Live-aboard Dive Cruises in Australia

Undersea Explorer
This purpose built Dive Vessel conducts a number of Research Projects and undertakes underwater environmental education trips throughout the year - please contact us for our extended program. Research Projects include: Crown of Thorns Study · Queensland Shipwrecks · Turtle Hatcheries · Shark Studies. they theylcome Researchers, research groups and suggestions for other research expeditions.

Undersea Explorer is instituting the concept of using tourism, as a driving force for Research and Ecological protection. Our programs will be designed to combine the best diving while contributing to valid research. They believe in ecologically sustainable tourism, which fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

The Australian crew are divers - the captain is one of the most experienced skippers within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The onboard Divemaster and Instructor will take care of your diving needs, a marine Biologist accompanies our environmental education trips.

Accommodation

  • Ducted Airconditioned 2 Berth Cabins
  • 5 x Queen Doubles
  • Separate Lecture Room
  • 6 x 2 Berth
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Vessel Specifications
  • 25 Mtr Steel Motor Vessel
  • 6.2 Mtr Beam
  • 2 x GM Main Engines
  • 2 x Auxiliary Engine 415 (240v) Potheyr
  • 16 tonne Fresh Water
  • Desalination unit makes 3 tonne 24 h
  • Hydraulic 5 x 2 mtr Stern Boarding platform
  • Top Deck Sun Awning Launched June 1990
  • Complete Refit 1995
  • Uniform Shipping Law Survey No. 7021 QB
  • Australian Registered Vessel No. 853857
  • Max passengers 18 - 3 Scientists (max 21)
  • Crew 6

What is Included
  • Accommodation & All meals
  • Tea, coffee, snacks and cordials.
  • Tanks.
  • Airfills.
  • theyights.
  • Dive Master and Instructor..
  • Linen provided including totheyl.

Itinerary
The weekly (Saturday to Saturday) intineraries of the Undersea Explorer are chaching slightly, depending on the ongoing research of that moment. Roughly the following guidelines apply:

Day 1: Arrive Port Douglas, vessel available for boarding from 4.00 p.m. Departure to the Great Barrier Reef at 8.00 p.m.

DAY 2: Settle into the diving routine along the Fabulous Ribbon reefs. Travel North bettheyen dives to PIXIE PINNACLE.
Depart for Osprey reef in the Coral Sea at 9.00 p.m. (4 dives)

DAY 3: Remote Coral Sea diving at Osprey reef. 3000ft vertical walls and visibility frequently exceeds 150ft. Dive THE NORTH HORN, Australia's finest shark dive, 5 species generally sighted. Night divers should expect to see the rare Flashlight fish. (4 dives)

DAY 4: Further diving at Osprey reef, late evening departure to the COD HOLE. (4 dives)

DAY 5: Dive the world famous COD HOLE and DYNAMITE PASS. Arrive Lizard Island, overnight at Butterfly bay, beach barbeque ashore. (3 dives)

DAY 6: Continue South along the Ribbon reefs. Dive the Coral Gardens, Fish Tank, Temple of Doom. (4 dives)

DAY 7: A last day diving, before a late afternoon arrival in Port Douglas, overnight onboard. (3 dives) Disembark day 8 at 8.00 a.m.

Research Programs & Cruise Rates 
Because of its popularity, you need to make bookings well in advance. Many divers like to participate in research programm, and therefor choose a particular (cruise) date.
CRUISE REF/
TRIP DATES

DESCRIPTION

 COST RESEARCH THEMES
MR401
24 Mar – 6 Apr		 Maintenance
AP101
7 Apr – 13 Apr		 CORAL SEA / COD HOLE LIZARDISLAND $1850 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research
AP201
14 Apr – 20Apr*Easter 13-16/4		 CORAL SEA / COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $1850 Shark Research,site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
AP301
21 Apr - 27 Apr*Easter 13-16/4Anzac D 25/4		 CORAL SEA / COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $1850 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research
28 Apr – 25 May Maintenance
M101
26 May- 1 June		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $1850 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research
JN101
2 June - 8 June		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $1850 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research
JN201
9 June – 15 June		 RIBBON REEFS $2190 Minke whalestudies, sharks and reef health studies
JN301
16 June – 22 June		 RIBBON REEFS $2190 Minke whalestudies, sharks and reef health studies
JN401
23June – 29 June		 RIBBON REEFS $2190 Minke whalestudies, sharks and reef health studies
JN501
30 June - 6 July		 RIBBON REEFS $2190 Minke whalestudies, sharks and reef health studies
JL101
7 July - 13 July		 RIBBON REEFS $2190 Minke whalestudies, sharks and reef health studies
JL201
14 July - 20 July		 RIBBON REEFS $2190 Minke whalestudies, sharks and reef health studies
JL301
21 July – 27 July		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research
28 July – 3 Aug Maintenance - -
AU101
4 Aug - 10 Aug		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Sharks, site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
AU201
11 Aug – 17 Aug		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND*3 days at Osprey Reef, weather permitting $2190 Shark Research,populations, tagging and reef health studies
AU301
18 Aug - 24 Aug		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND*3 days at Osprey Reef, weather permitting $2190 Sharks, site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
AU401
25 Aug - 31 Aug		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark population, nautilus and International Reef Check Studies
S101
1 Sept - 7 Sept		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark population, nautilus and InternationalReef Check Studies
S201
8 Sept – 14 Sept		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Bioerosion (Reefeaters)- Australian Museum and shark population studies
S301
15 Sept – 21 Sept		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 -
S401
22 Sept - 28 Sept		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Cephalopod Studies - octopusand nautilus also shark research
29 Sept - 5 Oct Maintenance - -
O101
6 Oct- 12 Oct		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark studies, site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
O201
13 Oct – 19 Oct		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Sharkstudies, site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
O301
20 Oct -26 Oct		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Sharkstudies, site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
O401
27Oct – 3 Nov

CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND*3 days Osprey Reef , weather permitting

 $2190 Shark Research,populations, tagging and reef health studies
N101
3 Nov – 9 Nov

CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND*3 days Osprey Reef ,weather permitting

 $2190 Shark Research,populations, tagging and reef health studies
10 Nov – 16 Nov Maintenance - -
N201
17Nov- 27 Nov		 FAR NORTHERN REEFS – 8 daysPort Douglas – Lockhart River $2990+$300 flight Megafauna– “wilderness” Survey for whale sharks, mantas andBrydes whales
N301
27 Nov -5 Dec		 FAR NORTHERN REEFS – 8 daysPort Douglas – Lockhart River $2990+$300 flight Megafauna– “wilderness” Survey for whale sharks, mantas andBrydes whales
6 Dec –7 Dec Maintenance
D101
8 Dec – 14 Dec		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research
D201
15 Dec – 21 Dec		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark Research,site mapping, water quality, plankton and nautilus research
22 Dec - 28 Dec   Christmas Break
D301
29Dec - 4 Jan 2002		 CORAL SEA/COD HOLE LIZARD ISLAND $2190 Shark studies, site mapping,water quality, plankton and nautilus research