruction Glass bottom boat & marine life commentary Reef video presentation Reef Encounter guarantee 3 reef locations on a 2 day 1 night package tropical breakfast served to your room daily daily turn down service with chocolates on pillows personalised guided snorkel and diving adventures complimentary sunset cocktails with the Captain and dinner under the stars on the Top Deck, weather permitting.

Getting There

By air: Take a truly amazing flight across the Great Barrier Reef and land like a movie star “for the perfect touchdown”. Helicopter transfers (surcharges apply) are available everyday from Cairns directly to the helipad onboard Reef Encounter. This 20 minute flight with a superb viewpoint from above shows the landscape at its best. The coral and marine life is superb from this view, with breathtaking sightings of dolphins and turtles possible. Click on 'Instant Quote' for price.

By water: Compass Cruises transfers and returns to Reef Encounter are via the daily cruise vessel. Compass departs the Marlin Jetty at 7.45am to rendezvous at Hastings Reef.

Additional Information

Instant Quote: Provides rates in Australian Dollars including GST
Additional Charges: Wetsuits, Dive torches, Alcoholic beverages (no BYO), Soft drinks, Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax), Queensland Dive Medical, 2 Passport photos for certification.
Operated by: Reef Encounter