Updated Travel Dates We have rescheduled this trip for the 1st to the 7th of April 2022. ALREADY SOLD OUT – Let us know if you’d like to be on the wait list We have chartered the whole boat: All Star MV Stella Maris liveaboard (21 pax), diving the spectacular marine nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site that is the Tubbataha Reef, Philippines in the middle of the Sulu Sea. Since Tubbataha was discovered in the late 1970s, it has become recognised as one of the most remarkable coral reefs on the planet and is ranked among the top ten dive sites in the world. Because of its isolated location, Tubbataha can only be visited on a liveaboard boat. Divers can experience the reefs’ dramatic underwater terrain, great biodiversity and regularly encounter large marine life such as sharks (hammerheads, whalesharks, grey reefs & white tips, and at times even tiger sharks!), dolphins, turtles and various rays, including mantas. Dates of travel will be WED 29 APRIL – THURS 7 MAY 2020 (8 nights in total: overnight in Manila on 29 April 2020, 6 night liveaboard, 19 dives from Thurs 30 April – Wed 6 May 2020, overnight flight from Manila to Cairns on 6 May 2020). This trip has been specially designed by Diversion Dive Travel/DivePlanit for the Nautilus Scuba Club. For details re: the trip, please read the brochure below developed by Diversion Dive Travel. Contact overseastrips@nautilus-scuba.net for more info and how to join the wait list.
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Tubbataha Reefs Philippines – Postponed to 1 – 7 April 2022
CLUB DIVE January – Calypso
Hello all members.
We are privileged to have organised this month’s club dive with: Calypso Reef Cruises aboard their vessel, Calypso 7 (or 9) out of Port Douglas. Twelve (12) places are reserved and booking is easy over the phone.
Calypso allows unguided dives for Financial Nautilus Club members only (not guests or family, ie public).
Remember to read through to the end of the entire email for ALL details and current club offers.
Details:
Date: SUNDAY 10th January
Check In: 08:15 at the Experience Co Shop in the main Crystal Brook Marina terminal, Port Douglas – then follow the signs to Calypso.
Departs: 08:45 sharp !
Members are invited to bring their own dive equipment (including tanks, weightbelt. Air will be supplied free of charge on board)
as rental equipment maybe limited and must be pre – booked
Please READ the Special Nautilus Club Members Only Booking Process Below!
Costs:
Calypso are offering Fixed Price Discounted rates for Current Financial Club Members ONLY.
These have been sent to all financial member’s email inbox
* Includes up to 3 dives
Check with the booking staff to confirm the rates at the time of booking. This is a specially negotiated rate and Reservations staff will need the PROMO CODE (above) in order to give you the rate! We do our best to keep details accurate and operators reserve the right to make changes at any time.
Remember to read through to the end of the entire email for ALL details including How To Book
Additionals:
All inclusive, no additionals available.
Nitrox is Not available.
Booking:
The special Nautilus Members Only Booking process is as follows (no variations please):
- Members need to Phone (only) Reservations on 07 4099 6999 during regular business hours (not after hours) and tell them you are a member.
- Reservations will then book you in. You must quote the PROMO CODE (in email) that is appropriate to your booking (Tanks and Weights only OR Full Gear Hire).
- Provide Reservations with your current financial club membership number (or receipt number for club payment if you do not have your membership card yet) and they will take payment. You will need to re-confirm if you are with tanks & weights only or need full gear.
- Retain any booking reference details provided.
NOTE:
Cancellation policy – full refund with 24hr notice or move to another date.
Any unused seats will be release to the public 3 days prior to travel. You can still book and obtain your discount during this time but no guarantee of an allotment seat.
You MUST be a current financial member and quote your membership card number when booking to obtain the Special members only rates. Membership Card must also be shown when checking in on the day.
Your place is secured with full payment.
REMEMBER to CALL Calypso Reef Cruises DURING OFFICE HOURS (NOT AFTER-HOURS) and book VIA THE PHONE (NOT ONLINE) to get the club discount rate, else you will be charged RRP.
On the day:
Arrive at 08:15 to check in at the Experience Co Shop in the main Crystal Brook Marina terminal, Port Douglas as the boat departs 08:45 sharp.
Have your club and cert cards with you at Checking and on the boat AS YOU WILL NEED THEM, both are critical.
Note: Please reply to this email if you book so that I can keep track of who is going as this helps both Calypso and ourselves in the club.
All details within this email are Commercial-In-Confidence and must NOT be shared with any non-financial member, on ANY social media outlet, and do not forwarded this email to any other person. To do so will put future opportunities for discounted club events at risk.
REMEMBER; CALL Calypso DURING OFFICE HOURS (NOT AFTER-HOURS) and book VIA THE PHONE (NOT ONLINE) to get the club discount rate, else you will be charged RRP.
Any other questions please call either Calypso Reef Cruises on Ph. 07 4099 6999 or
send an email to DiveCoordinator@nautilus-scuba.net (allow 48 hours reply time) or ask at an upcoming club meeting.
Remember to read through to the end of the entire email for ALL details and current club offers.
Enjoy bubble-blowers,
Rhett Milbourne
Nautilus Club Dive Coordinator.
email: DiveCoordinator@nautilus-scuba.net
Special Club Dive – Coral Sea Expedition Jan 2021 – Rum Runner
Hello all members.
WOW, Rum Runner has done it again! First off the blocks in 2021, they are offering Nautilus Club Members only another VERY special deal – a 3 night / 3 day Coral Sea Expedition to SE Bogainville Reef on a Live-aboard adventure.
This is SO HOT OFF THE PRESS that you MUST ACT NOW!
Get away for a weekend aboard S.V. Rum Runner, a 66-foot Mono Hull Sailboat with a maximum of 14 divers plus crew.
Considered one of the premium Outer Great Barrier Reef diving locations, Bougainville Reef is a small reef in the Northern Coral Sea surrounded by some amazing dive sites. Its only four kilometres in diameter and lays between other reefs in this remote area.
Wall diving is said to be the name of the game at Bougainville Reef, with walls plunging up to one kilometre that offers exciting diving. Decorating these walls are spectacular corals – giant soft corals, red whip corals, wide gorgonian fans and black coral trees.
Cruising these walls are often large pelagic fish like barracuda, trevally, tuna and mackerel, and often following them are grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks and silver-tip sharks. Many caves, gutters and ledges are also found at Bougainville Reef, so take a torch to explore these darker recesses.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this part of the Great Barrier
Reef in an ‘all you can eat’. ‘Open Deck’ dive getaway.
This is a strictly limited offer with only 14 seats available but all seats must be sold for the expedition to run!
Rum Runner allows unguided dives for Nautilus Club members.
Details:
Dates Sailing:
Friday 8th to Monday 11th January, 2021
Departure/Return Information:
Departs from Marlin Marina, E finger, Cairns at 13:30 Friday afternoon and returns 06:00 Monday morning.
Departure is Fine Weather dependent and Rum Runner will confirm with all bookings as early as possible.
Dates Sailing:
Friday 8th to Monday 11th January, 2021
- Unlimited dives – This means one dive site per day with open deck policy. You let crew know when you would like to dive and a ETA of when you will be back, working around the vessels meal times,
- one NIGHT DIVE in the fabulous Coral Sea,
- tanks & weights,
- air fills;
- all bedding linen,
- all meals,
- light refreshments provided after dives inc. coffee, tea, hot chocolate,
- tap drinking water.
Note: When the winds are SE, there is a small protected section of deep drop off wall available to Anchor. ( if northerly wind we will need to go to the the unknown protected sections for diving )
- Bar purchases – bottled water, Coca-Cola, etc at bar prices,
- Full gear hire (Price on Booking) inclusions: BCD, regulator with computer, wetsuit, plus any other snorkel gear as required.
Costs:
Super special deal for financial NAUTILUS CLUB MEMBERS ONLY – see your email for prices and any other cost information.
Booking:
Book direct with Rum Runner on Phone 0429 638744 during their office hours ONLY.
You MUST be a current financial member and quote your membership card number when booking to obtain the Special members only rates or you will be charged full retail rate. Membership Card must also be shown when checking in on the day ON THE BOAT. Your place is secured with full payment.
All other details will be given at booking confirmation and you may ask Rum Runner reservations any other questions you may have.
General information about Rum Runner can be found here >>
https://www.rumrunnercairns.com.au/index.html
REMEMBER to CALL Rum Runner DURING THEIR OFFICE HOURS (NOT AFTER-HOURS) on 0429 638744 to book and get the club discount rate else you may be charged RRP.
WE NEED YOUR HELP :)
Hi Nautili,
We are looking for a few members to help out on the committee. The club is run by volunteers and we need your help to run the club well.
Can’t commit to the whole year? No worries.
Sometimes we just need a couple extra hands for certain events. Help us plan an event, help us plan a trip (maybe somewhere you want to go) or help out at Club Meetings.
At the moment we have Committee members doing multiple roles and they would really appreciate a hand. We also have long term committee members who are stepping down. They have put a lot of work in over the years to simplify processes so stepping into their role would be quite easy.
Available Roles:
- Newsletter Editor (creating and distributing our quarterly newsletter) Contact editor@nautilus-scuba.net for more info
Please find the list of role descriptions here
If you can help us please email secretary@nautilus-scuba.net or president@nautilus-scuba.net for more info!
The committee meets once a month on second Wednesday of each month.
Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you.
MALDIVES TRIP SEPT 2020 – BOOKED OUT – Postponement to SEPT 2021 due to COVID-19

Nautilus Scuba Club, Sept 2020 Trip: MV Emperor Voyager, Maldives
Dedicated Club Charter: 20 places only: 7 Nights, 17 Dives, Full Board, Transfers ex-Male, Free Nitrox
Trip put together by Diversion Dive Travel especially for Nautilus Scuba Club Members
Why Maldives Liveaboard?
- Maldives are very spread out – so a Liveaboard is the best way to visit the most sites
- Itinerary: ‘Best of the Maldives’
- Rasdhoo Atoll: Hammerhead Dive, Beautiful Reef with Pelagics
- North Ari Atoll: Grey Reef Sharks, Maaya Thila Night Dive, Multiple Manta Cleaning Stations
- South Ari Atoll: Whale Sharks, Beautiful Pinnacles
- South Male Atoll: Grey Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Other Pelagics, Beautiful Macro Wreck.
- Vaavu Atoll: Beautiful channels with magical soft corals and pelagic delights. Action packed night dive with Nurse Sharks and others.
- North Male Atoll: Beautiful Pinnacles


Dates:
- Sat 5 – Sat 12 September 2020 (liveaboard)
- (Fri 4 – Sun 13 Sept 2020 for the whole trip)
Getting There:
- Airfares Cairns to Male via Singapore with Singapore Airlines
- Brief overnight needed on both legs of the journey (can stay at Changi Airport short-stay hotel)

MV Emperor Voyager
- Emperor Divers is a well respected operator with liveaboards in Maldives & Indonesia
- The MV Emperor Voyager is a welcoming modern, 30m spacious liveaboard built to a high standard, accommodating 20 guests in 7 twin and 3 double cabins, all ensuite with air-con and a fan.
- 7 days package on-board includes:
- 3 meals per day, afternoon snacks
- Free Nitrox
- Unlimited drinking water, tea, coffee
- 17 dives per week in total (2-3 dives per day but no diving on the arrival/departure day)
- Dedicated Dhoni with 3 dive guides
- Tanks, weights, Nitrox (certification required)
- Transfers for boarding and disembarking
- GST 12% & Green Tax
- 1 BBQ night on a local island
- (weather & conditions permitting)



As the trip is planned for September 2020 the following needs to be taken into consideration:
- Pricing is exclusive to Nautilus Club members: discounted based on 3 FOC (effectively 15% off)
- Per person liveaboard price will be charged in EUR converted to AUD at the exchange rate at the time payments are made.
- All cabins will be sold on a first come first served basis.
- Deposit required: AU$ 600 now to secure your place.
- Final balance three months prior to the trip
- As per Club policy, deposits are non-refundable – but are transferrable.
- For further info contact Akiko on overseastrips@nautilus-scuba.net