WE'RE ALL TOURING IN A YELLOW SUBMARINE

Visitors to Queensland's Sunshine Coast can dive to depths of up to 30 metres below the ocean's surface on board a fully submersible tourist submarine. Down Under Submarines is offering the tours from Mooloolaba in the hybrid SUBCAT-30 vessel, which can also travel on the water's surface like a catamaran. Down Under Submarine director, Andrey Alexeenko, said participants are taken below the surface 1.5 nautical miles out from Point Cartwright. “As well as the marine life you can spot out the window, travelling in the nearly 20 metre-long submarine is an experience in itself,” he said. “It's a one-of-a-kind submarine which has a special hull above the water so passengers can get that experience of both submersion and refloating. That's the difference, and it really gives you that adrenalin rush when you're starting to submerge.” The experience is available for families with kids aged over two and above 90cm tall. The yellow submarine is also sustainable as it is powered by six battery operated electric thrusters that produce zero emissions while submerged. The interior design is similar to that of a plane cabin, with 14 circular windows offering visibility of up to 30 metres underwater and video monitors providing real-time footage of the ocean around you from the four cameras located on the sub's exterior. During the dive experience an onboard guide provides commentary about the submarine and surrounding marine life. The vessel also has an external deck, and on the Yellow Submarine Cruise guests will be able to walk between the submarine's exterior and interior cabin. Underwater the SUBCAT-30 travels at around two kilometres per hour and is manoeuvrable to ensure it never comes into contact with coral reefs or marine life. The Submarine Dive Experience has a dive time of around 30 minutes plus 20 minutes surface travel, while the Yellow Submarine Cruise lasts for an hour at sunset, just outside Mooloolaba's main beach or along sheltered canals, depending on the weather conditions.