Taka Coral Sea - Great Barrier Reef

THE ALL NEW TAKA VESSEL GUEST SALOON INTERNET ACCESS LARGE SUN DECK ENSUITE TWIN ROOM STATEROOM THE FAMOUS COD HOLE POTATO COD CORAL SEA CLOWN FISH CORAL REEF LARGE RAY LARGE SCHOOLS OF FISH

Taka is a 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 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 the water will be almost as much fun as when you are in it!

The Coral Sea is a highlight of any dive trip, known for its crystal clear waters where you are guaranteed 30 metres visibility on a bad day! The reef boasts huge drop offs with the large endemic and pelagic shark population often cited as a highlight. All dive levels are catered for.

Below is the set itinerary for the 5 day/4 night Coral Sea trip.

ITINERARY:

Friday:
Pick up from Cairns accommodation at 5.00pm and transfer to Taka, which departs from Cairns Harbour and travels over the smooth waters inside the Great Barrier Reef up to the Cod Hole.

Saturday:
Taka arrives at the Cod Hole at approx 9:00am. Challenger Bay is the first dive of the day. The site provides things to see as deep as twenty-five metres, thus allowing divers to set a good maximum bottom depth for the day.

Your second dive at the Cod Hole is the Cod Feed, where huge schools of fish and Maori Wrasses compete with the large family of Potato Cod for a fish dinner. This would have to be one of the world's premier dive experiences.

You will have the opportunity to complete another dive in this area at either Dynamite Pass or Snake Gully, then a night dive. Taka II departs this area at approximately midnight to travel to Osprey Reef.

Sunday:
Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, is one of the most exciting shark diving locations in Australia. You will witness a Shark feed and some stunning wall dives in this world famous area, which has an average visibility of 40 metres.

As you descend to your maximum depth, take a look down at the 1000m drop below!

The shark feed is the highlight of the Osprey Reef dive trip. After everyone gets seated on the wall, the shark feed is dropped down a line. Feeds last anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. Bring an underwater camera for this extraordinary experience.

Monday:
This day is spent diving the Ribbon Reefs at various locations that are 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 unmatched anywhere on this planet.

Tuesday:
You will complete 2 dives on this day. These dives are on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and feature unique coral formations and fish life. Taka II then cruises through the reefs arriving back into Cairns at approx 3.30 pm.

Trip Includes:

• The opportunity to complete 14 dives
• Accommodation
• All linen including towels
• Accommodation transfers
• Tanks and weights
• All meals

Additional Costs:

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

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.

Snorkellers are welcome on all Taka Dive Cruises and receive a $100 discount.