Diving and Snorkelling

The fringing reef surrounding Orpheus is one of the Great Barrier Reef's most spectacular and diverse marine wonderlands. Orpheus' principal dive sites are home to 1,100 of the 1,500 species of fish on the reef, 340 of the 359 varieties of hard corals and one of the region's largest collections of soft corals.

In this natural aquarium, dive and snorkel amongst a myriad of world-class reef habitats, submerged indigenous sites, recent plane wrecks and, if you're lucky, alongside green turtles, manta rays, bull rays, reef sharks and humpback whales.

Key dates

• Manta Ray season - early August to early November
• Humpback whale migration - mid-late August to late October
• Annual coral spawning - expected dual spawn predicted between 15th - 18th November

Try Dive

Guests can take part in a complimentary 'try dive' whilst on Orpheus. 

PADI Discover Scuba Diving

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? If you want to find out but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving will let you try scuba to see if you like it.

There is nothing like breathing underwater for the very first time. It takes a little getting used to –after all, human beings weren’t designed to do that – but after a few minutes of awestruck wonder, most participants realize how easy scuba diving really is. The biggest challenge instructors have with the Discover Scuba Diving program is not coaxing participants into the water, but coaxing them out when the program is over. The fun part? It’s all fun!

Single island reef dive - $250 per person

Learn to Dive - PADI Open Water Course

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, discover new adventures or simply see the wondrous world beneath the waves, this is where it starts. The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world’s most popular scuba course, and has introduced millions of people to the adventurous diving lifestyle.

$550 per person, 3 x half day duration

Certified Dive

Single island reef dive - $150 per person 

Double island reef dive - $220 per person

Dive bookings are subject to weather and tidal conditions. Quoted rates include all gear. Certified divers to bring certification card. Those taking part in any course must obtain a medical certificate prior to arrival. Outer reef diving charters attract a charter fee, which can be split between other guests.