Travel Tips and Weather

General Information

Visa & Passport: In most countries Australian visas are available electronically via your airline or travel agent issuing the airline ticket. You will require a current passport, with no less six months validity, and tickets to an onward destination. Note: Russian passengers should contact us for Visa Support.

Currency: Australian dollar. Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners are widely accepted.

Transfers: After your expedition we transfer you to either: our office, airport or any inner city hotel. Inner city boundaries are within the airport to the north and Earlville shopping centre to the south.

Luggage Allowance: ‘Fly Dive’ itineraries have a luggage allowance of 25kg (55lbs) per person. Please see ‘Fly Dive Luggage Allowance’ information.

Travel Insurance: Insurance should be taken to cover: weather problem; expedition cancellations; airline difficulties; medical problems and lost or damaged luggage. Unforeseen weather or machinery problems may cause us to cancel or change an itinerary. No refund is offered for time lost due to the medical evacuation of a guest or reduction of dives due to weather conditions. No compensation is offered to guests to change flights or holiday plans.

Children: Seldom do we have children onboard however we welcome one family per expedition with children of minimum age 8. Parents or guardians traveling with children are responsible for child minding.

Diving Information

See navigation on left for: Dive Procedures, Photo Service, Rental, Courses

Q. Do I need diver evacuation insurance?
A. Yes, you should ensure you have travel insurance which specifies medical evacuation and support for scuba diving, or purchase DAN membership for dive and other emergency support at www.danseap.org, Australian residents can check to see if their ambulance service will pay the cost of a diver evacuation.

Q. Do I need a certification card to scuba dive?
A. Yes, please bring it with you.

Q. Do certified divers require a dive medical?
A. No, if you are in good health for diving. If you have a medical history of heart or lung disorders, asthma, epilepsy or insulin dependant diabetes you must produce a diving medical certification completed by a diving medical specialist.

Q. What equipment is provided
A. Cylinders (US style yoke valve). A mix of 10.3 litres (80 cu.ft) and 11.3litres (88 cu.ft) & weight belts.

Living Aboard Information
Q. What type of power outlets are on board?
A. MBDE vessels provide the unique Australian three pin 240 volt outlet and the US two pin (unpolarised) 110 volt outlets in the cabins and other areas of the vessel.

Q. What personal items do I need?
A. You should bring your own personal toiletries, hair dryer, personal medication, swimming costume, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, foot wear (sandals or tennis shoes), T-shirts, shorts, sweater and sweat pants - light weight pants and tops for the evening are a good idea. Also your wildest “loud” shirt/dress for the BBQ evening. Please see Fly Dive Luggage Allowance.

Q. What about food & beverages?
A. We provide 24hr complimentary tea, coffee, softdrinks and water. A selection of beverages is served with every meal. Three chef prepared meals and in-between meal snacks are provided each day with fruit and biscuits always available. Please advise in advance if your have special dietary requirements. Additional wine, beer, mixed drinks and chocolates are available for purchase on board. Please do not bring any alcohol onboard as we have a ‘Ship’s Bar Only’ policy.

Q. How do I pay any onboard expenses?
A. You can settle your onboard expenses with either Australian dollars or credit card.  Amex and Diners cards incur a 3% surcharge.

Q. What about tipping?
A. Tipping is not mandatory, however for exceptional service tips of about 10% in restaurants and 5% in taxis are more common. You will find our live aboard crews are exceptional and provide excellent service day and night. A tip is always very welcome and can be given to the Trip Director to be shared amongst the crew.

Q. In an Emergency Can I be contacted while at Sea?
A. Yes, use the following contact detailse; our office in Australia on t: +61 7 4053 0500 or e: resv [at] mikeball [dot] com. Make sure the message includes your name and date of travel.

(details are subject to change)

Luggage Allowance

Maximum weight of any bag on any expedition = 25kgs (55lbs)*
*Multiple bags allowed on non-fly/dive itineraries

‘Fly Dive’ Luggage Allowance –
25kgs (55lbs) per person
3 kg (6.5lbs) carry-on or 10 kg (22lbs) for professional photo/video housed systems

If necessary you can freight excess items to be onboard Spoilsport for your Monday arrival at Lizard Island or we can on-freight excess items if you are on the Monday return flight.

Hand Luggage - limited to: Camera, Wallet or purse,  Jumper or coat. Brief cases and backpacks are included in the luggage allowance stored in the cargo hold.

Note:
Brief cases, camera bags, back packs, etc are included in the luggage allowance and stored in the cargo hold.

For advice regarding what to pack please review our Luggage Tips document

Weather

Q. Do I need a wet suit?
A. Yes, we recommend you wear some form of protection against cold, sun and abrasions.

*Temperature is based on yearly averages and may change depending on conditions. Please see below for monthly temperatures.

*All months have probability of excellent diving.

Tropical storms (cyclones) can occur between December and April. Statistically only 1 week of diving is effected every 2 years. If a cyclone threatens the safety of an expedition it would be cancelled. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended. These statistics are based on 25 years of meteorological records, however tropical weather is variable.

Manta Ray cleaning stations are situated at Challenger Bay, Pixie Wall and Snake Pit on the Great Barrier Reef, and at Round the Bend at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.