TRIP ITINERARY

Day One: Arrival in Perth. Greeted by Gryphon and shuttled from the airport to our hotel. Meet the group for dinner. Hotel Stay.

Day Two: We have a day to recuperate from jet-lag and to explore the beautiful and friendly capital of Western Australia. The port city of Freemantle, with a unique character and great shopping, is only a twenty minute train ride away. Hotel Stay.

Day Three: We head North from Perth, stopping to visit the strangely beautiful Pinnacles Desert. We will take in some sand boarding, and perhaps a swimming hole. Afterwards, making our way to Kalbarri. Hotel Stay.

Day Four: Today starts with an exploration of the area's unique coastal gorges. Following a trip to the bottom of the Murchison Gorge we head North once more. Tonight we stay at Waroora Station, for a unique taste of rural life in the outback. Station Stay.

Day Five: This morning is a rare opportunity to see a working outback station. We travel further up the west coast, until we come to Coral Bay. This small resort is where the main part of Ningaloo Reef comes closest to shore. The beautiful bay, and surrounding coast are home to some of the best snorkeling in the world. Hotel Stay.

Day Six: Coral bay and the surrounding environs warrant some exploration on our part before heading north on our final leg to Exmouth. If we arrive in time, tonight those interested can take a short drive to see the sunset from the lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula. Hotel Stay.

Day Seven: With Exmouth as our base we will make our first foray into Cape Ranges National Park. Our exact itinerary will be adjusted to make the best use of the weather we have. Today we will spend time along some more amazing beaches and snorkeling spots; such as Turquoise Bay, and Oyster Stacks. For those looking to add more diving to their trip this is a good day to do dives in the islands, or along the back of the reef. Hotel Stay.

Days Eight-Nine: It has all been building up to this! Two days aboard the Takashi II following the directions of dedicated spotter planes as they lead us to swim with ocean giants. We swim with Whale Sharks, and perhaps Manta Rays, looking for a chance to see Humpback Whales and dolphins. When we aren't in the water with the Whale Sharks these days will offer optional dives for those scuba certified and a chance to snorkel along the back of the reef for the rest of us. We have literally seen people decide to stay in Exmouth indefinitely after two days aboard the Takashi II. (In Australia your visa runs out after three months, but if you find an Aussie to marry ...) Hotel Stay.

Day Ten: We head back into Cape Ranges National Park, this time taking a hike into Yardie Creek Gorge to look for Rock Wallabies. We will end our day with a stay at Ningaloo Reef Retreat and sleep under the stars in an Australian Swag. Camping.

Day Eleven: Making use of the retreats sea kayaks, or hiking the coast on our own, we do some more exploration of the reef. Tonight we return to Exmouth. Hotel Stay.

Day Twelve: Before our flight back to Perth this afternoon we can explore one of Cape Ranges eastern canyons, or lounge on the beach. For those looking to add more diving to this trip, this is a good day to do a pier dive, underneath Exmouth's world famous Navy Pier. After a short flight back down to Perth we make connecting flights home. (Navy Pier dives are about 30ft, and go about twelve hours before our flight.)

What is included:

All internal transport, including the flight back from Exmouth to Perth.
All accommodation for the duration of the trip.
All meals except where noted below.
All rental equipment needed to participate in any activities, except for those clients choosing to take part in diving in addition to the ones offered aboard the Takashi II.
All guides fees and tips.

What is not included:

Meals prior to dinner on the first night.
Lunch in Perth or Fremantle on Day Two.
Alcoholic Beverages.
Any diving done as an alternative to scheduled activities.

Price

$4,999 per person

Dates

All available dates are full, please contact us for waiting list information ...