Cairns Great Barrier Reef - Feedback

Thursday 1st December 2011

I wanted to let you know I went on a dive with your crew on November 10th and was very impressed with the people, organization, and activities I experienced. In particular I would like to thank Michelle Barry for her patience and attention during the dives. She is a true professional that also has spunk. I will recommend your service and hope everyone has a memorable dive experience as I did.

Glen

Monday 3rd October 2011

Hello,

I went for my first trip to the reef this week and was lucky enough to get Rochelle on my trip.
I went with my husband and two children and was never going into the water, but with Rochelles encouragement and patience, she waited for me to get the courage to join my family in the sea.
She was absolutely wonderful!!! She did not let me put a foot wrong to the point where my goal for next year is another trip up here for at least a three day dive.

Many many thanks Rochelle for making this trip amazing !

Regards

Cheryll

Cheryll - Australia

Friday 16th September 2011

...and yeah can u please send my massive thanks to Jack who was very patient and helped me to get over my fear since I was a first timer and I can't swim. I've gone through all the pics on this site but don't see him in any pics.

John, are you back in Tusa now? (thank u for answering since John was my boss back in Adelaide SA). If he's back now please send my best best regards to him. His name is John Hannaford. :)

Thank you TUSA!

Kippis from Finland,
Jessie

Jessie - Adelaide (now Helsinki, Finland)

Friday 16th September 2011

Tusa dive you rock! Here's my comment on TripAdvisor for you:

It was a great great great trip, for people who can either swim or not. I couldn't swim so I did snorkeling while my husband took a dive or 2 with the diving crew.

Before getting down water they instructed us all very carefully and also offered underwater photos of yours. Compared to other service provider, the price probably a little bit higher but my friend John who used to work in that field in Cairns said Tusa Dive is much safer (he explained in term of equipment they use there in Tusa).

And on land they have their own shop too (which we found out after the trip on their boat).

bottom line: the crew was so friendly. U feel free to enjoy the barrier reef at your own comfort (while they still have someone to watch for your safety). Best thing: me and my instructor (Jack) found a turtle. And it WAS a trip of a lifetime

Jessie - Adelaide (now Finland)

Monday 22nd August 2011

We enjoyed a FANTASTIC day aboard the brand new T6 on Saturday 20 August 2011. As Cairns' newest and best reef day tour boat, T6 did not disappoint. The custom-built boat caters perfectly to snorkellers and divers, with plenty of room to enjoy the sun decks and air-conditioned interiors.

As certified divers, it was excellent to have the choice between guided and unguided dives - we think you are one of only a few boats in Cairns to offer this. Dive briefings were excellent, as was the on-board equipment.

Crew very friendly, professional and helpful. Lunch was delicious and three dives on two different dive sites and reefs, was amazing.

A great day out with a brilliant operator - topped off be seeing some Humpback Whales on the homeward trip. Thanks Tusa.

Julie Johnston

Julie - Cairns

Saturday 16th July 2011

HI,

We had a fantastic experience on the Great Barrier Reef with Tusa/T5 on 6 July 2011. My sincere thanks the skipper Dean, the snorkel leader Jono and hostess (maybe Emily...I can't remember now, bad me!!!).

Our party consisted of 8 passengers, 2 of which were not keen swimmers (one with fears of putting his face in the water), and my mum, who is 70+ and has significant mobility issues. The crew on the Tusa were absolutely stunning, from ensuring both my parents had prescription masks that closely matched their glasses, to helping mum in and out of the water, up the steps, not once but THREE times. She boarded the vessel in the morning resigned to probably just keeping the rest of us company and looking at our photos - she was THRILLED to be able to actually get in the water and see the reef herself. Once in, Jono gave her and my dad guided snorkelling tours, letting them drift (I'm sure they were kicking...really!!!) along behind him on the life ring. My hubby has NEVER liked putting his face in the water, and I was working with him in the water trying to calm him down. Over one of the staff popped with a life ring, asked if we wanted to tag along with him, and proceeded to get Tim looking underwater. Tim tolerated the water and appreciated seeing it for himself....but had no intention of getting back in the water for the second reef. Cue Jono, who was getting my mum and my dad ready, he just looks up and personally invites Tim to come with them...and amazingly enough, Tim did.

To top off the spectacular reef, while travelling between the dive sites, Dean managed to spot a playful humpback whale. He positioned the boat well and we all witnessed 3 amazing breaches.

I have been on other dive boats around Australia as well as on the Great Barrier Reef. I have never experienced anything like the friendly staff who were so competent, and knew exactly when to offer help. Without their professionalism, I am not sure we would have had either Tim or my mum in the water. My sincere thanks to the entire crew for a wonderful, wonderful day - it was the highlight of our time in Queensland.

Thanks many times over, Cheryl

Cheryl - Sydney, NSW

Monday 27th June 2011

we were the t5 about 3 weeks ago and had a great time. The staff was great and very friendly all had very positive attitude. Hats off to you guy and girls

Al

Monday 27th June 2011

Hi, my wife, Chris, and I had a fantastic time on the boat on Thursday, and I would like to acknowledge the professionalism of the crew in every way. Nothing more could have been done to make us feel more cared for and accepted, and the equipment, amenities, food and service were first rate. The passengers were very well informed, and the crew were all most friendly and accommodating. I believe a team like that is a strong reflection on the captain and I wish to congratulate and thank him and the company for an unforgettable day. Yours Faithfully, John

John - ADELAIDE S.A.

Monday 20th June 2011

To the whole TUSA team: Thanks so much for the great time! We had a wonderful experience, an unforgetable time. We really appreciate the Dive Guides, Lucy and John. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful experience, and also thanks for the Bushells! Tons of Thanks Robert & Elly Miles

Robert

Thursday 26th May 2011

Thanks TUSA for an awesome day. My friend and I drove up from Brisbane just for 2 days, primarily to dive.

My friend had never been in the water before and she felt in safe hands.

We loved the boat, the crew are all very friendly and helpful and this makes the day so much more than the dive itself.

John was very entertaining and cheerful :)

Keep up teh good work and enthusiasm on your boat guys. I will definately be back in 2012 :)

sharon - uk

Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Hi Guys,

We went on a day trip today and just wanted the say we had a fantastic time!!!

Even though the weather was not the best we still thoroughly enjoyed the day. The crew were amazingly friendly and helpful, especially Jen who let me tag along with her all day long snorkeling and showing me coral and fish and lots of other things. It was also great to see the captain getting out and even putting our flippers on!

We didn't realise we would enjoy the day so much, we just wanted to say a big thank you and can't wait to go on our next trip!

Kind Regards
Adam Stevens & Jo Messina

Jo & Adam

Monday 28th February 2011

Hi guys,

Just a quick note to the crew from wednesday feb 23rd and thursday the 24th to say thanks for a great time on the reef! The welcoming personal service was absolutely outstanding.

Particular mention to Tara whose patience and expertise was really appreciated in helping me obtain my open water ticket.

Thanks again, I'll be recommending your company to others and look forward to returning one day.

Rob Sheehy

Rob

Tuesday 4th January 2011

Thank you Tusa Dive for an awesome day today. It's obvious you instill a positive spirit in your company culture. Your whole staff was very friendly and as you can see from the attached photo, John worked very hard to make our new divers comfortable in the water and on board. (Don't let this get him in trouble I asked him to pose with the girls!) John was very helpful and entertaining.

Keep up the good work. We'll definitely recommend you. This trip was the highlight of our diving this week.

Happy New Year!

Cheers,
Dan

Dan - La Jolla USA

Tuesday 21st December 2010

Hey guys just wanna say a massive thank you to the dive team for making the day a never forget! The staff were so friendly and very helpful, also a special thanks to Claire for looking after me the whole time and taking me thru as it was my first dive n was having sum trouble if it wasnt for you I wouldn't of done it thank you for your courage you gave me :) I sure will be back again!!!

All the best for the new year :)

Pass this on please to the instructors as there was no Comment book (that I seen) haha

Daniel

Daniel

Saturday 6th November 2010

I had a great time diving with Tusa 5. The crew was very professional and made the day great fun. They did a fantastic job taking care of each person aboard. I'd recommend Tusa 5 to anyone!!!

Trudy - USA

Friday 22nd October 2010

Hey, I just wanted to pass on my sincere Thank you's for a fantastic Day out. I am an instructor and currently workin in Cairns, my sister is in the Navy and does a fair bit of diving on side. We came out with your company on Sunday 17 October... Having worked late in the bar the night before i was a little tired and unenthusiastic on arrival...We were cheerfully greeted by your very very friendly and bright staff/crew who eventually forced a smile across my face.... Your crew were nothing but cheerful friendly... exceptional.... from start to finish, My sister i were more than impressed! Thank you ever so much! I can't wait to dive with Tusa again!!!! Cheers Keep Smiling Jayne

Jayne - Australia

Thursday 8th July 2010

Dear Tusa

My wife Tish and I dived with you on 2-4th July. We hadn't been out with you since the smaller boat days and wondered whether you would have been able to keep the best of the small boat experience on Tusa 5. The short answer is that you have. We had a fantastic time, the wild side dive site at Hastings is an absolute ripper and Dean and his team were fantastic, especially under some fairly average weather conditions. The dive crew are great and we really appreciated being given a bit of leeway in managing our own dives. Please let Dean and team know what a great time we had and thank them for doing a great job.

best wishes
Ned Pankhurst

Professor Ned Pankhurst
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research)
Griffith University
Gold Coast campus
Gold Coast, Qld 4222, Australia

Ned - Australia

Tuesday 8th June 2010

Tusa everyone, Thank-you! !

07 days, returned to Japan.

On June 5, I booked two experienced divers, and Yagi.

I got in charge now says I owe it to Nori!
My friend, it now is very nervous the first dive,

Thanks to Nori's, I was so happy to have made two diving -

When diving in Cairns also would like to nominate Mr. Nori! !

yagi - JAPAN

Thursday 20th May 2010

Hi Trina!

So sorry that I missed you!! omg, I had SUCH an amazing time on Tusa! I can't wait to send clients up there asap!
I LOVED diving - it was such an amazing experience, and all the staff were just so awsome as well!
So im back in cold and rainy sydney and I have already looked into flights to go back asap!! I want to do my dive cert with Tusa if possible as welll - I have to look into what I need to do - maybe I can do the theory here in sydney and come up and do my dives with Tusa!?? Im unsure how that all works... After going on the boat I am just in love with the reef and can't wait to get back out there asap...I am addicted! How much experience do your instructors need to have (?!)

Thanks for an awsome time! I can't wait to get back you guys are the best!!

Kind regards,

Jenn Digby - International Travel Consultant
Flight Centre Cremorne

Jenn - Sydney NSW

Friday 7th May 2010

We had the pleasure of boarding your boat and taking a reef trip on Tuesday earlier this week.

The trip was spectacular and the staff was absolutely wonderful.

This is our first trip to Australia from Canada, and I wanted to thank you for the memory.

Keep up the great work

Regards

Billie Gumulcak

Billie - Canada

Wednesday 17th February 2010

I still and will probably continue to be speechless when asked what snorkelling GBR was like, at least I don't cry anymore but still filled with awe brings a tear to eyes, its true, you have to see it for yourself, so thats what I tell people. When I was being transferred the following day to the airport the driver asked me who I went with, when I said Tusa5, he said 'Oh! well you went with one of the best' and not having anything to compare Tusa5 to I agreed because it couldn't have been better. You are are great team, exude professionalism and knowledge, yet so personable and interactive with your guests and to top it off lunch was really good food. After witnessing the Skipper see a person from our tour so far out before pulling up stumps and having to send a runabout to fetch her, your motto should be 'No One Gets Left Behind' hahahahahahah Thanks again Frances

Frances

Monday 11th January 2010

Good Afternoon Cindy,

I have been told by Dave Johnson in the Cairns shop that you are the person that I should contact to send my feedback regarding my recent trip to the reef on Tusa5.

My sister has been a dive instructor for 25 years and my husband a diver for at least 30 years and regardless of their patience and coaching, have not been able to dispel my fear of jumping off a boat to snorkel in the ocean in an area where I could not see land or know that I could stand up if I wanted to (we have had many trips out in WA where I have frozen and not been able to leave the boat). Mind you I consider myself to be a very strong swimmer and have been an active surf life saver in the past, so no idea where this fear came from.

Anyway my sister had been out with the crew on Tusa5 on a number of occasions during 2009 and raved about the boat, the crew and most of all the reef that she had dived over, so she bought me a day trip for Christmas this year to go snorkeling (she has not convinced me to learn to dive yet) and so we headed out on the 30th to put me to the test yet again.

Well somewhere between leaving Cairns and arriving at Milne Reef, the fear had almost disappeared and although I was the last into the water at the first site just to take my time, once into the water, I did not come out until I had to and was the last in from the water. At the next site, I was first in and last out and the fears had all gone. When asked by my sister, (who was in total amazement), what had changed, all I could think of was that, despite there being 60 passengers on board, I felt like I was being looked after individually and I gained a very strong feeling of being safe and in capable and experienced hands, as a result of the safety procedures in place on the boat and my treatment by the crew. This included seeing them swing into action (all very calmly and almost covertly) to render first aid to a passenger that feinted after returning from snorkeling. I work in the mining industry overseas and am in charge of QA, OHS and Environmental Compliance and so am very aware of the importance of having safe systems of work that people not just comply with, but believe in and live.

Please convey my sincere thanks to Dean and all of the crew on the boat that day. They have changed my life by removing the fear I previously had and allowed me to enjoy the magic of our great barrier reef, they are all amazing ambassadors for your company and for the diving industry in general .

I am booked to go again tomorrow and will book every opportunity that I can when I am home in Australia on break and have even vowed to learn to dive sometime during 2010. The staff in the shop helped me buy my own gear today and Dave was also very helpful and friendly.

Congratulations to your team and keep up the great work.

Yours sincerely
Deborah Hayman

Deborah - Australia

Monday 28th September 2009

Just wanna pass on some thanks to the crew for an unique and amazing time in the reef yesterday.

I was asked by the crew to share my unique experiences simply because I had experiences with other ships.

So for anyone that is intend to dive or snorkel at The Great Barrier Reef, this is the bit of info you wouldn't want to miss!!

Vessel - the fastest and the most stabilized ship I have ever been on, because is custom built, space and comfort is exceptional. TUSA T5 is extremely focused on enhancing the customer experiences, hence the number of passenges will not exceed 50% of the maximum number of seating, this means, there is more interaction with the crew, and its more relaxed. Excellent size of sundeck, especially the front deck, make sure that you get to it on the way home, you will experience "The King of the World", the experiece is "Price Less"

Crew - Experienced, friendly, multi-cultural crew, everyone of them deserve a round of applause, if i could I would hug everyone of them, because they are a part of my uniquie experiences.

Food - Excellent food such as fresh salad, meat, dessert, coffee and tea provided, unlike others would BBQ, the greasiness will make you feel more uncomfortable. Special mention about the fresh water on board, icey drinking water is provided at NO CHARGE and others will charge $2 per bottle.

Equipment Hire - TUSA T5 provides the best equipment, the prices all ready includes all snorkel wear, and compare to others TUSA T5 has all the premium gears. eg, TUSA T5 provides rubber shoes to prevent from slippery and your ankles from the flipper.

Day Trips - Snorkelling and dives are excellent, TUSA T5 goes to two different sites every single day, and trust me they do have some "Exclusive" sites, and they do know where Turtle and Shark is.
(Saw a sleeping 2m White tip shark in the afternoon snorkelling)

Prices - This is a topic everyone wants to know.
TUSA T5 provides good value for money, No extra for wetsuit, EMC is the lowest, provides the most advanced vessels with space, comfort and stabilities, premium equipment hire, no extra for fresh drinking water (trust me, you will need a lot during the day, I spend at least $10 on fresh water with others)

Trust me, look out for TUSA T5, you will not regret it,

Regards

Alan Tsai (Bris Vegas)

ALAN - Brisbane

Friday 25th September 2009

Hello-

Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you all for a GREAT trip! My husband and I went for our first dive on September 16, 2009 aboard the Tusa 5. Your team was amazing!! Paul was our first guide and he was so kind and patient with me. I had a hard time initially and he took the time to calm my nerves and help me. There were also 2 other divers that were great as well. One girl was from Boston and the other was from Canada, I believe her name was Dana? They were also so kind and patient- holding my hand and checking on me to be sure i was okay. I would highly recommend this experience and kudos to ALL members of your dive team!!
Thanks again-
Raili and Steve Nett

Raili and Steve

Monday 21st September 2009

Very nice site!

alexk866

Thursday 9th July 2009

Good evening,

My name is Jason Rochester. I was on the tour on Friday the 3rd out to the Reef and had a wonderful time! Thank you so much for making my time in Australia very enjoyable. I'm particularly grateful for the watchful staff who noticed that I was wearing glasses and made it a point to find a snorkel mask that closely matches my prescription. I was amazed at how clearly I could see in the water. Thanks again for a very wonderful experience on the Reef and a great port visit here in Cairns.

Sincerely,
Jason

Chaplain Jason Rochester
USS ESSEX (LHD 2)

Jason - USA

Wednesday 29th April 2009

Just wanted to say a big thanks to the staff on T5. They were awesome . Lots of help, friendly and tolerant. A special big hello and thanks to Mossy, Lana, and Kimbo all who made my trips out to the reef so enjoyable. My girlfriend couldnt snorkel due to the flu so we missed out on our Sunday trip. But i plan on coming again to do a live aboard trip. Thanks again and a big Yeehaw from Calgary. Grant

Grant - Calgary

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Guys,

We just want to say we had an amazing time. Perfect crew, food, boat and of course the dive spots. Gear was up to date and that made it one great day.

Keep up the great work and the quality!!

Thanks for everything!

Greetings,

Silke and Maarten

PS the photos are amazing

Silke and Maarten - Holland

Thursday 23rd April 2009

Gidday from New Zealand

I had a day trip (with my wife) and must say that the treatment I recieved was 2nd to none.
I had phoned a couple of weekes ago and spoke to a really helpful woman and that contact made my mind up that if I was able to have a dive on my holiday, Tusa Dive would be the company that I WOULD dive with.
My face to face contact was with Michelle and I found her to continue the treatment that I recieved, and when Scotty picked us up from The Lakes the treatment continued.
Scotty was a wealth of information and a bluudy nice guy . I am, large and suck air like it was water in the desert and I was a bit supprised that the tanks were slightly smaller, but Scotty was quick to offer his fathers tank and BCD that ended by being a better fit to my more generous frame :-[ and for this I am sincerly grateful.
I have written a small comment on the fishing site that I am constantly a reader of (www.thefishingshow.co.nz) ( forums, reports) in which I have noted your company and the efforts put in.
You are truly lucky to have staff like both Michelle and Scotty (not takeing anything away from the rest) and I cannot wait for my next visit
bringing with me my daughter (14) that is also a diver.

Please feel free to use this email or contact me if anyone wants further recomendations of your operation

Thanks again
Regards
Barrie McKoy

Barrie - New Zealand

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

I just wanted to pass on my thanks for a great day on the Great Barrier Reef.

We all had a wonderful time and the crew onboard the boat were friendly, approachable and very helpful. As a family we loved the relaxed approach to the day. Taking a small group allows that Aussie tradition of having a laugh and "taking the mickey" really shine through.

I enjoyed both snorkelling locations and we loved the opportunity to hire an underwater camera onboard. We have some great photos as a souvenir of our day.

The food was exactly right, lots of fresh, healthy salad and meats.

Although I don't think families are your target market I would recommend Tusa to anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxed day on the Reef.

Thanks again,

Vanessa