You can now book a submersible Uber on the Great Barrier Reef

By

Fancy exploring the Great Barrier Reef in a personal submarine a la David Attenborough? Now you can – and perhaps even for free.

Visitors to Heron Island can now try out the BBC's personal submarine

Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Launched in partnership with ridesharing service Uber, the scUber was officially unveiled on Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef on Thursday. Available to book exclusively through the Uber app, scUber rides will be available to the public on Heron Island from Monday 27 May, before the scUber moves to Agincourt Reef off the coast of Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland from 9-18 June.

ScUber submerging, Heron Island. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events, Queensland

“When people come and experience the Great Barrier Reef, then they care,” said Susan Anderson, Regional General Manager of Uber, Australia and New Zealand, at the launch.

“This once-in-a-lifetime, world-class experience gives riders who can’t swim or would otherwise not be able to access the Great Barrier Reef, an experience.”

ScUber manouvering past a wreck, Heron Island

Aerial shot os ScUber, Heron Island. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events, Queensland.

One-hour rides in the scUber (which seats two people on either side of the driver) cost AU$3000 for two people and include pick-up with the Uber app, return scenic helicopter flight to Heron Island or boat transfers to Agincourt Reef with Quicksilver Cruises from Port Douglas, and drop-off to your address with Uber.

For those who don’t have that kind of cash lying around, Queensland and Uber are giving away a ride to one lucky winner and a friend from the UK, France, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia respectively. To enter the competition, head to scuberqueensland.com.

ScUber negotiates the sea bed, Heron Island

scUber travelling amongst marine life at Heron Island. Photo by: Tourism and Events Queensland

Among the first people to experience the scUber on Heron Island was Dr David Wachenfeld, Chief Scientist at the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority, who said the experience offers a completely different perspective of the reef, even for those who have snorkelled and scuba dived on the world’s largest coral reef system before.

“What I didn’t expect was how close you could get to stuff,” he said. “It’s like a cross between Finding Nemo and a Bond movie!”

By Sarah Reid

The post You can now book a submersible Uber on the Great Barrier Reef appeared first on Lonely Planet Travel News.