 |
MIKE BALL DIVE
EXPEDITIONS |
|
 In
2004, at Grand Cayman Island, Mike Ball joined diving great
like Jacques Yves Cousteau and Hans Hass as an inductee into
the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Mike was the
first Australian dive operator and the world's first liveaboard
operator to receive this recognition. He was honoured for
his contribution to the growth and development of scuba diving
and his pioneering efforts in the liveaboard industry. His
uniquely designed twin hull liveaboard's have set the standard
for both comfort and innovation with introduction of such
services as onboard photo and nitrox services and a formal
Safe Solo Diving program.
|
AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITIONS
|
Fly Dive Cod Hole - 3 night
A special bonus with your ‘Fly Dive Cod Hole’ participation
is you experience one of the worlds most spectacular low-level
reef flights and see stunning views of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef's most remarkable marine life encounter
await you at the Cod Hole, imagine diver size fish that swim
with you!
All your dives are at the superior northern reefs between
Cooktown and the Cod Hole, beginning at Ribbon Reef #3. This
55 mile (90km) turquoise chain of ribbon reefs is the most
prized dive region in the northern section of the Great
Barrier Reef. You will see spectacular concentrations
of pristine coral and a myriad of brightly colorful tropical
fish. The currents that channel between the ribbon reefs attract
bigger fish population than elsewhere. You will enjoy exciting
night and drift dives with excellent visibility. Our knowledgable
dive crews are often able to show you very rare species like
the beautiful leaf scorpion fish and ghost pipefish. The 'Fly
Dive Cod Hole' is a photographer's paradise for both macro
and wide-angle shots.
Fly Dive Coral Sea - 4 night
The ‘Fly Dive’ itineraries flight is designed to
maximize your appreciation of the northern section of the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park . Follow the detailed flight
maps as you anticipate the low altitude pass (180m) over Endeavour
Reef where Captain Cook ran aground, Emily Wreck and the outer
reefs you will dive from Spoilsport and Lizard Island. Keen
observers are often rewarded with sightings of Minke whale
(May-Aug) dugongs, rays, turtles and sharks.
Dive the pristine Ribbon Reef’s north of Cooktown and
remote Coral Sea. Enjoy Osprey Reef’s 40m (132ft) visibility,
plummeting walls to 1000m (3300ft) and resident shark population.
Dive with diver size fish at the Cod Hole and schooling tuna
and barracuda at North Horn.Prime dives sitesare gauranteed!
This itinerary has been designed to include the ‘prime’
Ribbon Reef sites that have restricted access. If weather
forces an itinerary change our surety of access to the prime
Ribbon Reef sites is your guarantee of the best diving.
Coral Sea Safari - 7 night
Experience the best of far north Queensland . Buddy up with
diver size fish at the world famous Cod Hole, witness Osprey
Reef’s shark population including hammerheads and grey
whalers and cruise the Ribbon Reefs. Walk in Captain Cook’s
footsteps to ‘Cook’s Look’ on Lizard Island.
Minke Whale Expeditions
Minke whales are commonly seen along the Ribbon Reefs
north of Cairns between May and August. In June and July we
conduct special Minke Whale Expeditions with the second day
devoted almost entirely to finding and snorkeling and/or diving
with minke whales. Since commencing minke whale expeditions
in 1996 we have discovered the locations where minkes' are
most commonly found. In this time we have evolved a diving
and snorkeling protocol that has minimal impact on the whales
and allows them to approach divers within their own comfort
zone. This protocol combined with the minkes' natural curiosity
provides you with very close encounters and spectacular opportunities
for close up videos and photography.
Great White Shark Expeditions
You can become one of the few divers that come face to face
with the ocean's ultimate predator. Many of the world's foremost
divers and adventurers have acclaimed these Great White Shark
dive Expeditions as the pinnacleof their diving careers. Our
special live aboard adventures depart both Adelaide and Port
Lincoln to head out into the clear blue water of the Southern
Ocean. South Aus tra lia is the only place in the world where
you can experience Great White Sharks, with all the advantages
of working from live-aboard dive boats.
The focus of this expedition is to have as much time as possible
photographing and observing great white sharks. Expeditions
are led by Rodney & Andrew Fox, Australia's most successful
leaders of Great White Shark expeditions. Experience a different
kind of liveaboard, a 150 ft historic tall ship .. an adventure
in itself. Witness 1000's of seals and sea lions eating, sleeping
mating and fighting territorial disputes.
|
PAPUA NEW GUINEA EXPEDITIONS
|
Milne Bay - 7 or 10 night
A typical expedition includes Nuakata Island, East Cape, the
North coast and D'Entrecasteau Islands. Cruises may also include
Basilaki Island to the southeast, Cape Vogel to the northwest.
You will enjoy a superb mix of: wall dives; wrecks; nautilus
dives; shark and exotic creature dives. Enriching the experience
are cultural exchanges with isolated villages in tropical
settings and calm night anchorages in picturesque bays.
Kimbe Bay - 7 or 10 night
Kimbe Bay combines the exotic marine life of Milne bay with
the big fish action of Kavieng. Beginning at the Kimbe Reef
Chain and adjacent deep-water seamounts you will see colourful
seascapes teaming with life. Traveling east to Lolobao Island
we enjoy the diverse conditions and shark action of the Fathers
Reefs. We then venture further offshore to the spectacular
Vitu Islands where a narrow passage through the cone of a
flooded volcano allows Paradise Sport a very treasured visit.
Here strong currents attract massive schools of pelagics while
the sheltered sites have fantastic muck dives that yield an
array of exotic critters.
Kavieng - 7 or 10 night
PNG's pelagic capital for world class big fish and shark dives.You
will enjoy a unique combination of spectacular marine life,
wrecks, shark action, nautilus dives (nautilus safely returned
to deep water), and fascinating cultural experiences. Experience
breathtaking views of palm fringed islands with perfect white
sand beaches as you fly into Kavieng. See huge schools of
barracuda and trevally at various wall and pass dives, see
large silvertip sharks at Valerie's Reef. World War II wreck
dives - An aircraft, freighter and submarine. Wreck of the
Der Yang - great for photography. Nautilus dives - unique
opportunity to photograph live nautilus. Visit the unspoilt
paradise of Mansava village on Tsoi island.
For personalised help with organising your 'Dive Adventure'
please contact us on:
info@great-barrier-reef-dive.com.au
|
