Advance II Dive Expeditions
4 Day & 3 Nights
This is the dive excursion of a lifetime, primarily designed for divers. However snorkelers are more than welcome to join the expedition exploring our favourite spots in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Visit and dive iconic destinations such as Lady Elliot Island, Lady Musgrave Island, the Fairfax Islands, before topping off the tour with wreck dives on the ex-HMAS Tobruk.
- Up to 10 dive tours including, 1 x night dive/ and various snorkel opportunities
- Tanks and weights
- In-water dive instructors/dive masters
- Meals provided will include breakfast, morning tea; lunch; afternoon tea; dinner and snacks (special diets should be discussed at booking)
- Drinks; tea & coffee; fruit juice; soft drinks
- Bedding and towels
- Sunscreen
- Fish and coral reference books
- 12v charging facility for battery packs/cameras and the like
- Stand up Paddle Boards are available as well for use on request
NOTE: Dive/Snorkel Equipment hire is available on request!
Accommodation
The accommodation is typical for this style of expedition sailing vessel; comfortable, shared and communal. Our adventure experience is all about the diving, food and fun! If you want butler and spa service this will not be the boat for you.
The forward cabin comfortably sleeps 4 in bunk configuration with the top bunk convertible to a double. There is a toilet and shower is the forward cabin.
The aft cabin also sleeps 4, 2 in bunks and one double and has a toilet and shower.
In the saloon there are a further 2 bunks.
Crew sleeping quarters are on the upper deck.
Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay located at the southern tip of the GBR and is situated within a highly protected ‘Green Zone’. The coral cay is a sanctuary for over 1,200 species of marine life and is known for its abundance of manta rays, turtles, amazing array of spectacular marine life and unspoilt coral reef.
Lady Musgrave Island
Lady Musgrave lies 23nm north of Lady Elliot Island and is surrounded by a vast turquoise lagoon. Set on 3000 acres of living reef, the protected lagoon stretches eight kilometres around the island. The island is built entirely of coral polyps and is covered in dense Pisonia forest, She-Oaks and Pandanus trees. Other than a walking trail through the forest, composting toilets for campers and a ‘lighthouse’, the rest of the island remains completely untouched.
Fairfax Islands
Fairfax Islands is a pair of small coral cays, both of which have been used as a bombing range in days gone by; They are located just a few miles north of Lady Musgrave Island. The marine life and reef structures are like that of Musgrave, and it is this location where the tour experiences a ledge dive and drop off.
Ex-HMAS Tobruk Wreck
HMAS Tobruk (L 50) was a 127m Landing Ship Heavy (LSH) of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), based on the design of the Round Table-class of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was sunk in Great Sandy Marine Park in 2017 and is now considered one of the best wreck dives in Australia. She sits in 30m on the sand bed and is resting on her starboard side which makes her a fantastic dive site. The ship is located 25nm north of Hervey Bay.
Day 1
- Check in 1 hour prior to departure time.
- Depart on the high tide of the day
- Motor sail to ex HMAS Tobruk for Dive 1 and Dive 2 (night dive)
- Overnight to Fairfax Islands
Day 2
- Dive 3 18m dive at Fairfax
- Dive 4 Snorkel (photography) along 2m – 3m reef
- Dive 5 18m dive at Fairfax
- Motor to Lady Musgrave (1hour)
- Dive 6 16m fringe reef at Musgrave
- Motor into Lagoon and anchor up
- Dive 7 Scooter/snorkel in lagoon
- Overnight at Musgrave
Day 3
- Dive 8 early dive at Musgrave
- Weigh anchor and depart lagoon
- Dive 9 16m fringe reef at Musgrave
- Motor Sail to Lady Elliot (4hours)
- Dive 10 at Elliot
- Dive 11 at Elliot (maybe snorkel or scuba)
- Depart Elliot and overnight to Fraser Island waters
Day 4
- Cruise along Fraser (K’gari) Island
- Swim/snorkel/scuba depending on time conditions etc
- Arrive Hervey Bay on the Tide
- Disembark
- Clothing. The temperatures in Nov- March are warm! Shorts and t-shirt day and evening. Pack a long sleeve top for cooler nights. April – Oct are cool in the evenings and mornings so pack layers and a couple of warm sweatshirts. Don’t forget the beanie!
- Swimwear
- Sun protection – Hat, sunglasses and a light sun shirt
- Dive/snorkel equipment (the ship will carry an array of spares)
- Toiletries and medication (soap, hand wash and sunscreen are provided)
- Camera of course
- Luggage allowances on-board include: 1 x soft dive kit bag excluding tanks and weights. 1 x soft personal bag up to 15kgs. We prefer soft bags for ease of stowage.
- BYO – We allow BYO alcohol. NOTE: consumption of alcohol is at the discretion of the ships master or his/her nominee.
Minimum Numbers: This tour requires a minimum number of 6 persons.
Please note: The Dive Expedition Tour is a 3 night/4 day guided marine tour aboard our 18m ketch Advance II operating within the Great Sandy Marine Park and the Southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which are strictly regulated and so all instructions by the crew/guides must be adhered too. Route, destinations and diving subject to change without notice, due to tides and weather conditions. Aquatic activities such as diving, snorkeling, swimming and paddle boarding cannot be guaranteed and dependent on conditions and at the skippers discretion.
Alcohol: The Expedition Tour is BYO alcohol.
Weather: HBDC reserves the right to cancel any tour at short notice if the weather and sea state are considered not suitable for our tour to be conducted.
Travel Insurance: We highly suggest getting travel insurance and also covering for diving medical emergencies.
