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Taka Dive CNS Fri [DiveT4]

8 Days / 6 Nights - Cairns and Live-Aboard Diving Expedition - Cairns, Live-Aboard Diving Expedition

This itinerary departs from the USA on Tuesday evening. Stay in Cairns for one night before you board the diving vessel the next evening (Friday). After disembarking from the dive vessel stay in Cairns for one more night. Your arrival day back into the USA will be on Wednesday morning.

Australia's north eastern town of tropical Cairns is the gateway for two of the world's greatest diving icons, the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.

The dive vessel departs Cairns 5:10 pm Friday and returns 3:00 pm the following Tuesday. You will be transferred to and from your accommodation in Cairns.

Travel Package Features

• Accommodation - Cairns (1 Night), Live-Aboard Diving Expedition (4 Nights), Cairns (1 Night)
• International Flights - Los Angeles to Cairns & Return (via Sydney)
• Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation (return), Cairns Accommodation to Live-Aboard Dive Boat (return)
• All Other Day Tours are Optional and not included
• Visa Issuance for entry into Australia (US$15.00 per person)
• F.I.T. (Free & Independent Travel, i.e. this is not an Organized Group Tour)
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)
• Itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs.

Travel Package Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 (Tues) - International Flight - Los Angeles to Cairns

Shortly after departing Los Angeles you will be served dinner and you will be given breakfast before landing.

Relax, watch some movies, and try to get some sleep!


Please confirm with the airlines at Check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record.

Day 2 (Thur) - Shuttle Transfer Cairns Airport to Accommodation

Travel by shuttle from the Cairns Airport to your vacation accommodation in Cairns, Australia.

<b>Need to Know</b>
Luggage Restrictions: 1 checked bag and 1 hand luggage is free of charge per person in the shuttle. Additional luggage is 10$ each. Strollers are free. Bikes need to be in a bike bag. Fishing rods need to be broken down and in a container.

Days 2 to 3 (Thur - Fri) - 1 Night Accommodation in Cairns

Travel to your accommodation Cairns, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Your 4.5 star accommodation combines contemporary decor with a tropical ambience. The magnificent location of this 176 room hotel is perfect for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest or Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands. Other nearby highlights include: Cairns Casino, Marlin Jetty, the Esplanade and the Night Markets. Unwind with a cocktail by the pool or bar followed by a sumptuous meal at the award winning Bushfire Flame Grill.

All rooms and suites have individual balconies, individually controlled air conditioning, refrigerator, television, broadband internet access, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, along with tea and coffee making facilities. Facilities include: 24 hr reception, tour desk, free wireless internet, Bushfire Flame Grill, bar, pool, business services on request, coin operated laundry on four floors, room service, laundry & dry cleaning.

Days 3 to 7 (Fri to Tues) - 5 Days Live-Aboard Diving Expedition

COD HOLE & CORAL SEA (OSPREY REEF) TOUR.
5 Days / 4 Nights (4 Full Days of Diving). Departs Fridays includes up to 14 dives (including 2 night dives)


Sample Itinerary

Friday:
The first evening we travel overnight 150km to the Cod Hole. During this time, passengers organize their dive gear or hire gear. We also have a brief period of introduction followed by paperwork and a briefing on the schedule for the next day. Dinner is served and the rest of the evening is for relaxation.

Saturday:
Breakfast
Arrive at the Cod Hole, dive briefing.

Dive 1:
Familiarization with the Cod Hole. Check out dive for those who have done less than 50 dives or have not dived in the past year. Likely Sightings include Giant Potato Cod, Moray Eel, Reef Sharks & Maori Wrasse.

Dive 2:
Cod Feed at the Cod Hole- Close encounters with the Famous Potato Cod.
Lunch

Dive 3
Pixie's Pinacle/Reef/Wall or Challenger Bay - Likely Sightings include Lion Fish, Nudibranchs, Garden Eels & Barracuda.
Afternoon rest & snack.

Dive 4
Night Dive at Challenger Bay - Likely Sightings include Cuttle Fish, Sea Turtles, Reef Sharks & Manta Rays.
Evening Meal

Sunday:
Breakfast
Arrive at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

Dive 5
North Horn. Wall Dive with drop-offs to 100m. There is a fantastic variety of sharks swimming off the wall- such as Gray Whalers, White Tip & Black Tips, Hammerheads, A Giant Potato Cod and the occasional Bull Shark.

Dive 6

North Horn SHARK FEED. Divers observe this amazing spectacle from 15m sitting on dead coral palettes. The SHARK FEED can last anywhere from 5min to 30min depending on how many and how hungry the sharks are. Once the feed is completed, once the instructors gives the 'all clear', the divers can leave the wall and continue the dive.
Lunch

Dive 7
Half Way Wall. Sightings include interesting coral formations, Feather Stars and Green Sea Turtles.

Dive 8
The Entrance. Sightings include Puffer Fish & Clown Fish.
Evening Meal
Depart Osprey Reef and head back to the Great Barrier Reef.

Monday:
Breakfast
Dive Briefing

Dive 9
Clam Gardens. Likely Sightings include Giant Clams (150-200 y/o)

Dive 10
Steve's Bommie. Likely Sightings include Red flame File Shell, Stone Fish, Wobbegong Sharks, Turtles & Thousands of schooling Anthias.
Snack

Dive 11
Temple Of Doom. Sightings include Flatworms & Clownfish.
Lunch followed by afternoon rest.

Dive 12
Beer Gardens. Sightings include Sleepy Turtles & Parrot Fish.
Evening Meal

Tuesday:
Dive Briefing

Dive 13
Hogs Breath. Sightings include Angelfish & Clown Fish.
Breakfast

Dive 14
Split Bommie. Sightings include Octopus & various Butterfly Fish.
As we sail back to Cairns, passengers have plenty of time to rest and relax in between snacks and lunch.

Days 7 to 8 (Tues-Wed) - 1 Night Accommodation in Cairns

Travel to your accommodation Cairns, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Your 4.5 star accommodation combines contemporary decor with a tropical ambience. The magnificent location of this 176 room hotel is perfect for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest or Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands. Other nearby highlights include: Cairns Casino, Marlin Jetty, the Esplanade and the Night Markets. Unwind with a cocktail by the pool or bar followed by a sumptuous meal at the award winning Bushfire Flame Grill.

All rooms and suites have individual balconies, individually controlled air conditioning, refrigerator, television, broadband internet access, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, along with tea and coffee making facilities. Facilities include: 24 hr reception, tour desk, free wireless internet, Bushfire Flame Grill, bar, pool, business services on request, coin operated laundry on four floors, room service, laundry & dry cleaning.

Day 8 (Wed) - Shuttle Transfer Cairns Accommodation to Airport

Travel by shuttle from your Cairns vacation accommodation to the Airport in Cairns, Australia.

<b>Need to Know</b>
Luggage Restrictions: 1 checked bag and 1 hand luggage is free of charge per person in the shuttle. Additional luggage is 10$ each. Strollers are free. Bikes need to be in a bike bag. Fishing rods need to be broken down and in a container.

Day 8 cont (Wed) - International Flight - Cairns to Los Angeles

This morning depart Cairns and fly back to the USA via either Brisbane or Sydney. Note: You will be traveling back across the International Date line so you will gain a day. You actually arrive in the USA on the same day you leave Australia.

Your flight home will give you the opportunity to reflect on your Australian vacation. Please tell your friends if you have enjoyed the experience and direct them to "ABOUT AUSTRALIA " for information via our website at www.aboutaustralia.com

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