Help?? - 1 Month - Sydney to Cairns - Diving

[BlueSpirit]

Hi everyone, I have reached the Australian leg of my 'Shark Diving Sabbatical'. I fly out of Cairns on the 21st April. So I have around 4 weeks to get from Byron Bay (my current location) to Cairns trying to get in a good variety of diving (with an emphasis on sharks if possible). Are there any suggestions for route/ must not miss? - The SS Yongala (from Ayr) is a must for me, as is seeing the GBR as it is declining rapidly! - for a bit of background I am Padi RD, 100 dives, and so far on this trip I have been shark diving in the Bahamas, Mexico, Belize and Fiji.

 

[clownfishsydney]

Should have started further south in New South Wales as spots like Fish Rock at South West Rocks have heaps of grey nurse sharks all year around. The only spot I am aware of in Queensland renowned for sharks is Wolf Rock near Rainbow Beach, about 3 hours north of Brisbane. However, not sure they run every day.

 

[Peter Perkins]

Maybe go to South Australia on a Great White Shark cage diving expedition!

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

The best shark dives out of Cairns are Mike Ball and Spirit of Freedom trips that leave Thursdays and do a shark feed dive in the Coral Sea. Don't worry about the Outer Reef trips - small Reef sharks at best.

 

[ShortfinMako]

I would be having a look at Julian rocks while your there as it's the most easterly point in Australia and some mosters have been spotted there but its just random. What are you looking for? As mentioned you could fly down to dangerous reef if you'd like to see a white, or jump on a live board to osprey where you will see 50 odd sharks but the are all silky whalers/reef sharks and you might see the odd oceanic if you are lucky. I have been there a few times (north horn) but you may have already seen that sort of thing in Fiji etc. The soft corals there are not going to better than Fiji but the wall diving is excellent and the viz is 50m on some days, and to be be clear osprey is a long way out in 2.5kms of water.

As mentioned grey nurse sharks are a little further south but they are still about brooms head etc. The yongala is a great dive I am told out of cyclone season. You may also consider Ningaloo reef WA for the whale sharks if you are making a flight or two but I am not sure when they are on.

Tiger sharks are seasonal with the turtles which happens around spring but you have to go a long way north. If it were me and you have never seen the gbr I'd jump on a 7 night with Spirit of freedom or Spoilsport, and don't forget Julian rocks. Are you just after sharks or would you like to see the ribbon reefs etc too?

 

[BlueSpirit]

I managed to get a little further north, I am currently on 'Straddie' North Stradbroke Island. Had a couple of dives there. Easter and the high swell from a current cyclone has messed with my plans a bit. I am now on Straddie until Sunday when I go north to rainbow beach, to wolf Rock for the manta rays and grey nurse sharks. I wanted to see the brisbane wreck, but it's blown out. I would like to see a variety of things but sharks would be an emphasis. I am thinking of going on a liveaboard to see the GBR, as it will be my only chance for a while. I have to dive the Yongala out of Ayr aswell. Other than that I am open to suggestions. My restrictions are i have to be in cairns for my flight on the 21st April. I would like to see the daintree / Cape tribulation, and I am getting around by greyhound, as I have a northbound hop on/off pass to Cairns. Shortfinmako, which itinerary would you recommend for spirit of freedom??

 

[rabe]

Unfortunately you're getting the worse weather ever...
If you're still around, try the ex-HMAS up in Mollollaba: even with bad vis, you just hide inside the wreck and you can have fun... Also, this Saturday they are running an exceptional night dive inside the wreck (I might go or not, haven't decided yet)...
In Moreton bay, Straddie, etc. is not sharks season yet.
Wolf Rock and Rainbow Beach for sharks, but I've heard the dives are on hold because of the weather...
Have you done Julian's Rock? I was there a couple of weeks ago: a lot of zebra sharks and manta...

 

[BlueSpirit]

Unfortunately you're getting the worse weather ever...
If you're still around, try the ex-HMAS up in Mollollaba: even with bad vis, you just hide inside the wreck and you can have fun... Also, this Saturday they are running an exceptional night dive inside the wreck (I might go or not, haven't decided yet)...
In Moreton bay, Straddie, etc. is not sharks season yet.
Wolf Rock and Rainbow Beach for sharks, but I've heard the dives are on hold because of the weather...
Have you done Julian's Rock? I was there a couple of weeks ago: a lot of zebra sharks and manta...

The dive out of mollollaba, is the Hmas brisbane I was talking about, but I think is now out of the picture for me . I am still in Straddie until Sunday. Unfortunately I also missed out on julians Rock due to weather and an injury. Unfortunately I have to keep travelling north, even with the bad weather!

 

[rabe]

The dive out of mollollaba, is the Hmas brisbane I was talking about, but I think is now out of the picture for me . I am still in Straddie until Sunday. Unfortunately I also missed out on julians Rock due to weather and an injury. Unfortunately I have to keep travelling north, even with the bad weather!

Have you tried Manta Bommie? it's just in front of Straddie. The Folks from Manta Lodge could help you...
Why ex-HMAS is out of question? Is on your way for going north...

Too bad you've missed Julian Rocks, it's such an amazing spot...

 

[BlueSpirit]

I am there as we speak haha. Manta bommie has been out due to the current. Did two dives at shag Rock though. Hmas brisbane was due to weather conditions, so I booked further north at rainbow so now I am committed and don't want to backtrack South due to overall trip time constraints.