GREAT BARRIER REEF
DIVE LIVEABOARDS
Join one of our incredible liveaboard expeditions, diving on pristine reefs or experiencing amazing animal encounters
SWIM WITH MINKES
02-07/07/2023
From $33
Scuba IQ Dive Expeditions - 20 years in the making
Since starting Scuba IQ, back in early 2016, we've gone on to become one of the most highly regarded diving operators on the Great Barrier Reef. Our story actually goes back much further, to before we began offering trips and courses out of Port Douglas. Over the years, we have been to some amazing locations, where we have led travelers on tours to swim with humpback whales in Tonga; whale sharks and manta rays in Mozambique, and diving with thresher sharks in the Philippines.
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. These trips offer us the chance to experience firsthand, swimming with minke whales; coming face-to-face with the Potato Cod on the Ribbon Reefs; witnessing the annual coral spawning; or surrounding ourselves with sharks at the North Horn on Osprey Reef. 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!
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SWIM WITH MINKES
SWIMMING WITH MINKE WHALES IS ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES TO BE HAD, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
NO ONE EVER FORGETS THE FEELING THEY GET WHEN ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES GLIDES EFFORTLESSLY TOWARDS THEM, BEFORE PAUSING WITHIN ARM'S REACH TO TAKE A CLOSR LOOK AT THEIR HUMAN OBSERVER.
DIVE IN STYLE
MV ARGO
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. Some of this important work can now be seen, documented in a recent series - 'PLANET REEF', aired on National Australian Television (SBS)
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, and we can tailor the experience for the lucky few to be traveling on one of our trips.
LENGTH
27m/90ft
CABINS
2 x triple (double bed + bunk)
1 x twin (2 single bunks)
2 x quad (double bed + 2 bunks)
SPEED
14 knots max
8-10 knots cruising
DIVING
25 tanks
Bauer compressors
RANGE
3000nM
WATER
3200L
200L/h water maker