Diving in GBR (aus)

bugsz · 17th April 2008

Have anyone dived there before? any idea what dive site is recommanded?

limonello · 18th April 2008

I last dived there in 2005 and previously in 1998. Compared to 1998, the dive sites close to Cairns have been over-dived and seriously deteriorated: too many tourists and snorkellers going out in massive jet boats and ferries.

In 2005, I dived the Cod Hole and northern Ribbon reefs with the Nimrod Explorer (you can google that). The diving was fantastic! I opted for the Nimrod because they had a nice 3 day diving package (I had limited time): the package include 2-way flights in a small plane north to Cooktown to meet the boat and back. This saves cruising time. The flight itself is quite an experience as the pilot can go low over the reefs and you can spot turtles, sharks and dolphins from the plane.

It was also cheaper than Mike Ball and Taka dive.

Highly recommend it.

marcel · 22nd April 2008

I worked as a dive guide on the GBR and in general avoid any trip close to coast (aka the inner reef). The inner reef is not worth your money in particular if you have seen some of the better sites in this region. You can shop around a bit in Cairns looking for the best deals, there are a few operators who will take you to outer reef on day trips. ProDive is a training factory and they (at least when I was working in Cairns) do not go to the outer-reef. You will also end up with a bunch of openwater students, so even if the price sounds right don't go with them.

If you take QuickSilver for a day trip don't get one of the boats going to their platforms. The diving is good but you pay a lot of money for 2 dives. They also have a fast catamaran which takes you out on 3 dives for less. If you get seasick easy you might want to take the trip to the platforms, you will not easy get sick on their big boats :-) The advantage of diving from the platforms is that they use a small boat to take you to the dive site. Things are well organized on the GBR and you will find no other operator diving the site at the same time. As the platforms are more focused on snorkeling you normally end up with a small group of certified divers. If they got more than 6 guest they split the group over 2 DMs. But you will pay top $$$ to go to the platform and than have to pay again to go diving.

Independent from who you choose they will transport you to Port Douglas from where the boats leave and bring you back to Cairns at the end of the day. The suggestion of limonello to go to Cooktown and take a (day) boat form there is a good one. If I would still be living in Cairns that is what I would do. If you got the money Mike Ball comes highly recommended even among the local competition. Unfortunately while working as a DM could not afford a trip with Mike, so cannot confirm his reputation myself.

17th April 2008	#1
bugsz Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 153	Diving in GBR (aus) Have anyone dived there before? any idea what dive site is recommanded?

18th April 2008	#2
limonello Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 181	Re: Diving in GBR (aus) I last dived there in 2005 and previously in 1998. Compared to 1998, the dive sites close to Cairns have been over-dived and seriously deteriorated: too many tourists and snorkellers going out in massive jet boats and ferries. In 2005, I dived the Cod Hole and northern Ribbon reefs with the Nimrod Explorer (you can google that). The diving was fantastic! I opted for the Nimrod because they had a nice 3 day diving package (I had limited time): the package include 2-way flights in a small plane north to Cooktown to meet the boat and back. This saves cruising time. The flight itself is quite an experience as the pilot can go low over the reefs and you can spot turtles, sharks and dolphins from the plane. It was also cheaper than Mike Ball and Taka dive. Highly recommend it.

22nd April 2008	#3
marcel New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28	Re: Diving in GBR (aus) I worked as a dive guide on the GBR and in general avoid any trip close to coast (aka the inner reef). The inner reef is not worth your money in particular if you have seen some of the better sites in this region. You can shop around a bit in Cairns looking for the best deals, there are a few operators who will take you to outer reef on day trips. ProDive is a training factory and they (at least when I was working in Cairns) do not go to the outer-reef. You will also end up with a bunch of openwater students, so even if the price sounds right don't go with them. If you take QuickSilver for a day trip don't get one of the boats going to their platforms. The diving is good but you pay a lot of money for 2 dives. They also have a fast catamaran which takes you out on 3 dives for less. If you get seasick easy you might want to take the trip to the platforms, you will not easy get sick on their big boats :-) The advantage of diving from the platforms is that they use a small boat to take you to the dive site. Things are well organized on the GBR and you will find no other operator diving the site at the same time. As the platforms are more focused on snorkeling you normally end up with a small group of certified divers. If they got more than 6 guest they split the group over 2 DMs. But you will pay top $$$ to go to the platform and than have to pay again to go diving. Independent from who you choose they will transport you to Port Douglas from where the boats leave and bring you back to Cairns at the end of the day. The suggestion of limonello to go to Cooktown and take a (day) boat form there is a good one. If I would still be living in Cairns that is what I would do. If you got the money Mike Ball comes highly recommended even among the local competition. Unfortunately while working as a DM could not afford a trip with Mike, so cannot confirm his reputation myself.