On the Great Barrier Reef, Islands of East Indies, New Guinea and Micronesia, and many other regions that we explore, you will enjoy opportunities to snorkel and scuba dive over some of the most diverse ecosystems of colourful and pristine coral reefs. On expedition, we are able to snorkel from many places such as beaches, sand cays and from our Xplorer tenders. Additionally, our Expedition Team will offer drift snorkels where suitable, and guided snorkel tours. At each site the Expedition Team will provide you with a site briefing, which will cover rest stations, points of interest and water entry and exit practices.
Our snorkelling and scuba diving departments are fully stocked with a wide range of snorkels, fins and masks (including prescription masks) along with all the necessary equipment to allow you to try the unforgettable experience that is scuba diving. Snorkelling equipment will be assigned to all guests at the commencement of each cruise. You are welcome to bring your own snorkel, fins and mask if you prefer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – SCUBA DIVING
A qualified Dive Instructor will be on board for all our scuba itineraries. An introductory scuba skills session is complimentary and will brief divers on breathing rules and equalisation techniques, equipment purpose and use, hand signals, regulator and mask clearing techniques and responsible interactions with marine life. While Discover Scuba Diving (Introductory / Non-Certified) and Certified dives will be charged to your onboard account. Our Dive Instructors patiently guide those who have never dived before through the Discover Scuba Diving programme and exceptionally guide certified open-water divers. All certified divers will guided.
Coral Expeditions cruises provide top quality scuba equipment and wetsuits are available in a variety of sizes in 3mm shorties at no extra cost. If you wish to bring and use your own diving equipment with you, the diving experience is offered at a different rate. Coral Expeditions do not offer Nitrox dives, nor permit weighted and unsupervised freediving.
INTRODUCTORY DIVERS
FOR GUESTS WANTING TO SCUBA FOR THE FIRST TIME
No experience necessary if you are discovering scuba diving for the first time, with one of our experienced Dive Instructors by your side and all training is undertaken on board. You do however need to be at least 12 years old, and in good health. If you wish to undertake an introductory scuba dive, you will be required to undertake a dive medical assessment conducted by a registered physician (overseas or Australia) with experience in diving medicine highly recommended, declaring you medically fit to dive.
Please download the Dive Medical Questionnaire. Coral Expeditions require that you undertake this dive medical in order to be able to dive on your cruise.
DIVE MEDICALS MUST:
- Be the Dive Medical Questionnaire provided by Coral Expeditions (is to Australian Standard AS4005.1)
- Be completed in English
- Assessed and certified by a registered physician, experience with diving medicine highly recommended
- Be completed within 12 months of the LAST day of your cruise, to ensure it is valid for the duration of the voyage
- Clearly state you are medically fit to dive
- Be sent to [email protected] four weeks prior to your cruise, to allow time for assessment
- Please also provide a written clearance from a registered physician with their medical centre letterhead alongside the Dive Medical Questionnaire
VIEW DIVERS MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE
If you are deemed medically unfit to dive, snorkelling is available.
If you have suffered any illness or injury following your initial dive medical assessment that may affect your ability to dive safely, an additional dive medical assessment may be required. Please advise our reservations department if this occurs.
After your Discover Scuba Dive briefing and successful in-water skills assessment, you will be able to dive to a maximum of 12 meters’ depth. You will have an experienced Dive Instructor by your side and a maximum of three ‘intro’ divers with you. The duration of your first dive lasts between 20 and 35 minutes. And give you a whole new perspective of the underwater world!
Following your first dive, you will have more opportunities to dive at another location, where you can expect your dives to last between 30 and 45 minutes, diving to a maximum 12 meters’ depth.
The Coral Expeditions Dive Instructor will make the ultimate determination of a person’s condition and suitability to dive. If you are feeling unwell, show symptoms of a medical condition that is unsafe for diving, have a head or chest cold or display a respiratory condition onboard prior to diving you will not be permitted to dive.
CERTIFIED DIVERS
FOR GUESTS WHO ARE CERTIFIED DIVERS
As a Certified diver you are required to provide a copy of your certification card and logbook PRIOR to your cruise. Please ensure to bring these with you on your cruise as well. All dives are guided by an experienced Dive Instructor. You will be asked by the Coral Expeditions Dive Instructor prior to your cruise and on the day of diving about your current medical fitness to dive. To avoid disappointment, Coral Expeditions require you undertake a dive medical assessment conduced by a registered physician (overseas or Australia) with experience in diving medicine highly recommended, declaring you medically fit to dive. Some medical conditions that present a risk to diving may require you to additionally provide a written medical certificate stating that you are fit to dive. If this is required, you will be informed following dive medical questionnaire provided prior to cruise.
DIVE MEDICALS MUST:
- Be the Dive Medical Questionnaire provided by Coral Expeditions (is to Australian Standard AS4005.1)
- Be completed in English
- Assessed and certified by a registered physician, experience with diving medicine highly recommended
- Be completed within 12 months of the LAST day of your cruise, to ensure it is valid for the duration of the voyage
- Clearly state you are medically fit to dive
- Be sent to [email protected] four weeks prior to your cruise, to allow time for assessment
- Please also provide a written clearance from a registered physician with their medical centre letterhead alongside the Dive Medical Questionnaire
VIEW DIVERS MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE
If you are deemed medically unfit to dive, snorkelling is available.
If you have suffered any illness or injury following your initial dive medical assessment that may affect your ability to dive safely, an additional dive medical assessment may be required. Please advise our reservations department if this occurs.
The Coral Expeditions Dive Instructor will make the ultimate determination of a person’s condition and suitability to dive. If you are feeling unwell, show symptoms of a medical condition that is unsafe for diving, have a head or chest cold or display a respiratory condition onboard prior to diving you will not be permitted to dive.
REFRESHER COURSE
We recommend that Certified Divers who haven’t dived within the last 12 months, contact their local dive club and do a refresher course. This allows you to make the most of your scuba dives in these exceptional destinations.
SCUBA FARES
1 Jan 2025 until 31st December 2025
Scuba Skills Lesson – Free
Non Certified Divers (1st & 2nd Dive) – $155 AUD per dive
Non Certified Divers (Subsequent Dives) – $125 AUD per dive
Certified Dives (requiring all gear) – $125 AUD per dive
Certified Dives (requiring weight belt and tank only) – $115 AUD per dive
Please note diving on selected departures may be operated by concessionaires (3rd party operators) at a different rate, which will be notified onboard by your expedition team at the start of your voyage.