Explore Group Australia Full Day Cert Dive the Great Barrier Reef from Shute Harbour

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A full day of guided diving for certified divers at Bait Reef on the Great Barrier Reef, an intermediate to advanced dive site, departing Shute Harbour.

Days

Full day, about 10 hours

Age

12+; ages 12 to 14 dive with a certified parent

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Shute Harbour / Shute Harbour

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Dive and snorkel boat from Shute Harbour via Hamilton Island; make your own way to the harbour

Meals

Buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Explore Group Australia Full Day Cert Dive the Great Barrier Reef from Shute Harbour

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Included experiences

Whitsunday Islands — cruise with commentary
Bait Reef — two guided dives at two sites
Great Barrier Reef — sharks, rays, turtles and coral

Explore Group Australia Full Day Cert Dive the Great Barrier Reef from Shute Harbour

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: SHUTE HARBOUR TO HAMILTON ISLAND

An early start at Shute Harbour, the deep-water port a short drive from Airlie Beach, rebuilt after Cyclone Debbie wrecked its jetties in 2017. You step aboard a purpose-built dive boat with two air-conditioned decks, lounge seating, showers and a full-width swim platform at the stern. The first leg crosses to Hamilton Island, the only island in the group with its own commercial airport, where more divers join. The Whitsunday Islands take their name from the passage Captain Cook sailed through in June 1770, on what he believed was Whit Sunday. Morning tea comes round as the crew talk you through the islands slipping past.

MID-MORNING: OUT TO BAIT REEF

From Hamilton the boat heads for the open water and Bait Reef, one of the closest outer reef sites to the Whitsundays and a special management area of the marine park. It sits on the Great Barrier Reef, which runs for more than 2,300 km and was World Heritage-listed in 1981. On arrival you check your gear, get the dive briefing and meet your divemaster or instructor. Bait Reef is an intermediate to advanced site, with walls and drop-offs where currents can run and visibility changes day to day, so the crew pick the two areas that suit the conditions.

ON THE REEF: TWO GUIDED DIVES

You have at least three and a half hours on location and two guided dives, each in a different part of the reef. Bait Reef is best known for the Stepping Stones, a line of flat-topped coral pinnacles rising from the sand, and for steep edges where reef sharks, rays and turtles cruise the blue. Closer in, look for parrotfish grazing the hard coral, batfish hanging in the current and big trevally patrolling the edges. Lunch is a buffet on board between the dives, and there's time to warm up in the sun on the top deck. If wind keeps the boat inside the islands, the day runs as two sheltered inner-reef sites plus a beach stop.

AFTERNOON: BACK THROUGH THE ISLANDS

With the second dive logged, the boat turns for home. Afternoon tea is served on the way back to Hamilton Island, then across the passage to Shute Harbour, where the day ends in the late afternoon. It's a long day on the water, about ten hours in all, so a jacket for the cruise home and a card for the bar are worth packing.

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Good to know

Meeting point: Shute Harbour.
Minimum age: 12 to dive. Divers aged 12 to 14 must dive with a certified parent or guardian.
Suits: Only certified divers who have dived in the last 12 months. Bring your certification card or log book; if your last dive was over 12 months ago, you may need a refresher programme.
Please note: All divers complete a medical questionnaire and may need a medical before diving.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
A jacket in the colder months
Card for bar purchases
Water

What is included

Return cruise from Shute Harbour via Hamilton Island, with commentary
At least 3.5 hours at Bait Reef
Two guided dives at two locations
Full dive gear hire
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea

Not included

Transport to and from Shute Harbour
Purchases from the bar

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We'd just got our dive certifications and Gus was great at explaining everything and putting us at ease. We used our air a bit faster than the others so he took extra care on our safety stop and the ascent, and kept a good pace while pointing out lots of marine life. Ask for Gus.

Grace Hackett Verified· Travelled 10th September 2026

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(5/5)

I've dived all over the world and this was the best organised trip I've been on. The boat is spacious and purpose built with three decks and a rear platform for easy water access, and our dive instructor Gus was thorough, professional and very safety focused. We loved spotting whales, turtles and rays together.

Joe Lewis Verified· Travelled 11th July 2026

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(5/5)

A great full day diving at Bait Reef, with an extra star for our dive guide Gus, who gave good instructions, made sure we had a great dive and later emailed us footage from our last dive. My wife snorkelled and found it well organised, with crew on paddleboards and dinghies guiding the snorkellers.

Kjell Rensfeldt Verified· Travelled 20th November 2025

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