Diving Information and Equipment Rental

Medical fitness

The following statement appears on all Mike Ball Dive Expeditions 'Booking Form':

I state that I am in good health for diving. I have no medical history of heart or lung disorders, asthma or epilepsy, neither am I an insulin dependent diabetic. I will not dive on your expedition if I am feeling unwell or I have a chest cold or respiratory congestion on the expedition. I understand if I have any medical condition contrary to these requirements I must produce a diving medical certificate completed by a diving medical specialist.

You are authorized to make medical and transport arrangements as may be determined in my best interest. I agree to pay expenses incurred on my behalf which may be charged against my credit card.

For Dive Course Medicals read more

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol is restricted until after your last dive for the day.

Checkout and Refresher Dives

Divers who have completed less than 15 dives, less than 5 ocean dives or less than 5 dives in the last 12 months are required to complete an onboard orientation dive.

If you have not dived in the last 5 years and have less than 200 dives in total you should complete a PADI Refresher Course before you begin your holiday. ProDive Cairns can complete a private 3 hour PADI Refresher Course (AUD$125) in Cairns before your expedition. This will need to be advised & booked in advance. If you board the vessel without a refresher being completed, our Dive Crew will be able to do a Onboard Scuba Review with you. Cost is AUD$125 and you may miss at least one dive on the first day.

Coral Spawning

Coral spawning normally takes place when the water temperature is approximately 27 degrees and between the 2nd & 6th days after the November full moon. Warmer than median temperatures can cause the date to coincide with an earlier full moon, cooler conditions can cause spawning to coincide with a later full moon.

Disabled Divers

Dive sites may be quite exposed which can create comfort and safety issues for disabled divers. Spoilsport was not designed to facilitate disabled divers and is not suitable for divers who cannot make their own way around the vessel.

Prior to booking, please complete and return the Disabled Dive Questionnaire.

• Cabins, bathrooms and diving are accessed from the main deck. Entry to the accommodation companionway has a step 23.5cm high and 12cm across. Door width is 61.5cm.
• Dining and lounge areas are one deck up with 11 steps (21.5cm high & 65cm wide). Entry to the saloon has a step 26cm high and 10cm across. Door width is 61.5cm. 
• Dive entry is via a platform 170cm above the water or by 8 steps (24cm high and 57.5cm wide).
• Premium, standard and club cabins have private adjoining bathrooms. Cabin doors are 57cm wide. Step height into bathrooms is 4cm. All showers have a sunken tray of 5cm.
• The rear Premium cabins have a double and single berth. Standard cabins have twin single beds. The smaller Club and Budget cabins are less convenient with bunk style beds and very small bathrooms. 

Also to be taken into consideration is the Lizard Island transfer in an inflatable dinghy, the walk from the airstrip to the beach (approx 400m with 30 across the beach) and the dimensions of our chartered aircraft which range from 5 to 12 seaters.

Supervision / Dive Buddy - A disabled diver must be completely independent or have an able-bodied buddy who can provide assistance for various conditions in and out of the water. We can provide an additional crew member to provide some assistance at an additional cost (refer Personal Guide Costs). This does not include physically manoeuving guests around the vessel or lifting from water! 

Dive Site Selection

Dive site selection is based on the best dive sites available. Less experienced divers receive complimentary "site orientations" as necessary while experienced divers are given the freedom to plan their own dives.

Depth Guidelines

Depth guidelines are based on the diver’s experience and industry standards. The maximum recommended depth for divers with appropriate experience is 40 metres (132ft). Dives in excess of 40 metres (132ft) can only be undertaken by suitably qualified technical divers to the maximum depth as stipulated by the certifying agency. Additional administration, procedures and technical support will be required; please advise the reservations staff. 

Equipment

Nautilus Lifeline - All divers are required to use a Nautilus Lifeline GPS. Guests on standby or promotional fares pay small rental fee.

Dive Cylinders - We have 42 tanks onboard 50% Air and 50% Nitrox; two thirds average 10.3 L (80 cuft) and one third average 11.3L (88 cuft);

Cylinder Valves – Air and Nitrox cylinder valves are compatible with US yoke regulators (UK A clamp)

DIN Fitting Regulators – We have 16 cylinder valves with a removable plug which will accommodate European DIN style regulators.

Equipment  - Wetsuits

Please see the weather chart for water temperatures. If you feel the cold we recommend a 3mm full wetsuit in the warmer months (Nov - Feb) and a 5mm  full wetsuit in the cooler months (Mar - Oct). For rental wetsuit sizes please click here.

Equipment Rental

For equipment rental prices and details please click here.

Flying after Diving

The Mike Ball flights from Lizard Island are at an altitude of 200 to 300 metres. This does not exceed the '600 metre Flying and Diving ceiling' requiring adherence to the 'Flying after Diving' procedures.

Commercial Flight Considerations: Your last dive on a Mike Ball Dive Expeditions itinerary is completed at about 5pm.

Dive Computer Considerations: Dive computers keep track of your 'No Fly' time. You must not fly while any 'no fly time' remains. Plan your diving to ensure your 'no fly time' does not exceed the time remaining before flying to an altitude in excess of 600m. 'No fly times' can vary from a few hours to 24 hours. We recommend planning for a surface interval of 18-24hrs before flying and carefully monitoring your 'no fly time' to ensure 'zero no fly time' remains before flying.

Risk: Failure to comply with flying after diving procedures will increase your chance of decompression sickness.

Guided Dives

Most of our guests prefer to plan and dive independently with their buddy. Single divers are teamed up with other singles and with our staff. It is not our policy for all dives to be divemaster led. We cater to guests who prefer more supervision with a combination of complimentary orientation dives to enhance skills, a scheduled morning and afternoon guided dive and the opportunity to dive with our staff on an ad hoc basis. This service does not provide constant guided dives or a personal dive guide.

Personal Dive Guides

•  Daily Dive Guide (4-5 dives per day) - $250/day (+ berth cost for guide) 
•  Personal Per-Dive Guide (approx 2 dives per day). Available on most expeditions subject to staff availability - $50 per dive.

Note: Please request at the time of booking. 

Jellyfish

A variety of jellyfish inhabit the Great Barrier Reef. The majority of jelly fish stings are irritable to painful.

The box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) can be present at inshore waters and estuaries in North Queensland from November to May.  Sting can be fatal in extreme cases. Fortunately they are not seen at the outer reefs we frequent.

The small Irukandji box jellyfish (Carukia Barnesi) can be found on the offshore reefs.  Stings are very painful however are rare and rarely life threatening.  Immediate first aid is to wash the area with vinegar and seek medical assistance. Since 1969 we have evacuated 2 guests with 'Irukandji Syndrome', no treatment was required.

Prevention: Full wet suits or stinger suits are recommended. Spoilsport has radio contact with emergency services.  

Junior Divers

Age 10 to 14 years (15yr+ junior diver depth limits are the same as the non-junior certification)

• Junior Diver Certification, less than 12 years old, not available.
• Please review Rental Equipment Sizes (we recommended children bring their own equipment),
• Junior divers requiring supervision are charged a ‘Dive Guide' fee,
• Participation on some dives may be prevented due to conditions,
• Junior diver depth restrictions are not compatible with Coral Sea conditions.

Age Depth Conditions:

• Junior Scuba Diver 10-14 years 12 meters (40ft) Must dive with an instructor. Includes rental equipment (see note above) and one dive per day; extra dives $50 each.
• Junior OWD & Jnr. Adventure OWD 10-14 years 12 meters (40ft) <12 yrs, first dive with an instructor, subsequent dives with: parent/guardian or Dive Master/Instructor >12yrs can dive with adult (18yrs+).
• Junior Advanced OW Diver 12-14 years 21 meters (70ft) >12yrs can dive with adult (18yrs+). 

Main Vessel or Tender Dives

Most of our dives are from the main vessel while moored over the dive site. Each vessel has two inflatables for more personalized diving plus drift and night dives. The inflatables are large and stable with substantial rear entry ladders. 

Nitrox (EANx32)

Nitrox fills are limited to 32% oxygen and a maximum operating depth of 40 meters (132ft). Nitrox divers are required to dive on computer. A complimentary computer workshop is offered to those hiring a computer. FREE Nitrox fills during expedition are included with Nitrox Course. Nitrox prices

Rebreather

For full information please read Rebreather Service. 

Snorkelling

Fly Dive Cod Hole itinerary - Sites are suitable for competent snorkel divers.

Fly Dive Coral Sea itinerary - The first day of the itinerary is suitable for snorkelling. Note: we do not provide suitable sites or supervision for snorkeling in the Coral Sea.

Coral Sea Safari - Snorkeling limited to Ribbon Reef sites, Coral Sea sites not suitable. 

Solo Diving

Requires Solo Certification (available onboard)

Unlimited Diving

Most divers do 2 morning, 2 afternoon plus a night dive most nights. Normally we have an ‘open deck’ at a single site in the morning and visit 2 sites in the afternoon - this may be reversed.  This provides divers with the freedom to dive as much or as little as they want.