Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere below Asia in the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island land mass in the world, having an area greater than the United States, or all of Europe. It is home to 18 million fun-loving "Aussies", most of who live on the spectacular coastal regions.
Perhaps the most well known feature of Australia, and also the world's largest living thing, is the Great Barrier Reef. This oldest and largest coral reef system stretches 2000km along the tropical east coast of Australia. Fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing are great ways to enjoy this reef area and the best place to enjoy all the Great Barrier Reef has to offer are the Whitsunday Islands. The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 tropical islands lying in the Coral Sea between the east coast of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
Hamilton Island is in the heart of the Whitsunday Island. It is the only island in this group with a variety of hotels and apartments to suit most tastes and budgets. as well as offering an endless array of activities. Surrounded by idyllic coral fringed beaches, Hamilton Island provides the perfect backdrop for the ultimate tropical Great Barrier Reef holiday.
Hamilton Island also has its own jet airport and has daily direct flights from most Australian capital cities.
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On Hamilton Island there’s accommodation to suit everyone from couples and honeymooners to families and groups of friends.
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Hamilton Island features a modern commercial marina and Marina Tavern. The Marina Village features fantastic shopping from general stores to Art shops. Located around the Marina Village and near the Resort Centre are a myriad of exciting eateries, including a range of restaurants, bars and cafes.
Activities on Hamilton Island include scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Great Barrier Reef, scuba diving lessons, water skiing, sailboarding, fishing, snorkeling safaris, yacht sailing, nature walks and many more.
Diving Tours
Bait Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef at its very best
Throughout the year we operate a day tour for scuba diving and snorkeling, to Bait Reef Marine Park. Bait Reef is one of the best known and most spectacular locations on the Great Barrier Reef. The reef provides an "oasis" for all sorts of tropical marine life, with turtles and manta rays common sights.
Coral gardens, underwater canyons, swim throughs and dramatic walls provide a range of terrain to explore, and an ideal location for snorkelers and scuba divers. Snorkelers can explore the shallow gardens on top of the reef, confident in the hands of their snorkel guide. Beginner divers, are escorted by the instructors around the reef formations at around 10 metres (30 feet). The more experienced divers can investigate the canyons and walls at "Stepping Stones".
This tour is limited to 30 passengers,and departs from the Dive Shop at Hamilton Island Marina, 9:30am each day, returning 5:00pm. You'll spend 3.5 hours at your reef location, which allows plenty of time for lots of snorkeling and/or 2 leisurely dives. A delicious buffet lunch is served on board. All activities are supervised by our experienced crew. Snorkelers are provided with wet suit or buoyancy jacket.
The cost is $165 per adult (Includes EMC charge), (1 child 13 yrs and under) travel free when accompanied by 2 full paying, $85 (includes EMC) for children (4 - 13 yrs). Includes lunch, snacks, water, tea and coffee, all snorkel equipment and wet suit. Bring towel, hat, sunglasses, swimmers, sunblock, camera, money for drinks. Full gear hire is $100 for certified divers.
Whitsunday Islands
Around most of the Whitsunday Islands you'll find many protected bays with well developed fringe reefs. The shallow waters found in these areas and the variability of physical conditions promote highly diverse coral communities, and provide excellent snorkeling and diving. Travel time to the various locations is around 45 minutes. Average visibility ranges from 4m - 10m (12ft - 33ft), depending on tides, location and weather. The best coral grows from the surface to a depth of about 15m (45ft). Our daily Snorkel Safari travels to one of these protected bays for an escorted snorkel tour, and beach visit. If you are chartering or sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, you will spend many delightful hours at anchor in these bays.
Snorkel Safari
Departing daily from the Hamilton Marina, our fast boats will whisk you to one of the beautifully protected bays of the Whitsunday Islands. You'll spend 2 hours exploring the coral reefs with your snorkel guide, and later visit a local beach for some beach combing. This tour is limited to 15 passengers, and is for 3 hours duration.
The cost is $81 per adult or $61 for children (Includes EMC charge),(13 years and under). Includes all snorkel equipment, wet suit and light refreshments.
