Conference Tours

Day Tours - Wed June 9

Five options have been organised for day tours during the conference break day - 2 water-based options and 3 land-based options. Details of these options and the post-conference tour are listed below.

Lizard

GBR Dive/Snorkel

Diving the Great Barrier Reef with Poseidon Cruises
This day trip departs from Port Douglas to visit three different dive sites during the day. Poseidon’s fast cat can access 45 different sites on 16 different reefs which means that the crew can pick and choose the best three sites for the day’s diving. These sites include the Agincourt Reefs on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. These long, narrow reefs are regularly flushed by clear oceanic water welling up from the Coral Sea Trench nearby, creating coral gardens with excellent visibility and fish life.

Trip details

Departs Wednesday 9th June. Pick up/drop off transfers between Cairns and Port Douglas (50min drive) can be booked through Poseidon Cruises – cost AUD$20.
Trip caters for both divers and snorkelers
Trip includes, morning/afternoon tea and lunch, snorkel gear, interpretative talks by reef guides

Costs

Snorkeling

$163.60 Adult   $113.60 Child (4-14 years)
$499 Family (2 Adults + 2 Children)

Certified diving (includes cruise)
1 dive with tanks & weights    $181.80
2 dives with tanks & weights    $200
3 dives with tanks & weights    $213.60
Optional full gear hire    $18.20
Proof of diving certification will be required

Introductory diving (includes cruise, all dive gear, tuition)
*Asthma & some medical conditions will prevent you from diving without a Queensland dive medical
1 Dive    $218.20
Additional dives (each)    $36.40

A $5.00 government Environmental Management Charge for entry to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will be charge upon boarding the vessel.

Booking details

1) use the following link to access the online booking form
https://www.reefadventurecentre.com/Poseidon_Snorkel_Dive_Australia_Bookings.htm

2) in the box “Special requirements or questions” you MUST state that you are a delegate at Sharks International which entitles you to the discount rates.

Conference registration will be confirmed with conference organisers to ensure your eligibility for discount prior to trip departure. If you have any questions, please e-mail info@poseidon-cruises.com.au or use the on-line query form:
http://www.poseidon-cruises.com.au/Snorkel_Dive_Australia_Contact.htm

For more information see: http://www.poseidon-cruises.com.au/Snorkel_Dive_Port_Douglas_Adventure.htm

Kangaroo

GBR Dive/Snorkel

Great Barrier Reef snorkel, dive and Michaelmas Cay visit with Passions of Paradise
Passions of Paradise is a modern, 25m (81 foot) sailing catamaran that makes daily trips to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Passions makes two stops, Michaelmas Cay – one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most important seabird rookeries – and Paradise Reef. The trip allows guests to snorkel and dive on two reefs, and to swim and lounge about on Michaelmas Cay. Passions of Paradise also have guided snorkel tours and a glass bottom boat tour with reef guides to help guests learn about the Reef’s ecology and wildlife. Passions of Paradise actively supports shark research and provides student prizes and an annual research grant to the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society.

Trip details

Departs Cairns on the morning of Wednesday 9th June (check in 7:30am for 8:00am departure), returns to Cairns around 5:00pm
Trip caters for divers and snorkelers, and has activities for less confident swimmers
Trip includes morning/afternoon tea, lunch, snorkel gear, interpretative talks by reef guides
Passions of Paradise are offering Sharks International delegates discount rates. Price options include AUD$113 per person (snorkel only), AUD$183 (one dive and dive gear hire) or AUD$228 (two dives and dive gear hire). Prices include all levies and charges.

Booking details
Bookings should be made through the secure booking link: https://www.passions.com.au/special_prices.php In the text box for “message” you must state that you are attending Sharks International 2010 to be eligible for the discount rate. Conference registration will be confirmed with conference organisers to ensure your eligibility for discount prior to expedition departure.

You will need to enter your credit card details at this time to secure your booking as it will be peak season. No cancellations are possible after Monday 7th June 2010. Please send any queries to reservations@passions.com.au.

For more information see: http://www.passions.com.au/index.php
or http://www.passions.com.au/shark.php

Koala 2 Rainbow Lorikeet

Diving NOTE

Diving and Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef - Please note
Delegates to Sharks International will have the opportunity to snorkel and dive on the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. We have selected three trip options with reputable operators who offer good trip itineraries and excellent value for money. These operators have also demonstrated commitment to sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef in that they have gained Advanced Ecotourism Certification and are ranked as High Standard Operators by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. They also actively participate in research and monitoring programs.

IMPORTANT notes for SCUBA divers

Australian diving regulations are strict. If you want to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef, you MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF CERTIFICATION – that means your original PADI, NAUI, FAUI, SSI, BSAC etc dive certification card. Make sure you bring it with you!
US divers: if you are planning to bring your own regulators, remember that SCUBA cylinders in Australia do not have DIN fittings.
Divers should not fly within 12 hours of diving, or if you’ve done multiple dives, within 18 hours of the last dive.

Frog

Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation Wilderness Safari
The premium 4WD experience to the World Heritage listed Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Visit Mossman Gorge, before cruising the Daintree River. Enjoy stops at Jindalba Boardwalk and Alexandra Lookout before a delicious lunch at Noah Valley. Then join the Bloomfield Track to Stingray Bay where few are privileged to visit. Cape Tribulation Beach is next, before an afternoon refreshment at the Daintree Ice Cream Company (fruit ice cream or tropical fruit drink). Return to accommodation.

For more information and booking options see: http://sharks.rydges.cairnstours.net.au/

Beach Plant

Rainforest and Crocs

Kuranda, Rail, Skyrail, & Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Transfer to Freshwater Station to board the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Limited time is available in Kuranda before boarding Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Our coach will then transfer you to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures - the best place to see crocodiles in Tropical North Queensland!. Time is allowed to experience the Wetlands Cruise, Snake Show and Crocodile Attack Show. Return transfer to accommodation included.

For more information and booking options see: http://sharks.rydges.cairnstours.net.au/

Croc

Rainforest and Culture

Kuranda, Train, Skyrail and Tjapukai
Transfer to Freshwater Station for board the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail. There is approximately 2 hours free time to explore Kuranda Village before boarding Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, enjoying 2 stops enroute. After a short walk to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, time is allowed to explore this fascinating park at all its attractions including the History Theatre, bush medicine and famous Tjapukai Dance Troupe. Return transfer to accommodation

For more information and booking options see: http://sharks.rydges.cairnstours.net.au/

Rainforest 1 Rainforest 2

Post-Conference Tour

Post conference dive expedition with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Monday 14th June to Thursday 17th June 2010

Four days/three nights diving the Great Barrier Reef (nine dives) and snorkelling with dwarf minke whales

Overview
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef during the southern winter means that delegates will have the rare opportunity to swim with dwarf minke whales. This dive expedition will combine world class diving on the Great Barrier Reef with the world’s only tourism program that involves swimming with dwarf minke whale. Dwarf minke whales were only described as a distinct species in the 1980s and are a unique feature of winter diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The whales appear between May and July and are noted for their curiosity, often approaching within metres of divers and snorkelers. Some encounters last for hours. The expedition also visits Great Barrier Reef “must do” dive sites such as the famous Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs.

The expedition is being organised through Eye to Eye Marine Encounters and will be based on Mike Ball’s famous MV Spoilsport.

Island view