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Port Douglas, Australia

Scuba IQ

Scuba IQ

    $876.00 AUD
    $876.00 AUD
    Sale Sold out
    Enquire Now View full details

    Overview

    Scuba IQ is based in Port Douglas, far north Queensland, Australia. Delivering dive services through PADI, SDI and TDI, Scuba IQ have over 20 years experience diving Australia's Great Barrier Reef. For divers looking for bespoke adventures, top-notch training and a wealth of experience at the helm, look no further than Scuba IQ.

    Features

    Daily dive schedule

    Scuba IQ offers a wide range of diving qualifications and training. Additionally, for those who are already certified and wish to dive the Great Barrier Reef without being part of large dive groups, Scuba IQ can provide a private guide on one of the many liveaboards operating out of Cairns. With daily speedboats shuttling out to the liveaboards, Scuba IQ offers a bespoke dive service tailored to meet every need, ensuring the best possible diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef.

    Co-founder of Scuba IQ, Martin Connolly also features as a Dive Ambassador with Nomadic Scuba, you can see more about Martin and what is on offer here. Martin Connolly, Dive Ambassador.

    Please note: courses and fun diving require a minimum of two paying guests. Private 1:1 can be arranged at additional cost.

    Dive Services

    ✓  PADI Eco-Centre

    ✓  TDI & SDI Dive Resort

    ✓  High-quality rental equipment

    ✓  Port Douglas most experienced dive team

    ✓  Recreational & Technical dive courses

    ✓  Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea experts

    ✓  Minke Whale expeditions & overseas trips

    Included

    Courses

    ✓  PADI online training material, dive shop affiliation and certification fees

    ✓  All practical instruction conducted at the dive shop

    ✓  All relevant dive equipment required for your course*

    Fun Diving (certified divers)

    ✓  Qualified dive professional guide

    ✓  Snacks, water, tea and coffee on the dive boat

    ✓  Local pick-up or meet at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Port Douglas

    ✓  Dive equipment included

    Please note: courses and fun diving require a minimum of two paying guests. Private 1:1 can be arranged at additional cost.

    * Inclusions are dependent on the course or fun dive package you purchase.

    Excluded & Additional Fees

    ✓ Dive or travel insurance*

    ✓ Camera rental

    ✓ Flights or accommodation

    ✓ Additional purchases made on the dive boat

    *Dive and travel insurance is advised prior to booking

    Payment Plan

    0% - Now, take your time to process your plans

    100% - 72 hours after we invoice you.

    Note: The Great Barrier Reef is a highly popular location, as such, full payment is required to secure a booking.

    Cancellation Fees

    20% fee - If cancellation is requested 5 days or more before the start date

    60% fee - If cancellation is requested within 2-5 days of start date

    100% fee - Within 2 days of start date

    Note: There are no refunds for missed services due to late arrivals of guests or missed transport timings. The dive vessels will not delay departure for late arrivals. Any unused dives from pre-paid packages are also non-refundable or transferable.

    Recreational diver training

    Whether you are new to diving or experienced and looking to expand your skills, Scuba IQ offers recreational dive training for all levels.

    Click here to find out more about the courses available.

    More info

    Fun diving for qualified divers

    If you are a qualified diver wishing to explore the Great Barrier Reef but prefer not to be a part of large dive groups in the water, then Scuba IQ guiding service is for you. Full day trips include 3 dives, snacks and lunch plus local pick-up and transfers.

    Multiple days can be book for those guests preferring to stay on land, however, Scuba IQ also collaborates with many liveaboard operators in the region so if you prefer an extended stay out on the reef, get in touch to find out more.

    More info

    Minke Whale expeditions

    In the interest of conservation, Queensland operates a maximum of 12 people in the water at any one time with Minke Whales therefore Scuba IQ work with the MV Argo delivering bespoke trips for a maximum of 12 guests per trip. For larger vessels you would need to take turns in the water and wait for lady luck to shine. On the MV Argo you can be in the water as often as you like.

    You can get more information on the Minke Expeditions here.

    More info

    The booking process

    • Initial planning

      Found the perfect trip, or interested in recommendations? Submit a query and we’ll tailor something for you

    • Email proposal

      We’ll coordinate with the operators and collate the relevant information for you; to make selecting your next dive adventure easy

    • Invoice and deposit

      When you want to proceed, we’ll secure your spot and issue an invoice. Deposits usually due within 48hrs, then once we receive your deposit your booking is confirmed

    Know before you go

    How do I get there?

    Scuba IQ: Port Douglas, FNQ, Australia

    Liveaboard Embarks & Disembarks: Marina Point, Cairns harbour

    Nearest International Airport: Cairns

    Cairns International Airport is a short drive from the city with regular domestic and international flights arriving daily.

    Here's an easy way to see all the Flight Connections

    Do I need a visa for this trip?

    There are different Australian visa types available for travellers to Australia. Knowing which Australian visa to apply for depends on the length of your stay, your passport and the purpose of your visit. You’ll also need to meet certain financial and medical requirements, be outside of Australia when applying and maintain health insurance for the duration of your stay. 

    Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601)

    This visa allows you to visit Australia as many times as you want, for up to a year, and stay for three months each visit. This visa is available to passport holders from a number of countries and regions, who live outside Australia. A step-by-step guide on how to apply is here.

    All ETA-eligible passport holders must apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app. Agents can assist you in the application process, but you must be physically present as a live facial image is required.

    eVisitor (subclass 651)

    This is a free visa for multiple visits to Australia for tourism or business purposes for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period. This visa is available to passport holders from a number of European countries and it cannot be extended.

    Visitor visa (subclass 600)

    The Visitor visa allows you to visit Australia, either for tourism or business purposes. It is open to all nationalities. Generally, a period of stay of up to three months is granted, but up to 12 months may be granted in certain circumstances. Applicants will have to pay a fee to submit their application.

    What level of dive training do I need?

    Dive shops offer training for all experience levels and are the primary resource for certification, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced diver. If you're uncertain or need guidance, feel free to reach out and consult with Matt who always keen to share his knowledge and provide sound advice.

    I am not a strong swimmer; can I still learn to dive?

    Absolutely! If you're not confident in the water, you can start with our one-day Basic Try Scuba package, which doesn't require strong swimming skills. Once you experience the magic of the underwater world, you can continue your training, and we'll help you improve your swimming ability to become a fully qualified scuba diver.

    PADI, SSI, RAID, which one should I do?

    Honestly, it doesn’t make much difference until you decide to pursue a professional career in the industry. All major training agencies recognize each other when offering dive services. This means you can dive with a PADI centre even if you’re certified by SSI, RAID, NAUI, CMAS or others. The certification levels are also mutually acknowledged, so an Open Water Diver certification from PADI has the same value as one from SSI. The main difference is in how the courses are structured during training, but they all lead to the same end result, you being able to dive.

    Do I need dive and travel insurance for this trip?

    Comprehensive travel and diving insurance is essential for planning any scuba diving trip. Many operators require proof of both before allowing you to participate in their activities or use their services here's why. If you are taking part in a training program or course, then the operator may have provision to include dive insurance, however, we would always advise having your own insurance for any adventure.

    We recommend DiveAssure for both dive and travel insurance. You can choose between single-trip or annual coverage.

    To arrange your insurance now, please use this link -DiveAssure registration.

    Are there any medical reasons why I cannot dive?

    Operators providing dive services will require you to complete an RSTC medical declaration. Should you need to answer ‘YES’ to any of the questions then you will need a doctor to sign as authorizing you to be medically fit to dive. You can find an example of the RSTC medical questionnaire here.

    What are the dive conditions like?

    Koh Tao has two main seasons, the wet and the dry. The dry months bring temperatures into the high 30s above water and beneath the surface up to 29ºC. Visibility is vast during the dry months and can extend beyond 30 meters. The monsoon season brings daily rain, lower temperatures and visibility in the water; however, this also brings more nutrients and attracts the Whale sharks. It can be common to see one of these magnificent animals during an Open Water course!

    As a Fun Diver, what can I expect to see during the dives?

    Koh Tao has many dive sites and quite a good array of biodiversity. It can get busy at times however planning fun dives away from courses will certainly be of benefit to you. There are several sites with good macro opportunities and others such as Chumphon Pinnacle and South West Pinnacle attracting Pelagic action from shoaling fish, turtles, and Whale Sharks.

    Can I extend my stay?

    Certainly! If you'd like to extend your stay, just let us know, and we'll provide you with an updated quote. Many of our guests enjoy exploring multiple destinations during the same trip. If this interests you, contact us today, and we can discuss tailored options to suit your preferences.

    • Expert navigation

      We know diving and we know travel.  Leverage off our extensive experience, insights and recommendations when planning your next scuba adventure

    • Hand-picked operators

      We are proud to work with professional and dedicated operators around the world that have the expertise and resources to deliver unforgettable diving and travel adventures

    • Bookings made easy

      With a straightforward booking process and flexible payment plans, we aim to simplify the logistics so you can focus on the fun stuff

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    Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change without notice. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions