The Vessel
The Nimrod Explorer began diving operations along the Great Barrier Reef in the late 1980s, and, as the Nimrod III, spent over ten years sailing from bases such as Cooktown and Port Douglas before being based in Cairns in 1994. Purchased by Explorer Ventures Ltd. in 1999, Nimrod Explorer and her staff now offer guests regular and exploratory itineraries in an area in which she pioneered diving.
A very sturdy 22 metre (72 foot) steel-hulled catamaran, the vessel accommodates 18 guests in 6 cabins, all of which have private facilities. The saloon includes TV, video, stereo, dining table, bar fridge and corner lounges. There is a shaded upper deck, and the wide bow is a great spot to catch the sun. Being a catamaran, Nimrod Explorer is spacious and very stable, and is an excellent way to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
The dive deck has a freshwater shower, camera table, and freshwater rinse bins for equipment. Individual gear lockers are located beneath the tank rack for easy storage of equipment. Steps access the dive platform, where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water.
Diving from the Vessel
There is no “best” time of year for diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Each month brings something different, from manta rays during November through April, to the coral spawn in November, to rare dwarf minke whales in June and July. Water temperatures range from 22˚C in July (72˚F) to 28˚C in February (84˚F). Due to the large selection of dive sites, we can usually avoid sites with strong currents. Underwater visibility can range from 15 metres (50 feet) to well over 30 metres (100 feet); while visibility along the Reef can vary a bit more due to rainfall and water temperature, the visibility in the Coral Sea is consistently excellent year-round.
Dives are made from the vessel itself, taking advantage of the easy-access dive platform and other on-board amenities. Entries are usually made from the dive platform, just a few centimeters/inches from the water.
Certifiable Age for Divers
The minimum certifiable age for divers is 10 for most SCUBA certification agencies; normally, the agencies restrict 10 and 11 year olds to a maximum depth of 40 ft. Explorer Ventures allows children as young as 10 years to participate in our trips, with the following restrictions:
- All children under the age of 15 must travel & dive with their parent or guardian, unless undergoing training with an instructor.
- Our itineraries offer very few diving opportunities at depths less than 40 feet; diving opportunities for 10 and 11 year olds will be significantly less than those for divers. For this reason, a minimum age of 12 for divers is strongly suggested.
Safety standards
To ensure your safety, we require the following of all divers:
- All divers must be certified by an internationally recognized accrediting organization.
- All divers must have logged at least one dive within the 12 months prior to boarding the vessel, or participate in a refresher course prior to boarding.
- All divers must adhere to the buddy system, unless certified, equipped and adhering to standards for solo diving.
- Each diver must have a submersible console and timepiece.
- On night dives, each diver must wear a cyalume lightstick or marker beacon.
- Decompression diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum depth is 40 metres/130 feet.
- Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.
- All divers must meet Australian standards with regard to dive medical examinations. If you have a medical condition, please advise our reservations office on booking.
- Please note that, due to a combination of staff and equipment logistics, insurance requirements and local diving regulations, neither rebreathers nor diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) may be used aboard Explorer Ventures vessels.
- All divers must meet Australian standards with regard to dive medical examinations. If you have a medical condition, please advise our reservations office on booking.
Equipment list
The vessel provides tanks, weights and weight belts for your use. If you prefer to rent the rest of your equipment from us, we have all of the equipment you will need. Otherwise, the following items are the diver’s responsibility:
- Certification Card (required to avoid a A$100 checkout fee for certified divers) Diving Log Book.
- Mask *
- Snorkel *
- Fins *
- Booties (if you wear them)
- Buoyancy Control Device (required) *
- Regulator w/alternate air source (required)*
- Submersible pressure and depth gauges (required) *
- Underwater time piece (required)
- Dive Light *
- Dive Computer (recommended) *
- Wetsuit *
- Repair kit w/ spare parts
- For solo divers: pony bottle (or independent or isolated-manifold twin tanks), whistle, knife, compass, and safety sausage or flag deployable from safety stop depth
* Available for rent on board (included with packages paid in USD through US office)
What to bring
Packing for a liveaboard trip in Tropical North Queensland doesn’t require much more than shorts, T-shirts and swimsuits. A warm shirt for evenings is advisable, and a light raincoat may be handy. From June through August, a sweater and long pants are advisable. Suncream, sunglasses and a hat are recommended at all times.
You might find informal attire advisable for evenings in Cairns or other destinations during your holiday; if you are planning inland excursions, be sure to bring the appropriate attire.
Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty. Due to weight restrictions on the low-level air flight, please limit the weight of the loaded luggage you will be taking aboard the boat to 20 kg/44 lbs; overweight baggage may be assessed an additional charge. If you have a tendency towards seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications; though the Nimrod Explorer is a very stable catamaran, boats always have some motion.
If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, swimsuit, change of clothes and toiletries in a carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable, and if you are arriving from overseas you may appreciate a change of clothes enroute.
All bed linens, towels, and the like are provided on board. Power in Australia and aboard the vessel is 240 volt, so be sure to bring a converter and 3-prong adaptor depending on your equipment.
Immigration Policies
All people arriving in Australia must carry a valid passport. In addition, citizens of most countries must have a valid tourist visa. In many cases these visas can be issued by your airline over the phone prior to departure; call your airline for their requirements specific for your nationality.
Arrival/Departure
We offer a variety of unique, exciting itineraries. Please contact our office for arrival/departure information for your preferred itinerary.
Due to the potential risks associated with flying at high altitude within 24 hours after diving, please arrange for your flight to depart the day after you return to Cairns.
Meals
Aboard the Nimrod Explorer, evening meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, pork and fish. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, bacon, cereal, and toast. Lunches vary from soup and sandwiches to burgers, pasta, assorted salads and quiche. All meals are served in the main saloon. If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form so that we may provision the vessel accordingly.
Currency
The Australian dollar is the only form of currency accepted in Australia (without paying a stiff premium on the exchange rate). It is advisable to convert as much money as you think you’ll need, upon arrival in Australia. Airport kiosks will often buy it back at the same rate you purchased it, so keep your receipt. Otherwise, ATM machines are available to charge cash advances to your credit card.
On Board Charges
Though all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, transfers at the end of your trip within Cairns city limits and much more has been taken care of with your trip payment, there are additional items which you may charge to your on-board bill. These include retail items (shirts, scuba accessories, etc.), scuba instruction, dive and photo gear rentals, nitrox, Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax), alcoholic and canned beverages, crew gratuities, etc.
The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using traveller’s cheques, cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners Club. We must charge a 5% premium on the exchange rate for payment in currency or traveller’s cheques in other than Australian currency.
We are unable to provide cash advances or accept personal checks.
Communications During your holiday
The Nimrod Explorer is equipped with an Iridium Satphone for emergencies only. We can only pass messages to and from the vessel via the Explorer Ventures’ Cairns office.
International telephone: +61.7.4031.5566 or International fax +61.7.4031.2431.
Crew Gratuities
Crew gratuities are at your discretion, and depend entirely on how you feel you have been treated during your holiday. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to approach the Captain.
Itineraries
Detailed information on the following itineraries is available from our offices. Itinerary details are subject to change without notice, depending on weather and sea conditions. Conditions and distance between dive sites may limit a day’s diving to 4 dives.
For all itineraries, guests come to the Cairns office of Explorer Ventures to finalize arrangements and join the group for transfer to the vessel via bus either to the Cairns dock or to the airport for flight transfer to the vessel. Exact arrangements will depend on the itinerary chosen.
- Itinerary 1 – Coral Sea & Ribbon Reefs Expedition. Departs each Tuesday. Cairns to Lizard Island, 5 days/ 4 nights, up to 15 dives offered, conditions permitting. Meet at the Cairns office at 3 pm.
- Itinerary 2 - Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Expedition. Departs each Saturday. Lizard Island to Cairns, 4 days/ 3 nights, up to 13 dives offered, conditions permitting. Meet at the Cairns office at 7 am.
- Itinerary 3 – Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea Expedition. Departs each Tuesday from Cairns. 8 Days/7 nights, up to 28 dives offered, conditions permitting. Meet at the Cairns office at 3 pm. Guests may also join the vessel on Saturdays; contact us for pricing details.
- Itinerary 11 - Ocean Outback Adventure - Lockhart River/return, 8 Days/7 nights, up to 27 dives offered, conditions permitting. Meet at the Cairns office at 7 am.
Packages Include:
Low-level scenic flight from Cairns to Lizard Island or return (except Saturday Itinerary 3 departures)
- Most non-alcoholic beverages
- Sheets, towels and linens
- Three meals daily, plus snacks
- 4 to 5 dives per full day
- Use of tanks, weights, weight belts
- Transfers back to Cairns accommodations at conclusion of trip
- Australian Government Tax (GST - 10%)
Packages Do Not Include:
- Transfers from Cairns to Lockhart River for applicable itineraries
- Rental, instruction, or retail charges
- Alcoholic and canned beverages *
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- Environmental Management Charge/Administration Fee
- Crew gratuities
- Transportation to Cairns office on departure date
- Packages booked/paid through our US office include alcoholic beverages and rental dive gear.
- Temporary fuel surcharge, if applicable
*US Dollar packages include these items
