For the experienced diver or even a beginner, an extended stay on the Great Barrier Reef is a magical experience. Most keen divers find that a day trip is not sufficiently long enough to explore the diverse beauty, color and excitement of the reef. Several companies offer two/three day or seven day packages out to permanent moorings on the Reef for certified divers. These trips include all dive equipment, airfills, linen, meals, transfers and accommodation. Some companies also include a personal dive computer, wetsuit and comprehensive dive insurance as part of the package. For those wanting to learn to dive, a 5-day PADI openwater Learn to Dive Course, using multi-lingual instructors, is available. 7 day / 6 night adventures which combine Coral Sea Reefs, the famous Cod Hole and sharkfeeding are on offer for thrillseekers. A company operating out of Port Douglas offers a variety of live aboard dive trips guaranteed to satisfy the heartiest appetites for adventure. Their purpose built 24-metre boat takes only 18 passengers and there is an emphasis on marine research. Expeditions include a six day Coral Sea Odyssey which takes in the Cod Hole, Osprey Reef and Lizard Island. They also run research expeditions to Osprey Reef which include tracking and tagging sharks such as white tips, thresher and hammerheads. Divers after extreme adventure might want to join an expedition to the remote, far northern reefs. Diving the outer walls offers the chance for encounters with Megafauna-Brydes whales, manta rays and whale sharks. These trips leave on selected dates between October and December and include a return flight to Lockhart River. Cost includes accommodation, meals, linen, towels, tanks, airfills, weights, dive master and instructor. Boats sleeping a maximum of 12 people, are also available for overnight dive charters, departing from Port Douglas. NB: There is a Government Reef Tax of $4 a day per person.