The Adventure
Big Cat Reality
A group of 20 divers travelled to Bundaberg in Queensland to board “The Big Cat Reality” and dive some of the best sites in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. For four full days we had the opportunity to dive sites such as Lady Elliot, Llewelyn, Hoskyn and Fairfax Reefs. Typical marine life encounters include turtles, moray eels, huge schools of tropical reef fish, reef sharks, sea snakes, nudibranchs and the gentle manta rays.All while exploring spectacular walls, coral bommies and interesting swim throughs. The sites were suitable for all levels of dive experience
“Big Cat Reality” Bunker Group Itinerary
The First Night: (Monday)
We all met at the Bundaberg Port Marina by 5.00 pm, where everyone stowed their gear and settled in onboard. The master then introduced the crew, gave the safety brief and played the induction DVD. A light supper was served and we departed Burnett Heads at about 8:30pm. (For anyone wanting a meal before boarding, there was a great fish & chip takeaway located at Burnett Heads 5 min from the Marina). “Big Cat Reality” then steamed overnight to Llewelyn Reef and arrived ready for an early morning dive.
Day One: (Tues) Day one started with two great dives at Llewelyn Reef to get us started and then a short move north to Lamont Reef for an afternoon of exploring this amazing and rarely dived reef. After completing 3 to 4 dives for the day, we settled down for our first night on the Great Barrier Reef.
Day Two: (Wed) On the second day we started the day with an early morning dive at Lamont Reef before moving south to spend the rest of the day diving the sites around Hoskins Island where we had the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal clear lagoon with reef sharks and baby sea turtles.
Day Three: (Thurs) On the third day we woke up at the world famous Lady Elliott Island where there is always heaps of beautiful Manta rays and great viz. The weather was very windy making diving all the best sites here including the Blow hole rather difficult, Hero’s Cave and Lighthouse Bommie. Our last night on the reef is finished off with a night dive and a BBQ on the top deck followed by a great night’s sleep.
Giant Gorgonia & Cave
Day Four: (Fri) Our last day gave us the RARE opportunity to explore a little known dive site called the “Snake Pitt”. This site is well off shore and has an amazing landscape with huge over hangs and swim throughs and of course heaps of Sea Snakes and Big Fish. After two dives at the Snake Pitt, lunch is served as we headed south back to Bundaberg, arriving at approximately 6:30pm.
This trip was truly great fun and top value. Included: up to 18 dives, all air fills, all meals, air-conditioned bunk style accommodation, dive master services and full use of all facilities onboard.
Accommodation
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