12-day Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation Program From Cairns

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairns

Pass By: No Limit Adventures, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
Arrive to tropical Cairns and transfer to you hostel. Enjoy your day discovering Cairns by foot. Points of interest include a stroll along the Esplanade, the Botanic Gardens, a swim in the Lagoon, the port and the CBD. Group briefing late afternoon/ early evening at a time TBA.
In the evening you will attend the Reef Teach presentation (18:30), an insight into the magical world of the coral reef and a great theoretical introduction to the underwater world for your upcoming diving adventure.
Note: Participants should arrive at the hostel by 16:00 in time for the briefing. Briefing time to be confirmed by your local host.


No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 2: Cairns - PADI Open Water Course day 1

Pass By: Cairns, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland
Over the next 2 days you will do the first part of your scuba diving adventure. Get picked up by the dive school early morning and transfer to the training center, where you will commence your theory on scuba diving with your qualified instructor. Put all the theory into use in the pool during your practical sessions where all your underwater skills are honed under the watchful eyes of your instructors. After lunch on day 3 it is time for your theory test and a briefing of the upcoming days out on the Great Barrier Reef. Transfer back to the hostel late afternoon each day.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 3: Cairns - PADI Open Water Course day 2

Pass By: Cairns, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland
PADI Open Water course continued.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 4: Cairns - Great Barrier Reef. PADI Open Water Course day 3

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Depart early morning on day 4 on your Great Barrier Reef dive adventure. All participants will complete their respective courses over the next three days. Once you arrive on the Great Barrier Reef begin exploring the underwater world on this magnificent natural wonder. Return to Cairns late afternoon on day 6. Transfer to your hostel and free time. (B,L,D*)
Duration: 3 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Boat

Day 5: Great Barrier Reef. PADI Open Water Course day 4

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland Australia
Live aboard boat trip continued...
Duration: 3 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Boat

Day 6: Great Barrier Reef - Cairns. PADI Open Water Course day 5

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland Australia
Last day out on the Great Barrier Reef, finishing your Open Water course. Return to Cairns late afternoon.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 7: Cairns - Marine Conservation day 1

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland Australia
Over the next 4 days you will be onboard Passions of Paradise, a locally owned premier operator promoting sustainable day trips to the Great Barrier Reef to enhance your marine conservation experience. Under the guidance of your designated Eco-guide you will undertake a selection of activities each day while diving (2 x dives per day), being Rapid Monitoring surveys and a species count to be entered into Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s Eye on the Reef Sighting’s Network (number of activities could vary depending on conditions). Optionally you may also carry out Coral Watch surveys while snorkelling. Utilising the Project AWARE foundation, you will receive a certificate of recognition for your contributions to protecting the world’s marine environment with an AWARE Coral Reef Conservation recognition and/or a Project AWARE Specialist recognition. Each day you will need to check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal by 0730am and return to Cairns late afternoon. Free time each afternoon.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 8: Cairns - Marine Conservation day 2

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland Australia
Marine Conservation day 2
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 9: Cairns - Marine Conservation day 3

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland Australia
Marine Conservation day 3
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 10: Cairns - Marine Conservation day 4

Stop At: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland Australia
Final day of Marine Conservation on the GBR.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 11: Fitzroy Island - Turtle Rehab Centre

Stop At: Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, Near Campground, Fitzroy Island, Queensland 4871 Australia
This morning you transfer by ferry to Fitzroy Island, 45 minutes from Cairns, where you will meet the volunteers working at the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on the island. You will learn about the work done by this organization, meet some of the patients and, possibly, go behind the scenes to lend a helping hand. Tasks may include feeding turtles, cleaning tanks as well as a beach clean up. Return to Cairns at midday or alternatively stay on the island for the afternoon. If the latter enjoy free time. Do one of the walks on the island, relax on the beach or swim and snorkel. The afternoon ferry returns to Cairns approx. 17:45. Group de-brief in the evening.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Gilligans

Day 12: Cairns - End of tour

Pass By: Cairns, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland
Today is the end of your tour. Check out and transfer to the airport for your onward or homeward journey. Safe Travels!

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.