“The purchase of Ocean Spirit Cruises is an exciting opportunity for the Quicksilver Group. Ocean Spirit is a strong brand that will provide great synergies with our Great Adventures operation in Cairns,” said Shin Watari, Chairman of the Quicksilver Group.

I see the acquisition of Ocean Spirit and the Michaelmas Cay permits as a wonderful opportunity to reinforce Quicksilver’s and my commitment to highlighting the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and to the long term future of the Cairns and Port Douglas tourism industry”

Executive Chairman of Australian Cruise Group Sudhir Warrier said, "Over the last 18 months since acquisition, we have realised there were limited synergies between our cruise business in Cairns and on Sydney Harbour. Hence, the sale of Ocean Spirit Cruises will allow us to concentrate our efforts on expanding our Sydney Harbour cruise operations and other tourism investments"

"I have no doubt Ocean Spirit Cruises – one of the most desired cruise experiences in Cairns - will continue to prosper under Quicksilver's ownership" continued Sudhir Warrier.

This transaction will in no way affect a continued smooth operations and transition for all of our agents and future bookings. Every effort will be made by both Quicksilver and Australian Cruise Group sales teams to facilitate a smooth transition of all forward bookings on Ocean Spirit Cruises at the conclusion of the sale.

Commenting on Great Adventures new vessel, Tony Baker Managing Director of the Quicksilver Group said, "This new vessel will be servicing our Green Island operation and with three vessels now in the Great Adventures fleet, this will offer more flexibility across our entire Cairns operation. It will also enable us to have a vessel available for charter depending on the group size."

Quicksilver Group Chairman Shin Watari is passionate about this Region, an avid scuba diver and is committed to making the Great Barrier Reef accessible to everyone said, "This past month has been very exciting for the Company and highlights our significant and ongoing commitment and investment to the Cairns and Port Douglas tourism industry. Over the past 18 months we have seen an increase in business and we are confident that the investment in our Great Barrier Reef vessel fleet will enable us to continue to lead in showcasing the diversity and wonders of the Great Barrier Reef across a range of reef products."

Commenting on the company's milestones, Quicksilver Group Managing Director Tony Baker said, "We are extremely proud of our achievements and the reputation Pro Dive Cairns has built over the years. The fact that so many people have chosen Pro Dive Cairns to teach them to dive is very satisfying and reflects our philosophy and commitment to providing the best possible dive education and trips over many years."

Paul Lim, General Manager Pro Dive Cairns said, "Our longevity in business over the past 30 years, is an outstanding testament to the dedication and professionalism of all our staff, as well the quality and reputation of our product."

PADI Australia, Henrick Nimb, VP Marketing, Education and Business Development remarked, "Our entire team at PADI would like to congratulate the team at Pro Dive Cairns on reaching the remarkable milestone of 130,000 PADI students. Our two companies have shared a strong and successful business partnership over 30 years and we look forward to many more."

Pictured: Danny Dwyer, PADI; Thomas Morey; Paul Lim General Manager Pro Dive Cairns

Russell Hore, Quicksilver Marine Biologist said "Interactions have become more frequent in the past few years and is one of those once in a life time experiences. Swimmers must always hold onto a rope to allow the Minke Whale to approach voluntarily. About 300 people each season have the privilege and Silversonic is at the forefront of enabling snorkellers and swimmers this unique encounter.

We also work closely with James Cook University to ensure the tourism industry and science work together and our research is focused on why dwarf minke whales conduct these interactions."

The top secret destinations were determined by an elite panel of travel experts from Australia with over a 1,000 entries.

The Dwarf Minke whale is known only from the Southern Hemisphere. It has a white shoulder and flipper base, with a dark grey tip on the flipper. Dwarf Minke whales are most commonly seen on the outer reefs of the Great Barrier Reef between the months of March and October, with the best viewing time being the June to July period. The Minke is naturally inquisitive, and often comes close to boats and swimmers.

The bottom line is – don't swim to the whale, let the whale swim to you!

With his toothy smile, Gavin has become a bit of a celebrity with guests taking part in the Seawalker helmet dive experience, photo-bombing their underwater holiday snaps in Green Island's picturesque lagoon.

General Manager of Seawalker Green Island, Karl Kuhle said, "Gavin's been around for a couple of years now and he does seem to actually swim up for his photo, grinning his lovely little head off at all our guests."

Gavin is a Bluebarred and oddly enough, are closely related to Wrasse which may explain their penchant for the camera.

Who do you think is more photogenic? Wally with his distinctive humphead, unique markings and friendly puppy-dog like demeanour, or the camera loving, extroverted and grinning Gavin?! Click here to Vote for your favorite!

Regardless, you can be photo-bombed by the best of them with Wally or Gavin when you travel to the Outer Reef or Green Island with Great Adventures!

Social Visitor founder Mia Lacy explained, "I first met Bob when we did a surgery assist for him during his cataract operations here in Cairns. Bob's an avid traveller and we got on very well. When he said he'd like to see the reef with his newly enhanced eyesight, we organised an escorted trip for him to Agincourt. We chose this because of the semi-submersibles and the underwater observatory there as it's easy to see the reef in all its majesty without getting wet."

Bob Horman said, "We did it in style – we even went on a day which looked just like the brochure Mia had sent me. Even as a nature lover, I really had no concept of the enormity of the underwater reef environment. To look out of the semi-submersible and see a magnificent gorge beneath the water was just phenomenal. It's like something you'd expect to see in a forest, where I'm used to walking, and yet it's under the sea.

"I'd always wanted to see The Great Barrier Reef one day and it lived up to all my expectations. The friendliness of the staff and the smoothness of the operation was astounding to me. The movement of all the people between the phases of activity during the day – from the snorkelling to the dining to semi-submersibles – it was a seamless perambulation, I thought."

In the Men's 3km distance, Cairns local, 15 year old Max Fifield took out first place for the second year running in 37.33 while the 1.5km distance, in 22.49 was won by Nathen Pullen. Max was excited to beat 3rd place Adriel Young one of the boys from Bondi Rescue. Young said of the swim that it was like swimming in an aquarium and rated it the best Ocean Swim he had completed.

The Women also swam strongly and Allison Hass from Brazil won the 3km swim in 41.55 and setting a personnel best and winner of the 1.5km was another Cairns local Chloe Alcorn in 21.49.

Michael Healy, Group Director Sales and Marketing said "It's an opportunity for the crew to highlight this significant national day and for our passengers to feel a part of the celebration - especially our international guests. Lamingtons of course featured on the menu - compulsory eating on Australia Day."