Dive Expeditions | Great Barrier Reef

RIBBON REEFS
EXPLORER

COD HOLE - STEVE'S BOMMIE - 5 DAYS/ 4 NIGHTS

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Come with us, and dive one of the most pristine locations on the Great Barrier Reef - the world famous Ribbon Reefs!

12-16/04/2022

From $3360

11-15/04/2023

From $3575

30/10-03/11/2023

From $3575

Scuba IQ Dive Expeditions - 20 years in the making

Since making our successful start with Scuba IQ, back in early 2017, we've gone on to become one of the most highly sought-after diving operators on the Great Barrier Reef. The story actually goes back much further - to the early 2000s to be exact. This was when one of the founders of Scuba IQ, Martin Connolly, spent a season working in Vava'u, Tonga; diving on its magnificent coral reefs. The real highlight of this region, however, is the annual humpback whale migration which allows visitors the opportunity to swim with these gentle leviathans. It was there and then that Martin realised that these were the kinds of experiences that he wanted to share with others, and since that time, has been carefully planning for what we are now proud to bring to you as 'Scuba IQ Dive Expeditions'

Now, we are excited to team up with the fantastic MV Argo, to deliver adventure and experiences to some of the most spectacular sites on the Ribbon Reefs, Coral Sea, and beyond. All of our trips are fully guided, with small groups and low guest numbers, so you can be sure of a personalised trip, and feeling like you are diving with friends.

RIBBON REEFS

THERE'S NOT A LOT THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS MAJESTIC CHAIN OF REEFS, BUT LET'S SAY THAT THIS IS DIVING THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!

ALONG THIS 110 KILOMETRE CHAIN OF REEFS, WE FIND A HUGE RANGE OF DIVE SITES FEATURING STUNNING CORAL GARDENS; TOWERING PINNACLES, AND SOME OF THE MOST PRISTINE CORAL TO BE FOUND. ENJOY LEGENDARY DIVES AT LOCATIONS SUCH AS 'STEVE'S BOMMIE',

THE COD HOLE

GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH ONE OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF'S ORIGINAL, AND MOST FAMOUS CELEBRITIES...THE MAN-SIZED POTATO GROUPER AT THE COD HOLE.

MORE LABRADOR THAN FISH, THESE GENTLE GIANTS WILL OFTEN JOIN US FOR AN ENTIRE DIVE, AND CAN SEEMINGLY AT TIMES APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A BUCKET-LIST DIVE - THIS IS IT!

AGINCOURT REEF

FOUND AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE RIBBONS, IS THE AGINCOURT REEF SYSTEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN LOCATIONS ON THE REEF, FOR DECADES, RENOWNED FOR IT'S CLEAR WATERS AND RICH BIODIVERSITY.

WITH THE RIBBON REEF'S EXPLORER EXPEDITION STARTING AND FINISHING HERE, AGINCOURT REEF MAKES A FITTING BOOKEND TO THE TRIP

DIVE IN STYLE
MV ARGO

Sample itinerary – subject to change due to environmental or logistical reasons

12/04: Yorkey’s Knob to Agincourt Reef (4h30 passage)

Time TBC: collection from Cairns’ accommodation

0700 Boarding, stow luggage and complete trip briefing prior to

departure

0800 Departure; Organise equipment and setup

1230 Lunch

1400 Dive brief & dive – site TBC (Agincourt Reef)

1600 Afternoon tea

1730 Dive brief, gear-up, and night dive – site TBC (Agincourt Reef)

1930 Evening meal

Steam overnight to Ribbon Reef #3 (5h00 passage)

13/04: Ribbon Reef #3 & #5

0600 Wakeup call and light breakfast

0630 Dive brief & diving commences - Steve’s Bommie

0800 Full cooked breakfast

0900 Dive brief & diving – Steve’s Bommie

Relocate to Ribbon Reef #5 (1h00 passage)

1130 Dive brief and diving – site TBC

1300 Lunch

1430 Dive brief and diving – site TBC

1600 Afternoon tea

1730 Night dive brief; gear-up, and night dive – site TBC

1930 Evening meal

Steam overnight to Ribbon Reef #10 (5h00 passage)

14/04: Ribbon Reef #10

0600 Wakeup call and light breakfast

0630 Dive brief & diving commences - Cod Hole

0800 Full cooked breakfast

0900 Dive brief & dive - Cod Hole

Relocate vessel to South end of RR#10 (1h30 passage)

1130 Dive brief and dive – site TBC (Pixie’s Pinnacle; Two Towers; Lighthouse)

1300 Lunch

1430 Dive brief and dive – Monolith

1600 Afternoon tea

1730 Night dive brief, gear-up, and night dive - Challenger Bay

1930 Evening meal

Steam overnight to Ribbon Reef #3 (5h30 passage)

15/04: Ribbon Reef #3 & Agincourt Reef

0600 Wakeup call and light breakfast

0630 Dive brief & diving – site TBC (Flare Point; Temple of Doom)

0800 Cooked breakfast

0900 Dive brief & diving - site TBC (Joanie’s Joy)

Steam to Agincourt Reef (4h00 trip time)

1300 Lunch

1400 Dive brief & diving – site TBC

1530 Afternoon tea

1630 Dive brief and diving – site TBC

1800 End of trip dinner

16/04: Agincourt Reef & Yorkey’s Knob

0600 Wakeup call and light breakfast

0630 Dive briefing & dive – site TBC

0800 Cooked breakfast

Steam to Yorkey’s Knob Marina/Cairns for disembarking & transfers (4h30 passage)

When we started the process of choosing a boat for our expeditions, we already had a good idea that we weren't going to have to look any further than the amazing MV ARGO. We were familiar with the vessel from her time spent in Cairns and Port Douglas, and also its history when it came to multi-day or liveaboard-style dive expeditions. This includes a huge number of research trips that have been completed to the most remote parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Along with this, we already had a close connection with some of the crew, making for an even better fit.

The boat itself is large, comfortable, and easy on the eye with its beautiful interior, spacious cabins, and relaxing lounge. Apart from being capable of handling lengthy dive trips, one of the best things about Argo, is that despite its size, it has a low passenger capacity of only 14 divers/snorkelers. This means that our expeditions are more personalised, as we can tailor the experience for the lucky few to be traveling on one of our trips.