2010 Expeditions:

17th-24th June 2010: Special Australian Geographic Minke Whale Expedition

Join Minke whale researchers on this very special Minke whale expedition. Minke whales are the friendliest of whales and are comfortable while closely interacting with divers and snorkelers. To look into the eyes of a Dwarf Minke whale is an inspirational and humbling experience. This expedition has been planned for the prime Minke whale season when Minke whale encounters are most reliable. The dive sites will focus on the region between Cooktown and Lizard Island. In addition to an unforgettable wildlife experience, your contribution to this project will aid in the collection of valuable data for a species that is only newly discovered and poorly understood. For more information read about our Minke Whale Expeditions here or contact us. 

15th - 22nd July 2010: Join Mike Ball and Barry Andrewartha on a Week Long Coral Sea Expedition

Departing in the most prized, exotic critter and big animal window available to the Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea.  Where you can expect amazing marine life encounters; from 5mm Pygmy seahorses to 5m Minke whales.  In recent seasons we have encountered Pygmy seahorses, Hairy Ghost pipefish, Leaf and Lacy scorpionfish, diver-size Potato cod, White Tip Reef sharks , Hammerhead sharks, plus several other shark species!  If you have ever thought about diving the Cod Hole, the Coral Sea or with the Minke whales...this trip is for you!  Loosely following the Exploratory Coral Sea Safari itinerary...this will be an expedition to remember.

11th - 18th November 2010: Week Long Yongala Expedition

Departing Cairns and heading south to the Coral Sea and Yongala Wreck. This itinerary has been put together by 'special request' and will be an extraordinary adventure as you visit rarely dived reefs before spending a full day and a half (including night dive) on one of the world's most spectacular wreck dives...the Yongala.  Disembarking in Townsville.

18th - 25th November 2010: Week Long Yongala Expedition

The return expedition departs Townsville on the 18th and begins diving at the Yongala wreck.  The remainder of the week will be spent on rarely dived areas of the Coral Sea.  Disembarking in Cairns.

Situated 48 nautical miles off Townsville lies Wheeler Reef, a platform reef perched close to the continental shelf drop off. Isolated from other reefs Wheeler is also protected from the more dominant weather patterns by larger reefs to the southeast and has formed a sand cay, which is often exposed on the ebbing tide. As a result of this combination of protection and isolation, Wheeler, perfectly circular in shape, is a truly magnificent example of marine biodiversity at its best. An added bonus is that this reef is part of the area of the Great Barrier Reef protected from any fishing or collecting, making it a reef of unrivalled biodiversity in the region.

The wreck of the 115metre SS Yongala must be dived to be believed. In its 90 years of immersion the wreck has attracted a myriad of hard and soft corals of truly amazing colors while super size marine life have made the wreck their home. She now rests in 30 metres of water on her starboard side; the uppermost deck is at 15 metres. Diver size grouper are found under the bow and stern while turtles, bull rays, sea snakes, sharks and wrasse relentlessly roam the wreck. The non-stop action provided by this spectacular concentration of marine life is truly astonishing.

Download the itinerary (pdf) here.

25 November 2010: Week Long Shark Research Expedition

Experience the ultimate shark adventure in style and comfort……….. 7 nights/6 days (approx 26 dives)... Please note catching and tagging sharks may replace a few dives on this week long expedition.

Join the adventure as Eye to Eye Marine Encounters teams up with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions and world renowned shark researchers, Richard Fitzpatrick and John Rumney for an odyssey of discovery. Join scientists in tagging and tracking reef sharks and learn about their behaviors through data loggers and remote underwater cameras. In addition to the excellent dive program offered aboard Spoilsport, as part of an Exploratory Coral Sea Safari, onboard activities will range from daily informal discussions to interpretive multimedia presentations by scientists and crew.  This expedition sold out well in advance last year.  Loosely following the Exploratory Coral Sea Safari itinerary for more information contact us.