Best Port Douglas Scuba Diving Trips

WHERE DO PORT DOUGLAS’ BEST SCUBA DIVING TRIPS GO? THE GREAT BARRIER REEF’S AGINCOURT AND OPAL REEF SYSTEMS

You’re headed to ‘the best and most pristine examples of coral reefs in the whole Great Barrier Reef’*, the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, which are 70km north-east of Port Douglas, and Opal Reef which is 54km north-east of Port Douglas. [*Extract from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2013/2014 Reef Report.]

Agincourt and Opal Reef are a part of the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area and are located on the edge of Australia’s continental shelf. Underwater visibility can be more than 30m (90 feet) and the crystal-clear waters are teeming with an abundant and diverse array of fish and marine life. The main boat that Blue Dive travels on from Port Douglas – Silversonic – has the best moorings at Agincourt Reef and while we can’t guarantee what you will see – we can say that the coral cover is excellent and we frequently see a range of colourful wrasse and groupers, parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish, sea turtles, boxer shrimps, anemones, sea whips, stars and cucumbers, clams and three species of reef shark.

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. In fact, Silversonic has a rare license that allows guests to swim with the dwarf minke whales, which can be an incredible and life changing experience. Calypso has moorings and dive sites on several of the Agincourt Reef and Opal Reef, they pick the best destination on the day of travel to maximise underwater visibility, diver experience and comfort.

IMPORTANT MEDICAL AND SCUBA DIVER INFORMATION FOR CERTIFIED DIVERS

Regardless of whether you choose the premium privately guided trip, or the wider group guided 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 must 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.