Ashmore Exploratory – Far Northern Reefs – Coral Sea

2023 Departure dates: 30 November
2024 Departure dates: 21 & 28 November

7 Nights – 27 Dives.  A rare opportunity to visit the remote and pristine reefs of Ashmore Reef.  Dive with hundreds of turtles at Raine Island & descend on the historic wrecks of the Pandora and Quetta.

Highlights:

  • Remote rarely visited reefs with incredible coral.
  • Raine Island – See hundreds of turtles at the world’s biggest green turtle nesting site. Tiger sharks are attracted to the nesting turtles.
  • Pandora Wreck – Historic wreck sunk in 1791 with 35 crew and mutineers from HMS Bounty.
  • Ashmore Reef – Plunge into the unknown, spectacular and remote.
  • Great Detached Reef – Big fans, hard and soft corals & pelagics.
  • Quetta Wreck – Jewel of the Far North.



Horn Island

Embark at Horn Island 4:00pm.
Options for further travel vary. Daily scheduled flights from Cairns to Horn Island are available & should be arranged by the individual.

Ashmore Reef

Mysterious , isolated, rarely visited. Thought to be the graveyard of dozens of 19th century ships, Ashmore Reef lies further north than many parts of PNG. The reef was not officially named until the 1960s, and remains largely unsurveyed. Be part of a genuine voyage of discovery, and help unlock the secrets of this final frontier.

Pandora Wreck

HMS Pandora is a dive into history like no other. This Royal Navy ship sank in 1791 in 33m with the loss of 35 crew and mutineers from HMS Bounty.  Much of the wooden structure has perished however the anchor and stove are the highlights of this historically important site.

Raine Island

Between 40,000-100,000 green turtles visit Raine Island each year to lay their eggs in the warm sands. The island is not accessible to the public, but the reefs surrounding it are excellent for diving. The pristine coral here is some of the best we’ve seen anywhere.

Great Detached Reef

The 46km of fringing reef here give us some great sites to choose from.  See fields of hard coral down to 30m at Turmoil, plus beautiful soft corals, fans and whips at Twin Peaks, Oh My Bommie, Cracker and Big Woody.  This reef is home to masses of marine life, large & small.

RMS Quetta

The RMS Quetta sank on the night of 28 February 1890, after striking an uncharted rock. At the time, it was Queensland’s worst maritime disaster. Today, the RMS Quetta lies on her port side in 18m of water and is an excellent dive site in terms of wreck, reef and fish. The wreck diving jewel of the far north.

 

All itinerary details are subject to change, specific marine life cannot be guaranteed.

Expedition prices, per person in Australian dollars.

Ashmore Exploratory – Far Northern Reefs - 7 Night 2023
CabinPrice
Premium$6272
Standard$5778
Club$5074
Budget$4354

Environmental Management Fee $7 per day (subject to change)
Horn Island flight not included.

Ashmore Exploratory – Far Northern Reefs - 7 Night 2024
CabinPrices
Premium$6899
Standard$6356
Club$5581
Budget$4789

Environmental Management Fee $7 per day (subject to change)
Horn Island flight not included.

Rates include:

  • Accommodation in twin/double cabins
  • Delicious meals & snacks, wine and soft drink are included with the evening meal
  • Tanks, air fills and weight belt
  • Daily cabin service
  • Reef ecology programme
  • Dive computer workshop

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority requires us to collect an Environmental Management Charge of $19.50.  This amount will be added to your bar bill at the end of your expedition.

Click on the links here for extras such as dive courses, photo services and gear hire, plus discounts available.

Premium – queen or double bed, private bathroom, ocean views.
Standard – twin beds, private bathroom, ocean views.
Club – twin bunk beds, private bathroom, no ocean view.
Budget – twin bunk beds, share bathroom, no ocean view.

Itinerary

Ashmore Exploratoryt Itinerary (Horn Island to Horn Island – 27 dives)

Sample itinerary, subject to change based on conditions.

Please note: Boarding this expedition is ex Horn Island onboard Spoilsport, (commercial flight to Horn Island not included and to be arranged by yourself). Disembarkation is Horn Island.

Thursday:  

  • 4.00 pm board Spoilsport at Horn Island Pier.
  • 4.30 pm depart for Great Detached Reef.
  • Time to organise any rental equipment and put your dive gear together on the dive deck.
  • 7.00 pm Dinner

Friday:  (4 dives + night dive) Great Detached Reef and Raine Island.

This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

  • 6.30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room
  • 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences
  • 9.00 am: Full cooked breakfast
  • 10.30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm
  • 2.00 pm: Lunch
  • 3.30 pm: Dive brief & diving
  • 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
  • 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

Saturday: (4 dives + night dive) Pandora Wreck, Cocoon depart after night dive to Ashmore Reef

This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

  • 6.30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room
  • 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences
  • 9.00 am: Full cooked breakfast
  • 10.30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm
  • 2.00 pm: Lunch
  • 3.30 pm: Dive brief & diving
  • 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
  • 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

Sunday: (4 dives + night dive) Ashmore Reef , stay over night

This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

  • 6.30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room
  • 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences
  • 9.00 am: Full cooked breakfast
  • 10.30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm
  • 2.00 pm: Lunch
  • 3.30 pm: Dive brief & diving
  • 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
  • 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

Monday: (4 dives + night dive) Ashmore reef , depart to GDR overnight

This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

  • 6.30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room
  • 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences
  • 9.00 am: Full cooked breakfast
  • 10.30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm
  • 2.00 pm: Lunch
  • 3.30 pm: Dive brief & diving
  • 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
  • 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

Tuesday: (4 dives + night dive) GDR vicinity, depart to Quetta

This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

  • 6.30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room
  • 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences
  • 9.00 am: Full cooked breakfast
  • 10.30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm
  • 2.00 pm: Lunch
  • 3.30 pm: Dive brief & diving
  • 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
  • 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

Wednesday: (4 dives) Quetta/Cape York Tip visit

  • As per above. Exit last dive 5pm.
  • As the sun sets, we pour the champagne as we ready for an Aussie BBQ party night. Don’t forget to wear your loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along to music played by our talented crew.
  • Spoilsport cruises overnight to Horn Island.

Thursday:

  • 7.00 am:  Light breakfast
  • 8:00 am:  Disembark Spoilsport, courtesy transfer to the Horn Island airport (HID) or your hotel.

Important:

  • We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5pm Wednesday).

 

Summary
Adventure Diving
Experience
Advanced, or 15 logged ocean dives inc. 5 in last 12 months
Embark
Thursday 04:00 pm – Horn Island Pier
Disembark
Thursday 08:00am – Horn Island
Contact UsSecure your spotClick here »Check AvailabilityAvailabilityClick here »Latest OffersDiscover our latest offersClick here »

More Information

Compare ExpeditionsWhich expedition best suits you!Click here to read »