• Shark Discovery Expeditions
• Tiger Shark Tagging Expeditions
  (Shark Capture Method)
• Minke Whale Expeditions

TIGER SHARK TAGGING EXPEDITION

27th November - 10th December 2008 (12-day 14-nights)

For the ultimate diving adventure, join world-renowned shark scientist Richard Fitzpatrick on a journey to extraordinary Raine Island. Closed to all except government-permitted research vessels, this tiny cay lies in the northern sector of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is one of the biggest sea bird rookeries in Australia and the largest nesting site for endangered Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the world.

During the summer months, thousands of turtles migrate to Raine to lay eggs on their natal beach -one of nature's true marvels. The usually solitary Tiger shark (Galeocerdo curvier) also congregates here to feast on the plentiful turtle population. This provides our small, privileged research group (8 max), with the rare opportunity to study these apex predators in the wild.

The research portion of the expedition is hands-on and will focus on the catching, tagging, tracking diving, documenting and photographing of sharks. With satellite tags, time depth recorders and critter cams (HD video) to deploy, we hope to gain a dynamic insight into the tiger's lives. Our findings will add to a building body of knowledge on the home range and movement patterns of the tropical seas' most voracious members. Combine this with world class diving to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Please note: The annual coral spawn may also occur during this trip (predicted dates include the 1-5 December!)
27th November - 10th December 2008 (12-day 14-nights)

First Night
Board your vessel from the Port Douglas Marina Mirage at 5:00pm. Meet your crew, organize/hire dive gear and complete paperwork. Enjoy a meal in town with fellow guests and return to the boat for a 7:00pm departure and trip briefing. Steam overnight and awake at your first dive/snorkel site (varies depending on weather conditions).

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DAYS 1- 3 Wake up to the Ribbon Reefs stretching out before you. Enjoy close encounters with giant potato cod, maori wrasse and moray eels. Anticipate spectacular coral gardens, shoals of colourful fish and inquisitive reef sharks. At night, join in the search for decorator crabs, nudibranchs, cowry shells, eels, crayfish and much more.

Take advantage of your guide's naturalist knowledge and his hand picked team of marine specialists. In the evening enjoy onboard lectures on coral reef ecology and shark biology, behaviour and the history behind the Tiger Shark Project.

Remember to keep your eyes peeled for Whale Sharks (regular but elusive visitors during summer) and Bryde's whales (the only baleen whale that has been known to spend its entire life in tropical waters).

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DAYS 4-8 * (May include pick-up and drop-off at Portland Roads)

Awake at Raine Island - the Holy Grail for divers and one of nature's last sanctuaries. Lost in a vast maze of northern reefs, this remote cay is also home to the oldest European structure in the Australian tropics. In 1844, convicts constructed a large beacon here under the order of the British Admiralty. The beacon is considered one of the most important historical monuments in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is listed on the State Heritage Register.

Spend a few dives exploring the pristine waters of this environmental icon - a timeless treasure that remains unspoilt by man. Absorb the kaleidoscope of colours and shapes as many fish species congregate to spawn (a must see for every diver) and be eyeballed by animals that have never before experienced people!
Although there will be time each day for recreational dives, the emphasis of this trip is the tiger shark research (see below for capture methodology)

DAYS 9-12*
Gear up for more fantastic diving as your team makes its way back from Raine Island and through the Ribbon Reefs. This will include exciting exploratory dives with explosive fish life and visits to many of the best sites in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Cod Hole, Pixie Gardens, Steve's Bommie, Lighthouse). If tides are right and guests are game, experience a drift dive along 'Captain Blood's Wall' for the ride of your life!

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*If limited by time constraints guests may wish to fly in/out of Portland Roads (near Raine Island), instead of travelling up and back on the steaming/diving legs. Total trip cost will remain the same and flights from Cairns to Lockhart are not included in the price.

MINKE WHALE EXPEDITIONS
(MV Phoenix)

6 days swimming with whales and diving/snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
(12-20 dives)

Be ready for anything as you journey through the minke whales' winter playground. Discover the beauty of the ocean's most inquisitive creatures and experience the awe of connecting with another species... Dwarf Minke Whale Expeditions run each June /July and all encounters take place on the whale's terms. Learn about their biology, behaviour and life history through onboard lectures by marine biologists and scientists. Guests will be given the opportunity to assist the ongoing research by helping to identify individual whales and be involved in behavioural observations. This is truly one of the most unique under water experiences available (and don't forget that it is accompanied with diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef!)

Please note: Minke whales are wild animals and we cannot control their movements. During the course of each day we will be diving/snorkelling along the Ribbon Reefs, and when whales are encountered the dives will be replaced with snorkelling with whales. Due to the nature of the trip, the itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted. However, during the past 12 years of our involvement with the Minke Whale Project, we have had a 100% success rate of finding and swimming with the whales!

Below is a summary of what to anticipate.

Expedition One: 1-7 July 2009
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1st July
Passengers are to arrive at the vessel 'Phoenix' (located at the end of the Port Douglas Marina Mirage commercial finger) at 4:30pm- 5:00pm. During this time passengers organize their dive/hire gear. We also have a brief period of introduction followed by paperwork and a briefing on the schedule for the next day.

Enjoy a meal in town with fellow guests and return to the boat for an 8:00pm departure and trip/minke whale briefing. Steam overnight and awake at your first dive/snorkel site (varies depending on weather conditions).
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2ND JULY
Wake up to the Ribbon Reefs stretching out before you. Enjoy a light breakfast before the first dive/snorkel, followed by a hot cooked meal. This will be accompanied by an in-depth briefing on swim-with-whale guide-lines. Afterwards, travel to your next destination, searching for whales whilst underway. If whales are eager to interact, don your wetsuit and enter the water, ready for the experience of a lifetime. Watch as their confidence and curiosity grows, bringing them closer and closer. If no whales are found, continue your dive/snorkel adventure on beautiful coral gardens and pinnacles. In the evening, attend an interpretive talk (and power point presentation) by researchers on whale biology, behaviour and the history behind the Minke Whale Project.
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3RD, 4TH & 5TH, 6TH JULY
Depending on the events of previous day, focus on either diving/snorkeling on the reef, or spotting whales. If found, help researchers identify animals, behaviours and keep an ear out for the minke's unique acoustic repertoire. Dive site will be selected depending on weather conditions and seasonal marine highlights. Night dives are offered most evenings. During mealtime, enjoy informal talks and share the passion with onboard biologists and researchers.
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7TH JULY
Final day to get wet with the minkes! Water activities finish up at 12pm and the boat will steam to Lizard Island. If time and minkes allow, guests will have the opportunity to explore historic Watson's Bay, the lagoon or follow in the footsteps of one of our great explorer's up to 'Cook's Look'. Guests will then be transferred to the island's air strip around ~4pm (for a ~5:00pm flight to Cairns). A baggage limit will apply. The one-hour low altitude trip provides an amazing spectacle and offers rare aerial views of the reef, so be sure to keep your camera handy. Arrive back at the Cairns General Aviation Terminal.
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Expedition Two: 7-14 July 2009

7TH JULY
Guests on the second Minke Whale Expedition will join the boat at beautiful Lizard Island. The flight from Cairns to Lizard Island departs at 3:30pm from the Cairns General Aviation Terminal (NOT the Cairns Domestic and International Airport). Please be at the terminal 45minutes prior to departure. A baggage limit will apply. The one-hour low altitude trip provides an amazing spectacle and offers rare aerial views of the reef, so be sure to keep your camera handy.

The activities and dive sites will be the same as the previous week (please refer to above itinerary) but the daily schedule will depend on whale sightings and weather.

14TH JULY
Following a light breakfast, guests will disembark from the Port Douglas Marina Mirage (end of the commercial finder) at approx. 8:00am