Solar Eclipse November 14th 2012
Cod Hole & Northern Great Barrier Reef 4 Days/3 Nights (3 Full Days Diving)
A total solar eclipse will take place on 13-14 November, 2012 at around 06:38. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across the surface of the Earth. This rare event will be best visible from a boat, and as such Taka will combine this event with the best diving available in the area
You will depart Cairns on the Tuesday evening with a leisurely cruise , to wake up at Hasting Reef. From there you will experience the magic of a Total Solar Eclipse as well as three full days of diving with a minimum of ten dives over the trip. On this trip we regularly encounter huge schools of pelagic fish, Manta Rays, Giant Australian Cuttlefish, Loggerhead and Green Turtles, Moray Eels, Red Flame File Shell, Lionfish, various Nudibranchs as well as the magnificent Giant Potato Cod.
See more of the path for the Solar Eclipse 2012
Tuesday
The first evening we travel to Hastings Reef. During this time passengers organize their dive gear or hire gear. We also have a brief period of introduction followed by paperwork and a briefing on the schedule for the next day. Dinner is served at approx 7:30pm with the rest of the evening for relaxation.
Wednesday
06:00am - Wake up Call
06:28 - Solar Eclipse viewing
7:00am Breakfast
Dive 1
Hastings Reef – Turtle Bommie
A cluster of smaller bommies dropping off real deep to the north offering bat fish, stone fish (if you can spot them), anthias, fusiliers and, of course, turtles! Also lots of smaller table corals, sea fans and whip corals.
Dive 2
Hastings Reef – Angel Bommie
A Sloping reef with bommie on one side, with magical displays of Angel Fish.
Lunch
Dive 3
Norman Reef – Shark Mountain
Very versatile dive for beginners as well as more experienced divers who want to circle the entire shark-shaped Bommie. You can spot a small wreck in a depth of approx. 10m hidden on the northern wall. Extremely large starfish and lots of grey reef sharks
Afternoon rest & snack.
Dive 4
Norman Reef - Playground
Sheltered by a ledge this is our preferred overnight mooring place. During the night dive you’re able to “hang out” on the mooring lines and watch reef sharks cruising around, our local resident Queensland Grouper and sometimes even Eagle Rays chasing their prey in the beam of the boats bright lights.
8:00pm Evening Meal
Thursday
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Arrive at the Cod Hole
Dive Briefing
Dive 5
Familiarization with the Cod Hole.
Likely Sightings include Giant Potato Cod, Moray Eel, Reef Sharks & Maori Wrasse.
Dive 6
Cod Feed at the Cod Hole
Close encounters with the Famous Potato Cod!
Lunch
Dive 7
Pixie’s Pinacle/Reef/Wall or Challenger Bay.
Likely Sightings include Lion Fish, Nudibranchs, Garden Eels & Barracuda.
Afternoon rest & snack.
Dive 8
6:30pm Night Dive at Challenger Bay
Likely Sightings include Cuttle Fish, Sea Turtles, Reef Sharks & Manta Rays.
8:00pm Evening Meal
Friday
8:00am Arrive at the Norman Reef
8:30am Breakfast
Dive 9
9:30am Caves.
Sightings include Blue Spot Lagoon Ray & Clown Fish.
10:45 - depart for Cairns
As we sail back to Cairns, passengers have plenty of time to rest and relax in between snacks and lunch.
Taka then arrives back to Trinity Wharf in Cairns at 2:30pm.
Complimentary transfers to local accommodation between 3:00pm and 4:00pm
