Handicapped Diving Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Disabled/Wheelchair

For more and more disabled people around the world, Scuba Diving is becoming a popular activity. For some its just the fun of the activity, for other it even possesses therapeutical qualities. Be it of a physical nature, enjoying complete weightlessness under water or the positive psychological effects which are triggered through the interaction with marine life.

We can help handicapped people, who are certified divers and are looking for an appropriate excursion, which is for example accessible for wheelchairs.
Claudia Lutrop of Diversion in Cairns is trained as Handicapped Diving Instructor by the IAHD. She can give some advice for disabled divers, based on her experience of working with handicapped divers.
It is important, that you let us know details about your handicap. The more we know, the better we can assist with your travel planning.

We cannot offer the appropriate training here in Cairns. Claudia is not teaching anymore. Unfortunately there are no other HSA or IAHD trained instructors in Cairns. However, there are instructors who train handicapped people in other areas of Australia. You find their contacts via the country search on the IAHD and HSA websites.

Diving The Great Barrier Reef

Clownfish There is no perfect dive boat for wheelchair users and other physically handicapped people. However, with good scuba training, dedicated dive buddies and some spirit for adventure there are some exciting possibilities. We have listed some options below. However, we need to discuss every individual handicap separately to make sure you and the crew will have a safe and enjoyable dive trip.

Day boats: An easy way to just get an idea of the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef are day trips. Tusa from Cairns and Poseidon from Port Douglas have sufficient space to cater for wheelchairs.

Other vessels might be suitable as well. Not all vessels and resorts mentioned here have good accessibility for everybody. Also there are limits in numbers and service provided. Sometimes an additional crew member is needed to help, which might involve extra costs.
We need your information about assistance you need to help you with selecting a suitable vessel or resort for you. We will email you questionnaire to get the necessary information from you.

Accommodation For Wheelchair Users In Cairns

Pool at the Oasis Resort Cairns has a number of hotel and holiday apartments which are suitable for "Wheelies". Also the Coral Tree Inn (3 Star) and the Oasis (4 Star) have accessible rooms. The Coral Tree Inn has two "Wheelie-apartments". The Shootingstar is great too. They have very nice affordable apartments which has got all necessary facilities for independent living.

Koah's Guest house on the Atherton Tablelands is operated by Greg Taylor who is using a chair himself. This is a perfect retreat with a little lake for fishing and relaxing.

Avis and Hertz have hand control hire cars. Numbers are very limited so booking well in advance is needed.