FAQs
Find the answers to our frequently asked questions here
Redboats only offers the boat trips and does not run courses or hire gear. Redboats does hire tanks however, and you are able to select tanks at time of booking. We recommend that you support your local dive store and hire gear from them. Departing Portsea: Academy of SCUBA – Camberwell Adreno – Cheltenham All About Scuba - Coolaroo Aquability - Mordialloc Aquatic Adventures - Rowville Dive 2U – Carrum Downs & Various Locations Dive and Dive - Springvale Diveline - Frankston Extreme Watersport - Rosebud Scuba Culture - Burwood SCUBA Doctor - Rye SCUBA Life - Hallam Snorkel Safari - Heidelberg Departing Queenscliff: BayCity Scuba - Geelong Geelong Dive Centre - Geelong Snorkel Safari - Altona Beach Australian Diving Instruction - Geelong
More operators are found on our Dive Industry of Victoria Association membership page.
We recommend minimum 7mm all year round however 5mm is fine between December – May. For your convenience a hot shower is available on the boat.
A hood and gloves are advisable.
- We recommend that you should have dived in Victoria in the last 6 months
- We recommend that you have done at least one boat dive before (not OW students)
- You should have experienced diving in temperate waters
- If you want to dive the Canberra, you should have done at least 2 boat dives in Victoria in the last 6 months.
We want everyone to have fun. In order to have fun, people need to be safe and be comfortable. If you are diving above your ability, you cannot be comfortable and therefore will not be having fun.
Please call us on 0400 068 627 or message us on Facebook if you are unsure.
Yes, we do not come back to shore between dives if you have booked a double dive. We have a limited supply of second tanks onboard available for an extra fee, please advise if you would like one put aside for you at the time of booking. Please see our recommended dive shops for tank/gear hire below.
TIME:
You must be on time, please double check your booked times. The boat will not wait for you and will leave without you. In peak time please allow yourself more than enough time to drive down, park your car, collect gear, kit up and use the bathroom.
Important: Times are subject to change. You need to check the website schedule the night before your trip to see if there is any minor change +/- 30 mins. If there is any major change you will be contacted by SMS or phone, so please keep your phone handy! Please be fully ready to go at departure point 20 minutes prior to departure time. This includes being geared up in a wetsuit with all of your gear connected and ready to go. If you have hired tanks, they will be ready for you on the boat. If the weather is hot, please leave your suit undone, or go for a quick dip to remain cool. Being late or not being completely ready jeopardises the trip for others. Some of the trips we do are tide/current dependent and any delay can result in you missing the dive.
Please allow ample time for traffic, parking and getting geared up. We are unable to delay departure if you are running late, and you will forgo the cost of the tour.
LOCATION:
If you are unsure of where your departure point is located, please select your departure point from the list at the bottom of the website.
- Your Dive gear fully assembled and ready to dive
- Your Dive certification (you can send it through by email prior (dive@redboats.com.au)
- Your Statement of Understanding (SOU) that was emailed to you with your booking confirmation.
- Lunch or a snack (if applicable)
- Camera
- Valid fishing license and catch bag if you’re intending to collect seafood (see our Cray Diving for Dummies blog)
- Do not bring tubs
- Do not bring big bags
Yes, please give us at least 24 hours’ notice for changes. If the time is less than 24 hours, as per our terms and conditions, you will forfeit the cost of the tour.
With over 200 sites in Melbourne, if the weather is not suitable for your booked dive, we will relocate to a more suitable dive site. If the weather is deemed unsafe by Redboats, you will be provided a refund or transfer to a second preferred date.
- Read our Crayfishing for Dummies Blog https://redboats.com.au/cray-diving-for-dummies-scuba-diving-for-lobsters/
- Victoria Fishing License that is current, you can order this online here https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-licence
- Crayfish Tags – Order them via the app. Search: ‘VicRLTag’
- Catch bag, a good torch, gloves and a knife.
Academy of SCUBA – Camberwell
Salt Sessions – Mornington Peninsula
SCUBA Culture – Burwood