Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are sharks in every ocean and a variety inhabits the Great Barrier Reef. The most frequently seen sharks are white and black tip reef sharks which are quite timid and pose no threat to divers and snorkellers.

The Outer Edge is the where the Continental Shelf ends and deep ocean begins. At the Outer Edge the ocean floor drops from 30 – 40 metres to hundreds of metres. The Agincourt ribbon reefs where Poseidon visits are situated on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

You will have over 5 hours at the reef sites combined.

All of our reef sites offer great ecological diversity and an abundance of marine life. Some of the commonly seen marine life include turtles, varieties of colourful wrasses, cods, parrot fish, anemone fish (Nemo), angelfish, giant clams and reef sharks.

During the months of May to September, there is an added bonus of potential whale sightings as these gentle giants migrate to warm tropical waters to mate and give birth. The commonly sighted species are dwarf minke and humpback whales. A unique treat is to see the famous Migaloo, a rare white humpback whale. Poseidon has one of the few permits available from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority that allows our guests to swim with dwarf minke whales if encountered. In season, these inquisitive creatures are frequently sighted at the Agincourt ribbon reefs. This activity is conducted under strict codes of practice.

Lycra suits are available onboard (complimentary) to reduce the possibility of stings and irritations while also offering protection from the sun.
At certain times of the year (generally November – April), jellyfish, commonly called marine stingers, can affect the seas of Northern Australia. Most jellyfish are harmless to man, however certain varieties may cause a serious reaction. Incidents involving serious marine stings in this area are extremely rare. Our crew are conscious of the danger of marine stingers and will take appropriate steps to ensure your protection if they believe conditions are such that there is a possibility of encountering these creatures.

No. Poseidon has a roaming permit and the day’s operation is conducted from the vessel. The large hydraulic platform at the aft of the vessel /dive deck enables easy water access. Our roaming permits enable the vessel’s skipper to choose the best 3 sites daily suited to the day’s conditions from a wide selection of reef sites.

No, snorkellers are also welcome aboard and our reef sites offer great experiences for both snorkellers and divers. As some of the best coral growth on the Great Barrier Reef is found in the shallower waters, shallow lagoons are great for snorkelling. For more experienced snorkellers, our sites offer some spectacular drop-offs and coral pinnacles to explore.

Yes a tropical buffet lunch, including prawns, is served on board. A scrumptious morning tea on boarding including focaccias, muffins/cake selection is served, as well as afternoon tea cakes and cheese and biscuits on the homeward journey. This is all included in your cruise price.

Our crew do speak a number of different languages, however a specific language can not be guaranteed on any given day of travel due to staff rosters. We recommend you contact our office prior to travel.

Yes.

Life jackets are onboard for emergency use only. Flotation or buoyancy vests and swimming noodles are supplied free of charge for your use.

Hopefully not. Posedion is by design a very stable boat. Where there is motion however, whether in a car, bus, plane or boat, some people will suffer from motion sickness. Motion sickness medication is available onboard for purchase. Ginger tablets are available free onboard as a natural alternative.

Standard masks magnify objects underwater by 25%, however prescription masks are also available at no extra charge.

Not technically however a day aboard Poseidon is about being in the water and we recommend our cruise for people who are confident in the water. It is recommended however that if you can’t swim but would like to do an introductory dive, that a reef platform such as Quicksilver’s Outer Reef cruise would be better suited to ensure the best experience as it features a dedicated introductory diver’s platform to ease you into the experience.

If your child is under the age of 15 years they are unable to travel without a parent or legal guardian. If your child is between the ages of 15 -18 years he / she can travel unattended but a dive waiver (either certified or introductory) and letter signed by the parent / legal guardian giving permission for your child to dive, must be presented to the crew on the day before travel for your child to be allowed to dive. Please contact our office for the required paperwork.

Yes, any age child is welcome accompanied by an adult, however we highly recommend that children be confident in the water. Babysitting facilities are not available onboard. The minimum age for scuba diving is 12 yrs.

Depending on the sites visited and conditions of the day, our reef sites offer a range of dive types including drift, wall, bommie, pinnacle, ledge and swim-throughs. We operate a dedicated dive tender for drift dives.

Our dives are approximately 12 to 18 metres in depth. The Great Barrier Reef is generally not a deep dive destination, more shallow diving. As coral relies on sunlight for growth, some of the best snorkelling and diving can be done in shallow areas around the reef top.

No experience is necessary however age and medical conditions apply. The minimum age is 12 years. Some medical conditions prevent diving, for example, asthma or respiratory conditions, heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes and certain medications. Diving is subject to medical questionnaire. For more information please contact our office.

You can withdraw from the dive at any time under the care of the instructor. Please note if you have commenced the dive (ie. let go of the skills decent line and started the dive) you will be charged the diving fee.

Certified divers can do up to 3 certified dives during the day. Introductory divers can also do 3 dives.

Yes. We accept most certification cards including PADI, Maui and SSI. If you forget your card, evidence of certification may be provided by log book or verification letter from your certifying dive company. We can provide assistance if you are PADI affiliated.

If you do not have a chance to do a refresher before travelling, you can participate in the first introductory dive of the day and if comfortable then participate in the 2nd and 3rd certified dive.

Yes if accompanied by yourself or a legal guardian, the minimum age is 12 yrs for introductory diving and is subject to the successful completion of a medical questionnaire and the PADI Discover Scuba Diving briefing.

Yes, we carry DIN fittings.

If only one dive is undertaken then a minimum of 12 hours is recommended before flying (to an altitude of 300 metres or greater). If doing multiple dives, an interval of 24 hours is recommended. Other activities to avoid in this period are sky diving, hot air ballooning and going to Kuranda.