Guest Survey Results for June 2009

Each month we are independently surveyed by the research team at James Cook University. Here are our latest results from JCU for our customer surveys;

Here is what our guests had to say about the trip:
Reef exceeded expectations: 78.3% said yes
Trip exceeded expectations: 73.9% said yes
Received value for money: 100% said yes
Would recommend the trip: 100% said yes
Average satisfaction score: 8.83 /10

Our passengers in the month of June comprised of the following groups:
39% North American, 26% Australian,
39.1% 30-39 years old, 26% 50-59 year olds,
48% professionals and 13% students,
35% travelling with their family, 30.4% travelling with their partner.

Thanks to all our passengers for making our jobs one of the best in the world! And again to our conscientious and diligent crew - Thank You!.

Customer Satisfaction Results for May 2009

The May customer satisfaction scores have been returned from JCU:
Here is what our guests had to say about the trip.
The Reef met expectations: 85.3% said very much
(15% said yes)
The Trip met expectations: 75.0% said very much
(25% said yes)
Received value for money: 100% said yes
Would recommend the trip: 100% said yes
Mean satisfaction score: 9.20 / 10

Our passenger in the month of May comprised of the following groups:

• 35% European, 30% Australian,
• 35% 20-29 year olds and 23.3% 30-39 years old,
• 33.3% professionals, 50% travelling with their partner

Thanks Again to our passengers for sailing with us and our great crew for their hard work!

Book Before You Travel - Travel Tip

Just a little heads up to the people trying to get some last minute bargains while traveling. We are getting a stream of people who arrive in town and trying to book a last minute trip to the reef on our boats. While we realize it is tempting to wait to see if there are standby or discount rates available this is a risky business. Typically our boats are sold out weeks or even months in advance during the peak season. So it is best to book ahead of time. We understand what a horrible experience it must be to get to one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world only to find that the trip of your choice is unavailable and you have to settle for something else. Remember the difference in price is a often difference in quality. So to make your trip a lot less stressful and relaxing; research and call operators ahead of time to find peak times. Last minute deals are available but a little research ahead of time will save a lot of disappointment later. To secure your trip book ahead and make sure you get the best experience you can. We hope to see you shortly on the Great Barrier Reef!

10 Things to Check Before Your Next Dive Trip

Here are the Top Ten Things to Ask Your Dive Company Before You Book Your Trip with Them. Remember the difference in price is often the difference in quality.
1. Is your dive equipment serviced by trained and certified technicians?
This may seem obvious, but worth checking. Make sure the servicing is performed as per the manufacturers’ recommendations. Common mistakes include reusing consumable items, trying to service the equipment without the proper training and leaving it too long between servicing.
2. Are they a member of a reputable and recognized training organization?
There are too many too mention here but the most common ones are SSI, PADI, CMAS, BSAC, TDI/SDI. This is important too ensure that they are kept up to date with the latest in training and procedures in case anything does go wrong.
3. How Many People are Diving at Once?
To truly enjoy your dive experience it is best to keep the numbers in the group as small as your can. This also reduces any impact that you may have on the environment, such as scaring away fish and stirring up the bottom.
4. What is the Ratio from Instructor to Student or Guide to Diver?
There are regulations covering the first point so numbers will vary under that amount, but it is best to ask before you go so you are not shocked. If you want a smaller group you may have to pay for it. Smaller amount of divers per guide allows for a much smoother and personal dive, allowing the dive to be tailored for what you expect to see on the dive.
5. Are they a member of a relevant local dive organization?
Like point 2 above this ensures that you have a operator that is involved and up to date with the latest guidelines or safety procedures for that region.
6. Do they support local or global efforts in conservation or research?
This gives you a great indication on the attitude of the dive company and makes sure you get great dive karma. Sustaining the marine environment shows the company is interested in the longevity of the local or global ecosystem and is doing their bit to contribute.
7. Do you have travel or dive insurance that gives you the coverage you need?
This will include all sorts of things that may happen that can throw your dive trip into disarray. These may include an illness, illness of a relative, travel agent or operator going bankrupt, weather related cancellations, flight cancellations.
8. What is the cancellation policy of the dive company?
Do they give full refunds for weather or other cancellations? Do they have an immediate no refund policy for cancellations or are they flexible?
9. Are the owners or managers going on their own trips?
Quality control to make sure that you have a great experience is often done with management teams that have a more hands on approach. By taking the time to experience the trip and meet the guests shows that they are going the extra mile to make sure you have the best experience possible.
10. How far is the boat/resort really away from the hotel?
Often people follow the old "we're just 10 minutes away" story. Use Google Maps or other technologies to get a true picture of where you are in relation to the boat. Better still see if they can arrange transport for you to arrive at the boat on time and not have to lug dive gear around.

What a Great Year on the Great Barrier Reef

This year continues to be a fantastic year on the Great Barrier Reef with fantastic weather and great spectacles on show for the world to see on a regular basis. Lighter winds and calm seas for the most part this year have made diving and snorkeling on the outer reef defy the imagination with awesome visibility and active marine life.
Our guests on the extended private yacht charters earlier in the year got to enjoy some of the reefs that are rarely visited and some of the small uninhabited islands that dot the Great Barrier Reef. Dolphins seem to have adopted the bows of our yachts as a playground to surf the waves.
The reef surveys again were carried out by Reefcheck Australia, and continue to show the health and resilience of the reef with positive growth being shown across our dive sites.
We were privileged in June and July with regular Minke Whale visits around the reefs and now the humpback whales are continuing the show. The whales head north for the warm sun and calm seas of the tropics. These Humpback Whales are often seen enjoying their annual winter break from the cold water of the southern states. Whales playfully basking and breaching make a common and spectacular sight sailing to and from the reef.
All the while many of the seabirds that form an important part of the ecosystems are seen continually scann the water surface and then diving from great heights to secure their meals.
Our regular cast of characters such as Wally the Maori Wrasse, "nemo" (clownfish), turtles and many other beautiful fish and reef formations continue to keep us entertained and in awe of the wonder that is Great Barrier Reef. What a privilege to work and live around one the true natural wonders of the world.

Sea Cucumber - Species of the Reef

Like the vaccum cleaners of the sea, the sea cucumber scavages it's food along the sea floor, where it eats decaying matter and plankton. It is has and endoskeleton which means it's bone structure is just below it's leather and tough skin. The sea cucmber shoots out a sticky goo that it uses as a self defence mechanism to entangle any would be predators out there.

The sea cucumber is able to strengthen and loosen the outside of their body at will allowing them to squeeze through tight crevaces and then harden the outside of it's body again when it is in more exposed areas. Because ten percent of the sea cucumbers blood is vanadium and not hemoglobin their blood is not red but yellow.
Some of the earliest form of trade between Asia and indigenous Australia was the trade of sea cucumbers, which are highly regarding in some forms of eastern medicine and as a food dish.

Finally the New Website is Launched!

Finally after hours of hair pulling, the new website has been launched. A much simplier and less cumbersome design, that should make like easier for all of us. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Turtle Rescue Cairns - Saving the Sea Turtle

Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre was established as a facility designed for treatment of ill and injured turtles in Far North Queensland and Cape York Peninsula. The centre works towards the recovery of threatened marine turtle species in conjunction with a local veterinary clinic. Since 2002, 21 turtles have been successfully rehabilitated and released in the region where they were found. Unfortunately 24 turtles have died during attempts at rehabilitation, a not unexpected result when considering the poor condition of these animals when brought into the centre. The majority of the stranded animals brought to the centre from Great Barrier Reef waters had ‘floaters disease’ with only one suffering from fibropapilloma virus. Qantas -Link Airlines has assisted in transport of turtles from the west coast of Cape York Peninsula where the Napranum Land Protection Unit rescued many stranded turtles. These have been injured due to entanglement in ‘ghost nets’. Injuries can be so severe that flippers have been lost or had to be amputated.
Donations Can be made at:
Marlin Coast Veterinary Surgery
Cnr Aropa St & Cook Hwy, Trinity Beach, QLD 4879
Phone: +61 (0)7 4057 6033

Discount Flights to Cairns from New Zealand

Virgin Blue has on offering some great flights from New Zealand. So if you want to escape the cold and enjoy the tropics or visit a friend or a relative take advantage of these great prices and enjpy the tropical experience in Cairns. Make sure you book your trip to the Great Barrier Reef also.

Auckland → Cairns From $269 NZD
Christchurch → Cairns From $269 NZD
Wellington → Cairns From $269 NZD
Hamilton → Cairns From $269 NZD

For more details please visit the Virgin Blue Website.

What Do Turtles Eat?

Adult Green Turtles are herbivorous. They almost-exclusively feed on various species of seagrasses and seaweed. While mature green turtles are entirely herbivorous, juveniles are known to eat a variety of marine invertebrates. Their diet of plant matter grows larger as they age, until as mature adults they become complete herbivores.
As large and well-protected animals, adult green turtles have few enemies and even fewer predators. Only human beings and the larger sharks are known to feed on the sea turtle. Tiger sharks are known predators of adult green turtles. Juvenile turtles and recently emerged hatchlings have significantly more predators, including sharks, crabs, small mammals and shorebirds.

Damsel Fish - Species of the Reef

No one ever talks about the poor old damsel fish. But they are very important in the reef ecosystem, eating algae allowing for reef regrowth. Damselfish are one of the most abundant groups of coral reef fishes. They display remarkable diversity in habitat preferences, feeding habits, behaviour and colouration. Most species are highly territorial. Algal-eating species zealously defend their 'plot' against intruders, regardless of size. These algal feeders. These algal feeders generally have drab colour patterns whereas the plankton-feeding damsels are brightly coloured. Damselfish eggs are laid on coral rock and are guarded by the male until they hatch in 2-14 days. All damselfish, except the anemonefish (genus Amphiprion and Premnas), change sex from male to female. The anemonefish goes through a reverse sex change from male to female.

Responsible Reef Practices While Snorkelling

Practices that you can do to help sustain the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come

• Practice at first over sand patches and away from the coral:
• Get comfortable with buoyancy control and finning techniques.
• Be mindful of where your fins are to avoid accidentally hitting the reef or stirring up sand.
• Snorkel carefully near the Reef:
• Move slowly and deliberately in the water, relax and take your time – to remain horizontal in the water, and refrain from standing up.
• Do not snorkel into areas where the water is less than one metre deep.
• Do not touch the walls of semi-confined areas (for example, small swim throughs and overhangs), never squeeze through a small area.
• Use rest stations or other flotation aids (for example, float lines, swimming noodles, and flotation vests) if you need to rest while snorkelling.
• Do not lean on, hold onto, or touch any part of the reef or moving animals when taking underwater photographs.
• Be mindful of all marine life:
• Avoid making sudden or loud noises underwater.
• Avoid chasing or attempting to ride or grab free-swimming animals (such as turtles, whales, and sea snakes). Avoid blocking their path or making them change direction.
• Do not touching or relocating any animals or plants.
• Stay more than one metre away from giant clams.
• Do not feed the fish.
• Do not collect any shells or ‘souvenirs’.

Why are fish so brightly coloured?

'Why are fish so brightly coloured?' This is one of the questions most commonly asked by our guests.
Reef fish are able to see colour. Their bright colours are important in species recognition and in the determination of sex. Some species, such as angelfish, have juvenile patterns that are totally different to the adults. The different colour patterns of juveniles may prevent adults from seeing them as a potential threat to territories or as reproductive partners. They also use their colours to blend with the environment is an import way to ambush prey and to hide from predators.

Canada to Cairns, - Discounted Flights

Qantas has just sent around some more airfare discounts from Canada to Cairns, Australia. All prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and the offer expires at midnight Pacific Time (PT) on Thursday, 16 July 2009
Toronto to Cairns Round trip from $1458*
Vancouver to Cairns Round trip from $1158*

See the Qantas website for more details.

Our Latest Great Barrier Reef Yacht Charter

We have just finished a relaxing five days on a private yacht charter around the tropical reefs and islands off Cairns and around North Queensland, Australia. There is nothing more relaxing then enjoying the beauty of the natural wonders of the world. Several days on the outer Great Barrier Reef and several days sailing around the islands, a perfect balance of both worlds and a great escape from civilization.

Nothing like the fresh sea air and wide open ocean space to wind down and enjoy your time away from the office. Enjoying the underwater marine life and experiencing the best of the world's reefs is both a refreshing and humbling experience. The 5 days were perfect with the sea conditions flat to flatter and the skies clear, dotted by the occasional cloud to break the monotony of a perfectly blue sky. The days started with spectacular sunrises and ended with glorious sunsets. During thee days there were turtles, dolphins, whales, too many fish to mention and of course some spectacular diving and snorkelling.

Escape Winter - Cheap Flights to Cairns

It's Jetstar's Winter Escape sale!
Escape the cold of the southern winter and head north for a well deserved break.
Grab a fantastic sale fare now until midnight (23:59 AEST) Monday, 13 July 2009, unless sold out prior. Sale may be extended. Sale fares include JetSaver Light# fares, for when you travel with carry on baggage only. Or you can also choose a JetSaver fare for just $10 more for domestic flights with the full 20kg checked baggage allowance. StarClass promo fares are non refundable and include 30kg checked baggage allowance. So whichever fare you choose, you're sure of an amazing fare!
Sydney to Cairns from $109
Gold Coast to Cairns from $89
Visit the Jetstar website for more details...

Two Great Spectacles This Evening

This evening we were treated to two beautiful events at the same time on opposite horizons, a fantastic sunset in the west, and a stunning full moon rising over the reef to the west.

Don't Miss Out

With the peak season upon us there is very limited availability left on any of our cruises. Be sure that you don't miss out and secure your sail and dive adventure as soon as you can. For that extra special group vacation, go on a private charter and enjoy cruising around the islands and reefs off Cairns.

Responsible Reef Practices While Diving

The Great Barrier Reef and other reefs throughout the world are delicately balanced ecosystems and while they are spectacular as well as resilient, we must do our best to leave them as we found them. We compiled this list of reef safe diving practices to enable the reefs of the world to be enjoyed for years to come.
* Move slowly and deliberately in the water, relax and take your time – relax and avoid rapid changes in direction.
* Avoid making sudden or loud noises underwater.
* Avoid leaning on, holding onto, or touching any part of the reef. This needs to be adhered to especially when taking underwater photographs.
* Avoid touching the walls of semi-confined areas (for example, small swim throughs or overhangs) – never squeeze through a small area.
* Avoid kicking up and disturbing the sand.
* Avoid touching any animals or plants.
* Do not feed fish or other wildlife.
* Stay more than one metre away from giant clams and reefs.
* Keep clear of free-swimming animals (such as turtles, whales, and sea snakes). In particular, you must not chase, ride, grab or block the path of these animals.
* Do not wear gloves (unless they’re required for safety reasons) as you are less likely to touch the coral.
* Avoid collecting any shells, coral or ‘souvenirs’.
* Avoid relocating any marine life - particularly when taking photos and filming.
* Collect all litter from the Reef, even that which isn’t yours.

Pre-Season Tour Update

Well, first of all my apologies over the last couple of weeks for not keeping the blog up to date however we have been focussing on maintenance with Santa Maria for the upcoming season. She has had the hull sanded back and painted afresh removing years of built up of paint. The top deck paint has been retouched and some other minor maintenance has been carried out.
The upcoming season looks to be another busy and exciting time, with bookings for our reef trips selling out fast. The year so far has had some great marine sightings including birds, whales, turtles, dolphins and of course countless other species of the reef. Many of these creatures have to be seen to be believed, their behaviour is quite extraordinary and fascinating to watch. Entering their peaceful and relaxing environment and seeing their interactions and relationships that have developed over the centuries is quite amazing.
That's a quick update for now. So make sure that you make the time, come down to Australia and treat yourself to an adventure you will remember for a lifetime. We look forward to meeting you and relaxing on the deck in the afternoon after a great day of exploring the reef, maybe enjoying one of our fantastic sunsets.