Taka Cod Hole - Great Barrier Reef

NEW TAKA VESSEL STATEROOM TWIN ENSUITE CABIN LARGE COMFORTABLE SALOON INTERNET ACCESS GREAT MEALS PROFESSIONAL CREW ON DECK COD FEED GIANT POTATO COD CORAL REEF RIBBON REEFS CLOWN FISH REEF

Taka is a brand new, purpose built, 30-metre dive vessel, like no other on the Great Barrier Reef. Built for a maximum of 30 passengers and 12 crew, this expedition yacht is designed specifically for extended expeditions to remote dive sites. It has raised the standards in dive travel from both a comfort and a technological aspect.

The vessel has a unique stabilised hull design to smooth out the Cod Hole and Coral Sea trips, as well as features like bow and stern thrusters for safe manoeuvring, while getting divers as close to the reef as possible.

The vessel boasts four decks, a huge lounge, oversized beds and ensuite facilities in all Stateroom and Double Cabins.

Entertainment facilities include: Plasma Screen televisions, Denon hi-fi equipment, in-house movies, seven DVD players and a Microsoft Xbox featuring plenty of games to ensure that your time out of the water will be almost as much fun as when you are in it!

It is an excellent value dive vessel with friendly and professional crew, gourmet food and outstanding facilities. All dive levels are catered for.

ITINERARY:

Tuesday:
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Cairns at approx. 5pm, Taka departs from Cairns Harbour at approximately 5.30pm. The guests are welcomed aboard and the friendly crew will show passengers to their cabins and help organise any dive equipment.

Taka then travels within the protected area of the Great Barrier Reef up to the Cod Hole. A thorough briefing of the dive itinerary, questionnaires, introduction to crew and an evening meal is served during the travel up to the Cod Hole.

Wednesday:
Dive 1, 2, 3 & 4 - The Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs

The Cod Hole is the first dive of the day, kicking off the four-day dive trip. The site provides things to see as deep as thirty-five metres, allowing divers to set their maximum bottom depth for the day. In addition to the HUGE potato cods, keep an eye out for the Maori Wrasse, which gets its name from the unique patterns evident on its face. The site is an easy dive to get back into the swing of things, if it has been a while since your last dive adventure.

The Giant Potato Cod are an inquisitive species, which readily approach and follow divers. The second dive at the Cod Hole is the Cod Feed which is the highlight of the trip. The Cod feed gives you the opportunity to pose with a large Potato Cod (up to 2m long) for a photo and video shoot. This would have to be one of the world's premier dive experiences.

After the second dive, the vessel will move down the Ribbon Reefs to one of the many select dive locations for an afternoon dive and later, a night dive.

Thursday:
Dive 5, 6, 7 & 8 - The Ribbon Reefs

This day is spent diving the rest of the Ribbon Reefs at various locations that have been chosen for their diversity of marine life and coral architecture. You will see giant clams up to 2 metres across, huge coral gardens, swim throughs and an abundance of marine life.

Friday:
Dive 9 & 10 - Outer Barrier Reef

You will have the opportunity to complete your last 2 dives today. These dives are on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, just below the Ribbons, near St Crispin reef, and feature a wide spectrum of reef life - a slice of reef life from each of your previous dives. The last dive is at approximately 11.00am. Taka arrives back into Cairns at approximately 3.30pm.

Trip Includes:

• The opportunity to complete 10 dives
• Accommodation
• All linen including towels
• Pick up and return to Cairns accommodation
• Tanks and weights
• All meals

Additional Costs:

• The hiring of rental gear
• Beer, wine and soft drinks
• Enviromental Management Charge

The June / July whale season is a really good time to dive the Great Barrier Reef, with a 90% success rate in seeing the whales from Taka's private moorings.