How to book
On this page you can book the following components of the 2023 SPUMS ASM which is taking place in Cairns at the Crystalbrook Riley Hotel from Sat 3 June to Friday 9 June 2023.
- Accommodation at Crystalbrook Riley (conference resort) or Cairns Plaza Hotel (across the road)
- In-water practical sessions on Wednesday 7 and Friday 9 June
- Add-on Dives to the Dreamtime Expedition Tuesday 6 June.
- Pre- and Post-conference trips
A summary of the inclusions of each is given below, with more detail on the linked pages.
Below that is the form where you can sign up for all the components you require.
Note, you must have a Delegate ID before you can book these components, so please ensure you are registered as a delegate first.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation options include the official conference hotel, and for the more cost conscious, an alternate option conveniently located across the road. Please select one OR the other.
King Urban Room. Price: $325 per room night
Choice of king bed or two king singles.
Fast and free Wi-Fi, Apple iPad Control Centre, 55” HD Smart TV, Staycast by Google Chromecast for video streaming, Complimentary movies
Air-con and blackout blinds, Nespresso machine with complimentary pods, rainforest shower, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, safe.
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Standard Room. Sleeps 2 people. Price: $190 per room night
A spacious room with a balcony and city, mountain or partial water views. Includes a double and a single bed, an ensuite bathroom, as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
Studio. Sleeps up to 4 people. Price: $210 per room night
Suits a family or group of dive buddies – a larger-style room containing either one double bed and two single beds or four single beds. All studio rooms feature an ensuite bathroom and kitchenette.
Suites. Sleeps 2 people. Price: $230 per room night
Spacious and light filled, water view suites offer stunning views over Trinity Bay. Features a separate lounge with kitchenette, two spacious balconies, plus a queen-size bedroom with ensuite bathroom.
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Practical Full day in-water Scientific Sessions
Two unique full-day scientific expedition and practical in-water workshops are on offer on Wednesday and Friday. Both options are offered to certified divers and snorkelers, and include two dives, or snorkelling sessions, transfers from your hotel, and are fully catered: morning and afternoon teas, and generous buffet lunch.
The Passions of Paradise option has a fixed capacity – we encourage those who want this unique experience to book early. Note that the Ocean Quest Option will visit different reefs on each day to provide different in-water experiences. We recommend you book one day on each option.
Join one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most sustainable & multi-award-winning tour operators for a snorkel or double dive, learn about the Coral Nurture Program and enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Passions of Paradise has licences to visit over 24 reef systems – including magnificent sites such as Flynn & Milln Reefs. Snorkelers and certified divers have an option to join a Master Reef Guide and become a Marine Biologist for a Day, participating in the Eye on the Reef Rapid Monitoring program.
Prices (per person includes full set of snorkeling/diving gear)
Snorkelers – $205
Divers (2 dives) – $300
Marine Biologist for a Day Prices (per person)
Snorkelers – $350
Divers – $450
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Board AquaQuest for a day-trip to the outer reef for a snorkel or double dive on Norman, Hastings or Saxon reefs.
AquaQuest is a purpose-built dive vessel, with a spacious dive deck and state of the art diving equipment. While on board, enjoy large sun decks and air conditioned indoor spaces. Fuel up between dives with delicious food and beverage options, including a tasty and filling tropical buffet lunch. NB: Divers booked on OceanQuest post-trip will spend this day trip on the SeaQuest day/transfer boat, the cost of which is included in the price of the 4-day Minke Whale trip.
Prices (per person includes full set of snorkeling/diving gear)
Snorkelers – $205
Divers (2 dives) – $275
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Included in your conference package is your day of discovery on the Reef Magic Pontoon. On board the pontoon, marine biologists from GBR Biology will take delegates on a guided snorkel safari and present the conservation programs managed here, including the Mars Reef Star coral nurture program and Crown of Thorns eradication program. Local indigenous rangers will share the Dreamtime legends of the Great Barrier Reef. The day includes snorkelling sessions, morning and afternoon tea, a generous buffet lunch and transfers from your hotel. Certified scuba diving is also available for an additional charge and needs to be pre-booked using the form below.
Prices (per person includes full set of snorkeling/diving gear)
1st dive – $89, 2nd dive – $59.
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Pre- and Post-Conference Minke Whale Interaction Trips
Due to the serendipitous timing of the SPUMS Conference, we have made the Minke Whales interaction trips a focus for the Pre and Post trips for 2023.
Expeditions are open to both snorkelers and divers, with whale interactions strictly controlled. Dwarf Minke whales grow up to 8 metres (26 feet) long, and a close encounter with these majestic 6-tonne creatures is an experience you will never forget.
Minkes often approach boats – and snorkelers, so there is every chance to see them up close. The success rate for close sightings during a Minke whale trip during peak season is over 90%, and your interaction with the whales could last over two hours!
After your encounter, participate in vital citizen science research to help understand and protect these gentle sea giants. Researchers from the Minke Whale Project will be on board all expeditions and will provide daily talks.
Dates: 30 May to 1 June 2023 | 3-Day Ribbon Reefs and Minke Whales | Up to 11 dives
This 3-day/3-night trip is Cairns to Cairns, departing Cairns Marina early morning and steaming up to Agincourt Reef, then overnight to Ribbon Reef 10 where you’ll wake up on Lighthouse Bommie ready to jump in and swim with Minke whales. Dive gear is included.
Prices (per person)
Divers $1,685 pp twin share
Snorkelers $1,580 pp twin share
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Dates: 11 to 15 June 2023 | 4-Days Coral Sea, Ribbon Reefs and Minke Whales | Up to 15 dives. This SPUMS exclusive 4-day trip starts with a scenic flight to Lizard Island and includes two days diving and swimming with Minke whales on Ribbon Reefs 9 and 10, a day diving with sharks at Osprey Reef’s North Horn and a day diving Ribbon Reefs 3 and 5 (where Minkes may also be encountered).
Prices (per person)
OV Deluxe Cabin (Dbl Share) – $3,522
OV Std Cabin (Dbl Share) – $3,139
Stateroom (Dbl Share) – $3,139
Dbl Twin Cabin (Dbl/Twin share) – $2,756
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Dates: 9 to 13 June 2023 | 4-Days Ribbon Reefs and Minke Whales | Up to 16 dives
This 4-night expedition diving the Ribbon Reefs is from Cairns to Cairns and continues on from the last conference day excursion, and includes the cost of the conference day trip. After a day diving Saxon, Norman or Hastings reefs on SeaQuest divers transfer to OceanQuest to explore the Ribbon Reefs from Ribbon Reef 3 to Ribbon Reef 10.
Prices (per person)
Diver Double Cabin – $2,160
Diver Twin Cabin – $2,060
Snorkeler Double Cabin – $2,040
Snorkeler Twin Cabin – $1,940
Gear hire – $160
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