Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nine dives, including a night dive if
you opt for the 5-day course. Open-
water certification courses range from
an intensive 3 to 5 days, for which you
can expect to pay between about
A$350 and A$600 (US$228-
US$390). A 5-day course is seen as the
best. When comparing the value
offered by dive schools, keep in mind
that if the practical section of your
course does not take place on a live-
aboard boat, you will have to budget
for accommodations and meals. Most
operators offer courses right up to
instructor level. If you're pressed for
time, a PADI Referral course might
suit you. It allows you to do your the-
ory work at home, do a few hours of
pool work at a PADI dive center in
your home country, and then spend 2
or 3 days in the Australian ocean
doing your qualifying dives. Remem-
ber to allow time in your itinerary for
a medical exam in Australia (see the
next paragraph), and expect the dive
instructor to grill you on your theory
again before you hit the water.
If you're already a certified diver,
remember to bring your “C” card and
log book. If you're going to do a dive
course, you'll need a medical certifi-
cate from an Australian doctor that
meets Australian standard AS4005.1,
stating that you are fit for scuba div-
ing. (An all-purpose physical is not
enough.) Virtually all dive schools will
arrange the medical exam for you;
expect to pay around A$50 (US$33)
for it. Remember, you must complete
your last dive 24 hours before you fly
in an aircraft. This catches a lot of
people off guard when they are prepar-
ing to fly on to their next destination
the day after a visit to the Reef. You
won't be able to helicopter off the Reef
back to the mainland, either. Check to
see if your travel insurance covers div-
ing.
The Divers Alert Network
(
&
800/446-2671;
www.diversalert
network.org) sells diving insurance
and has diving and nondiving medical
emergency hot lines, and an informa-
tion line for dive-related medical
questions.
If you've never been diving and
don't plan to become qualified, you
can see what all the fuss is about on an
“introductory” dive that lets you dive
in the company of an instructor on a
one-time basis, with a briefing before-
hand. Most dive operators on the
Great Barrier Reef and other dive loca-
tions offer introductory dives.
See “Exploring the Great Barrier
Reef ” in chapter 6 for more informa-
tion.
For information on dive regions
and operators, try the state tourism
marketing boards' websites (see “Visi-
tor Information,” earlier this chapter).
Tourism Queensland's website (www.
queensland-holidays.com.au; click the
“Special Interests” tab) links to most
dive operators working the Great Bar-
rier Reef. If you know where you want
to dive, you may obtain an even more
detailed list of operators by bypassing
the big tourism boards and contacting
the local tourist office for a list of local
dive operators.
Dive Queensland
(the
Queensland Dive Tourism Associa-
tion;
&
07/4051 1510;
fax 07/4051
1519; www.dive-queensland.com.au)
requires its member operators to abide
by a code of ethics. Its website has a
list of members and the services they
offer. It includes a few in other states,
too. Another good source is
Diver-
sion Dive Travel & Training
(
&
07/
4039 0200;
www.diversionoz.com), a
Peak Time on the Reef
August through January is peak visibility time on the Great Barrier Reef,
but the marine life will amaze you any time of year.
Tips
