Important information:

• Need to know:
  • You must complete a diving medical questionnaire before being able to dive with us. 
  • Before booking you must read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions
  • PADI E-Learning is an interactive online program that takes approximately 10-12hrs which can be completed in the comfort of your own home prior to arriving on the island.
  • Amenities: There are toilets and showers on board
  • Capacity: we can operate with up to 60 guests with plenty of room
  • Weather: at times the weather in the tropics can be unpredictable. We will provide up to date weather report before departure and discuss in detail with you the scheduled plan for the day
  • Wind and visibility: on occasions we can operate different destinations to provide the most enjoyable day possible. These options will be explained prior to departure
  • Explore Group takes no liability for guests connecting to/from Hamilton Island on the day of this tour.

   

• Reef FAQ's

  Is Explore operating to the reef?
  Yes - We operate to Bait Reef on our full day tour and the fringing reefs around Hook Island on the half day tour.

  Is it still worth visiting the reef?
  Yes - The reef is still very much alive, healthy and definitely worth visiting. Although certain parts of the reef did sustain natural damage during the cyclone, our dive team have completed dive reconnoiter trips around the Whitsundays region and outer Great Barrier Reef, and have found plenty of healthy areas to snorkel or dive.

  What is visibility like?
  The visibility out at the reef changes every day dependent on the prevalent weather conditions. At this time of the year you can expect an average of 8-15m at the outer Great Barrier Reef and 5-8m around the inner fringing reef. The winter months typically see visibility well in excess of averages due to lower tidal ranges.

  What can I expect to see?
  Both locations are packed with coral, colour and marine life. The fringing inner reef tends to be slightly more colourful due to the nature of the soft coral that grows around these areas. You will find numerous smaller reef-dwelling fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, batfish, damselfish and fusiliers. At the outer reef, you can expect to see a hard coral platform reef with impressive drop offs and our friendly resident giant trevallies, along with countless colourful reef fish. If you're lucky you might even get a visit from a turtle, ray or white tip reef shark whilst on one of our trips!

  What if I am an Introductory Diver?
  At the moment, Explore is operating introductory diving on the full day tour to Bait Reef on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. An excellent way to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef and experience it from under the surface.

  Is the reef all bleached?
  No - We are lucky in the Whitsundays to have healthy reef systems which have not been dramatically affected by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when higher than average water temperatures cause Zooxanthellae (little creatures that live within the coral) to leave. When this happens, you are left with the skeleton of the coral. Our water temperatures sit between 22-28 degrees Celsius all year round, making for ideal coral conditions.

• Booking Conditions & Cancellation Policy

  All tours are subject to minimum numbers and to weather conditions and so may be cancelled at the discretion of the operator.

  We also reserve the right to alter the destination pending the weather for your safety and comfort. Times may also need to be changed due to tidal changes. The company will offer alternative days or refunds in the event of cancellations.

  • Cancel 48 hours prior to the cruise timing - no fee.
  • Cancel between 24 & 48 hours prior to the cruise timing - 50% fee.
  • Cancel within 24 hours prior to the cruise timing - 100% fee.
  • In the event that we cancel due to weather conditions the guest will be offered a full refund or an alternative day.