Dive Tours Hervey Bay
Dive, freedive & Snorkel charters
EXPLORE UNDERWATER WONDERS OF THE GREAT SANDY STRAIT AND BEYOND
The Fraser Coast offers abundant options for divers to throw on a wetsuit and dive into an underwater wonderland. The newest dive attraction on the Fraser Coast is the ex-HMAS Tobruk which is currently laying in waters off Hervey Bay. During scuttling, she came to rest in 30m of water and instead of resting upright on her keel, she rotated during her descent and came to a final resting position on her starboard side. The top side of the ship lies in approx. 11m and there are 8 deck levels to explore down to a maximum bottom depth of 30m. Our dedicated mooring is positioned at amidships, which offers the perfect opportunity to explore the entire length of the ship over two dives.
Experience a Salty Safari by choosing from a variety of ways to explore the underwater wonders, from our local Reefs, to the guided ex-HMAS Tobruk dives, 5 star PADI freediver training, and snorkelling. Don’t forget we also offer Hervey Bay’s dedicated swim with whales tour during the famous Hervey Bay Whale Watch season.
Dive options
A quick boat ride from Urangan boat harbour, lies some exciting local dive sites for when the weather is not suitable to venture out to the ex-HMAS Torbruk. The local sites are also tide dependant and as such, we aim to dive them within and hour before and hour after the high tide for the least amount of current and the best visibility. Highlights on these dives are turtles, sea snakes, large rays and a diverse range of schooling fish as well as hidden critters inside the wrecks.
Some of the local sites include:
- The Three Ships
- Simpson artificial reef
- Hardy Artificial reef
- Moon ledge (Deep drift dive)
- Duck & Little Woody (Shallow drift dive)
Price: From $130.00
Minimum Persons: 4
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Departure Time: Varies according to tide times
Inclusions: Experienced dive guides, weights & tanks, bottled water, mask anti-fog
Additional options: Professional underwater photo package, PADI wreck certification
A Salty Safaris learn to snorkel day is suitable for everyone looking to learn a new skill, explore the underwater world or simply stay active and cool during summer. Our experienced team will teach you the basics of snorkelling in an ocean environment and help you grow confident in your abilities to start exploring the wonders below the surface. This tour is perfect for the family and especially suited to keeping the kids entertained whilst also learning valuable skills and basic ocean safety. Learn to snorkel tours will be held once a month with additional tours available during peak times such as school and Christmas holidays.
Price: From $49.00
Minimum persons: 10
Duration: 2 hours
Departure Time: Varies according to high and low tides
Inclusions:
- Fun, quick boat ride to the snorkel site
- Experienced crew in the water with you for your safety and peace of mind
- Complimentary bottled water
- Mask, snorkel & fins included
- Mask antifog
About the Tobruk
The Ex HMAS Tobruk was an integral part of the Royal Australian Navy. Operating as a heavy lift ship, she was responsible for transporting soldiers, helicopters, heavy vehicles & tanks, as well as landing craft capable of delivering these vehicles directly onto the beach. Her build commenced in 1979 at Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd on the Hunter River, NSW. She was launched in 1980 by Lady Anna Cowan and commissioned in 1981, with her first overseas deployment being in 1982 to Ashdod Israel, offering support to the Royal Australian Air Force as part of a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.
After more than 2,000,000 kilometres journeyed across the seas and deployment on 26 major expeditions throughout her 34 years of service, she was scheduled for scuttling in 2015 by the Australin Government, in partnership with the Bundaberg & Fraser Coast Regional Councils to create an artificial reef and world class dive site in the Hervey Bay & Fraser Coast region.
About the Dive
The Ex-HMAS Tobruk site is located just off the Fraser coast at approx. 25 nautical miles NNE from Hervey Bay. During scuttling, she came to rest in 30m of water and instead of resting upright on her keel, she rotated during her descent and came to a final resting position on her starboard side. The top side of the ship lies in approx. 11m and there are 8 deck levels to explore down to a maximum bottom depth of 30m.
Our dedicated mooring is positioned at amidships, which offers the perfect opportunity to explore the entire length of the ship over two dives. The dive site is current affected, so we aim to plan our dives during neap tide flows. Expected visibility can be anywhere from 8m to 20m with the latter usually consistent during Winter months. The ships stern doors lie open, revealing the cavernous tank deck which offers uninhibited swimming through this vast space for over 100m INSIDE the ship! You will be guided by our professional dive team with ample time to stop for photos or simply take in the tremendous size of this wreck.
Highlights:
- PADI wreck certification available
- PADI Advance OW certification available
- 100m+ unobstructed swim through inside the ship
- Personalised photography packages available
- PADI Freediving certification available
- Abundant marine life with some fish bigger than you!
- 8 deck levels to explore
- Underwater photographers paradise!
Price: From $230.00
Minimum Persons: 8
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Departure Time: Varies according to tide times
Inclusions: Experienced dive guides, Marine Parks fee, weights, bottled water and mask anti-fog
Additional options: Professional underwater photo package, PADI wreck certification
The team at Salty Safaris offers PADI freediving certification of all levels for those who wish to get certified. For freedivers who are already certified, we offer guided freediving tours throughout the pristine waters surrounding K’gari (Fraser Island). With locations such as ex-HMAS Tobruk, Simpson Artificial reef and Moon Ledge, there is an abundance of marine life to see while you master your freediving skills.
Freediving tours for those who are already certified, require a minimum number of 6 people to operate. A PADI certified instructor will be available at all times throughout your dives to maintain safety and best practice.
Price:
$149.00 (Local Dives)
$189.00 (HMAS Tobruk)
(Additional cost for certification)
Minimum Persons: 4
Duration: 4.5 Hours
Departure Time: 0730 AM
Inclusions: Experienced dive crew, fast & comfortable vessel, beach stop at Pelican Banks for local dive site, bottled water, mask anti-fog.
- This is an adventure, so be prepared for some sea-spray and the Queensland sun. Remember your hat (with a strap), sun shirt, sunnies and sunscreen!
- Arrive wearing your swimmers (there is no change room available)
- There is a small marine toilet onboard
- We have a flexible itinerary- all stops are never guaranteed and will be determined on your day of travel. The tour may be different each day, which just adds to the excitement.
- Our tour is suitable for most ages, but it is essential passengers can climb up and down a ladder for beach/water access.
- Remember, this is a fast ride, there will be bumps and quick turns, so please consider your physical and medical conditions before booking.
- Licensed premises. No BYO alcohol.
