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Mike Ball Dive CNS Thur [DiveMB4]

8 Days / 6 Nights - Cairns and Live-Aboard Diving Expedition

This itinerary departs from the USA on Monday evening. Stay in Cairns for one night before you board the diving vessel the next evening (Thursday). After disembarking from the dive vessel stay in Cairns for one more night. Your arrival day back into the USA will be on Tuesday morning.

Australia's north eastern town of tropical Cairns is the gateway for two of the world's greatest diving icons, the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.

The dive vessel departs Cairns 7:00 pm Thursday and returns 11:00 am the following Monday. You will be transferred to and from your accommodation in Cairns.

Travel Package Features

• Accommodation - Cairns (2 Nights), Live-Aboard Diving Expedition (4 Nights)
• International Flights - Los Angeles to Cairns, Cairns to Los Angeles
• Day Tour - Cairns: Live-Aboard Diving Expedition
• Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation (return), Cairns Accommodation to Live-Aboard Dive Boat (return)
• All Other Day Tours are Optional and not included
• Visa Issuance for entry into Australia (US$15.00 per person)
• F.I.T. (Free & Independent Travel, i.e. this is not an Organized Group Tour)
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)
• Itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs.

Travel Package Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 (Mon) - International Flight - Los Angeles to Cairns

After departing from Los Angeles, you will be provided with an evening meal, you can relax, have a drink, watch a movie and rest. You will be given Breakfast before landing in Cairns, Australia. (you lose one day crossing the International Date Line but don't worry you'll catch it up again on your return flight to the USA) This flight has a connection in Sydney or Brisbane.

The Qantas Boeing 747-400 is equipped with the latest entertainment features of any Airline. The overnight flight to Australia can be a good opportunity for sleeping or to watch the latest movies after your evening meal.

Day 2 (Wed) - Shuttle Transfer Cairns Airport to Accommodation

Travel by shuttle from the Cairns Airport to your vacation accommodation in Cairns, Australia.

Luggage restrictions apply as per standard economy Australian domestic flights of 2 standard bags under 30kg (66 lbs) per passenger. Excess baggage is AUD$5.00 per bag payable on board. If traveling with excess baggage please advise the shuttle company upon reservation confirmation so appropriate trailer size is available.

Pickups are conducted with a maximum waiting time of 20 minutes after collection of baggage from flight. If you are unable to meet within this time frame you will be required to wait for the next available shuttle.

Day 2 to 3 (Wed - Thur) - 1 Night Accommodation in Cairns

Travel to your accommodation Cairns, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Your 4 Star vacation accommodation is located on the waterfront, overlooking Trinity Bay and the extensive parklands of Cairns, Australia. Elegantly appointed rooms with private balconies offer panoramic views to the Coral Sea or to Australia's majestic rainforest clad mountains. The hotel facilities include a restaurant, wine bar, and swimming pool. Travel and experience Australia's nature and culture by visiting the Great Barrier Reef or Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Or travel along Captain Cook Highway and visit picturesque Mossman Gorge.

Days 3 to 7 (Thur - Mon) - 5 Days Live-Aboard Diving Expedition

Fly / Dive Coral Sea. 4 nights - 14 dives
Imagine yourself as a feeling of excitement arises as you cruise north in the shelter of the Great Barrier Reef. Your choice of hot beverage delivered to your cabin begins the next day in a civilized way. On deck you are greeted by the fabulous turquoise waters of the Ribbon Reefs. To port is historic Cooktown to starboard is the vastness of the Coral Sea.



Thursday: Check-in and Departure
Cruise overnight to the magnificent Ribbon Reefs, the first stop on your 700km dive odyssey.

Friday: Ribbon Reef #9 - Pixie Gardens, Cod Hole
Buddy up with diver size fish that dive with you at the Cod Hole! Swim with giant potato cod, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, tuna and barracuda.
Enjoy close encounters with huge Maori wrasse. Anticipate spectacular coral gardens, spotted rays, reef sharks and green turtle sightings. Night dive where decorator crabs, egg cowry shells, moray eels and crayfish are just a few of the creatures you can find.

Saturday & Sunday: Coral Sea - Osprey Reef
Cruise 100 miles overnight to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Enjoy 40 meter (132ft) visibility with spectacular walls disappearing to 1000metres. Witness the resident shark population including grey whalers, whitetip reef sharks, silvertips and hammerheads. Search for the commonly seen green and loggerhead turtles. Find the caves, overhangs and spectacular walls adorned with huge soft coral trees and gorgonian fans. Night dive.

Monday - "Like the astronauts witness the Great Barrier Reef as the eighth wonder of the world!"
Breakfast on board and transfer to Lizard Island. Spectacular low level Great Barrier Reef flight to Cairns. 150 miles, altitude 600-1000ft - saves 12 hours travel time. Courtesy transfer to city hotels.

Days 7 to 8 (Mon - Tues) - 1 Night Accommodation in Cairns

Travel to your accommodation Cairns, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Your 4 Star vacation accommodation is located on the waterfront, overlooking Trinity Bay and the extensive parklands of Cairns, Australia. Elegantly appointed rooms with private balconies offer panoramic views to the Coral Sea or to Australia's majestic rainforest clad mountains. The hotel facilities include a restaurant, wine bar, and swimming pool. Travel and experience Australia's nature and culture by visiting the Great Barrier Reef or Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Or travel along Captain Cook Highway and visit picturesque Mossman Gorge.

Day 8 (Tues) - Shuttle Transfer Cairns Accommodation to Airport

Travel by shuttle from your Cairns vacation accommodation to the Airport in Cairns, Australia.

Luggage restrictions apply as per standard economy Australian domestic flights of 2 standard bags under 30kg (66 lbs) per passenger. Excess baggage is AUD$5.00 per bag payable on board. If traveling with excess baggage please advise the shuttle company upon reservation confirmation so appropriate trailer size is available.

Day 8 cont (Tues) - International Flight - Cairns to Los Angeles

This afternoon depart Cairns and fly back to Auckland