Best Cairns Scuba Diving Trips

WHERE DO CAIRNS’ BEST SCUBA DIVING TRIPS GO? THE GREAT BARRIER REEF’S NORMAN AND SAXON REEF SYSTEMS.

The Norman and Saxon Reef systems are classified as outer reefs, located on the edge of Australia’s continental shelf. Here the underwater visibility can sometimes be more than 30m (90 feet). The coral cover and diversity are excellent and the dive styles can vary between drift dives and wall dives, to exploratory dives amongst the coral gardens, lagoons and bommies. Being a natural environment we can’t guarantee what you will see on your dive trip, however, we can tell you what we usually see when diving on Norman and Saxon Reefs. This section of the reef is home to an abundant population of Green and Hawksbill sea turtles, Blue-spotted stingrays, Humphead Maori wrasse and Black and White tipped reef sharks. There are many species of anemonefish, trout, snapper, trevally and parrotfish, as well as the smaller chromis, butterflyfish and angelfish.

Depending on the time of year, we sometimes see Manta rays, Whale sharks and up to four species of whales, including Humpback and Dwarf Minke whales which migrate through here between June and September. Tusa and AquaQuest have various moorings on the Norman and Saxon Reef systems and will choose the best destinations to maximise visitor experience, on the day of travel. Furthermore, if you book the private Blue Dive guided dives you can be assured that our personnel will ensure you see the best of the reef according to your limits and interests.

IMPORTANT MEDICAL AND SCUBA DIVER INFORMATION FOR CERTIFIED DIVERS

Regardless of whether you choose the premium Blue Dive privately guided trip, or the crew guided group dives, there’s a range of important medical and regulatory information you need to know before you come diving on the Great Barrier Reef. All divers will need to show proof of their diving certification: if you have lost your certification card, please contact us at the time of booking so we can provide further advice. We recognize and accept certification from all major training agencies (PADI, SSI, BSAC, CMAS etc). To dive in Queensland, you have to sign a COVID screening form for everyone’s safety and be in good, medical health.

To avoid the disappointment of not being able to dive when here, you must be able to answer ‘NO’ to the following questions.

1. Are you currently suffering from any illness or injury that may be incompatible with diving?
2. Have you ever had any medical condition that may affect your heart, ears or lungs (e.g. heart disease, sinus/ear operations or asthma)?
3. Have you used any type of oral inhaler or medication to relieve breathing difficult, airway issue or allergy symptoms within the last 10 years?
4. Have you ever had any medical condition that may result in loss of consciousness (eg. epilepsy or diabetes) or have you previously fainted?
5. Are you currently taking any medication (excluding oral contraceptive)?
6. Do you have high blood pressure?
7. Have you had any injury or operation within the last 6 weeks?
8. Are you pregnant? If you are pregnant, you should not dive for your safety.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of the above questions, you Must bring a “Clearance to Dive” which states the condition(s) and is signed by your doctor, dated within the last 12 months. If you require medical clearance to dive please download the PADI Medical Statement and have it completed by a doctor. Please contact us prior to seeing your doctor, so we can advise on any additional information we may require.

Please Note: All divers with asthma or diabetes, including certified divers, are required to contact us prior to booking a dive. There are very strict requirements around diving with these conditions and we need to discuss these directly with you. For more information please visit our medical page.