Purchased by Explorer Ventures Ltd. in 1999, Nimrod Explorer & her staff now offer guests regular & exploratory itineraries in an area in which she pioneered diving.
A very sturdy 20 meter (65 foot) steel-hulled catamaran, this Queensland diving yacht accommodates 18 guests in 6 cabins, all of which have private facilities. The saloon includes TV, video, stereo, dining table, bar fridge & corner lounges. There is a BBQ located on the shaded upper deck, & the spacious bow is a great spot to catch the sun.
Being a catamaran, Nimrod Explorer is spacious & very stable, & is an excellent way to explore the Great Barrier Reef. The dive deck has a freshwater shower & freshwater rinse bins for equipment. Gear lockers are located beneath the tank rack for easy storage of equipment. Two ladders access the dive platform, where two additional in-water ladders hang for easy access to & from the water. No cattle boat backups on this fine Coral Sea diving vessel. Scuba vacations on the Nimrod are a class act, mates. Fair dinkum fun.
SCUBA DIVING from the M/V NIMROD EXPLORER
There is no “best” time of year for Great Barrier Reef diving. Each month brings something different, from manta rays during November through April, to the coral spawn in November, to the rare dwarf minke whales in June & July. Water temperatures range from 22°C in July (72°F) to 28°C in February (84°F).
Due to the large selection of dive sites, we can usually avoid sites with strong currents. Underwater visibility can range from 15 meters (50 feet) to well over 30 meters (100 feet); while visibility along the Great Barrier Reef can vary a bit more due to rainfall & water temperature, the visibility in the Coral Sea is consistently excellent year-round.
^ Main deck, showing room layouts on this spacious live-aboard.
^ Lower deck, showing more room layouts on this Coral Sea diving gem.
CORAL SEA DIVING SITES
The Great Barrier Reef, situated off the eastern coast of Queensland, is
one of the most exciting places in the world. The reef is alive &
almost every part of it contains a magic all its own. The Great
Barrier Reef is perhaps one of the most important gifts Australia has
given the world, by nominating it as a World Heritage Possession.
The average depth of Great Barrier Reef diving is approximately 18 - 20
meters or 65 feet. The water temperature varies year round, & there is
no 'best' time of year for dive tours on the Great Barrier Reef, as each
month sees different action - manta rays during February/March/April,
minke whales during May/June/July, sometimes humpback whales during
August, the coral spawning in November, etc. Many clients say they
prefer diving the Great Barrier Reef from June through September, when
there is much less rainfall in the SW Pacific, generally speaking.
Australia diving is nearly always best in the antipodal winter months, our
summer in North America. These are the months when Australia live-aboards,
such as the Nimrod Explorer, really shine. But you can get lucky any month
of the year & have weeks of perfect weather even when the guidebook
charts say Australia diving conditions may not be ideal. Just play your
hunches. The Nimrod is big fun any season.
COD HOLE / RIBBON REEFS
The Nimrod Explorer spends much of time between Cairns & Lizard
Island, exploring the sites along the Ribbon Reefs & introducing
guests to the world famous Cod Hole. This site, often described as
one of the best dive spots on the Great Barrier Reef, is known for its
resident family of huge potato cod which enjoy protected status in the
area, & have made this small section of the reef their home. They
range in size from 50 to 120 pounds. The ideal scuba diving depth at the
Cod Hole varies from 10 to 20 meters on a sloping bottom that is dotted
with high profile coral heads. This dive site is a perennial classic for
most Australia live-aboards.
Dynamite Pass is a narrow channel one mile north of the Cod Hole. The channel is approximately 100 meters wide & 30 meters deep in the center. The sides rise vertically to within a meter of the surface. This site is usually explored as a drift dive which can last 30 to 40 minutes. The sides of the channel are loaded with soft corals, hard corals & seafans. It is just one of the many passes in between the reefs where the ocean is forced through the opening. These strong currents bring rich nutrients to feed the abundant coral formations & marine animals resulting in a greater concentration of reef life. Sharks & Manta Rays are commonly seen cruising with the currents so this makes an exceptional drift dive, one of the best on Nimrod dive tours.
The lee side of the Ribbon Reefs offers a variety of diving. The best of which is around the small coral bommies off from the main sections of the reef. The closer the bommie is to the pass in the reef the richer the marine life will be. Pixie Pinnacle is one of these coral bommies & has been described as the ultimate underwater fairy garden. It is a coral pinnacle 30 feet in diameter that rises from 100 feet to within six feet of the surface. Nestled in a pass between two large reefs, this spot is a favorite on most Nimrod Explorer dive trips.
Some of our dive trips are graced by the elusive minke whales. The minke whale is one of the smallest of the baleen whales, growing to a length of 10 meters or 30 feet & a weight of 10 tons. These graceful whales have more pointed head with a prominent ridge from the blowhole to the tip of the upper jaw. Minkes are generally black on the back with a grey-white belly. They are found throughout the waters north of Cairns from May - July; we often can snorkel with them, as they have inquisitive natures. During their annual winter/spring migration the humpback whale is sometimes observed in local waters - they are easily recognized by the massive head & long pectoral fins. Humpbacks grow to a length of 15 meters or 45 feet, & can weigh as much as 45 tons. Female whales probably use the Great Barrier Reef for calving as it offers sheltered lagoons & bays to drop their calves, protected from the hazards of the ocean & predators such as killer whales & sharks. Dive vacations that are blessed with big critter action like this are events that create lifetime memories. We really hope you get into the thick of the whales & big pelagics.
Accommodation
Guests are accommodated in 3 large double and 3 spacious quadruple cabins, each of which is spacious and contains private facilities. The nicely-appointed main salon offers dining and relaxation areas, as well as a well-equipped entertainment center and bar area.
The large shaded top deck offers an open-air
respite from the sun, while the expansive bow serves as a welcome warm-up
between dives. Four to five dives are conducted daily directly from the
aft dive deck, with entries made directly off of the twin dive platforms
into the water.
The vessel is well-stocked with quality diving gear for each guest for
those passing through the area as part of a longer trip, while the crew's
experience and qualifications are well suited for those traveling
specifically to dive. PADI courses from open water certification through
advanced and specialty courses are also offered.
Dive Itineraries
During September through December, 7-day Coral Sea trips offer the chance to experience even higher-voltage dives; at other times of the year, manta rays, minke whales and other large pelagics offer a variety of experiences befitting the world's largest barrier reef system.
The following itineraries are examples only, and change weekly depending on weather and sea conditions. Conditions may limit a day’s diving to 4 dives, though we do make every effort to offer five dives whenever possible
Tuesday Departure Cairns to Lizard Island (3 ½ days)
Tuesday: Cairns
1600 Nimrod Explorer bus begins to pick guests up at Cairns accommodations
1715 Board Nimrod Explorer, Trinity Wharf, Cairns
1730 Captain's Briefing, documents, etc.
1745 Depart for Great Barrier Reef
1930 Dinner underway
0200 Moor for nightWednesday-Friday: Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole
0700-0800 Breakfast
0830 Dive Safety Briefing
0900 DIVE; underway to next site when divers are aboard
1130 DIVE
1230 Lunch underway to next site
1430 DIVE; underway to next site when divers are aboard
1630 DIVE
1830 Dinner
2000 NIGHT DIVE
2130 Underway to next day’s siteSaturday: Lizard Island
0730-0800 Breakfast
0800 Onboard bill settlement
0830 Dinghy ashore with luggage
0915 Bus to Lizard Island airstrip for 45 minute flight to Cairns
1030 Bus transfer to office, hotel accommodations within city limits, or airport.
Saturday Departure Lizard Island to Cairns (3 ½ days)
Saturday: Cairns/Lizard Island/Cod Hole
0700 Nimrod Explorer bus begins to pick guests up at Cairns accommodations, for flight to Lizard Island
0800 45 minute flight to Lizard Island
0930 Board Nimrod Explorer
0945 Captain’s Briefing, documents, etc.
1030 Dive safety briefing enroute
1200 ORIENTATION DIVE – Cod Hole
1300 Lunch
1500 DIVE
1800 Dinner
2000 NIGHT DIVESunday-Monday: Ribbon Reefs
(Note: five dives are often scheduled when conditions permit)
0700 DIVE; underway to next site when divers are aboard
0830 Breakfast
1030 DIVE
1230 Lunch underway to next site
1430 DIVE
1830 Dinner
2000 NIGHT DIVE
Tuesday: Cairns
0300 Arrive Cairns
0730-0800 Breakfast
0815 Onboard bill settlement
0830 Departure; bus transfer to hotel accommodations within city limits
Saturday Departure: Lizard Island to Lockhart River (or
reverse) or the Coral Sea
Saturday: Cairns/Lizard Island (Lockhart River)
Note: times will be pushed back an hour or so for Lockhart River departures.
0700 Nimrod Explorer bus begins to pick guests up at Cairns accommodations, for flight to Lizard Island
0800 1 hour flight to Lizard Island (2 hrs to Lockhart River)
0930 Board Nimrod Explorer
0945 Captain’s Briefing, documents, etc.
1030 Dive safety briefing enroute to dive site
1130 ORIENTATION DIVE
1230 Lunch
1330-1800 OPEN DECK DIVING
1800 Dinner
2000 NIGHT DIVESunday-Friday: Southern Small/Great Detached Reefs
Generally, transit between dive sites will be done during the day, due to the complex reef structure in the area. Four or five dives will be offered daily, weather permitting, with a good mix of dive sites as well as open-deck diving on the larger sites.Saturday: Lockhart River (or Lizard Island)
0730-0800 Breakfast
0800 Onboard bill settlement
0830 Dinghy ashore with luggage
0915 Transit to airstrip for 2 hr flight to Cairns (45 min. from Lizard Island)
1130 (1030) Bus transfer to office, hotel accommodations within city limits, or airport.
Please remember that these itineraries are examples only. Please be sure that the office is aware of where you will be staying in Cairns, to arrange pickup and transfer times.
Safety standards
All divers must be certified by an Internationally recognised accrediting organisation. All divers must have logged at least one dive within the 12 months prior to boarding the vessel, or participate in a refresher course prior to boarding. All divers must adhere to the buddy system. All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff. Each diver must have a submersible console and timepiece. On night dives, each diver must wear a cyalume lightstick or marker beacon. Decompression diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum depth is 40 metres/130 feet.
Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.
What to bring
Depending on your travel plans, you might find clean but informal attire advisable for evenings in Cairns or other destinations during your holiday; if you are planning inland excursions, be sure to bring the appropriate attire.
Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty. If you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications; though the Nimrod Explorer is a very stable catamaran, boats always have some motion.
If possible, pack your regulator, dive
computer, mask, a swimsuit, change of clothes and toiletries in your
carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected
luggage delay far more bearable, and if you are arriving from overseas you
may appreciate a change of clothes enroute.
All bed linens, towels, and the like are provided on board. Power in
Australia and aboard the vessel is 240 volt, so be sure to bring a
converter and 3-prong adaptor depending on your equipment.
Equipment list
- Certification Card (required to avoid a A$100 checkout fee for certified divers)
- Diving Log Book
- Mask *
- Snorkel *
- Fins *
- Booties (if you wear them)
- Buoyancy Control Device (required) *
- Regulator w/alternate air source (required) *
- Submersible pressure and depth gauges (required) *
- Underwater time piece (required)
- Dive Light *
- Dive Computer (recommended) *
- Wetsuit *
- Repair kit w/ spare parts
Arrival/Departure
If you are joining a Tuesday departure and are staying within the Cairns city limits, you will be transferred from your hotel starting at 4:00 p.m. If you are staying elsewhere, please make your way to our downtown office at 46 Spence Street, Cairns by 4:30 p.m.
If you are joining a Saturday departure, pick up time commences at 7:00 a.m.; those staying out of the city limits must be at the office by 7:30 a.m. All pick up details must be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure, if you are unsure of whether your accommodations are within the city limits, please contact our office.
Meals & Drinks
Though all meals, non alcoholic beverages, transfers (within the city limits) & much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on board bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), scuba instruction, dive & photo gear rentals, Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax), alcoholic beverages, crew gratuities etc. The bar bill & photo costs may be paid at the end of the trip using traveler’s cheques, cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners Club. We must charge a 5% premium on the exchange rate for payment in currency or traveler’s cheques in other than Australian currency. No personal checks are accepted.
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