Whitsunday Dive Adventures Day Tour
Tour overview
Whitsunday Dive Adventures runs a small group scuba diving day tour from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach to the fringing reefs of the Whitsunday Islands. The same trip takes certified divers and complete beginners, on two different tickets.
Certified divers do two instructor-led dives of about 45 to 60 minutes each. First-timers book the Discover Scuba Diving ticket: a lesson on the boat, one dive of about 30 minutes with two students to each instructor, then a snorkel at the second site.
The crew chooses the dive sites on the day to suit the wind, tide and visibility. All dive gear is supplied, and the boat is back at the marina by early afternoon.
Tour Highlights
- Scuba dive the fringing reefs of the Whitsunday Islands, inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Two tickets on one trip: 2 dives for certified divers, or a first dive for beginners
- Small groups, with a maximum of 8 divers and a skipper and instructor on board
- First-timers dive with two students to each instructor
- All dive gear supplied, with Marine Park fees included
- Sea turtles, groupers, Maori wrasse and hard and soft corals, with reef sharks sometimes seen
- Back at Coral Sea Marina by early afternoon
Certified Divers: 2 Tank Dive Tour
This ticket is for certified divers with an Open Water certification or higher and a current dive licence.
The dives: two instructor-led dives at two sites, about 45 to 60 minutes each depending on air consumption.
Depth: 5 to 18 metres.
Gear: a full set of dive gear is included.
First-Time Divers: Discover Scuba Diving
This ticket is for people who have never dived, or who are not certified. No experience is needed.
The lesson: while the certified divers do their first dive, an instructor runs through the equipment, the key skills used on every dive and how to equalise ear pressure.
The dive: one instructor-led dive of about 30 minutes, with two students to each instructor.
The snorkel: a snorkelling session at the second site. Dive and snorkel gear are included.
Itinerary
*Example itinerary only. The order, timing and stops may change on the day due to weather and operating conditions.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Meet the crew at Meeting Point B by 7:15am. They wear Whitsunday Dive Adventures uniforms. A marina map is emailed the day before.
Cruise to the Whitsunday Islands
The dive boat cruises at about 22 knots to the first site. The crew picks the sites on the day to suit the conditions.
Dive one, and the first-timer lesson
Certified divers do their first dive of about 45 to 60 minutes. First-timers have their lesson, then their dive of about 30 minutes with an instructor.
Dive two, or a snorkel
Certified divers do their second dive. Discover Scuba guests snorkel the reef.
Optional lunch on board
Lunch can be added to the booking, with dietary needs catered for.
Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
The return time depends on the weather and the dive sites used on the day.
Good to know
Cruise ship guests: the tour times do not line up with cruise ship tender schedules. Contact the operator before booking, as a private charter may be the only option.
Is This Tour Suitable For You?
Check Before You Book
The booking form asks every diver the questions below. It is worth having the answers ready, and checking nothing rules the dive out, before choosing a date.
Both tickets
- No flying within 24 hours after diving, so check your flight times first
- Height, weight and shoe size, so the crew can set aside the right gear
- Whether you are bringing your own fins or a full set of your own dive gear
- Dietary requirements and food allergies
Health questions
- Asthma, lung, heart or blood pressure conditions, epilepsy, seizures, blackouts, diabetes and panic or anxiety conditions may need written medical clearance before diving
- So may prescription medication, including inhalers
- Any trouble equalising your ears when flying, snorkelling or diving
- A recent cold, flu, chest infection, congestion or persistent cough
- The operator does not recommend diving during pregnancy or while trying to conceive
Certified divers
- Your highest dive qualification
- Your approximate number of dives
- The approximate date of your last dive
- If your last dive was more than 12 months ago, a refresher session is highly recommended
First-time divers
- How you rate your swimming and water confidence
- You need to be able to swim unaided
- No dive experience or qualification is needed
What's included
Included
- Certified ticket: two instructor-led dives
- Discover Scuba ticket: lesson, one instructor-led dive and one snorkel
- Full set of dive gear, plus snorkel gear for first-timers
- Skipper and instructor
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park fees and Environmental Management Charge
Not included
- Lunch, available as an optional extra
What To Bring
The usual items for a day of diving:
- Swimmers and a towel
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- A water bottle
- Certified divers: your certification card or eCard
- Your completed medical questionnaire
- Seasickness medication if you need it
Dive Sites And Conditions
Where: the fringing reefs around the Whitsunday Islands. The sites are chosen on the day, so they are not fixed in advance.
Depth: 5 to 18 metres.
Visibility: 3 to 20 metres, depending on the weather, tides and conditions.
Marine life: sea turtles, groupers, Maori wrasse, schools of fusiliers, clownfish and hard and soft corals. White tip reef sharks are sometimes seen.
Not the outer reef: the Whitsunday Islands are inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but this tour does not go to the outer reef. See Great Barrier Reef tours from Airlie Beach for the trips that do.
Tour Departure Point Map
The tour leaves from Meeting Point B at Coral Sea Marina, Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach.
Whitsunday Dive Adventures Reviews On Google
Terms and Conditions Of Travel
Cancellations made more than 48 hours before departure are refunded in full, less administration and processing fees. Cancellations within 48 hours of departure are not refundable, and a change of date within 48 hours is treated as a cancellation. If the operator cancels the tour because of unsafe weather or for operational reasons, guests can choose another date or a full refund. Travel insurance is recommended.
Health & safety: every diver completes a medical questionnaire before the tour. A yes answer needs a doctor's clearance before departure, or the guest cannot dive and the booking is treated as a cancellation. Guests who do not disclose a medical condition or medication can be refused the dive without a refund. The minimum age is 12. No flying within 24 hours after diving. The operator does not recommend scuba diving during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.
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